ClarinscleanserCleanse step

Clarins One-Step Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser

This is a three-in-one cleanser that aims to remove makeup, exfoliate, and purify the skin in a single step. It uses plant extracts to soothe and soften while gently foaming to lift away impurities. It's designed to leave skin feeling clean, refined, and radiant.

Sephora price

$40.00

Price matters most when you are trying to learn whether this lane belongs in your routine without turning the test into a luxury gamble.

Sephora reviews

4.5 / 5

About 2,341 reviews on the current Sephora source, so there is real volume behind the reputation.

Shoppers keep mentioning

Best for Dry, Combo, Normal SkinGood for: PoresGood for: DrynessAlcohol FreeGood for: Uneven TextureGolden Gentian and Lemon Balm Extracts: Soothe and soften.Kiwi Extract: Boosts radiance.Soapwort Extracts: Gently foam to remove all traces of dirt and grime.PoresDrynessand Dullness

These are the shopper themes that keep showing up around this listing and shape why people open it in the first place.

Glass take

4.5 / 5 overall fit

A solid daily cleanser that effectively removes impurities and makeup while gently exfoliating. It's a good option for most skin types, especially those concerned with pores, dryness, or dullness.

Clarins One-Step Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser

Sephora snapshot refreshed April 23, 2026

Price, rating, review count, and source status come from Sephora. Glass adds the routine fit, overlap risk, and what to compare next.

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What Sephora says

What this product is supposed to do

A gentle, daily three-in-one facial cleanser that exfoliates pore-clogging debris and removes makeup for visibly clear, refined, radiant skin.

NormalDryCombinationand OilyPoresDrynessand Dullness

Apply a dime-size amount over damp face and neck.

Work into a lather.

Avoid eye area.

Gently massage over skin using circular motions, moving from the center of your face outward.

Rinse with warm water.

Follow with the Clarins Toning Lotion (sold separately) for your skin type.

What Glass adds

What actually matters before you buy it

A well-formulated daily cleanser that balances gentle exfoliation with effective cleansing. It’s a good choice for those who want a straightforward product to remove impurities and improve skin texture without irritation. It’s best used as the first step in a routine.

Gentle yet effective cleansing

Many users appreciate that this cleanser effectively removes dirt and makeup without leaving their skin feeling tight or dry. The gentle exfoliation is a key benefit for refining skin texture.

Refined skin texture

Users report smoother, softer skin with improved clarity and reduced appearance of pores after consistent use.

Best for

When this is a smart buy

Normal, dry, combination, and oily skin types
Those seeking gentle daily exfoliation
Users looking to remove makeup and impurities
Skin concerned with pores, dryness, and dullness

Skip if

When this is the wrong lane

You prefer a rinse-off cleanser without physical exfoliants
You have very sensitive skin that reacts to physical exfoliants
You are looking for a deep pore-cleansing treatment

Routine fit

Where this fits in your routine

This cleanser is designed for the first step of your skincare routine. Use it in the morning or evening to wash away impurities and gently exfoliate. Follow with a toner and your usual treatment serums and moisturizer.

Why it works

Where it earns the slot and where it does not

The useful question is not whether this product is good in a vacuum. It is whether it makes your routine easier to run or just adds one more bottle with a familiar ingredient on it.

What it actually does well

Multi-tasking (cleanses, exfoliates, removes makeup)
Gentle enough for daily use
Contains soothing and radiance-boosting plant extracts
Alcohol-free formula

Where it starts to feel redundant

Physical exfoliants may not suit all skin types
May not be sufficient for heavy makeup removal alone
Higher price point for a cleanser

Routine fit

Where it belongs in the stack

Morning and Night

This cleanser can be used both morning and night. In the morning, it preps skin for the day. At night, it removes the day's buildup.

Glass rating

How this formula scores in real life

4.5/ 5 overall

A solid daily cleanser that effectively removes impurities and makeup while gently exfoliating. It's a good option for most skin types, especially those concerned with pores, dryness, or dullness.

Gentleness

4.5 / 5

This cleanser is mild enough for daily use without stripping the skin, making it suitable for dry and sensitive types.

Exfoliation

4.3 / 5

The fine particles provide a gentle physical exfoliation that helps to refine skin texture and clear pores.

Cleansing Efficacy

4.4 / 5

Effectively removes makeup and daily grime without leaving residue.

Full ingredient breakdown

Every ingredient, what it does, and whether I care

Solvent

Aqua/Water/Eau

Badness

0.0 / 10

The primary ingredient in most cosmetic formulations, acting as a base and solvent.

Usually helps with

Hydration

Watch for

None

Surfactant

Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate

Badness

1.0 / 10

A mild anionic surfactant used for its cleansing and foaming properties. It is generally considered gentle.

Usually helps with

Cleansing, Lathering

Watch for

Can be mildly irritating for very sensitive skin in high concentrations.

Humectant

Glycerin

Badness

0.0 / 10

A common humectant that attracts water to the skin, helping to maintain hydration and suppleness.

Usually helps with

Hydration, Skin Softening

Watch for

None

Humectant

Propanediol

Badness

0.0 / 10

A plant-derived humectant that enhances skin hydration and improves the penetration of other ingredients.

Usually helps with

Hydration, Ingredient Enhancement

Watch for

None

Film Former

Acrylates Copolymer

Badness

0.0 / 10

A synthetic polymer used to create a film on the skin, providing texture and stability to the formula.

Usually helps with

Texture, Stability

Watch for

None

Exfoliant

Cellulose

Badness

1.0 / 10

A natural polymer that acts as a physical exfoliant, helping to remove dead skin cells.

Usually helps with

Physical Exfoliation, Texture Refinement

Watch for

Can be too abrasive for very sensitive skin.

Surfactant

Coco-Glucoside

Badness

0.0 / 10

A non-ionic surfactant derived from coconut oil and sugar, known for its mildness and good foaming properties.

Usually helps with

Gentle Cleansing, Lathering

Watch for

None

Exfoliant

Citric Acid

Badness

2.0 / 10

An alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that provides chemical exfoliation. In this formulation, it likely works with the physical exfoliants to enhance skin renewal.

Usually helps with

Exfoliation, Brightening

Watch for

Can cause stinging or irritation, especially on compromised skin or at higher concentrations.

Preservative

Phenoxyisopropanol

Badness

2.0 / 10

A preservative used to prevent microbial growth in cosmetic products.

Usually helps with

Preservation

Watch for

Can be a skin irritant for some individuals.

Exfoliant

Microcrystalline Cellulose

Badness

1.0 / 10

A derivative of cellulose, used as a thickening agent and a mild physical exfoliant.

Usually helps with

Physical Exfoliation, Texture

Watch for

Can be too abrasive for very sensitive skin.

Viscosity Adjuster

Sodium Chloride

Badness

0.0 / 10

Common salt, used here to adjust the viscosity of the cleanser.

Usually helps with

Texture

Watch for

None

Surfactant

Sodium Laurate

Badness

2.0 / 10

A surfactant derived from lauric acid. Can be cleansing but potentially drying.

Usually helps with

Cleansing

Watch for

Can be drying or irritating for some skin types.

Thickener

Xanthan Gum

Badness

0.0 / 10

A polysaccharide used as a thickening and stabilizing agent.

Usually helps with

Texture, Stability

Watch for

None

Fragrance

Parfum/Fragrance

Badness

5.0 / 10

Adds scent to the product. Fragrance components can be common allergens.

Usually helps with

Scent

Watch for

Potential for skin irritation and allergic reactions.

Emollient

Jojoba Esters

Badness

0.0 / 10

Derived from jojoba oil, these esters act as emollients, helping to soften and smooth the skin.

Usually helps with

Skin Softening, Emollience

Watch for

None

Humectant

Caprylyl Glycol

Badness

1.0 / 10

A humectant and emollient that also has some antimicrobial properties, helping to preserve the formula.

Usually helps with

Hydration, Preservation

Watch for

Can cause mild irritation in some individuals.

Chelating Agent

Disodium Edta

Badness

2.0 / 10

A chelating agent that enhances the stability and effectiveness of preservatives by binding to metal ions.

Usually helps with

Product Stability

Watch for

Can enhance penetration of other ingredients; concerns about environmental persistence.

Antioxidant

Actinidia Chinensis (Kiwi) Fruit Extract

Badness

0.0 / 10

Rich in Vitamin C and antioxidants, it helps to brighten the skin and protect against environmental damage.

Usually helps with

Brightening, Antioxidant Protection

Watch for

None

Preservative

Sodium Benzoate

Badness

2.0 / 10

A common preservative that inhibits the growth of bacteria and fungi.

Usually helps with

Preservation

Watch for

Can cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals, especially when combined with citric acid.

Soothing Agent

Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract

Badness

0.0 / 10

Also known as lemon balm extract, it has soothing and antioxidant properties.

Usually helps with

Soothing, Antioxidant

Watch for

None

Surfactant

Saponaria Officinalis Leaf Extract

Badness

0.0 / 10

A natural source of saponins, which provide gentle cleansing and foaming.

Usually helps with

Gentle Cleansing, Natural Foaming

Watch for

None

Soothing Agent

Gentiana Lutea Extract

Badness

0.0 / 10

Extract from the gentian root, known for its soothing and skin-conditioning properties.

Usually helps with

Soothing, Skin Conditioning

Watch for

None

Colorant

Ci 77492/Iron Oxides

Badness

0.0 / 10

Mineral-derived pigments used to color the product.

Usually helps with

Color

Watch for

None

Preservative

Potassium Sorbate

Badness

1.0 / 10

A preservative used to prevent the growth of mold, yeast, and fungi.

Usually helps with

Preservation

Watch for

Generally considered safe, but can cause mild irritation in some.

Absorbent

Talc

Badness

1.0 / 10

A mineral used for its absorbent properties and to improve texture. Concerns exist regarding potential asbestos contamination in some talc sources, though cosmetic grade talc is typically tested.

Usually helps with

Absorbency, Texture

Watch for

Potential for irritation if inhaled; concerns about contamination in some sources.

Colorant

Ci 73360/Red 30

Badness

0.0 / 10

A synthetic red pigment used for coloring.

Usually helps with

Color

Watch for

None

Absorbent

Maltodextrin

Badness

0.0 / 10

A polysaccharide derived from starch, used as an absorbent and to improve texture.

Usually helps with

Absorbency, Texture

Watch for

None

Purifying Agent

Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract

Badness

0.0 / 10

Known for its ability to help purify the skin by removing pollutants and environmental aggressors.

Usually helps with

Purifying, Detoxifying

Watch for

None

Support

Cocamidopropyl Betaine

Badness

2.0 / 10

Included in the source ingredient list. Glass treats this as part of the supporting formula unless it overlaps with a known active, preservative, or fragrance flag.

Usually helps with

Formula completeness and routine context

Watch for

Personal sensitivity, especially if your skin is reactive or the ingredient overlaps with other products in your routine

Compare before you buy

The next pages that make this product more useful

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Ingredient Checker

Check whether this product overlaps with products already in your routine.

Product directory

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FAQ

The fast answers people actually need

Is this cleanser suitable for sensitive skin?

While it's formulated to be gentle, the physical exfoliants and fragrance might be a concern for very sensitive skin. It's recommended to patch test first.

Can this be used to remove waterproof makeup?

It can remove most makeup, but for heavy or waterproof makeup, a dedicated makeup remover or a double cleansing method might be more effective.

How often should I use this cleanser?

It's designed for daily use, both morning and night, due to its gentle formulation.

See If This Is Compatible With My Skin