Clinique Clarifying Lotion 2 for oily skin
Salicylic Acid
Glycolic Acid
Witch Hazel
Aloe Barbadensis
Lactic AcidAverage
- AverageOily Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for oily skin; other toners fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily skin: shine, enlarged pores, blackheads, and blemishes. 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 your oily skin due to salicylic acid, which helps decongest pores and manage oiliness. Glycerin and alcohol denat provide basic cleansing and hydration, but these are not specialized for managing oily shine.
- The presence of salicylic acid offers moderate suitability for oily skin through its keratolytic action, though the formula lacks sufficient humectants to fully address potential dryness from alcohol denat.
- The safety profile is good, with no risks of irritation for your oily skin due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.
How to apply
- Use this exfoliating toner once a week at first, then increase frequency only if your skin feels fine.
- Apply the exfoliating toner after cleansing and before your moisturizer or SPF.
- Gently press a few drops of the exfoliating toner into your skin and let it dry.
- Apply the exfoliating toner on clean and dry skin for the best results.
- Avoid the eye area and always use sunscreen during the day.
People Say
★4.5Overall rating based on 5.0k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, users with dry combination skin generally praise this lotion for its ability to remove dull flakes and residual grime, leaving skin feeling "squeaky clean" and prepped for moisturizer. A significant portion of reviewers find the high alcohol content polarizing, with some experiencing stinging, redness, and excessive dryness, particularly those with sensitive skin conditions.
Highlights
Effective exfoliation Mostly Mentioned
- “You will see the dirt with one wipe”
- “sweeps away dulling flakes”
- “cotton pad is always dirty after use”
Strong alcohol smell Mostly Mentioned
- “Smells like nail polish remover”
- “pungent scent of alcohol”
- “fumes make my eyes water”
Clean and fresh Often Mentioned
- “Skin feels squeaky clean”
- “refreshing tingle”
- “feels forcefully cleansed”
Drying and stripping Often Mentioned
- “Made my skin super dry”
- “stripped all the oil”
- “left my face feeling tight”
Improves skin texture Sometimes Noted
- “Skin looks smoother and even-toned”
- “leaves face soft”
- “restores radiance to dull skin”
Preps for moisturizer Sometimes Noted
- “Prepares skin perfectly for hydration”
- “moisturizer sinks in better”
- “clearing the way for lotion”
Irritation and stinging Sometimes Noted
- “Face stung and became red”
- “skin felt angry for hours”
- “burning sensation immediately”
Caused breakouts Rarely Noted
- “My skin breaks out”
- “caused irritation and bumps”
- “made me oilier and break out”
Sources: lovi.care, sephora.sg, sephora.co.nz, ulta.com, clinique.com, beautyontrial.co.uk, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Clinique Clarifying Lotion 2 work for oily skin?
Clinique Clinique Clarifying Lotion 2 works moderately well for oily skin by helping to clear out pores and manage oiliness with salicylic acid, though other products fit this skin type better. Oily skin needs products that provide strong purification and targeted oil control while maintaining balance without causing dryness.
BioMed Research International, 2020Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
Which ingredients make this toner a good fit for oily skin?
Salicylic acid makes this toner a good fit for oily skin by helping clear out pores and manage shine. To work best for oily skin, this type of product needs specialized ingredients that target excess oil and uneven texture while providing balanced hydration.
BioMed Research International, 2020Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
What does Salicylic Acid do for oily skin?
Salicylic acid helps oily skin by reducing excess oil and keeping pores clear. It may also improve overall skin hydration while managing breakouts.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025Experimental Dermatology, 2019
What does Glycolic Acid do for oily skin?
Glycolic acid helps clear away dead skin and excess oil for a smooth, clean feel. It gently removes buildup from the surface, which keeps pores clear and skin looking fresh.
Molecules, 2023Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2011
Where does this toner go in a skincare routine for oily skin?
This toner goes in the evening routine after cleansing, starting at once a week and slowly building up if your skin tolerates it well. Oily skin also needs specialized ingredients like oil-absorbing hydrators and mattifying agents to fully manage shine and prevent dryness.
Can I use it with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this exfoliating toner with retinol by using them on alternate nights or spacing them out to help avoid dryness and irritation. When combining them, apply this toner first on clean skin, let it dry, and then follow with your retinol product.
How often should I use it?
Start using this exfoliating toner once a week, and if your oily skin tolerates it well and you see good results, you can carefully use it more often. Oily skin of this type also needs specialized hydrators to fully balance out any dryness from the alcohol in the formula.
Can it clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?
It is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for your oily skin because salicylic acid helps clear out congestion and manage oiliness. However, this type of product needs stronger hydrating ingredients and less alcohol to properly support oily skin without causing dryness.
BioMed Research International, 2020Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
Is it fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no fragrance and contains drying alcohol (alcohol denat).
What the research says
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, 2020Twice 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, 2024The 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, 2023Hamamelis bark proanthocyanidins strongly increased the proliferation of cultured human keratinocytes and reduced transepidermal water loss and erythema formation in SLS-irritated skin, whereas the polysaccharide fraction had no effect.
Phytochemistry, 2001Cryotherapy 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, 2010Treatment 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, 2024Topical 5% benzoyl peroxide plus salicylic acid achieved the greatest lesion reduction at early 2 to 4 week time points compared to benzoyl peroxide, clindamycin, and combination benzoyl peroxide/clindamycin, while 5% benzoyl peroxide plus salicylic acid and combination benzoyl peroxide/clindamycin showed similar efficacy at 10 to 12 weeks in acne patients.
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2010Repeated short-contact 70% glycolic acid peels provided superior results in atrophic acne scars compared to daily low-strength glycolic acid cream or placebo in 58 women over 24 weeks.
International Journal of Dermatology, 2000Serial glycolic acid peels combined with a modified Kligman formula significantly reduced facial PIH severity in Indian patients compared to the modified Kligman formula alone.
Dermatologic Surgery, 2017A Hamamelis virginiana leaf extract increased LOXL1 expression twofold, decreased elafin synthesis, restored functional elastic fibers, reduced nonfunctional elastin aggregates, decreased wrinkles, and improved skin firmness.
Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2018Witch hazel bark extract and hamamelitannin showed pronounced anti-inflammatory activity, supported keratinocyte migration in a wound healing assay, and inhibited Staphylococcus aureus growth, whereas their skin microbiota metabolite ellagic acid stimulated inflammatory mediator release.
Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2025Hamamelis virginiana bark extract inhibited Cutibacterium acnes-induced IL-6 release and TNF-α-induced IL-8 release in human keratinocytes without showing antibacterial or antibiofilm activities.
Antioxidants, 2022A cream combining propolis, tea tree oil, and Aloe vera reduced erythema scars, acne severity index, and total lesion count better than erythromycin cream in sixty patients with mild to moderate acne vulgaris compared to placebo.
Clinical Pharmacology, 2018Topical aloe vera gel significantly accelerated split-thickness skin graft donor-site healing compared to placebo in 12 patients, but showed no significant difference in pain relief.
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2018Topical application of Aloe vera cream reduced postoperative pain at rest and during defecation, accelerated wound healing at two weeks, and decreased analgesic requirements in patients after open hemorrhoidectomy compared to placebo.
Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2010Application of a cream containing lactic acid 12% and pramoxine HCl 1% significantly improved skin dryness, hydration, and itch compared with a nontreated control in 24 women with a history of dry itchy skin.
Cutis, 2004Topical 12% ammonium lactate produced a significant sparing of epidermal and dermal atrophy induced by clobetasol propionate in human volunteers, without influencing the corticosteroid's bioavailability or antiinflammatory properties.
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 1992A lactic acid/ceramide lotion significantly improved skin moisturization and desquamation compared to no treatment in women with dry, rough skin on the anterior shins.
The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2020
Ingredients
Water, Alcohol Denat, Glycerin, Witch Hazel Extract, Salicylic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Trehalose, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium Edta, Phenoxyethanol, Red 33 Ci 17200, Ext, Violet 2
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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Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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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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