Clinique Anti Blemish Solutions Cleansing Foam

Clinique Anti Blemish Solutions Cleansing Foam

Efficacy91/100IrritancyMedium

Works for

Exfoliation
Salicylic acid, Acetyl glucosamine
Works well
What the product description says
“It cleanses the skin by removing dirt and excess oil with a gentle exfoliating action.”
Source: Sephora New Zealand

This product can help exfoliate the skin. In other words, it helps break down the bonds between dead cells on the surface of the skin and speed up the skin turnover. Skin often appears softer and brighter after exfoliation, but overdoing it can result in disrupted skin barrier. The following ingredient is doing the exfoliating job in this product: salicylic acid.

Salicylic acidKey activeEffect: HighUsed for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)~1.4–2.1%
Acetyl glucosamineUnder-dosedAn effective moisturizing ingredient that also has been shown to be effective in evening out the skin tone and reducing hyperpigmentation. It can help somewhat reduce wrinkles in skin~0.15–0.5%
Anti-blemish
Salicylic acid
Works well
What the product description says
“Cleanser powered by 2% salicylic acid helps clear the look of and defend against blemishes and unclog pores.”
Source: Clinique

This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: salicylic acid. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.

Salicylic acidHeroEffect: HighUsed for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)~1.4–2.1%
Cleansing
Sodium methyl cocoyl taurate, Peg/ppg-18/18 dimethicone + 4 more
Can be harsh
What the product description says
“Anti Blemish Solutions Cleansing Foam”
Source: Clinique

This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin.

The following cleansing agents are typically mild, but still can cause an irritation or allergy for some people sodium methyl cocoyl taurate.

Keep in mind that cleansing can disrupt the skin barrier, and most people do not need to cleanse their skin more than once per day.

Sodium methyl cocoyl taurateEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together. Can be used as cleansing agent~3.3–5%
Peg/ppg-18/18 dimethiconeEffect: HighA silicone that mixes with water creating nice light-weight product texture~0.3–0.7%
Sodium stearateEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together~0.2–0.8%
Ppg-6-decyltetradeceth-30Effect: High~0.2–0.8%
Stearamidopropyl dimethylamineEffect: High~0.15–0.65%
Capryloyl glycineEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together, preserve cosmetic products, and attract water to the upper layer of the skin~0.15–0.65%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
1 strong irritant: Mentha piperita extract
Medium risk
We flagged 8 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Sodium methyl cocoyl taurateHelps oil and water mix together. Can be used as cleansing agentHigh~3.3–5%est.
Salicylic acidUsed for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)High~1.4–2.1%est.
Mentha piperita extractUsed as a fragrance and can be irritatingHigh~0.4–0.9%est.
CaffeineMight be helpful in neutralizing free radicals. Can have a dehydration effect that might somewhat decrease the look of puffy eyesMedium~0.45–1%est.
Stearamidopropyl dimethylamine—Medium~0.15–0.65%est.
Sodium salicylateThe salt of salicylic acid. Helps exfoliate the upper layer of the skin. Can also work to preserve cosmetic productsMedium~0.05–0.2%est.
Sodium stearateHelps oil and water mix togetherMedium~0.2–0.8%est.
Disodium edtaStabilizes the product formulationMedium~0.05–0.15%est.
Comedogenic
2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale
2 flagged
These ingredients have a comedogenic rating of 2 or more on a 0–5 scale; the table shows each one's rating. In leave-on products they can clog pores in acne-prone skin.
IngredientFunctionRatingEst. amount
Laminaria saccharina extractA seaweed extract that contains sugars and can be helpful in attracting water to the upper layers of the skin if used in high enough concentrations3/5~0.95–1.45%est.
Algae extractPlant extract that helps the skin to attract water and make it more smooth for touch. Also shows promise of anti-aging properties, but research is not extensive yet3/5~0.45–1%est.

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Water~40–60%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Glycerin~4.3–6.4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant

More about Glycerin
Butylene glycol~3.5–5.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin

More about Butylene glycol
Sodium methyl cocoyl taurate~3.3–5%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together. Can be used as cleansing agent

More about Sodium methyl cocoyl taurate
Sucrose~1.8–2.8%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin. In crystal form, it can work as a gentle exfoliant, gentler than the salt scrub. Helps stabilize the emulsion

More about Sucrose
Salicylic acid~1.4–2.1%
Hero · Anti-blemishIrritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-blemishExfoliationAnti-inflammatoryAntibacterialEvens skin tone

Used for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)

More about Salicylic acid
Disodium phosphate~1.4–2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Helps adjust the product pH and stabilize the formulation

More about Disodium phosphate
Arginine cocoate~1.2–1.8%
Formula
Laminaria saccharina extract~0.95–1.45%
Comedogenic 3/5
Irritation risk
Low
Comedogenicity
3/5
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-aging

A seaweed extract that contains sugars and can be helpful in attracting water to the upper layers of the skin if used in high enough concentrations

More about Laminaria saccharina extract
Cola nitida seed extract~0.55–1.35%
Formula
Caffeine~0.45–1%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
De-puffingAnti-oxidation

Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals. Can have a dehydration effect that might somewhat decrease the look of puffy eyes

More about Caffeine
Algae extract~0.45–1%
Comedogenic 3/5
Irritation risk
Low
Comedogenicity
3/5
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-aging

Plant extract that helps the skin to attract water and make it more smooth for touch. Also shows promise of anti-aging properties, but research is not extensive yet

More about Algae extract
Mentha piperita extract~0.4–0.9%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

Used as a fragrance and can be irritating

More about Mentha piperita extract
Sea whip extract~0.2–0.8%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-oxidationAnti-inflammatory

Might help neutrlize free radicals, calm down inflammation, and attract water to the upper layer of the skin

More about Sea whip extract
Peg/ppg-18/18 dimethicone~0.3–0.7%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

A silicone that mixes with water creating nice light-weight product texture

More about Peg/ppg-18/18 dimethicone
Sodium hyaluronate~0.2–0.75%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin

More about Sodium hyaluronate
Ppg-6-decyltetradeceth-30~0.2–0.8%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing
More about Ppg-6-decyltetradeceth-30
Lactobacillus ferment~0.15–0.65%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-oxidationAnti-inflammatoryReduces irritation

A fermentation product created by bacteria Lactobacillus. The fermented product has anti-bacterial properties and might be helpful in calming down inflammation, but studies are lacking. Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Can be used as a preservative

More about Lactobacillus ferment
Stearamidopropyl dimethylamine~0.15–0.65%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing
More about Stearamidopropyl dimethylamine
Longifolene~0.15–0.55%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Longifolene
Acetyl glucosamine~0.15–0.5%
Under-dosed
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingEvens skin toneAnti-agingExfoliation

An effective moisturizing ingredient that also has been shown to be effective in evening out the skin tone and reducing hyperpigmentation. It can help somewhat reduce wrinkles in skin

More about Acetyl glucosamine
Capryloyl glycine~0.15–0.65%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

Helps oil and water mix together, preserve cosmetic products, and attract water to the upper layer of the skin

More about Capryloyl glycine
Perillaldehyde~0.1–0.4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Perillaldehyde
10-hydroxydecanoic acid~0.1–0.45%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and slow down the water loss from its surface

More about 10-hydroxydecanoic acid
Polyquaternium-7~0.1–0.45%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product finish

More about Polyquaternium-7
Beta-caryophyllene~0.1–0.3%
Formula
Phospholipids~0.1–0.35%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Emollients that are naturaly present in skin. In addition, they help water and oil mix together in the product

More about Phospholipids
Sodium salicylate~0.05–0.2%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Anti-aging

The salt of salicylic acid. Helps exfoliate the upper layer of the skin. Can also work to preserve cosmetic products

More about Sodium salicylate
Sodium stearate~0.2–0.8%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Sodium stearate
Disodium edta~0.05–0.15%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Stabilizes the product formulation

More about Disodium edta
Phenoxyethanol~0.05–0.15%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products

More about Phenoxyethanol
Chloroxylenol~0.01–0.1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Chloroxylenol
Ingredient list view

Water, Glycerin, Butylene glycol, Sodium methyl cocoyl taurate, Sucrose, Salicylic acid, Disodium phosphate, Arginine cocoate, Laminaria saccharina extract, Cola nitida seed extract, Caffeine, Algae extract, Mentha piperita extract, Sea whip extract, Peg/ppg-18/18 dimethicone, Sodium hyaluronate, Ppg-6-decyltetradeceth-30, Lactobacillus ferment, Stearamidopropyl dimethylamine, Longifolene, Acetyl glucosamine, Capryloyl glycine, Perillaldehyde, 10-hydroxydecanoic acid, Polyquaternium-7, Beta-caryophyllene, Phospholipids, Sodium salicylate, Sodium stearate, Disodium edta, Phenoxyethanol, Chloroxylenol

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Worth comparing, line by line.

Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.

Side-by-side comparison of this product against its closest alternatives
CliniqueAnti Blemish Solutions Cleansing FoamYOUR PRODUCTDarphinIntral Air Mousse CleanserFace factsCeramide Blemish Foaming CleanserReplenixAcne Solutions Gly/Sal 2-2 Foaming Cleanser
Match—86%82%82%
Price—$30.25$7.82—
Shared key ingredients—9 of 173 of 172 of 17
Key difference—Lauramidopropyl BetaineNiacinamideGlycolic Acid
Irritancy Medium Medium Low Low
Drying alcohol————
View product Shop Shop Shop

More alternatives: CeraVe Balancing Air Foam Facial CleanserNaturium THE PERFECTOR SALICYLIC ACID BODY WASH

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Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 21 studies and safety reviews.

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Clinique Anti Blemish Solutions Cleansing Foam
CliniqueAnti Blemish Solutions Cleansing Foam

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As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.