Neutrogena Clear Pore Cleanser/Mask for sensitive skin
Caution
- CautionNormal Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- RiskySafety
A poor match for sensitive skin; the cleansing masks alongside fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with sensitive skin: redness, stinging, and reactions to new products. 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 exfoliation for redness and irritation due to the presence of benzoyl peroxide, which can be drying and potentially worsen sensitivity for your normal skin.
- Kaolin and bentonite are beneficial for oily skin by absorbing excess sebum, but may be too harsh for your normal skin type.
How to apply
- Use this cleansing mask once a week as part of your weekly routine, starting slowly to see how your skin reacts.
- Apply this product after cleansing and enzyme powder, and before your hydrating toner and moisturizer.
- Smooth an even layer of the cleansing mask over your face, making sure to gently avoid rubbing.
- Put the mask on clean and dry skin to keep your sensitive face calm and comfortable.
- Do a patch test before your first use and avoid getting the mask too close to your eyes.
People Say
★4.3Overall rating based on 1.1k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, users find this product to be a highly effective 2-in-1 cleanser and mask for acne and oil control. It is frequently praised for deep cleaning and reducing pore appearance. However, a moderate number of users report that it can cause dryness and irritation, particularly for sensitive skin, and it is also noted to bleach fabrics.
Highlights
Clears acne Often Mentioned
- “clears my skin like a beauty”
- “almost no acne left”
- “AMAZING SKIN AFTER 1 USE!”
- “keeps my acne away”
Versatile 2-in-1 Often Mentioned
- “love that you can use this as a wash or a face mask”
- “better as a mask”
- “doubles as a mask and cleanser”
- “fantastic 2-in-1 product”
Cooling sensation Sometimes Noted
- “feel the cooling sensation”
- “tingling feel”
- “refreshing clean”
- “cooling intensity build”
Deep clean pores Sometimes Noted
- “pores shrinking down”
- “skin feels soooooooo clean”
- “pulling out all of the oil”
- “pores look pristine”
Bleaches fabrics Sometimes Noted
- “bleach out washcloths”
- “bleach your clothing”
- “wearing an old t-shirt”
- “stained my towels”
Drying and irritation Sometimes Noted
- “Dries out skin”
- “face is bright red”
- “excess drying”
- “left my skin feeling really dry”
Burning sensation Rarely Noted
- “burned my face”
- “burning eyes”
- “intense tingling”
- “got burned BAD”
Strong scent Rarely Noted
- “smell is clean... but potent”
- “smells medicated”
- “strong scent”
- “smells like bleach”
Sources: lovi.care, neutrogena.com, amazon.com, walmart.com, acne.org, and more
Questions and answers
Why does Lovi advise caution with Neutrogena Clear Pore Cleanser/Mask for sensitive skin?
Neutrogena Clear Pore Cleanser/Mask is a poor match for sensitive skin because its benzoyl peroxide can be drying and worsen redness, and its clays can be too harsh. Cleansing masks for sensitive skin need soothing and hydrating ingredients to keep the skin calm and comfortable.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a poor fit for sensitive skin?
Benzoyl peroxide, kaolin, bentonite, and menthol make this cleanser a poor fit because they are often too drying and harsh for delicate skin. Sensitive skin needs a gentle, hydrating formula with soothing ingredients and no harsh drying agents to stay calm and comfortable.
What does Benzoyl Peroxide do for sensitive skin?
Benzoyl peroxide may help improve acne, but it is unlikely to suit sensitive skin well because it often causes irritation and dryness. This type of skin needs gentle, soothing ingredients and calming cleansers that reduce redness without harsh side effects.
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2020International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2005
What does Glycerin do for sensitive skin?
Glycerin helps keep sensitive skin soft and deeply hydrated while supporting the skin barrier. It is unlikely to cause irritation and may protect against dryness and roughness.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2008Acta Dermato-venereologica, 1999
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for sensitive skin?
This cleansing mask contains benzoyl peroxide and clays that can be too drying and harsh for sensitive skin. Sensitive skin needs gentle cleansers and soothing moisturizers that keep skin calm and hydrated without causing redness or irritation.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
Using this cleanser with retinol is not recommended because benzoyl peroxide and clays may be too harsh and drying for sensitive skin, worsening irritation. To manage blemishes safely, sensitive skin needs gentle, non-irritating cleansers paired with barrier-restoring ingredients like ceramides and soothing moisturizers.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2020
How often should I use this cleanser?
This cleanser is a poor match for your sensitive skin and may be too drying and harsh. To care for this skin type, look instead for gentle, hydrating cleansers and soothing ingredients that protect the skin barrier.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for sensitive skin?
Benzoyl Peroxide and clay in this product help clear pores, but they may cause dryness and irritation on sensitive skin. A product for this skin needs gentle cleansers and soothing ingredients like ceramides or niacinamide to keep skin calm and smooth without clogging pores.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (benzyl alcohol).
What the research says
Twice daily application of a multitargeted dermocosmetic cream provided comparable efficacy to benzoyl peroxide 5% gel in reducing inflammatory, non-inflammatory, and total lesions in 150 Caucasian subjects with mild-to-moderate acne over 56 days, while demonstrating superior skin tolerability.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Topical benzoyl peroxide may improve acne more effectively than placebo or no treatment, while showing little to no difference compared with adapalene or clindamycin, but with an increased risk of treatment discontinuation due to adverse effects compared to placebo.
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2020Once-daily fixed-dose clindamycin phosphate 1.2%/benzoyl peroxide 3.1%/adapalene 0.15% gel achieved superior treatment success (52.5%) and greater reductions in inflammatory and noninflammatory lesions compared to vehicle (8.1%) and dyad component gels in participants with moderate-to-severe acne over 12 weeks.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2022A 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, 2017The emollient V0034CR significantly reduced TEWL compared to vehicle and vehicle plus glycerol, and significantly increased corneometry scores compared to vehicle and vehicle plus petrolatum in healthy volunteers with dry skin, demonstrating combined barrier function improvement from petrolatum and hydration improvement from glycerol.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Ten days of treatment with a cream containing 20% glycerin significantly increased skin hydration measured by corneometer values in 17 healthy volunteers compared to a placebo cream, but showed no influence on transepidermal water loss or skin sensitivity to an irritating surfactant.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2001Vectorization of high molecular weight hyaluronic acid with clay enabled its penetration into deeper skin layers and led to a significant clinical reduction in fine lines in the crow's feet area compared to placebo after 28 days.
Skin Research and Technology, 2024Twice-weekly use of a clay mask over 4 weeks in 75 adults with oily or combination skin improved acne-related outcomes, sebum content, skin evenness, hydration, and reduced dryness and irritation.
Skin Research and Technology, 2023Clay jojoba oil facial masks reduced total skin lesions by a mean of 54% after 6 weeks in 133 participants with acne-prone, lesioned skin and mild acne compared to baseline.
Forschende Komplementarmedizin, 2012Quaternized carboxymethyl chitosan/organic montmorillonite nanocomposite demonstrated superior moisture-adsorption and retention compared to hyaluronic acid, good UV-protection ability, negligible dermal irritation, and prominent moisture-retention efficacy on human stratum corneum when formulated into a cosmetic cream.
Carbohydrate Polymers, 2017A novel water-in-oil emulsion with a lecithin-modified bentonite prevented epidermal degradation and inflammatory protein secretion induced by urban dust and cedar pollen more effectively than a conventional water-in-oil emulsion in a reconstructed human epidermis model.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2020Bentonite nanoparticles and honey co-administration improved skin wound healing in BALB/c mice by reducing inflammatory cell infiltration and increasing fibroblastosis, new epithelium thickness, granulation area, and collagen density compared to the untreated control group.
The International Journal of Lower Extremity Wounds, 2025Coadministration of 40% topical L-menthol with 10% trans-cinnamaldehyde reduced spontaneous pain intensity, neurogenic inflammation, primary and secondary mechanical hyperalgesia, and heat hyperalgesia, but not cold hyperalgesia, in 14 healthy volunteers.
The Journal of Pain, 2016Topical application of menthol-based cooling gel decreased intramuscular temperature by 1.9 °C and increased cutaneous blood flow by 0.3 ml/min in healthy males compared to placebo gel.
International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy, 2018Cooling skin temperature or applying topical menthol reduced histamine-induced itch intensity and flare diameters in healthy male volunteers.
Neuroscience Letters, 1995
Ingredients
Benzoyl Peroxide, Water, Glycerin, Kaolin, Bentonite, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Titanium Dioxide, Citric Acid, Xanthan Gum, Benzyl Alcohol, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium Edta, Menthol
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.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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