Paula's ChoicecleanserCleanse step

Paula's Choice CLEAR Pore Normalizing Acne Cleanser

This cleanser is designed to tackle excess oil and pore congestion without causing irritation. Its formula includes salicylic acid to help clear breakouts and arginine to soothe the skin, making it a good option for those who experience both acne and sensitivity.

Sephora price

$24.00

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

4.0 / 5

About 126 reviews on the current Sephora source, so there is real volume behind the reputation.

Shoppers keep mentioning

Best for Oily, Combo, Normal SkinGood for: PoresVeganGood for: Acne/BlemishesSalicylic AcidFragrance Free

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

Glass take

4.0 / 5 overall fit

A solid, fragrance-free cleanser for oily and acne-prone skin that effectively removes impurities without stripping.

Paula's Choice CLEAR Pore Normalizing Acne 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.

View Sephora

What Sephora says

What this product is supposed to do

A gentle, acne-fighting face wash that thoroughly removes excess oil, pore-clogging debris, and makeup without drying skin or causing redness.

NormalCombinationOilyPoresAcne and BlemishesOiliness

Massage a small amount onto your face and eye area with gentle, circular motions.

Rinse well.

To remove heavy makeup, repeat or use with a clean, wet washcloth.

Check your local recycling authority's guidelines.

What Glass adds

What actually matters before you buy it

A reliable cleanser for managing oil and blemishes. It's a good choice for oily or combination skin types that are prone to acne, but may not be the best option for very dry or sensitive skin if used as a sole cleanser.

Effective oil control

Users appreciate how well this cleanser manages excess oil throughout the day without leaving their skin feeling tight or stripped.

Best for

When this is a smart buy

  • Oily, combination, and normal skin
  • Acne-prone skin
  • Managing oiliness and visible pores

Skip if

When this is the wrong lane

  • Your skin is very dry or dehydrated
  • You prefer a creamier, more hydrating cleanser

Routine fit

Where this cleanser fits

Use this as the first step in your morning or evening routine to remove excess oil, makeup, and impurities. If wearing heavy makeup, consider a double cleanse by following with another gentle cleanser.

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

  • Effective at removing oil and debris
  • Contains salicylic acid for acne control
  • Fragrance-free and vegan
  • Soothes with arginine and panthenol

Where it starts to feel redundant

  • Can be drying if used on very dry skin
  • May not remove heavy waterproof makeup in one go

Routine fit

Where it belongs in the stack

Morning and night

This cleanser is suitable for both morning and evening use. In the morning, it helps to remove oil accumulated overnight. In the evening, it effectively cleanses the skin of the day's buildup.

Glass rating

How this formula scores in real life

4.0/ 5 overall

A solid, fragrance-free cleanser for oily and acne-prone skin that effectively removes impurities without stripping.

Routine fit

4.5 / 5

Works well as a first or second cleanse, especially for those dealing with oiliness and breakouts. Its gentle formulation means it can be used daily.

Full ingredient breakdown

Every ingredient, what it does, and whether I care

Active

Salicylic Acid

Badness

3.0 / 10

A key ingredient for acne treatment, it exfoliates and unclogs pores. Can be drying for some.

Usually helps with

Acne, blackheads, oiliness

Watch for

Potential dryness or irritation, especially when first starting.

Solvent

Water (Aqua)

Badness

0.0 / 10

The base for most skincare formulations.

Usually helps with

All skin types

Watch for

None

Surfactant

Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate

Badness

1.0 / 10

A mild surfactant used for cleansing. Generally well-tolerated.

Usually helps with

All skin types

Watch for

None

Emulsifier/Thickener

Acrylates/Steareth-20 Methacrylate Copolymer

Badness

1.0 / 10

Helps to stabilize the formula and give it texture.

Usually helps with

All skin types

Watch for

None

Humectant

Glycerin

Badness

0.0 / 10

Draws moisture to the skin, helping to keep it hydrated.

Usually helps with

All skin types, especially dry

Watch for

None

Emulsifier/Surfactant

PEG-200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate

Badness

1.0 / 10

A mild cleansing agent and emulsifier.

Usually helps with

All skin types

Watch for

None

Surfactant

Sodium Laureth Sulfate

Badness

2.0 / 10

A common cleansing agent, can be stripping for some sensitive skin types.

Usually helps with

Oily skin

Watch for

Potential dryness or irritation for sensitive skin.

Skin-Conditioning Agent

Arginine

Badness

1.0 / 10

An amino acid that helps soothe and condition the skin.

Usually helps with

All skin types, especially sensitive

Watch for

None

Humectant/Solvent

Butylene Glycol

Badness

1.0 / 10

Helps to hydrate the skin and improve the texture of the product.

Usually helps with

All skin types

Watch for

None

Emulsifier/Surfactant

PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate

Badness

1.0 / 10

A mild cleansing agent and emulsifier derived from coconut oil.

Usually helps with

All skin types

Watch for

None

Humectant/Skin-Conditioning Agent

Panthenol (Vitamin B5)

Badness

0.0 / 10

Hydrates, soothes, and softens the skin.

Usually helps with

All skin types, especially dry or irritated

Watch for

None

Chelating Agent

Disodium EDTA

Badness

1.0 / 10

Helps to improve the stability and performance of the product.

Usually helps with

All skin types

Watch for

None

pH Adjuster/Exfoliant

Citric Acid

Badness

2.0 / 10

Used to adjust the pH of the product, can offer mild exfoliation.

Usually helps with

All skin types (in low concentrations)

Watch for

Can be irritating in higher concentrations or for sensitive skin.

Emulsifier/Surfactant

PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil

Badness

1.0 / 10

Helps to solubilize oils and fragrances in water-based formulas.

Usually helps with

All skin types

Watch for

None

pH Adjuster

Sodium Citrate

Badness

1.0 / 10

Used to adjust the pH of the product.

Usually helps with

All skin types

Watch for

None

Preservative

Phenoxyethanol

Badness

2.0 / 10

A common preservative to prevent microbial growth. Can be irritating for some.

Usually helps with

Most skin types

Watch for

Potential for skin sensitivity or allergic reactions in some individuals.

Emollient/Preservative Booster

Caprylyl Glycol

Badness

1.0 / 10

Helps to condition the skin and boost the effectiveness of preservatives.

Usually helps with

All skin types

Watch for

None

Preservative

Chlorphenesin

Badness

2.0 / 10

A preservative that helps prevent bacterial contamination.

Usually helps with

Most skin types

Watch for

Can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in some individuals.

Compare before you buy

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FAQ

The fast answers people actually need

Is this cleanser good for oily skin?

Yes, this cleanser is specifically formulated for oily, combination, and normal skin types to effectively remove excess oil and impurities.

Can this cleanser be used with acne treatments?

Yes, it's designed to complement acne treatments by thoroughly cleansing the skin without over-drying.

Is this cleanser fragrance-free?

Yes, this cleanser is fragrance-free, making it suitable for those sensitive to added scents.