Rated 4.42 out of 5 stars
784 Reviews
I was really hesitant to switch my moisturizer, but the acne had gotten bad enough I was desperate to try anything. My skin can be VERY sensitive and reacts badly to the smallest irritant. Nothing! Not even acne cause it was GONE! This stuff is so good it was sold out in all 4 stores in my area. Which was okay, because I found the website!
I have very fair, semi-sensitive skin and I also have some oily spots that breakout. I currently use the foaming face wash for acne and the clarifying lotion since these are salicylic acid and NOT benzoyl peroxide. I don't use this product as my third step; instead I use either the dramatically different lotion or super defense. I gave this 3 stars because it works well for a bad breakout if only used once or twice, after that it makes me breakout more and have severely dry skin that lasts for days. All of the women in my family breakout and the first 2 steps are wonderful for us, but this last product is too severe. I hope this review helps those who have sensitive skin that breaks out often but can't use other acne products since they are too drying. I urge you to try the first 2 steps with a good face lotion. I haven't had a pimple in a year. Before I figured out how to change the acne system to suit me I had at least 1 pimple on my face everyday since I was 14.
1
Lynn from NC
Applied at night. My pillow case looks like bleach was spilled on it. Good product if you do not mind ruining your beautifully colored bedding.
5
Nancy from Texas
Im so grateful this product is back. I had acne those 2 years this product was gone. When i saw them RESTOCK, i ran to get it. BEST CLINIQUE PRODUCT. I love it honestly, and i dont ever do reviews but this product deserves it. Would recommend this product to someone with acne!!! Happy customer here
Gigi from Monmouth junction NJ
I have struggled with acne for about 3 years and have never had clear skin since. My mom had taken me to ulta and i was recommended this, when i tell you i put a small amount on the acne before bed, i woke up with 95% of my acne gone. If you do pick and put this on right after it will sting a bit but this is famtastic
Del from Louisiana
To start I see several reviews saying this has salicylic acid. It does not. It has benzoyl peroxide. I was having issues with my face looking rashy with bumps. There was nothing in the bumps, but knew it was some type of acne or reaction to something. I have a very simple skin care routine. Most everything I tried over the course of a year and a half to correct this problem had salicylic acid in it. Then I thought try nothing. So I was only using my cleanser and moisturizer, unless I wore makeup and would use a cleansing balm first. That helped some. So I was looking through my freebie gifts and came across this. I decided to try it. OMG it literally cleared my skin up with one use. So for me, eliminating the salicylic acid and using a benzoyl peroxide was the key. I use it once or twice a week. It really depends on how many days I wear makeup that week. Not only did my skin clear up after one use, my skin has stayed clear. This product is miraculous for me. I was never one to have breakouts or skin issues until I had a hysterectomy in 2019 at 41. Not even as a teenager did I have problems. So I've tried lots of stuff these last few years. Just a word of warning. I noticed my face was drier after the first use. Now when I use this I apply a thin layer of the Clinique smart repair lotion stuff (that was a freebie as well) and thin layer of my regular moisturizer, the Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Cream. Yes, I know the Smart one is a daytime moisturizer, but I use it at night, but only when I use this acne cream. That combo fixed any dryness and my skin is so smooth and silky and not oily at all. You might want to Google where to purchase, because Ulta is out. Unfortunately, I had to order it elsewhere. Same price, but no Ulta points...boo.
3
Lil from Cherry Hill, NJ
Look like something changed in this cream. Its real helps clear blemishes, but not prevent future breakouts. Weighty and increase oil on my face.
Sissy from Kennesaw, GA
I would purchase again, works well for my skin type.
Blaise from Orange, TX
If I could only use one product from clinique, this 100 percent would be it. If anyone has oily or acne prone skin, this is totally for you! Benzoyl peroxide helps my skin stay clear, so I can't go without it!
Evestar from CO
It's great to have a moisturizer with salicylic acid to help fight acne. Most acne treatment products like face washes and masks are inherently drying and it's helpful to have a soothing moisturizer in the same regime. I use it as part of the Clinique three step acne treatment and layer with spf products later.
Allergic reaction from Strongsville, OH
I have never left a review on a product, but I felt this time it was necessary. This may not happen to everyone. I just want to share my personal experience. I have never had an allergic reaction to anything in my entire 30 years of living. This made under my eyes swell up and dried out my entire face. I wanted to love this product so much because I adore Clinique. I'm not quite sure what ingredient caused a reaction but I just wanted to warn others. Please use sparingly or even test on your hand before your face.
bee from Marysville PA
I have small pores but my hormones suck and give me lots of just tiny bumps. this is the only thing I found to work.
4
Ashton from MN
This acne treatment is potent. A little goes a long way. However I don't like the packaging - the texture is watery and it's difficult to get the right amount from the tube. A pump or a dropper would work much better.
Honey from CA
It's essential in my life. You should hydrate your skin deeply before and after using this product. I use the 100Hr moisturizer. This combo makes my skin soft & smooth like a baby. Thank you Clinique❤️
haley from Pennsylvania
I've used Clinique products for years and have sensitive skin and occasionally get small breakouts but not very often thankfully. I've been having them more regularly recently so found this product as part in the series I don't have yet. I do not recommend whatsoever. It burned off a layer of my skin literally. Completely damaged my skin's barrier, my face had red burn patches, was so swollen it was like I was stung by bees and my eyes swollen almost shut. I haven't been able to put anything but a heavy hydrating moisturizer on for a week and it still isn't fully healed. Do not use!
KJack27 from Athens, GA
It was working fine the past two months and then tonight when I put it on like always as the instructions said to… fire. Burning. My face was burning. And it was red. I had to run water on my face for twenty minutes and it was still hot to the touch and red after!!! I will NEVER buy this again! I have photos and I wish I could post them because I'm UPSET. If my skin doesn't fade to normal I'm literally going to be depressed.
Christy from Woodstock, IL.
This entire line of Clinique acne solutions is the absolute best!!! I have tried EVERYTHING on the market, along with prescriptions...but this is the only thing that has worked on my acne!! Such a tremendous improvement in my skin, LOVE IT!!!!
Checotah44 from Nebraska
I have the other product with salicylic acid, but this one is better for me....This does not burn and I use it often and don't have any peeling/flaking problems from it. It really zaps the breakouts in record time. So glad I purchased it!!
Nicki from Colorado
After using it morning and night with my usual cleanser/acne wash for about a week it was helping the amount of acne I was getting and I thought it was finally the product to rescue me lol . But now my skins beyond rough and flakey and dry and no amount of lotion can save my skin face🥲 and the amount of irritation I had around my eye area I got from this made it look like I got smacked in the face by Will Smith . Over all it helped clear up majority of my acne but did cause more problems than good for me .
Paige from Chicago, IL
I have had acne since high school and am now in my early twenties. I have tried product after product, constantly being disappointed by the results. After working at Ulta for a bit, I became more familiar with Clinique products and decided to try some out to see what the hype was. I am SO glad I did. Present day, I have no active breakouts and my skin is completely textureless. For the first time in years I feel completely confident in my skin—the way it looks and the way it feels! This product here single-handedly saved my skin. I recommend it to anyone and everyone that has consistent breakouts that won't go away. Try it out!!!
THE BEST! from Indiana
IM IN LOVE. I just finished my first full container of this. It was AMAZING! Changed the way my face feels! Worked extremely well! My face is so soft and acne free! 10000/10!!🤩🤩🤩
Jo the drummer from Twin Falls, Id
To be far it was either this the fine line acne stuff or the foaming face wash for acne. I woke up this morning with my eyes swollen and my face still burning from last night, which had just been tingling. My face also itches. I going to try and return all three and go back to my original Clinique face care products. I hope this doesn't damage my face, I look terrible.
Pooks from New Jersey, USA
My experience was a lesson in doing product testing! I use the majority of the acne solutions line, Step 1 is the Cleansing Foam, Step 2 is the Clarifying Lotion, and I use the Clinical Clearing Solution on my bad breakouts which normally helps them disappear in one to two days, and I finish my skincare with the moisturizing lotion gel. I decided to add on Step 3, the All-Over Clearing treatment to try to prevent more breakouts. I had a coupon and had purchased it in December of 2021. I used it later the next month and applied it in the evening. Big mistake. When I woke up, I was having a very bad allergic reaction to this product. One of my eye lids had swollen almost shut (I did not apply it near my eyes at all), my face was bright red and extremely itchy, and my skin was extremely puffy. I had to take Benadryl, wash my face very gently as it was painful to touch, and apply an oatmeal based lotion to prevent the severe drying feeling. Thankfully the Benadryl allowed me to see out of my one eye and the pain subsided in about 2 hours after washing, but for the next week, the skin on my face was peeling off in layers and was extremely itchy and irritated. It was like I had a severe sunburn. Maybe it was a chemical burn? Unfortunately, I was unable to return it when I got around to it (I had thrown it into a cabinet after that ordeal), but I wish I had remembered to take it back since I will not pass this product onto anyone knowing what it did to me. *Big Warning* to sensitive skin people: TEST THIS BEFORE USING IT! I do not wish it upon anyone to experience what I did. I have included some pictures of my reaction. On my neck you can see what color my skin normally is and how red it was.
ShannonP from FL
This is a daily use product for me, I use it before applying any makeup. It was unavailable for a period of time, and I'm excited it's back. I feel like my skin is clearer when I use this.
Farrah from PH
I use this all-over clearing treatment as the last step after the cleansing gel, clarifying lotion, moisturizer/sunscreen. I have used other brands with benzoyl peroxide and nothing compares with this by Clinique. This is comfortable and doesn't sting my skin. This has greatly kept my blemishes at bay. It's a known fact that the bleaching properties of the benzoyl peroxide can hurt clothes or any fabric it comes in contact with. Another disadvantage for me is that it gets flaky after an application. So, I try to use as thinly as possible or minimize my moisturizer/serum/sunscreen before applying this clearing treatment last. It can be really inconvenient seeing the visible flakes. It's best to use this in moderation. For me, I use this most especially when I am just home and don't need to put too many products on my face.
AzuH from Boston, MA
I used this product daily for many years before it went out of stock for a long period of time. I was happy to see that it finally came back and immediately bought 3. When I applied it to my face the first night, I noticed that there was rough texture to it (almost like rubbing tiny sand on my skin) which was different than before, and the next morning my skin was all red, itchy and my eyelids were swollen. I never had allergic reaction to a skincare product before and Clinique is my main skincare brand (I use their watery lotion, moisturizer, moisturizer cream and acne cream). I kept using this product for a few more days just to see if anything would change but my skin reacted the same way throughout and I stopped using it (and my skin went back to normal). I am left with 2 more tubes that I would not use. I don't know if they changed the formula, but this is definitely not the same product as before...