Clinique Acne Solutions Clinical Clearing Gel

Clinique Acne Solutions Clinical Clearing Gel
1.7
/ 10
Moisturizing
3.4 Humectancy icon Humectancy
0.0 Occlusivity icon Occlusivity
Rich Skin Soothing icon
in Skin Soothers

Review

Does Clinique Acne Solutions Clinical Clearing Gel work?

Based on the ingredient list analysis by CreamScan AI, these are the key benefits you can expect from using Clinique Acne Solutions Clinical Clearing Gel:

  • A bit of moisturizing. It has a moisturizing rating of 1.7 out of 10.
  • Soothing: Clinique Acne Solutions Clinical Clearing Gel contains a high concentration of soothing ingredients, which may help to reduce irritation and calm the skin.

Slight Moisturizing When Used Alone

According to CreamScan analysis, Clinique Acne Solutions Clinical Clearing Gel is slightly moisturizing, with a moisturizing rating of 1.7 out of 10.

Is it more humectant or occlusive? Purely humectant. It has zero occlusivity (we didn't find any occlusive ingredients on the ingredient list) and a moderate humectancy of 3.4 out of 10, primarily due to Laminaria Saccharina Extract (est. ≈1.8%), Butylene Glycol (est. ≈1.6%) and  (est. ≈0%).

This type of product provides relatively light moisturizing on its own but can contribute to overall moisturizing efficacy when used as part of a skincare routine, alongside another moisturizer.

Tip: Certain studies suggest that humectants alone may not effectively moisturize the skin. If you use this product as your only moisturizer, we recommend following it with one that contains at least some occlusive ingredients.

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 Clinical Clearing Gel is rich (> 5%) in soothing ingredients, particularly Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Water (est. ≈1.9%), Laminaria Saccharina Extract (est. ≈1.8%), Sea Whip Extract (est. ≈1.7%), and others.

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.

Ingredients

Est. % Ingredient Origin Functions
70
22
2
1.9
1.8
1.7
1.6
1
0.3
Est. %
Alcohol Denat.
Function:
Origin:
Water
Function:
Origin:
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Function:
Origin:
Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Water
Function:
Origin:
Laminaria Saccharina Extract
Function:
Origin:
Sea Whip Extract
Function:
Origin:
Butylene Glycol
Function:
Origin:
Salicylic Acid
Function:
Origin:
Benzalkonium Chloride
Function:
Origin:

Ratings

All humectants
3.4
1.8
1.6
Benchmark
10
All occlusives
0.0
None
Benchmark
20
Moisturizing rating
1.7
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Raiting
Humectancy All humectants 3.4 10
3.4
1.8
1.6
Occlusivity All occlusives 0.0 20
0.0
None
Moisturizing rating
1.7
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Humectancy
1.8
1.6
All humectants 3.4 10
3.4
All humectants
3.4
1.8
1.6
Benchmark
10
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Occlusivity
None
All occlusives 0.0 20
0.0
All occlusives
0.0
None
Benchmark
20
Ingredient
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
when present at, %
in this formula est. %
Rating
None
Total
0
None
Anti-wrinkle rating
0
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Antioxidants
None
All antioxidants 0 3 No
All antioxidants
0
None
Benchmark
3
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Soothing
1.9
1.8
1.7
1
All soothing 6.4 5 Rich in soothing
All soothing
6.4
1.9
1.8
1.7
1
Benchmark
5

Ingredients explained

Alcohol Denat.
Est. %70
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.

Water
Est. %22
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.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Est. %2
Function
Origin
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerA synthetic ingredient that is used to thicken water and alcohol. It results in a more lightweight formula and is commonly found in gel products.
Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Water
Est. %1.9
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. %1.8
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.
Sea Whip Extract
Est. %1.7
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.
Butylene Glycol
Est. %1.6
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. %1
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.
Benzalkonium Chloride
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Benzalkonium ChlorideA cationic surfactant with broad spectrum protection against microbes.