Paula's Choice CLEAR Pore Normalizing Cleanser for oily skin

Salicylic Acid
Glycerin
Peg-200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
Panthenol
Superior
- SuperiorOily Skin Fit
- SuperiorEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
One of the best cleansers for oily skin.
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
- Excellent suitability for your oily skin is provided by salicylic acid, which effectively exfoliates and decongests pores, while glycerin offers optimal humectant action for this skin type.
- Panthenol further supports your skin by providing soothing benefits, ensuring a comfortable and balanced cleansing experience.
- The product is safe for your skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the inclusion of soothing components.
How to apply
- Use your cleanser AM and PM every day to keep your skin fresh. Always make sure to follow with a good SPF in the morning.
- Apply your cleanser as the first step in the morning or the second step in the evening before your toner.
- Gently massage a small amount onto your face using circular motions, then rinse well with water .
- You can apply this cleanser safely on damp skin for a refreshing and easy wash.
- Avoid getting the product directly into your eyes and stop use if irritation occurs.
People Say
★4.6Overall rating based on 700+ reviewsUsers with oily, acne-prone, and combination skin frequently praise this cleanser for its ability to reduce breakouts and unclog pores without stripping the moisture barrier. While most find it leaves skin feeling soft and thoroughly cleansed of makeup and oil, a minority of users with drier or highly sensitive skin experienced tightness, flaking, or irritation.
Highlights
Effective acne control Mostly Mentioned
- “Helped clear my cystic acne”
- “keeps my breakouts at bay”
- “noticed fewer blackheads within weeks”
- “essential for maintaining clear skin”
Gentle & non-stripping Often Mentioned
- “Doesn't strip my skin”
- “gentle enough for daily use”
- “leaves face feeling soft not tight”
- “soothing on inflamed skin”
Thorough cleansing Often Mentioned
- “Removes all my makeup easily”
- “cuts through oil instantly”
- “face feels incredibly clean”
- “takes off waterproof sunscreen”
Pleasant gel texture Sometimes Noted
- “Silky gel feel”
- “lathers up perfectly”
- “rinses off without residue”
- “a little goes a long way”
Drying for some Sometimes Noted
- “Made my skin flaky”
- “felt very tight after washing”
- “dried out my cheeks”
- “too harsh for winter use”
Packaging issues Rarely Noted
- “Cap broke immediately”
- “leaks when traveling”
- “dispenses too much product”
- “hard to close the lid”
Skin irritation Rarely Noted
- “Caused a burning sensation”
- “turned my face red”
- “broke me out in a rash”
- “stung my eyes”
Unpleasant scent Rarely Noted
- “Smells like plastic”
- “has a weird chemical odor”
- “scent is off-putting”
- “smells like glue”
Sources: lovi.care, sephora.com.au, dermstore.com, cultbeauty.co.uk, paulaschoice-eu.com, influenster.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes Paula's Choice CLEAR Pore Normalizing Cleanser one of the best fits for oily skin?
This cleanser is an exceptionally good fit for oily skin because salicylic acid clears out pores, while glycerin keeps the skin balanced and comfortable. It is very safe to use and is unlikely to cause any irritation because it leaves out harsh ingredients and includes soothing components.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for oily skin?
Salicylic acid makes this cleanser a great fit for oily skin because it clears out pores, while glycerin keeps your skin hydrated. Panthenol also helps calm the skin for a comfortable and balanced wash.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Journal 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 Glycerin do for oily skin?
Glycerin helps keep oily skin hydrated without feeling heavy and supports the skin barrier. Because this product is a weak fit for your skin, an ideal product of this type needs lightweight hydrators and ingredients that balance oil while protecting the skin.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2008International Journal of Toxicology, 2019
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for oily skin?
This cleanser is used in both the morning and evening routines as the first or second cleansing step. It helps remove buildup while salicylic acid and glycerin work to clear pores and keep skin balanced.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cleanser with retinol by applying the cleanser first, gently washing your skin, and then following up with your retinol treatment once your face is dry. Salicylic acid helps clear out pores, while panthenol provides soothing benefits that may help keep your skin comfortable when using retinol.
How often should I use this cleanser?
You should use this cleanser daily as part of your morning and evening routine to keep your oily skin clean and balanced. It gently washes away excess oil and unclogs pores without causing irritation, making it comfortable for regular use.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts because salicylic acid helps clear out pores, while panthenol keeps skin calm. Some users may experience mild dryness.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
You can use this cleanser on your body, but you should avoid the thin skin around your eyes since facial cleansers with exfoliating ingredients are usually too strong for that delicate area. The product is safe for oily skin elsewhere, using gentle cleansing components and soothing ingredients like panthenol that help prevent irritation.
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, 2017Twice 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 dexpanthenol acts as a moisturizer, improves stratum corneum hydration, accelerates wound healing and epidermal regeneration, reduces erythema, and improves symptoms of skin irritation compared to vehicle or no pretreatment.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002A 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, 2020Cryotherapy 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, 2024The 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, 2012Sodium lauroyl sarcosinate in facial cleanser decreased prokaryotic microbial alpha diversity, altered prokaryotic microbiome structure, increased phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylcholine, and decreased ceramides on facial skin.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Coacervates formed from mixed micelles of sodium lauroylsarcosinate and cocamidopropyl betaine with cationic guar gum exhibited a dense porous structure with high viscoelastic modulus under strong electrostatic interactions, and a looser mesh structure with lower viscoelasticity and enhanced skin adsorption under weakened interactions.
Soft Matter, 2024Moisturizer containing 5% panthenol, madecassoside, and copper-zinc-manganese decreased adverse reactions and downtime after ablative fractional carbon dioxide laser resurfacing with comparable efficacy to 0.02% triamcinolone acetonide cream in 20 subjects.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019Topical dexpanthenol formulated in lipophilic vehicles improved stratum corneum hydration and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to vehicle control in humans.
Arzneimittel-Forschung, 2000Hyaluronic acid, hyaluronic acid plus dexpanthenol, and isotonic saline nasal sprays all significantly improved dry nose symptoms over four weeks in 240 patients, with hyaluronic acid plus dexpanthenol providing superior nasal moisturisation compared to the other two.
Auris, Nasus, Larynx, 2020
Ingredients
Salicylic Acid, Water, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Acrylates Steareth-20 Methacrylate Copolymer, Glycerin, Peg-200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Arginine, Butylene Glycol, Peg-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Panthenol, Disodium Edta, Citric Acid, Peg-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sodium Citrate, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin
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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