Paula's Choice Clear Daily Skin Clearing Treatment for acne-prone skin
Benzoyl Peroxide
Salicylic Acid
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract Licorice Root Extract
Allantoin
BisabololAverage
- AverageCombination Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for acne-prone skin; other serums 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 suitability for your combination skin, as benzoyl peroxide effectively targets acne-causing bacteria to reduce blemishes, while bisabolol and allantoin provide soothing benefits to mitigate potential dryness.
- The formula is well-balanced for acne-prone skin, with benzoyl peroxide in moderate concentrations to clear lesions and complementary ingredients to calm irritation.
- The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the inclusion of soothing components.
How to apply
- Use your serum as part of your PM routine and start 3x/week before working up to daily use.
- Apply this treatment after cleansing and toner, and before your moisturizer.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin and let it absorb for a minute.
- Apply the product on clean, dry skin to help manage your breakouts safely.
- Avoid the eye area and do a patch test before your first use.
People Say
★4.5Overall rating based on 400+ reviewsThis 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 acne-prone skin?
This treatment works for acne-prone skin by using benzoyl peroxide to clear blemishes while soothing ingredients help calm irritation. Acne-prone skin needs products with ingredients like niacinamide, propolis, or zinc PCA that balance oil and provide hydration without causing dryness.
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2020Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, 2021
Which ingredients make this treatment a good fit for acne-prone skin?
This treatment works for acne-prone skin because benzoyl peroxide targets acne-causing bacteria to clear blemishes, while bisabolol and allantoin help calm irritation and dryness. However, acne-prone skin needs products with ingredients like niacinamide, propolis, and zinc PCA to provide balanced hydration and control oiliness.
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2020Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, 2021
What does Benzoyl Peroxide do for acne-prone skin?
Benzoyl Peroxide helps clear acne by targeting breakouts and reducing pimples, while also lowering the number of acne-causing bacteria. It may sometimes cause dryness or irritation, so pairing it with a gentle cleanser or moisturizer helps keep skin comfortable.
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2020Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2013
What does Salicylic Acid do for acne-prone skin?
Salicylic acid helps clear acne-prone skin by reducing pimples and calming redness without causing many side effects. It works by dipping deep into pores to clear out blockages and control oil, making it a reliable choice for keeping skin smooth and clear.
BioMed Research International, 2020Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
Where does this treatment go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?
This treatment goes in the evening routine, as treatments with active ingredients are placed then for simplicity and extra safety around sun exposure. To fit acne-prone skin best, products of this type need ingredients that target blemishes while also including soothing components to calm irritation.
Can I use this treatment with retinol, and in what order?
Using this treatment with retinol requires caution because combining two strong actives may easily dry out your skin, so you should apply them on alternating nights or use the retinol in the morning and this treatment at night. To keep acne-prone skin clear and calm, products of this type also need ingredients that gently exfoliate while soothing irritation and keeping the skin barrier hydrated.
American Family Physician, 2012The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2020
How often should I use this treatment?
You can use this treatment in your evening routine, applying it once a week at first and carefully increasing the frequency if your skin tolerates it well and shows good results. Topical benzoyl peroxide helps clear acne effectively, though it may carry an increased risk of treatment discontinuation due to side effects compared to a placebo.
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2020Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, 2021
Can this treatment clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?
This treatment is unlikely to clog pores because benzoyl peroxide targets acne-causing bacteria to clear blemishes, while soothing ingredients help calm irritation. However, it can cause dryness and flaking, so acne-prone skin needs products with gentle, hydrating ingredients and calming components to maintain a smooth and comfortable feel.
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2020Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, 2021
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, 2020Preoperative treatment with benzoyl peroxide significantly decreases the bacterial skin load of Cutibacterium acnes in patients undergoing elective shoulder surgery from skin incision until wound closure compared to preparation with soap.
Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, 2021Once-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, 2022Licochalcone 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, 2015Twice 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, 2024Topical 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, 2023Daily 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, 2018Cryotherapy 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, 2010A 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, 2020Treatment 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, 2024Combining 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, 2015Bioactive 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, 2025Topical application of Glycyrrhiza glabra and Sophora japonica flavonoid-rich fractions individually and in combination significantly increased the wound healing rate and reduced oxidative stress compared to wound and Nolaver-treated groups.
Molecules, 2023Topical 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, 2016A 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, 2020An 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, 2018Application 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, 2010The 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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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
Medical Board
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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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