Clinique was the cosmetics line founded in 1968 as Clinique Laboratories.
The brand grew from a 1967 Vogue article titled “Can Great Skin Be Created?” Beauty editor Carol Phillips wrote it with dermatologist Norman Orentreich, whose ideas emphasized a systematic skincare routine. Evelyn Lauder, Estée Lauder’s daughter-in-law, brought the article to Estée Lauder and helped turn the concept into a new brand.
Clinique debuted in April 1968 at Saks Fifth Avenue in New York with 117 products. It presented itself as a dermatologist-driven, allergy-tested line and introduced a scientific, clinical image that distinguished it from many conventional makeup counters. Evelyn Lauder also helped create the brand name and its signature white lab-coat presentation.
A common mix-up is treating Estée Lauder as the answer. Estée Lauder Companies founded and owns Clinique, but Clinique is the specific cosmetics line named in the question. Its best-known early system was a three-step routine: facial soap, clarifying lotion, and moisturizer.