Clinique all about clean for acne-prone skin
Sodium Laureth Sulfate
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Low
- AverageCombination Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- Low RiskSafety
A weak 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 due to Sodium Laureth Sulfate and Cocamidopropyl Betaine, which remove impurities, but lacks specialized ingredients like salicylic acid to effectively target your acne and breakouts.
- Hyaluronic Acid provides humectant action suitable for combination skin, yet the formula does not offer sufficient ingredients for optimal oil control.
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
★4.5Overall rating based on 8.8k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this dermatologist-developed cleanser line is a long-time staple for users with varying skin types, praised for effectively removing dirt and oil while maintaining the skin's moisture balance. While the majority of users with sensitive or combination skin find it gentle and non-irritating, a subset of reviewers experience dryness or a tight feeling after use.
Highlights
Effective cleansing Often Mentioned
- “squeaky clean”
- “removes everything”
- “face feels fresh”
Gentle and non-stripping Often Mentioned
- “doesn't dry out”
- “gentle on skin”
- “soft lather”
Fragrance-free Sometimes Noted
- “no scent”
- “good for sensitive skin”
- “allergy tested”
Great value Sometimes Noted
- “lasts forever”
- “little goes a long way”
- “good investment”
Skin type options Sometimes Noted
- “perfect for oily t-zone”
- “great for dry skin”
- “balances combination skin”
Can be drying Sometimes Noted
- “leaves face tight”
- “too drying”
- “stripped my skin”
Caused breakouts Rarely Noted
- “caused bumps”
- “broke me out”
- “skin reaction”
Packaging issues Rarely Noted
- “pump broke”
- “hard to dispense”
- “wasteful bottle design”
Residue left Rarely Noted
- “hard to rinse”
- “filmy feeling”
- “residue on skin”
Struggles with makeup Rarely Noted
- “didn't remove mascara”
- “need double cleanse”
- “makeup remains”
Sources: lovi.care, sephora.com, ulta.com, clinique.com, amazon.com, boots.com, and more
Questions and answers
Why is Clinique All About Clean Liquid Facial Soap a weak match for acne-prone skin?
This cleanser is a weak match because it lacks specialized ingredients like salicylic acid to target breakouts and does not offer sufficient oil control for acne-prone skin. A cleanser for this skin needs powerful ingredients like Niacinamide and Ceramides to effectively address acne and blemishes while maintaining skin balance.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a poor fit for acne-prone skin?
This cleanser is a weak match for your acne-prone skin because it lacks specialized ingredients like salicylic acid to target breakouts and does not offer sufficient ingredients for optimal oil control. A cleanser for this skin needs powerful ingredients like Niacinamide and Ceramides to effectively address acne and blemishes while maintaining skin balance.
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 Sodium Laureth Sulfate do for acne-prone skin?
Sodium laureth sulfate is a detergent that cleanses the skin, but it may cause dryness and irritation on acne-prone skin, which can weaken the skin barrier.
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?
This cleanser goes in your morning and evening routine as the first cleansing step before toners and moisturizers. Because it is a weak match for acne-prone skin, a cleanser of this type needs specialized ingredients like salicylic acid to effectively target your acne and breakouts, along with ingredients for optimal oil control.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cleanser with retinol, applying the cleanser first on damp skin, rinsing it off, and following with your retinol after your skin is dry. Because this cleanser is a weak match for acne-prone skin, an acne-prone skin needs a cleanser that includes ingredients like salicylic acid to target breakouts and help control excess oil.
How often should I use this cleanser?
You can use this cleanser twice a day as part of your morning and evening routine to wash away dirt and impurities. Because it is a weak match for acne-prone skin and lacks specialized blemish-fighting ingredients, this skin type needs a cleanser with ingredients like salicylic acid.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores, but it may cause breakouts because it lacks specialized ingredients like salicylic acid to effectively target acne and breakouts. A product of this type needs acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid to properly care for acne-prone skin.
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
This cleanser is safe to use on the body, but it is unlikely to suit the very thin skin around the eyes.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) treatment decreases lipid membrane chain conformational order and stiffness leading to increased water sorption and diffusivity, whereas sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES) treatment increases lipid membrane conformational order and stiffness with increased water sorption capacity driven by its hygroscopic nature.
Langmuir, 2014The cytotoxic effect of sodium lauryl sulphate on normal human keratinocytes was significantly decreased when combined with cocamidopropyl betaine, Tween 20, and Tween 80 at concentrations well below the critical micelle concentration.
Skin Pharmacology and Applied Skin Physiology, 2003
Why other cleansers fit acne-prone skin better
A panthenol-enriched mask improved skin hydration, regulated sebum, and reduced redness and TEWL across dry sensitive, oily sensitive, and oily acne skin subgroups with excellent tolerance and no adverse reactions.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Co-delivery of paeonol and madecassoside via nanoemulsions improved transdermal delivery, promoted barrier repair proteins, inhibited inflammatory cytokine secretion in cellular and 3D models, and reduced transepidermal water loss and acne in human facial skin compared to free components.
Molecules, 2023
Ingredients
Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Chloride, Glycerin, Sucrose, Hyaluronic Acid, Caffeine, Disodium Edta, 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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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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