Clinique Liquid Facial Soap Mild for oily acne-prone skin
Glycerin
Caprylic Capric Triglyceride
Sodium Hyaluronate
Olea Europaea Oil Fruit Olive Oil Fruit
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Average
- AverageOily Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
Works for oily acne-prone skin; other cleansers fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily acne-prone skin: shine, breakouts, blemishes, and enlarged pores. 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 oily skin, as caprylic capric triglyceride and glycerin help remove impurities while maintaining hydration, though it does not directly address your primary concerns of acne and blemishes.
- The inclusion of sodium hyaluronate and glycerin provides humectant action suitable for oily skin, but the formula lacks sufficient ingredients for optimal oil control.
- The product is safe for your oily skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the presence of soothing components like dipotassium glycyrrhizate and chamomile.
How to apply
- Use this cleanser as part of your AM and PM routine. Start using it daily to help clear your breakouts.
- Apply this cleanser as the first step in the morning and right after your pre-cleanser in the evening. Follow it with your toner and moisturizer.
- Gently massage a small amount of the cleanser onto your face using circular motions. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water and pat dry.
- Apply the cleanser on slightly damp skin to help clean deeply and remove excess oil. This works best for oily skin types.
- Avoid the sensitive eye area during application. Do a patch test before your first use.
People Say
★4.6Overall rating based on 9.4k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this cleanser is highly regarded for its gentle, fragrance-free formula that effectively removes dirt and makeup without causing irritation, especially for those with dry combination skin. A smaller number of users with very dry or acne-prone skin have found it to be stripping or to cause breakouts.
Highlights
Effective cleansing Often Mentioned
- “removes all of my makeup (even waterproof mascara)”
- “cleanses well... effective in cleansing face of residue”
- “leaves my skin feeling crisp and clean”
- “takes off my makeup without drying my skin”
Gentle and non-irritating Often Mentioned
- “gentlest of the lot of facial wash I have”
- “doesn't irritate the skin when it works its magic”
- “perfect - gentle and leaves your face feeling clean”
- “good no-frills cleanser”
Fragrance-free formula Sometimes Noted
- “love that it's fragrance-free”
- “no unnecessary ingredients like fragrance”
- “great for sensitive skin... 100% fragrance free”
- “doesn't have any irritating ingredients”
Good value / Longevity Sometimes Noted
- “a little goes a long way”
- “bottle is only half-used after many months”
- “worth the splurge”
- “lasts quite a while”
Drying or stripping Sometimes Noted
- “far too drying for my sensitive skin”
- “face is always super tight and dry after every wash”
- “started to seriously dry out my skin right away”
- “leaves skin feeling tight”
Causes breakouts Rarely Noted
- “managed to fill my forehead with whiteheads”
- “face broke out worse... on my jaw line and cheeks”
- “gave me little bumps”
- “caused a new crop of zits”
Difficult to rinse Rarely Noted
- “leaves the face feeling slightly slippery”
- “hard to wash off completely”
- “leaves a film”
Unpleasant smell Rarely Noted
- “has a chemical smell”
- “smells like plastic”
- “weird scent despite being fragrance-free”
Sources: lovi.care, ulta.com, sephora.sg, sephora.com.au, makeupandbeautyblog.com, mybeautycravings.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Clinique Liquid Facial Soap Mild work for oily acne-prone skin?
Clinique Liquid Facial Soap Mild works moderately well for oily acne-prone skin, as it gently removes impurities and maintains hydration without causing irritation, though it lacks strong ingredients to control oil and breakouts. For this skin type, cleansers need soothing and effective ingredients like niacinamide, ceramides, probiotics, or salicylic acid to balance oil production, clear blemishes, and manage acne without causing dryness.
Life, 2023Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for oily acne-prone skin?
Caprylic capric triglyceride and glycerin help remove impurities while maintaining hydration, and soothing components like dipotassium glycyrrhizate and chamomile keep the skin calm. However, this cleanser lacks ingredients to directly target acne and blemishes. A cleanser for this skin needs effective ingredients like niacinamide, ceramides, probiotics, or salicylic acid to balance oil production and manage blemishes without irritation.
Life, 2023Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
What does Glycerin do for oily acne-prone skin?
Glycerin helps keep oily acne-prone skin hydrated without feeling heavy. It draws moisture into the skin while supporting the skin barrier so it stays soft and balanced.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2008Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
What does Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride do for oily acne-prone skin?
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride helps keep skin hydrated and prevents moisture loss without leaving a heavy feel. For oily acne-prone skin, this type of ingredient works best when it is lightweight, non-greasy, and paired with balancing or clarifying ingredients that do not clog pores.
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin?
This cleanser goes as the first step in your morning routine and the second step after makeup removal in your evening routine. Oily acne-prone skin needs a cleanser that removes impurities while providing active oil control and targeted blemish-fighting ingredients.
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 then following with your retinol treatment once your face is dry. This cleanser is unlikely to irritate your oily acne-prone skin because it lacks harsh ingredients and contains soothing components, though oily skin like yours works best with a cleanser that also provides strong oil control.
How often should I use this cleanser?
You can use this cleanser daily in the morning and evening as part of your routine. It cleans away impurities while keeping skin hydrated, but oily acne-prone skin needs a cleanser that also provides strong oil control and ingredients to clear blemishes.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily acne-prone skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to cause breakouts on oily skin, as it has a very low risk and contains soothing ingredients like chamomile and dipotassium glycyrrhizate that are safe for your skin. However, because it does not tackle acne directly, oily acne-prone skin needs a cleanser with targeted oil-controlling ingredients and blemish-fighting actives.
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
You can safely use this cleanser on your body and around the eyes, as it is gentle and lacks harsh ingredients that could cause irritation. However, for oily acne-prone skin, a cleanser of this type needs added ingredients for oil control and targeted blemish-fighting benefits.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Topical application of an emollient emulsion containing 15.0% caprylic/capric triglyceride doubled the amount of urocanic acid isomers and increased skin hydration with reduced transepidermal water loss in healthy subjects, though it did not prevent ultraviolet-induced urocanic acid isomerization.
Life, 2023A 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, 2001Niacinamide/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, 2012Topical application of 0.1% hyaluronic acid formulations of different molecular weights led to significant improvements in skin hydration and elasticity, with low-molecular-weight formulations also significantly reducing wrinkle depth in seventy-six female subjects compared to a vehicle control.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2011Topical application of hyaluronic acid in conjunction with free gingival graft significantly reduced donor site postoperative pain until day 7 compared to normal saline, with no significant differences in graft dimensions or patient satisfaction.
Clinical Oral Investigations, 2022Treatment with a hyaluronic acid-containing mouth rinse or topical gel led to significant lesion reduction, pain relief, and normalization of lesion color in adult patients with minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis, with the gel formulation showing an earlier healing onset at 3 days.
BMC Oral Health, 2019Transgenic cucumber expressing poly-γ-glutamic acid synthesis genes increased water content by 6-14%, reduced water loss by 11-12%, decreased facial wrinkles and roughness by 19.58% and 24.97%, decreased skin melanin by 5.27%, and improved facial elasticity in human skin and zebrafish compared to controls.
International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2024Copper Oxide nanoparticles synthesized using cucumber extract exhibited antibacterial, antifungal, UV protection, and reactive-oxygen species inhibition properties with low cellular toxicity and skin-rejuvenating effects when incorporated into skin cream.
Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders Drug Targets, 2021Topical treatment with Holothuria parva extract gel showed significant wound contraction compared to the negative control in full-thickness wounded rats.
The International Journal of Lower Extremity Wounds, 2024
Why other cleansers fit oily 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, 2024Topical application of Lactobacillus plantarum-GMNL6 enhanced collagen synthesis and SPTSSA gene expression while reducing melanin synthesis, Staphylococcus aureus biofilm, and Cutibacterium acnes proliferation, leading to clinical improvements in skin moisture, color, spots, wrinkles, UV spots, and porphyrins in human volunteers.
International Journal of Medical Sciences, 2021A botanical face cleanser with hops and willow bark extract continuously reduced skin sebum levels without reactive seborrhea after treatment in 21 healthy volunteers compared to a sodium laureth sulfate cleanser, with neither cleanser causing skin irritation.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019
Ingredients
Water, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Olea Europaea Oil Fruit Olive Oil Fruit, Butylene Glycol, Phenyl Trimethicone, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seedcake Sunflower Seedcake, Dimethicone, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Cholesterol, Sucrose Stearate, Sucrose, Caffeine, Ppg-20 Methyl Glucose Ether, Urea, Sodium Pca, Linoleic Acid, Propylene Glycol Dicaprate, Chamomilla Recutita Matricaria, Pentylene Glycol, Polyquaternium-51, Trehalose, Caprylyl Glycol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Vp Copolymer, 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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PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
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Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
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Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
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Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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