Clean & Clear deep action cream cleanser for acne-prone skin
Cetyl Alcohol
Stearyl Alcohol
Caution
- HighCombination Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- ConcerningSafety
A poor match for acne-prone skin; the cleansers alongside fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with acne-prone skin: breakouts, blackheads, and post-acne marks. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.
Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works
Lovi Assistant explains
- Offers moderate cleansing for your combination skin, as cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol help remove impurities, while glycerin and menthol provide balancing hydration and a cooling effect.
- While generally suitable for combination skin, the formula lacks specialized ingredients to effectively target your acne, blemishes, and breakouts.
How to apply
- Could be used as part of your AM and PM routine. Start using it 3 times a week and build up to daily use if your skin tolerates it.
- This cleanser is the first step in your morning routine and the second step after your pre-cleanser in the evening. Always follow up with a toner and moisturizer .
- Gently massage a small amount of the cleanser onto your face in circular motions. Avoid harsh rubbing to keep your skin calm.
- Apply the cleanser on slightly damp skin to help it work effectively against breakouts. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water .
- Avoid the immediate eye area and do a patch test before your first use to check for any sensitivity.
People Say
★4.2Overall rating based on 1.4k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this cleanser is highly regarded for its creamy texture and refreshing, cooling sensation that leaves skin feeling thoroughly cleansed and soft without excessive stripping. It is particularly effective for those managing acne-prone or combination skin, though individuals with very sensitive skin may find the menthol-induced tingle or fragrance unsuitable.
Highlights
Cooling sensation Mostly Mentioned
- “Love the cooling tingle”
- “Feels like an arctic breeze”
- “Refreshing minty feel”
Affordable price Often Mentioned
- “Great value for money”
- “Lasts for months”
- “Very affordable”
Deep cleansing Often Mentioned
- “Cleans deep into pores”
- “Removes oil and dirt”
- “Face feels super clean”
Creamy texture Sometimes Noted
- “Soft and creamy”
- “Feels like butter”
- “Not harsh on skin”
Potential dryness Sometimes Noted
- “Leaves face feeling dry”
- “A bit too drying”
- “Need moisturizer after”
Sensitive skin irritation Sometimes Noted
- “Too harsh for sensitive skin”
- “Caused some irritation”
- “Not for sensitive types”
Difficult to rinse Rarely Noted
- “Hard to wash off”
- “Leaves a slight residue”
- “Doesn't rinse clean”
Unwanted scent Rarely Noted
- “Fragrance is unnecessary”
- “Smell isn't the same”
- “Not a fan of the scent”
Sources: lovi.care, cleanandclear.com, walmart.com, qfc.com, reviewstream.com, shopsavvy.com, and more
Questions and answers
Why does Lovi advise caution with Clean & Clear Deep Action Cream Cleanser for acne-prone skin?
Lovi advises caution because this cleanser lacks specialized ingredients to effectively target your acne, blemishes, and breakouts. A cleanser for this skin needs powerful ingredients like niacinamide and ceramides, along with soothing agents, to clear blemishes without irritation while keeping skin balanced.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a poor fit for acne-prone skin?
This cleanser is a poor match for your acne-prone skin because it lacks specialized ingredients like niacinamide, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid to effectively target breakouts and keep skin balanced. Acne-prone skin needs a cleanser that provides safe, soothing ingredients and barrier-repairing agents to clear blemishes without irritation.
What does Water do for acne-prone skin?
Water-based hydration helps keep acne-prone skin balanced by providing essential moisture without adding excess oil. Proper hydration also helps reduce dryness and flakiness that can sometimes result from harsh acne treatments.
What does Cetyl Alcohol do for acne-prone skin?
Cetyl alcohol helps keep acne-prone skin soft and smooth while supporting the skin barrier so it does not dry out. This ingredient is unlikely to clog pores, and this type of product needs gentle, non-irritating moisturizers and barrier-protecting ingredients to care for blemish-prone skin safely.
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?
This cleanser goes in the morning and evening routine steps for acne-prone skin, as it helps remove impurities and leaves a cooling feel with glycerin and menthol. Because this formula lacks specialized ingredients to effectively target breakouts, acne-prone skin needs a cleanser that includes blemish-fighting ingredients and targeted treatment products.
Can I use this cleanser with salicylic acid, and in what order?
You can use this cleanser in the same routine, but because it lacks ingredients to target breakouts, acne-prone skin needs a cleanser with acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide.
How often should I use this cleanser?
You can use this cleanser daily in the morning and evening as part of your routine. However, because this product lacks specialized ingredients to effectively target acne-prone skin, this skin type needs a cleanser with ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide to help clear blemishes and breakouts.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?
This cleanser may not cause purging since it does not contain active ingredients that speed up cell turnover, but it is a poor match because it lacks specialized ingredients to target your breakouts. A cleanser for acne-prone skin needs ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide to effectively clear pores and prevent pimples.
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
This cleanser may be used on the body, but it is best to avoid the thin skin around the eyes where the surface is much more delicate. When cleansing acne-prone skin on the body, a product of this type needs acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide to effectively clear blemishes and breakouts.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol. Cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol are fatty alcohols, which soften the skin.
What the research says
A single application of a moisturizing fluid containing hyaluronic acid 1%, glycerin 5%, and Centella asiatica stem cells extract significantly increased skin hydration by 29% and reduced transepidermal water loss at 24 hours compared to baseline and an untreated control site in twenty healthy women.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017A soap-free cleansing lotion containing cetyl alcohol and sodium cocoyl apple amino acids reduced skin surface impurities and improved skin hydration, barrier function, and skin tone in 27 healthy adult subjects over 30 days.
Cureus, 2025Cooling skin temperature or applying topical menthol reduced histamine-induced itch intensity and flare diameters in healthy male volunteers.
Neuroscience Letters, 1995
Ingredients
Water, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Steareth-21, Steareth-2, Menthol, Methylparaben, Propylparaben
Behind this fit score
Lovi calculates every fit score from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.
-
Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
-
Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
-
Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
-
Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
-
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
-
Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
-
Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
-
Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
How does it fit your skin?
Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.