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Aveeno Clear Complexion Foaming Cleanser for acne-prone skin

Aveeno Clear Complexion Foaming Cleanser

High

  • HighCombination Skin Fit
  • HighEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

A great choice for acne-prone skin; a few cleansers fit it even 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 excellent cleansing for your acne-prone combination skin as salicylic acid exfoliates and decongests pores, while glycerin provides essential hydration.
  • The formulation is safe for your skin, containing no harsh or prohibited ingredients that could cause irritation.
  • This cleanser effectively addresses your concerns of acne, blemishes, and breakouts with its moderate exfoliating properties.

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

★4.4Overall rating based on 14.0k+ reviews

Based on a very large amount of data, users with acne-prone and sensitive skin frequently praise this cleanser for its ability to treat breakouts with salicylic acid without causing excessive irritation or redness. Many report smoother skin texture and a clearer complexion, though a significant minority experiences dryness or frustration with the pump mechanism failing before the bottle is empty.

Highlights

  • Effective acne control Mostly Mentioned
    • “Cleared up my breakouts within a week”
    • “Keeps hormonal acne at bay”
    • “Reduces blemishes without stripping”
  • Faulty pump Mostly Mentioned
    • “Pump gets stuck and stops working”
    • “Hard to press down”
    • “Dispenser broke halfway through bottle”
  • Gentle on sensitive skin Often Mentioned
    • “Did not irritate my sensitive skin”
    • “Soothing and hydrating for acne wash”
    • “No redness or burning after use”
  • Improves skin texture Often Mentioned
    • “Leaves skin feeling soft and smooth”
    • “Helps even out skin tone”
    • “Face feels refreshed and squeaky clean”
  • Pleasant lightweight foam Sometimes Noted
    • “Airy foam is easy to apply”
    • “Rinses clean with no residue”
    • “One pump is enough for whole face”
  • Causes dryness Sometimes Noted
    • “Left my skin feeling tight and dry”
    • “Caused peeling around my nose”
    • “Too drying for daily use”
  • Ineffective for severe acne Rarely Noted
    • “Did not see any improvement”
    • “Breakouts continued after weeks of use”
    • “Stopped working after a few months”
  • Scent dislikes Rarely Noted
    • “Smells like lawn clippings/grass”
    • “Scent is too strong/perfumey”
    • “Prefer fragrance-free options”

Sources: lovi.care, amazon.com, target.com, walmart.com, cvs.com, influenster.com, and more

Questions and answers

What makes Aveeno Clear Complexion Foaming Cleanser a great fit for acne-prone skin?

This cleanser is a great fit because salicylic acid clears out pores to help control breakouts, while glycerin adds much-needed hydration without causing irritation.

Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for acne-prone skin?

Salicylic acid makes this cleanser a great fit for acne-prone skin because it clears out pores and helps manage breakouts, while glycerin adds needed hydration. This combination effectively targets blemishes without using harsh ingredients that might cause irritation.

Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

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

What does Soy Extract do for acne-prone skin?

Soy extract helps calm oily and breakout-prone skin by reducing redness and swelling. This type of ingredient is often used to soothe irritated areas and support an even, clear complexion.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2024Scientific Reports, 2014

Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?

This cleanser fits in both your morning and evening routines as the first or second step to help clear and refresh your skin. It gently washes away dirt and oil while salicylic acid clears pores, and it is unlikely to cause irritation.

Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023BioMed Research International, 2020

Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?

You can use this cleanser with retinol by using it in your routine before applying your retinol treatment, as the formula is safe for your skin and helps clear breakouts without harsh irritation. Using a gentle, well-tolerated routine helps keep your skin calm while managing acne.

How often should I use this cleanser?

You can use this cleanser daily as part of your morning and evening routine to help clear pores and manage breakouts. Using a gentle salicylic acid cleanser regularly is safe and helps keep acne-prone skin clear without causing irritation.

Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023BioMed Research International, 2020

Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?

This cleanser is a great fit for acne-prone skin because salicylic acid clears out pores and glycerin keeps skin hydrated without feeling heavy. It is very unlikely to cause breakouts or clog pores, though some shoppers do experience mild dryness.

Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023BioMed Research International, 2020

Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?

This cleanser offers excellent cleansing for acne-prone skin as salicylic acid clears pores while glycerin provides hydration, but the page facts do not specifically evaluate its suitability for the thin skin around the eyes or on the body.

Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023

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, 2017
  • 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, 2020
  • Twice 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, 2024
  • The 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, 2023
  • Cryotherapy 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, 2010
  • Treatment 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, 2024
  • Topical 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, 2010
  • ANT1 soybean extract cream ameliorated complications and enhanced skin recovery after Nd:YAG laser therapy in 45 Asian women, with higher concentrations significantly reducing wrinkles, spots, and pores compared to placebo.

    Annals of Plastic Surgery, 2018
  • Genistein and daidzein inhibited UVB-induced hydrogen peroxide production in keratinocytes acting as free radical scavengers with negligible skin disruption, whereas glycitein showed no protective activity.

    International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 2008
  • A phytoestrogen-enriched cosmetic formulation containing biotransformed soybean extract increased collagen-I expression in fibroblast cells and skin explants in an estrogen receptor beta-dependent manner without harming skin microbiota.

    Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research = Revista Brasileira de Pesquisas Medicas E Biologicas, 2023
  • The 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, 2020
  • Ten 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, 2001
  • Niacinamide/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, 2012
  • The 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

Ingredients

Salicylic Acid, Water, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Glycerin, Sorbitol, Disodium Lauroamphodiacetate, Polysorbate 20, Peg-6 Caprylic Capric Glycerides, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Xanthan Gum, Disodium Edta, Peg-16 Soy Sterol, Butylene Glycol, Glycine Soja Protein Soybean Protein

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.

How does it fit your skin?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.