Clinique offers a wide range of cleansers, so deciding exactly which one will work best for you can be tricky. Below is a review of the absolute best Clinique cleansers for each skin type and concerns.
The Best Clinique Cleansers
Best for Combination to Oily Skin
Best Clinique Cleanser for Combination to Oily Skin
Clinique All About Clean Rinse-Off Foaming Cleanser
If you have combination or oily skin, this foaming cleanser is for you. It gently yet effectively cleanses away dirt, debris, and excess oil without stripping the skin of its natural moisture.
This cream-mousse cleanser is excellent for oilier skin types, because it cleans but doesn’t strip the skin. Cleansers (and other skincare products) that strip the skin of its natural moisture can actually trigger the skin to produce even more oil to overcompensate.
Pros
- Gentle
- Oil-free
- Fragrance-free
Cons
- Contains color additives
This foaming cleanser is formulated with glycerin and hyaluronic acid, which both work to keep the skin moisturized and soft[1][2].
Best for Normal to Dry Skin
Best Clinique Cleanser for Normal to Dry Skin
Clinique All About Clean Liquid Facial Soap - Mild
This is one of the best Clinique cleansers for skin that is on the drier side, because it removes dirt and debris while still maintaining the skin’s moisture balance.
This cleanser contains ingredients that help keep the skin hydrated, so that it can be cleansed without getting dried out. One of the key ingredients is sucrose, which calms and soothes the skin. It also contains hyaluronic acid, which attracts moisture to the skin and locks it in[1].
Pros
- Gentle
- Dermatologist-developed
- Fragrance-free
- Oil-free
Cons
- May not be suitable for acne-prone skin
In addition to the ingredients mentioned above, this cleanser contains aloe and chamomile, which further soothe the skin.
Best for Dry to Very Dry Skin
Best Clinique Cleanser for Dry to Very Dry Skin
Clinique All About Clean Liquid Facial Soap - Extra Mild
If you have extra dry skin, this extremely gentle cleanser contains a variety of ingredients that soften and moisturize the skin while cleansing.
This cleanser is great for dry to very dry skin, because it contains ingredients that moisturize to avoid overdrying. Some of the key ingredients include glycerin (which is a humectant) and hyaluronic acid, which hydrate and attract moisture to the skin[1][2]. Sucrose also calms and soothes the skin.
Pros
- Gentle
- Dermatologist-developed
- Fragrance-free
Cons
- May not be suitable for acne-prone skin
In addition to the ingredients mentioned above, this cleanser contains additional moisturizing and soothing ingredients, including olive oil, chamomile, and cucumber extract.
Best for Acne
Best Clinique Cleanser for Acne
Clinique Acne Solutions Cleansing Foam
This is one of the best Clinique cleansers for skin that is acne-prone, because it contains salicylic acid, a chemical exfoliator that unclogs pores to treat and fight breakouts.
This foaming cleanser contains a 2% concentration of salicylic acid, a beta hydroxy acid that is incredibly effective at shedding excess skin cells and decongesting pores to minimize breakouts[3]. This concentration is effective, but low enough to minimize the risk of irritation. It also contains laminaria saccharina extract, which further prevents oil buildup.
Pros
- Fragrance-free
- Oil-free
Cons
- May irritate more sensitive skin
In addition to the ingredients mentioned above, this cleanser contains additional ingredients that soothe and moisturize to help prevent irritation, including sucrose, sea whip extract, hyaluronic acid, and glycerin.
Best for Redness
Best Cleanser for Redness
Clinique Redness Solutions Soothing Cleanser With Probiotic Technology
This moisturizing cream cleanser helps reduce redness and calm irritation while cleansing away dirt and debris.
This gentle and creamy cleanser soothes while cleansing to keep redness and irritation at bay. The key ingredient is lactobacillus probiotic ferment, which calms the skin while supporting the skin’s barrier. It also contains glycerin, which attracts moisture to the skin and hydrates[2].
Pros
- Gentle
- Moisturizing
- Fragrance-free
Cons
- Contains color additives
In addition to the lactobacillus probiotic ferment, this cleanser contains additional ingredients known to soothe and moisturize the skin, including squalane, cucumber extract, sea whip extract, sucrose, and sunflower seedcake.
Best Exfoliating Cleanser
Best Clinique Exfoliating Cleanser
Clinique All About Clean 2-in-1 Cleansing + Exfoliating Jelly
This gentle but deep cleaning product uses the power of both physical and chemical exfoliators to soften, smooth, and clean the skin.
This product is one of the best Clinique cleansers for exfoliating, because it is effective yet gentle on the skin. It contains salicylic acid, an oil-soluble chemical exfoliator that decongests pores for smooth, clear skin[3]. It also contains silica beads and bamboo powder, which gently exfoliate the surface of the skin.
Pros
- Fragrance-free
- Gentle
- Good for acne-prone skin
Cons
- May irritate more sensitive skin
In addition to the exfoliators mentioned above, this cleanser contains glycerin and hyaluronic acid, which hydrate the skin[1][2]. It also contains additional strengthening and brightening ingredients, including bamboo stem extract and papaya fruit extract.
FAQs
What is the best Clinique cleanser?
Clinique offers a variety of cleansers that target different skin types and concerns. Some of the best Clinique cleansers include the All About Clean Rinse-Off Foaming Cleanser, the Mild and Extra Mild versions of the All About Clean Liquid Facial Soap, and the All About Clean 2-in-1 Cleansing + Exfoliating Jelly.
How much cleanser should you use?
A good rule of thumb to go by is a dime-sized amount of the cleanser. If you’re using a foaming cleanser, typically a pump of the product is an appropriate amount.
Should you use a cleanser twice a day?
This will depend on both your skin type and your lifestyle. Everyone should cleanse their skin at least once a day – typically at the end of the day to wash off sunscreen, dirt, and other debris. Those with oilier skin types will typically want to cleanse twice a day, but those with drier skin may be fine with cleansing only at night. That said, if you workout or otherwise get dirty or sweaty earlier in the day, you’ll want to cleanse your skin afterwards. You should avoid cleansing more than two times per day, as this can strip the skin.
The Bottom Line
Clinique has cleansers for dry skin, combination skin, acne-prone skin, and everything in between. Choose the right Clinique cleanser for your skin type and concerns to achieve and maintain healthy, balanced, and clear skin.
