Clinique’s New Daily Calm Merges Clinical Efficacy with Color Cosmetics

Clinique, a part of Happi Top 50 Company The Estée Lauder Companies, has expanded with a new Daily Calm collection designed to address the needs of patients with sensitive and reactive skin.

The collection combines clinically evaluated skin care with color cosmetics aimed at improving both visible symptoms and the patient experience.

“We can’t underestimate the emotional impact a skin concern like this can have on a patient, and how meaningful and transformational it can be when there is an accessible solution to address the problem,” said Ida Wong, VP of global product development.

Chinese Medicine Inspiration

A key component of the Daily Calm formulations is Uniflavon, a proprietary ingredient blend inspired by traditional Chinese medicine. The ingredient combines extracts from bamboo leaves and Scutellaria baicalensis (skullcap) root, both of which are rich in flavonoids. According to Ingrassia, research into these botanical-derived compounds demonstrated their ability to inhibit key enzymes involved in inflammatory pathways, translating into calming, anti-irritation, and smoothing benefits for sensitive skin.

Addressing Consumer Need

To evaluate the efficacy of the collection, Clinique used the Burden of Sensitive Skin (BoSS) questionnaire to recruit participants with clinically characterized sensitive skin rather than relying solely on self-reported sensitivity. The validated assessment evaluates visible and sensory symptoms of sensitive skin as well as its effect on quality of life. The resulting clinical and sensory studies were designed to better reflect the experiences of patients who routinely manage redness, dryness, discomfort and reactivity.

In the survey, 54% of patients said makeup irritates their skin too much to use it frequently and 82% of patients wish products for sensitive skin were effective but safe. The Daily Calm collection includes a cleanser and soothing repair cream, as well as color cosmetic products such as a balm and lip and cheek color designed to provide immediate cosmetic benefits while supporting long-term skin comfort. Wong emphasized that patients with sensitive skin often face limitations when selecting makeup products, particularly during periods of flare-ups. By incorporating color cosmetics into the franchise, the collection aims to provide camouflage for visible irritation while maintaining compatibility with reactive skin.

For more on the facial cosmetics market, check out our July issue.