Clinique Acne Solutions Clarifying Lotion Review

Clinique Acne Solutions Clarifying Lotion
2.7
/ 10
Moisturizing
5.2 Humectancy icon Humectancy
0.2 Occlusivity icon Occlusivity
Rich Skin Soothing icon
in Skin Soothers
Review

Does Clinique Acne Solutions Clarifying Lotion Work?

 
According to CreamScan AI's analysis of the ingredient list, here’s what Clinique Acne Solutions Clarifying Lotion has to offer:
 
  • Light moisturizing. It has a moisturizing rating of 2.7 out of 10.
  • Soothing: Clinique Acne Solutions Clarifying Lotion contains a high concentration of soothing ingredients, which may help to reduce irritation and calm the skin.

Key Benefits of Clinique Acne Solutions Clarifying Lotion

 
These are the key benefits you can expect from using Clinique Acne Solutions Clarifying Lotion:
 

Lightweight Moisturizer Suitable for Oily Skin

According to CreamScan analysis, Clinique Acne Solutions Clarifying Lotion is lightly moisturizing, with a moisturizing rating of 2.7 out of 10.

Is it more humectant or occlusive? Rather humectant. It has a low occlusivity of 0.2 out of 10 and a moderate humectancy of 5.2 out of 10, primarily due to the high content of Butylene Glycol (est. ≈3.0%).

This product, when used alone as a moisturizer, can provide light humectant hydration in a fast-absorbing formula with a minimal amount of occlusive ingredients. This could work for people with oily skin who need a basic level of hydration.

A Humectant Add-on for Any Skincare Routine

But it’s not limited to oily skin - since it contains a moderate amount of humectants, such a humectant add-on will also positively contribute to the moisturizing efficacy of any skincare routine when used as a step before applying the main moisturizer.

Please refer to the Ratings section below for details of the moisturizing rating calculation.

Skin Soothing and Calming Potential

Based on the ingredient list analysis, Clinique Acne Solutions Clarifying Lotion is rich (> 5%) in soothing ingredients, particularly Salicylic Acid (est. ≈2.0%).

When applied to the skin, compounds of soothing ingredients, such as triglycerides, phospholipids, fatty acids, phenolic compounds, and antioxidants, work together to soothe the skin through various mechanisms: reducing inflammation, promoting wound healing, repairing the skin barrier, and providing antimicrobial and antioxidant activities.

Please note that this is not a complete list of benefits. We are in the process of enhancing our AI model to incorporate anti-pigmentation, exfoliation and anti-acne ratings.

Things to Be Aware Of: Clinique Acne Solutions Clarifying Lotion

 
CreamScan AI identified a few things to consider before adding Clinique Acne Solutions Clarifying Lotion to your skincare routine:
 

Questionable anti-wrinkle efficacy

If one of your main reasons for choosing Clinique Acne Solutions Clarifying Lotion is its potential anti-aging effects, please note that, according to CreamScan analysis, it currently has a zero anti-wrinkle rating.

It contains Caffeine and Acetyl Glucosamine, two ingredients often marketed as effective in reducing wrinkles. However, the studies supporting the anti-wrinkle claims of these ingredients provide insufficient evidence of efficacy according to CreamScan Research Evaluation Standards.

While this does not categorically exclude the possibility that these ingredients may reduce wrinkles, their efficacy is not supported by convincing, vehicle-controlled, double-blind clinical studies - at least none that were accessible to the CreamScan team at the time of publication.

Therefore, these ingredients do not generate the anti-wrinkle rating.

Moisturizers, when used regularly, are proven to prevent wrinkle formation and even reduce existing wrinkles. Therefore, this product, like any other moisturizer, can deliver some anti-wrinkle effects through its moisturizing action.

Please refer to the Ratings section below for details of the anti-wrinkle rating calculation.

Pros & Cons of Clinique Acne Solutions Clarifying Lotion

 
Here’s an overview of the pros and cons of Clinique Acne Solutions Clarifying Lotion to help you decide if it’s the right choice for your skincare routine:
 

Pros:

  • Suitable for moisturizing oily skin
  • Lightweight texture
  • Can enhance the moisturizing efficacy of any skincare routine
  • Contains a high concentration of soothing ingredients, which may help reduce irritation and soothe the skin

Cons: 

  • Questionable anti-wrinkle efficacy

Ingredients

Est. % Ingredient Origin Functions
80
6
4
3
2
1.5
1.3
1
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Est. %
Water
Function:
Origin:
Alcohol Denat.
Function:
Origin:
Nylon-12
Function:
Origin:
Butylene Glycol
Function:
Origin:
Salicylic Acid
Function:
Origin:
Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Water
Function:
Origin:
Laminaria Saccharina Extract
Function:
Origin:
Caffeine
Function:
Origin:
Sucrose
Function:
Origin:
Glycerin
Function:
Origin:
Acetyl Glucosamine
Function:
Origin:
Sorbitol
Function:
Origin:
Sea Whip Extract
Function:
Origin:
Barium Sulfate
Function:
Origin:
10-Hydroxydecanoic Acid
Function:
Origin:
Silica
Function:
Origin:
Disodium EDTA
Function:
Origin:
Benzalkonium Chloride
Function:
Origin:

Ratings

All humectants
5.2
3
1.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
10
All occlusives
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
20
Moisturizing rating
2.7
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Raiting
Humectancy All humectants 5.2 10
5.2
3
1.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Occlusivity All occlusives 0.3 20
0.2
0.3
Moisturizing rating
2.7
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Humectancy
3
1.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
All humectants 5.2 10
5.2
All humectants
5.2
3
1.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
10
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Occlusivity
0.3
All occlusives 0.3 20
0.2
All occlusives
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
20
Ingredient
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
when present at, %
in this formula est. %
Rating
n/a
- 1 -
n/a
- 0.3 -
Total
0
Caffeine
-
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
n/a
when present at, %
-
in this formula, est. %
1
Acetyl Glucosamine
-
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
n/a
when present at, %
-
in this formula, est. %
0.3
Anti-wrinkle rating
0
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Antioxidants
1
All antioxidants 1 3 No
All antioxidants
1
Caffeine
1
Benchmark
3
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Soothing
2
1.5
1.3
0.3
0.3
All soothing 5.4 5 Rich in soothing
All soothing
5.4
2
1.5
1.3
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
5

Ingredients explained

Water
Est. %80
Function
Origin
WaterThe most used ingredient in skincare. Its concentration defines the product texture: rich creams may have about 50% of water while a light jelly about 90%. Water doesn’t moisturize the skin by itself and is used in skincare as a solvent for other ingredients.
Alcohol Denat.
Est. %6
Function
Origin
Alcohol Denat.

Denatured alcohol is ethanol that contains additives that make it unsafe to consume. It is mainly used as a solvent and an antimicrobial agent. A major drawback to alcohol denat. is that it dries out the skin.

Nylon-12
Est. %4
Function
Origin
Nylon-12A synthetic powdered ingredient that imparts unique sensorial characteristics due to its microsphere structure. It can also control viscosity by bulking up the oil phase of a skincare product.
Butylene Glycol
Est. %3
Function
Origin
Butylene Glycol

A clear, colorless liquid humectant that draws moisture to the skin. The humectancy of butylene glycol, owed to its two hydroxyl groups, is quite considerable, although not as powerful as glycerin, which contains three hydroxyl groups.

Salicylic Acid
Est. %2
Function
Origin
Salicylic AcidThis effective peeling and anti-inflammatory BHA is used as an anti-acne agent and works by breaking down the junctions between dead skin cells. This results in the peeling of dead skin and the unclogging of pores.
Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Water
Est. %1.5
Function
Origin
Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) WaterA fragrant, astringent essential water obtained by steeping and distilling the twigs and leaves of the witch hazel plant. It leaves the skin feeling tight and refreshed after application and helps with the healing of small cuts on the skin.
Laminaria Saccharina Extract
Est. %1.3
Function
Origin
Laminaria Saccharina ExtractA soothing extract derived from a species of edible brown seaweed called sugar kelp or Devil’s apron (due to its shape and large surface). It contains water-binding and soothing polysaccharides, as well as many beneficial minerals.
Caffeine
Est. %1
Function
Origin
CaffeineAn antioxidant compound that is obtained from coffee and tea leaves. It increases the microcirculation of blood in the skin and is claimed to be able to reduce the appearance of orange peel skin (although the research is lacking).
Sucrose
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
SucroseThis ingredient is more commonly known as table sugar or saccharose and is derived from sugar beets or sugar cane. It is used as a humectant moisturizing ingredient in skincare products, as well as a sweetener.
Glycerin
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Glycerin

The most popular moisturizing ingredient in the world. It is a powerful humectant – cheap yet very effective.

Acetyl Glucosamine
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Acetyl GlucosamineA body-natural amino-saccharide used in skincare as an anti-pigment ingredient. Some other benefits of acetyl glucosamine include decreased skin flakiness, improved wound healing, and even a slight reduction in facial wrinkles.
Sorbitol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
SorbitolA sweet-tasting alcohol derived from glucose. Aside from its sweet taste (for which it is used as a very common sweetener), Sorbitol is also very good at retaining water and is used in skincare as a humectant.
Sea Whip Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Sea Whip ExtractAn extract derived from soft sea corals called sea fans or sea whips. It allegedly contains some anti-inflammatory terpenoid compounds.
Barium Sulfate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Barium Sulfate
10-Hydroxydecanoic Acid
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
10-Hydroxydecanoic Acid
Silica
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
SilicaA widely used cosmetic ingredient with the same chemical composition as the sand found on beaches. A common function of silica is its ability to control viscosity. In certain chemical forms, it can effectively thicken cream-style products.
Disodium EDTA
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Disodium EDTAA synthetic chelator that helps to maintain the look and smell of a product by 'locking up' troublesome metal ions.
Benzalkonium Chloride
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Benzalkonium ChlorideA cationic surfactant with broad spectrum protection against microbes.