🇩🇪Germany

Clinique Acne Solutions Cleansing Foam for combination skin

High

  • HighCombination Skin Fit
  • HighEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

A great choice for combination skin; a few cleansers fit it even 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 excellent cleansing for your acne-prone combination skin, as salicylic acid exfoliates and decongests pores while glycerin provides hydration.
  • The presence of caffeine and algae extract further supports oil control and skin clarity, aligning well with your goal of reducing oily shine.
  • The formula is safe for your combination skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients.

How to apply

  • Use this cleanser AM and PM as part of your daily routine. Start 3×/week and build up to daily use if your skin tolerates it well.
  • Apply this cleanser as the very first step in your morning routine and right after your pre-cleanser in the evening.
  • Gently massage a small amount of cleanser onto your skin using circular motions. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water.
  • For the best results , apply the cleanser directly onto slightly damp skin to help lift away excess oil.
  • Avoid the immediate eye area and do a patch test before your first use to check for any sensitivity.

People Say

★4.5Overall rating based on 5.5k+ reviews

Based on a very large amount of data, users with oily and acne-prone skin consistently praise this foam for effectively clearing breakouts and reducing redness without leaving a residue. Users with dry or sensitive skin frequently report that the formula is too stripping, leading to tightness and flaking if not paired with a strong moisturizer.

Highlights

  • Effective acne treatment Mostly Mentioned
    • “cleared my cystic acne”
    • “reduced redness significantly”
    • “stopped new breakouts”
    • “best for hormonal acne”
  • Gentle on oily skin Often Mentioned
    • “doesn't strip my skin”
    • “leaves face feeling soft”
    • “gentle enough for daily use”
    • “clean but not tight”
  • Drying and stripping Often Mentioned
    • “made my skin flake”
    • “face felt very tight”
    • “too harsh for sensitive skin”
    • “dried out my cheeks”
  • Convenient pump Sometimes Noted
    • “love the foam pump”
    • “easy to use in shower”
    • “one pump is enough”
    • “dispenses perfect amount”
  • Deep cleaning, oil control Sometimes Noted
    • “removes all excess oil”
    • “pores look smaller”
    • “face feels squeaky clean”
    • “great for greasy T-zone”
  • Unpleasant scent Sometimes Noted
    • “smells like bandages”
    • “strong chemical odor”
    • “scent is off-putting”
    • “smells medicinal”
  • Packaging issues Rarely Noted
    • “pump stopped working”
    • “leaked in my bag”
    • “dispenser broke quickly”
    • “cap doesn't stay on”
  • Watery consistency Rarely Noted
    • “liquid is too runny”
    • “pours out like water”
    • “hard to keep in hand”
    • “expected a thicker gel”

Sources: lovi.care, sephora.com, macys.com, ulta.com, bluemercury.com, my-navy-exchange.com, and more

Questions and answers

What makes Clinique Acne Solutions Cleansing Foam a great fit for combination skin?

This cleanser is a great fit because salicylic acid clears out pores while glycerin keeps your skin hydrated. Caffeine and algae extract help control oily shine, and the formula is safe and unlikely to cause irritation.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

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

Salicylic acid and glycerin make this cleanser a great fit by clearing out pores while keeping combination skin hydrated. Caffeine and algae extract further help control oil and keep your skin clear without causing irritation.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

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

What does Glycerin do for combination skin?

Glycerin helps keep combination skin soft and smooth by pulling moisture in and keeping it there. It improves hydration and supports your skin barrier, which is unlikely to cause irritation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2008Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

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

This cleanser is used in both your morning and evening routine. It washes your skin and helps clear pores while keeping things calm and comfortable.

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

You can use this cleanser with retinol, but it is best to use them at different times of the day to keep your skin calm and smooth. Try this cleanser in the morning and apply your retinol at night to help avoid unwanted dryness or irritation.

How often should I use this cleanser?

This cleanser is a great fit for your combination skin and can be used daily as part of your morning and evening routine. Salicylic acid helps clear out pores while glycerin keeps skin balanced and soft.

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

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

This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts on combination skin because salicylic acid clears out pores while caffeine and algae extract help control oil. However, some reviewers do mention that it can feel drying and stripping.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2013

Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?

This cleanser is intended for facial use, so the thin skin around the eyes is likely too sensitive for its acne-fighting ingredients, though it can generally be used on body breakouts if tolerated well.

Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 2002

Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.

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, 2017
  • 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
  • The use of a salicylic acid-based dermocosmetic significantly reduces the needed quantity of benzoyl peroxide without impacting efficacy in mild to moderate acne, and as maintenance post-benzoyl peroxide allows a significant reduction of acne relapse compared to vehicle.

    Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023
  • Topical caffeine acts as an active cosmetic compound by preventing excessive fat accumulation through phosphodiesterase inhibition, protecting cells against UV radiation with antioxidant properties, increasing skin microcirculation, and stimulating hair growth via 5-alpha-reductase inhibition.

    Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2013
  • 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
  • The 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, 2020
  • Ten 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, 2001
  • Niacinamide/glycerin body moisturizers provided better rapid and prolonged improvement of cosmetic xerosis through functional improvement of stratum corneum barrier function compared to no treatment and conventional moisturizers in female subjects.

    Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2012
  • A skincare regimen containing Macrocystis pyrifera ferment consisting of a cleansing foam, a serum, and a moisturizer decreases the visible effects of inflammation and aging while promoting healing and improving patient satisfaction.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
  • Macrocystis pyrifera ferment-containing creams decrease visible inflammation and signs of aging while enhancing barrier resilience and recovery.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2023
  • Aqueous extracts from Macrocystis pyrifera and Durvillaea antarctica exhibited antiviral activity against acyclovir-sensitive and acyclovir-resistant HSV-1 and HSV-2, and topical formulations significantly reduced the severity and duration of HSV-1 skin lesions in an animal model compared to mock treatment and acyclovir.

    Frontiers in Microbiology, 2020
  • A topical cosmetic slimming product containing tetrahydroxypropyl ethylenediamine, caffeine, carnitine, forskolin and retinol significantly reduced body circumferences and improved skin aspect compared with placebo in 78 women over 12 weeks.

    International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2011
  • Topical sunscreen formulations containing caffeine combined with UV filters increased in vivo anti-UVB protection by approximately 25% and showed higher SPF values compared to caffeine-free sunscreen, while being well tolerated by the skin of healthy subjects.

    Frontiers in Physiology, 2019
  • Caffeine gel combined with choline geranate showed high skin permeation capacity and superior clinical results in cellulite treatment compared to caffeine gel without ionic liquid.

    AAPS PharmSciTech, 2021
  • Topical 2% N-acetyl glucosamine reduced facial hyperpigmentation in an 8-week split-face clinical test, with an even greater effect observed when combined with 4% niacinamide.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2007
  • N-acetyl-glucosamine-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers successfully delivered the hydrophilic agent through the skin and reduced melanin distribution in healthy volunteers.

    Advanced Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 2016
  • Topical cosmetic products containing hyaluronic acid, N-acetyl glucosamine, and gamma-amino butyric acid improved skin hydration by 24.28% to 33.60%, elasticity by 11.98%, and skin lightening by 5.26% over 2 months in 20 female participants.

    Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, 2019

Ingredients

Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Sucrose, Disodium Phosphate, Arginine Cocoate, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Caffeine, Algae Extract, Cola Acuminata Seed Extract, Sea Whip Extract, Peg Ppg-18 18 Dimethicone, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ppg-6-Decyltetradeceth-30, Lactobacillus Ferment, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Acetyl Glucosamine, Capryloyl Glycine, 10-Hydroxydecanoic Acid, Polyquaternium-7, Stearic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium Edta, Phenoxyethanol, Chloroxylenol, Salicylic Acid

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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Prices checked 5 Nov – 6 Nov 2026

The Lovi Fit is the same in every country; only the stores and prices differ, and the ones here are for Germany.

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