Clinique Clarifying Lotion 2

Clinique Clarifying Lotion 2

Efficacy100/100IrritancyHigh
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Works for

3 of 3 advertised claims delivered

Exfoliation
2 ingredients credited for this claim
Strong support
What the product description says
“Developed by Clinique's dermatologists, the gentle exfoliating lotion works to sweep away dead cells, de-flaking and smoothing skin to reveal a clearer complexion.”
Source: Lookfantastic

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)~0.6–1.35%
Acetyl glucosamineKey activeEffect: MediumAn 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~1.1–1.6%
Anti-blemish
1 ingredient credited for this claim
Strong support
What the product description says
“Developed by Clinique's dermatologists, the gentle exfoliating lotion works to sweep away dead cells, de-flaking and smoothing skin to reveal a clearer complexion.”
Source: Lookfantastic

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)~0.6–1.35%
Anti-aging
1 ingredient credited for this claim
Strong support
What the product description says
“It even helps fine dry lines disappear.”
Source: Sephora New Zealand

This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains acetyl glucosamine.

Keep in mind that it typically takes at least 6 weeks to notice any results because the changes that are needed to improve fine lines and elasticity happen in the deeper layers of the skin. No topical anti-aging product can “erase” wrinkles or fully reverse signs of aging.

Acetyl glucosamineKey activeEffect: HighAn 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~1.1–1.6%
Evens skin tone
Not advertised by the brand · 2 ingredients credited for this claim
Strong support

This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: acetyl glucosamine, salicylic acid

Keep in mind that you would need to apply any topical skincare targetted at hypigmentation consistently for a couple of months to get a result. No topical skincare product can help get rid of hyperpigmentation (including post-acne marks and age spots) instantly.

Acetyl glucosamineKey activeEffect: HighAn 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~1.1–1.6%
Salicylic acidEffect: LowUsed 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)~0.6–1.35%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
3 strong irritants: Alcohol denat., Hamamelis virginiana extract + 1 more — patch-test recommended
High risk
We flagged 7 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Alcohol denat.Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve productsHigh~7.9–11.9%est.
Hamamelis virginiana extractA plant extract that can help calm down inflammation in skin. Can, however, itself be irritatingHigh~2.1–3.1%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~0.6–1.35%est.
Benzophenone-4Sulisobenzone. A UV filter. Is typically used to improve the product stability under exposure to UV light. It is effective against both UVA and UVB rays. It can be used is larger concentrations as a sun protection ingredient for the skin, but can be irritatingHigh~0.1–0.5%est.
Ci 19140A yellow dyeHigh~0.05–0.2%est.
Disodium edtaStabilizes the product formulationMedium~0.15–0.65%est.
Ci 42090A colorant (dye)Medium~0.05–0.2%est.
Comedogenic
Clean of flagged comedogenic ingredients
None flagged
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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
Alcohol denat.~7.9–11.9%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products

More about Alcohol denat.
Glycerin~3.7–5.6%
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~2.8–4.2%
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
Hamamelis virginiana extract~2.1–3.1%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-inflammatory

A plant extract that can help calm down inflammation in skin. Can, however, itself be irritating

More about Hamamelis virginiana extract
Trehalose~1.6–2.4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

A sugar that attracts water to the upper layer of the skin

More about Trehalose
Salicylic acid~0.6–1.35%
Hero · Anti-blemishIrritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-inflammatoryAnti-blemishExfoliationAntibacterialEvens 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
Acetyl glucosamine~1.1–1.6%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-agingEvens skin toneExfoliation

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
Sodium hyaluronate~0.55–1.35%
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
Sodium hydroxide~0.45–1.1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to adjust the product's pH

More about Sodium hydroxide
Tetrahydroxypropyl ethylenediamine~0.4–0.9%
Formula
Disodium edta~0.15–0.65%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Stabilizes the product formulation

More about Disodium edta
Phenoxyethanol~0.15–0.5%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products

More about Phenoxyethanol
Benzophenone-4~0.1–0.5%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Sun protection

Sulisobenzone. A UV filter. Is typically used to improve the product stability under exposure to UV light. It is effective against both UVA and UVB rays. It can be used is larger concentrations as a sun protection ingredient for the skin, but can be irritating

More about Benzophenone-4
Ci 19140~0.05–0.2%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A yellow dye

More about Ci 19140
Ci 42090~0.05–0.2%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A colorant (dye)

More about Ci 42090
Ingredient list view

Water, Alcohol denat., Glycerin, Butylene glycol, Hamamelis virginiana extract, Trehalose, Salicylic acid, Acetyl glucosamine, Sodium hyaluronate, Sodium hydroxide, Tetrahydroxypropyl ethylenediamine, Disodium edta, Phenoxyethanol, Benzophenone-4, Ci 19140, Ci 42090

Compare prices

Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.

Sephora
$18.00
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Bluemercury
$20.00
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Clinique
$22.40
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Amazon USPrice as of 10/11/2026 15:46 GMT
$23.00
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Sephora
$33.00
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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
CliniqueClarifying Lotion 2YOUR PRODUCTGLAMGLOWSuperserum by GlamglowNaturiumEncapsulated Salicylic Acid Moisturizer 0.75%e.l.f. CosmeticsBlemish Breakthrough Blemish Calming Water Cream
Match—98%87%87%
Price$18.00$63.46+$45.46$19.00+$1.00—
Shared key ingredients—5 of 63 of 63 of 6
Key difference—Lactic AcidNiacinamideNiacinamide
Irritancy High Medium Medium Low
Drying alcohol Contains drying alcohol ———
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Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 17 studies and safety reviews.

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Clinique Clarifying Lotion 2
CliniqueClarifying Lotion 2

Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.

As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.