CLEAR Pore Normalizing Cleanser — Reddit Reviews
Updated October 3, 2026
0.5% salicylic acid cleanser that keeps oil in check; can feel stripping.
What the community says
A rinse-off salicylic acid cleanser people use as a second cleanse or alternate-night wash. Redditors like it for oily, acne-prone routines and keeping pores from looking congested. Dry or easily stripped skin may hate the feel.
What this means for you
What people love
- 0.5% salicylic acid in a rinse-off cleanser
- Helps keep oil in check without stripping
- Plays nicely as a second cleanse
Watch out for
Product details
Skin Type
Key Ingredients
Skin type data limited
Where to buy
What the science says
Acne
Some evidence
Salicylic Acid: 16 studies tested it on its own. See all 34 studies
What the studies found
- Most studies found salicylic acid helped clear acne
- It often improved pimples, blackheads and whiteheads
- It usually worked about as well as other common acne treatments
- Used together with other treatments, it sometimes cleared acne better than those treatments alone
- Results were mixed in some studies, and one large review found low-quality evidence
Studied at 0.5–30%this product: 0.5%
Research context, not treatment advice. Studies are about the ingredient, not necessarily this exact product.
Real Reddit threads — 15 mentions across 7 threads
Paula's Choice CLEAR Pore Normalizing Cleanser on Reddit, in one place — 7 threads from r/SkincareAddiction, r/tretinoin and 1 more, summarized.
“My go to in the last 3 years has been the Green Clean Makeup Removing Cleansing Balm then Paula's Choice Clear Cleanser.”
Positive
“Make sure to double cleanse at night.”
Positive
“the last 3 years”
Positive
“CLEAR Paula’s Choice Pore Normalizing Cleanser with 0.5% salicylic acid”
Positive
“AM”
Positive
“Here is my skincare routine:”
Positive
“I use either paulas choice pore normalizing cleanser or la roche posay effaclar + m gel cleanser.”
Positive
“Paula’s Choice Pore Normalizing Cleanser”
Positive
“24M, routine is as follows:”
Positive
“My current routine has worked wonders for the rest of my face- the La Roche Posay moisturiser definitely improved the irritation as well-”
Positive
“the paula's choice pore normalizing cleanser might be a good fit”
Mentioned
“it has bha and really helps keep oil in check without stripping.”
Mentioned
“it's so annoying when they discontinue a product you love! i have oily/acne-prone skin too.”
Mentioned
“CLEAR Pore Normalizing Cleanser”
Mentioned
“AM - pore reducing toner - BP - eye serum - sunscreen PM - cleanser - BHA”
Mentioned
“Make sure to introduce products in one at a time and test for at least a week before you add another product in so you can monitor for irritation”
Mentioned
