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Paula's Choice Clear Daily Skin Clearing Treatment for combination skin

Average

  • AverageCombination Skin Fit
  • AverageEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

Works for combination skin; other serums fit it better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with combination skin: an oily T-zone, enlarged pores, and dry cheeks. 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 suitability for your combination skin, as benzoyl peroxide effectively targets acne lesions and blemishes, while bisabolol and allantoin provide soothing benefits.
  • While the formula addresses acne, it lacks sufficient humectants like propylene glycol to fully counteract potential dryness on your combination skin.
  • The product is safe for your skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.

How to apply

  • Use your serum as part of your PM routine. Start using it 3 times a week and move to daily use if your skin likes it.
  • Apply the serum after cleansing and toner, and right before your moisturizer.
  • Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin and wait a minute ⏳for it to soak in.
  • Apply the serum on clean and dry skin since your skin is not sensitive.
  • Always do a patch test before using the serum for the first time, and avoid the eye area .

People Say

★4.5Overall rating based on 400+ reviews

This benzoyl peroxide treatment is highly effective at clearing acne, including cystic and hormonal types, with many users experiencing rapid results and a pleasant matte finish. A notable number of reviews mention that the product can be drying, necessitating the use of a good moisturizer to avoid flaking.

Highlights

  • Effective acne clearance Often Mentioned
    • “Clears cystic acne, hormonal breakouts, back acne, prevents future zits.”
  • Fast acting Often Mentioned
    • “Results seen overnight, significant clearing in weeks, "magic" speed.”
  • Drying and flaking Often Mentioned
    • “Causes dry patches, peeling skin, requires heavy moisturizing.”
  • Gentle formulation Sometimes Noted
    • “Less irritating than drugstore BP, lightweight texture, matte finish, non-greasy.”
  • Long-lasting value Sometimes Noted
    • “A little goes a long way, tube lasts months, worth the investment.”
  • Bleaches fabrics Sometimes Noted
    • “Bleaches towels, pillowcases, clothes, hair.”
  • Expensive price Sometimes Noted
    • “Pricey compared to drugstore alternatives, small tube size.”
  • Fades redness Rarely Noted
    • “Helps calm inflammation, reduces redness, improves skin tone.”
  • Packaging issues Rarely Noted
    • “Leaky cap, spills easily, difficult to dispense small amounts.”
  • Sensitizing and stinging Rarely Noted
    • “Burns upon application, stings sensitive skin, causes redness.”

Sources: lovi.care, paulaschoice.com, sephora.ph, amazon.com, influenster.com, youtube.com, and more

Questions and answers

How well does Paula's Choice Clear Daily Skin Clearing Treatment work for combination skin?

This treatment works okay for combination skin because benzoyl peroxide clears up breakouts while bisabolol and allantoin help keep skin calm, but it lacks enough hydrating ingredients to fully prevent dryness on dry areas. Treatments that fit combination skin better need ingredients like niacinamide, propolis, or zinc PCA to balance oil and provide proper moisture without causing dryness.

The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2020Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral Y Cirugia Bucal, 2020

Which ingredients make this treatment a good fit for combination skin?

Benzoyl peroxide targets acne and blemishes, while bisabolol and allantoin help soothe your combination skin. However, treatments of this type need extra hydrating ingredients like niacinamide, propolis, or zinc PCA to provide balanced moisture and control oil without causing dryness.

The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2020Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral Y Cirugia Bucal, 2020

What does Benzoyl Peroxide do for combination skin?

Benzoyl peroxide helps clear acne and reduce blemishes for combination skin by targeting breakout-causing bacteria. Because it can sometimes cause dryness or tightness in sensitive areas, it is important to follow with a good moisturizer to keep the skin balanced.

The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2020Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2013

What does Salicylic Acid do for combination skin?

Salicylic acid helps clear clogged pores and balance oily areas while remaining gentle enough for dry spots on combination skin. It reduces breakouts and oiliness effectively with a low likelihood of irritation.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023

Where does this treatment go in a skincare routine for combination skin?

This treatment goes in your evening routine, after cleansing and before your moisturizer. Because this type of product can be drying on combination skin, it needs extra hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid or glycerin to keep your skin soft and smooth.

Can I use this treatment with retinol, and in what order?

It is best not to use this treatment in the same routine as retinol, as combining potent acne ingredients may easily dry out and irritate your skin. Instead, alternate nights or use retinol on nights when you are not applying this treatment.

How often should I use this treatment?

This treatment works well in the evening routine, starting just once a week so your skin adjusts comfortably. Because combination skin needs extra moisture to balance out blemish-fighting ingredients, an acne treatment of this type needs enough hydrating ingredients to keep your skin from feeling dry.

The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2020American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2022

Can this treatment clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for combination skin?

This treatment is unlikely to clog pores because its ingredients target acne blemishes, though it may cause drying and flaking on combination skin. A product of this type needs enough hydrating ingredients to keep dry areas comfortable while treating breakouts.

The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2020

Is this treatment fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.

What the research says

  • Topical 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, 2020
  • Once-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, 2022
  • A topical gel containing chitosan, chlorhexidine, allantoin, and dexpanthenol significantly reduced postoperative pain, trismus, swelling, and analgesic consumption, while improving wound healing after third molar surgery compared to a placebo.

    Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral Y Cirugia Bucal, 2020
  • 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, 2024
  • Topical clindamycin phosphate 1.2%/adapalene 0.15%/benzoyl peroxide 3.1% gel achieved significantly greater treatment success and lesion reductions compared to vehicle in participants with moderate-to-severe acne.

    Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2023
  • Daily application of adapalene 0.3%/benzoyl peroxide 2.5% gel reduced and prevented atrophic acne scar formation, achieving a total scar count change of -15.5% versus +14.4% for vehicle over 24 weeks in 67 subjects with moderate or severe facial acne.

    American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2018
  • Cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen achieved a higher cure rate (39%) than salicylic acid (24%) and a wait-and-see approach (16%) for cutaneous warts at 13 weeks in primary care patients.

    CMAJ, 2010
  • A moisturizer containing licochalcone A, 1,2-decanediol, L-carnitine, and salicylic acid significantly reduced noninflammatory, inflammatory, and total acne lesion counts compared to a vehicle control in Thai patients during a 12-week maintenance phase.

    BioMed Research International, 2020
  • Treatment with 2% supramolecular salicylic acid hydrogel resulted in a regression and markedly improvement rate of 51.01% compared to 43.10% for Adapaline gel in patients with mild to moderate facial acne vulgaris, showing no significant difference in efficacy.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
  • Combining 755 nm alexandrite laser with topical licorice gel significantly reduces terminal hair counts compared to alexandrite laser with placebo in women with idiopathic hirsutism.

    Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2015
  • Licochalcone A activated Nrf2 signaling, elevated cytoprotective enzymes, increased the reduced-to-oxidized glutathione ratio, and decreased reactive oxygen species in human fibroblasts and neutrophils, while a LicA-rich licorice extract lowered UVA-induced oxidative processes in vivo.

    Experimental Dermatology, 2015
  • Bioactive glycyrrhizic acid and oxymatrine ionic liquid self-assembled nanomicelles significantly promoted the transdermal permeation, subcutaneous retention, and anti-photoaging efficacy of palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 in cellular and animal models compared to unformulated peptide.

    Advanced Science, 2025
  • Topical gel containing chitosan, 0.2% chlorhexidine, allantoin and dexpanthenol did not improve postoperative comfort regarding swelling and pain, but improved the wound's aesthetic appearance following impacted lower third molar extraction compared to no gel.

    Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral Y Cirugia Bucal, 2016
  • An overnight patch containing Allium cepa extract and allantoin safely promotes scar healing after dermatologic surgery, resulting in significantly greater reductions in observer- and patient-assessed POSAS scores compared to no treatment.

    Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 2018
  • Prophylactic application of a topical scar gel containing Allium cepae extract, allantoin, and heparin significantly improves patient-assessed scar color, stiffness, and irregularity compared to no treatment in women following a cesarean section.

    Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2014
  • Application of an alpha-bisabolol-containing cream produced a significant skin-lightening effect in pigmented skin compared to a vehicle control in the majority of female subjects after 8 weeks.

    International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2010
  • The combination of allantoin, bisabolol, D-panthenol and dipotassium glycyrrhizinate reduces UVB-induced PGE2, inflammatory cytokines, and mitochondrial superoxide in human epidermal keratinocytes.

    International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2024

Ingredients

Water, Benzoyl Peroxide, Propylene Glycol, Bisabolol, Allantoin, Acrylates C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Sodium Citrate, Laureth-4, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium Edta, Hexylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol

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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