It is hard to beat Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion. It performs well, soaking into the skin and making it soft and smooth without leaving a greasy finish. Moms use it, Grandmas use it, college ladies use it, some guys use it, everybody uses it, and with good reason. I buy a Clinique DDML 4.2 ounce bottle several times a year during every good Clinique Bonus (GWP) event. It is a classic go-to kind of product that works regardless of skin type or age.
But… that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t give a good dupe a try. As long as quality is not sacrificed, who doesn’t like more bang for their beauty buck?
And a good Clinique DDML dupe comes from an unexpected place: Sally Beauty. Sally Beauty dupes several popular products including our beloved DDML. It’s called Distinctively Unique Moisturizing Lotion (Compare to Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion) and its’ made by Generic Value Products. For brevity, we will refer to it as Sally Beauty GVP Distinctive in this post.
Here are a few thoughts on Sally Beauty GVP Distinctive:
Perks
Sally Beauty GVP Distinctive looks and smells like Clinique DDML to me. It is a slightly lighter yellow hue. By smells the same, I mean no scent. A big plus for those of us with sensitive skin.
It has a similar but with a somewhat lighter consistency. It soaks into my skin well without being sticky or greasy. Like the original, it does not make my skin breakout and is completely non-irritating.
My skin stays hydrated for the day with either brand.
It sells for $9.99 for a four-ounce pump bottle compared to Clinique DDML 4.2 ounce bottle for $27. It goes on sale for Buy two get one free frequently.
Caveats
I tend to need more of the Sally Beauty GVP Distinctive – two pumps worth instead just one Clinique DDML to coat my face and throat, so “Distinctive” is not a true 1/3 of the price of DDML, but still a deal.
Sally Beauty GVP Distinctive comes in one form: lotion. Whereas Clinique Dramatically Different comes in lotion, a cream for dry skin, a gel for oily skin, and a hydrating jelly form to lock moisture in and keeps pollution out.
My real gripe with Sally Beauty GVP “Distinctive” is the packaging. The pump mechanism works intermittently so I must remove the top and squeeze contents out of the bottle. I would prefer a working pump or make it a cap style package.
OVERALL IMPRESSION
Sally Beauty GVP “Distinctive” is an excellent dupe of a well-loved product which is a great find. There is not a compromise to quality, although I do need to use a bit more of it than I would of the Clinique DDML. I use both Clinique DDML and Sally Beauty GVP Distinctive within my beauty routine.
If you buy Clinique DDML during bonus campaigns, then Sally Beauty GVP Distinctive lotion can hold you over between bonus GWP events.
Sally Beauty also has two-day shipping which may be faster than getting to a Clinique counter.
The Sally Beauty version is an especially good deal when Sallys runs their BOGO or buy two get one free offers. Getting three bottles basically for the price of one Clinique DDML means I can keep a “Distinctive” bottle in my gym bag, one at home, and one in my travel bag.
WHERE TO FIND IT
Find Distinctively Unique Moisturizing Lotion by Generic Value Products at Sally Beauty
Find Clinique Dramatically Different Moisture Lotion at your favorite Clinique counter. It is also at Clinique.com, Sephora, Ulta, and many of your favorite online beauty boutiques.
Kelsi Sempers says
THANK YOU for posting this! I’ve used DDL forever and have had my eye on the GVP lotion for awhile. I’m headed to Sally’s this weekend and will definitely pick it up now!
Valarie Allen says
I tried the Sally’s one and I am impressed. I pick it up when they have the Buy 2 Get 1 free deals.
Karly Collins says
I love this stuff! What I do is I take a pump of GVP lotion and I add drops of The Ordinary products to it. It’s like supercharged DDL!
Nikki Jakeman says
I find the pump in GVP to be a problem too. I decanted it into a travel bottle with a screw top. But it’s a great dupe, though I still buy Dramatically Different too and alternate off.