Breakout-Clearing Foaming Cleanser with 0.5% Salicylic Acid
Dermalogica Clearing Skin Wash is a naturally foaming cleanser designed to help clear breakouts while controlling excess oil without leaving skin feeling stripped. Dermalogica pairs 0.5% Salicylic Acid with exfoliating acids to help clear clogged follicles and smooth away dullness that can make skin look uneven. A blend of cooling ingredients helps leave skin feeling refreshed, while botanical extracts support a calm, balanced-looking finish. Skin is left clean and prepped for the rest of your routine.
This cleanser is recommended for normal, combination, and oily skin types and is formulated to address acne and blemishes, dullness, and sensitivity/redness. The lathering gel texture makes it easy to concentrate on areas of congestion and oiliness, especially through the T-zone. For those prone to dryness or peeling, Dermalogica notes you can reduce frequency to once daily or every other day as needed. Avoid the eye area and rinse thoroughly after cleansing.
- Who it’s best for: normal, combination, and oily; acne-prone skin with congestion and excess oil
- What makes it different: a foaming, breakout-clearing cleanser with 0.5% salicylic acid plus cooling botanicals to keep skin feeling fresh and balanced
Due to manufacturer updates, packaging may vary from the image shown. Please note the product formulation remains the same.
Benefits of Dermalogica Clearing Skin Wash
- Clears away excess oil without stripping skin
- Helps prevent future breakouts
- Soothing botanicals help calm irritation
What you'll notice:
- Skin feels clean and refreshed after rinsing
- Less surface oil through congested areas over time
- Complexion looks clearer and more balanced with consistent use
Clinical Results:
- 100% of users experienced smoother, softer skin after 4 weeks of daily use
Independent clinical study, 35 subjects, 1 application per day for 4 weeks.
How To Use Dermalogica Clearing Skin Wash
- Work a pea-sized amount into a lather in wet hands.
- Apply to dampened face and neck, massaging in circular motions while concentrating on areas of congestion and oiliness. Avoid eye area.
- Rinse thoroughly with warm water. If bothersome dryness or peeling occurs, reduce application to once a day or every other day.
Pro Tip (from estheticians): Focus your massage on the T-zone and areas of active congestion, then rinse well—over-scrubbing can leave breakout-prone skin feeling tight.
Dermalogica Clearing Skin Wash Ingredients
CLINICALLY TESTED / KEY INGREDIENTS
Encapsulated Salicylic Acid (0.5%): Helps stimulate exfoliation to clear clogged follicles and smooth away dullness that contributes to visible skin aging.
Rice-Derived Phytic Acid: Helps brighten skin.
Menthol: Helps cool skin for a refreshed feel.
Camphor: Helps cool skin, leaving it looking radiant, healthy, and balanced.
INGREDIENTS
Salicylic Acid (0.5%), Water/Aqua/Eau, Glycerin, Sodium Laurylglucosides Hydroxypropylsulfonate, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Hydroxypropyl BisHydroxyethyldimonium Chloride, Peg-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Pca, Phytic Acid, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Fucus Vesiculosus Extract, Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract, Allium Sativum (Garlic) Bulb Extract, Laminaria Ochroleuca Extract, Passiflora Incarnata Extract, Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Leaf Extract, Camphor, Menthol, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Leaf Extract, Solanum Melongena (Eggplant) Fruit Extract, Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Sodium Methyl Oleoyl Taurate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Polysorbate 80, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Melissa Officinalis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Angelica Archangelica Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Fruit Extract, Echinacea Angustifolia Leaf Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ocimum Basilicum (Basil) Flower/Leaf Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Maltodextrin, Silica, Palmitic Acid, Zinc Pca, Kaolin, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Aminomethyl Propanol, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide, Benzyl Pca, Phenoxyethanol
Skin Elite is dedicated to maintaining the accuracy of the ingredient lists on this website. However, because ingredients are subject to change, we cannot guarantee that these lists are complete, up-to-date and/or error-free. For an accurate listing of ingredients in each product, please refer to your product packaging.
FAQs
Can I use this while pregnant or nursing?
The brand does not provide specific pregnancy/nursing guidance on the product page. Please consult your physician.
Can I use this with retinol/retinal/acid exfoliants?
The brand does not provide specific pairing guidance on the product page. If you experience dryness or peeling, reduce cleansing frequency as needed.
Is it suitable for sensitive skin?
Dermalogica notes it addresses sensitivity/redness, but it may be unsuitable for very dry or extremely sensitive skin and those using prescription acne products. Patch test if you have known sensitivities.
How long until I see results?
The brand reports smoother, softer skin after 4 weeks of daily use in an independent clinical study.
Can I use it around the eyes?
No—Dermalogica instructs to avoid the eye area.
Storage and shelf life?
The brand does not list storage or shelf-life details on the product page.
People Also Ask
Is Dermalogica Clearing Skin Wash good for acne-prone skin?
Yes. Dermalogica recommends it for acne and blemishes and notes it helps prevent future breakouts while removing excess oil without stripping.
Can you use Dermalogica Clearing Skin Wash every day?
Yes. The brand provides daily-use directions and also notes you can reduce use to once daily or every other day if dryness or peeling occurs.
Does Dermalogica Clearing Skin Wash work under makeup?
As a rinse-off cleanser, it helps leave skin clean and prepped for the rest of your routine before makeup application.
How long does a bottle of Dermalogica Clearing Skin Wash last?
It varies by usage. The brand recommends a pea-sized amount per cleanse.
Is Dermalogica Clearing Skin Wash fragrance-free / oil-free?
Dermalogica states their formulas never use artificial fragrances, though botanical extracts and essential oils may create a natural scent. The brand does not make an oil-free claim on the product page.
Returns policy
Our goal at Skin Elite is to have happy and satisfied customers. If, after receipt, you are not completely satisfied with your order, you may initiate a return request in your account or by contacting our Customer Service team within 30 days of the purchase date at 1-888-400-4472 or at customerservices@skinelite.com.
If you wish to return an item, please ensure you obtain a return merchandise authorization number (RMA #). Return shipping costs are the responsibility of the customer unless there was a shipping error or damage. Please note original paid shipping fees are non-refundable. Returned items must be unopened and in their original packaging.
If you are an Elite Rewards Member just go to the Orders section within your Account and click on ‘Return Item’ and follow the instructions.
Please allow up to 2 weeks, from receipt of item(s), for refunds and store credits to be processed. Skin Elite reserves the right to reject any return and to change or update this return policy at any time. For more details, go to our Returns Policy page.
Shipping & Insurance
We proudly offer free shipping on orders $50 or more, after discounts, using either the United States Postal Services (USPS) First Class or Priority Mail and UPS Ground within the United States. Expedited UPS and FedEx delivery services are available at an additional cost to the 48 contiguous States only. Please note that a few of our products are restricted to ground shipping only and some orders may require a signature upon delivery.
Most orders are delivered within 3-7 days. However delivery times can also depend on external factors as well as internal USPS, UPS or FedEx factors and therefore cannot be guaranteed. Please note there may be some shipping delays during the busy Holiday Season. If you have not received your order within 14 days after your shipping confirmation, then please contact us immediately at customerservices@skinelite.com.
Please make sure to enter your shipping address correctly before you place your order. If the address is incomplete, it may delay receipt of the package.
Once your order is processed, you will receive an email notification with tracking information.
For more details, go to our Shipping Policy page.
Refused Packages and Incorrect Addresses
Please ensure your shipping address is entered correctly before your order is placed. If the address is incomplete, it may delay receipt of the package and you will be charged a $15 fee if delivery is refused or undeliverable. This often happens when the apartment or suite number is missing.
How Long Will Delivery Take?
All delivery methods can experience a range of delivery times. Most orders are delivered within 3-7 business days. However, delivery times can also depend on external factors as well as internal UPS / USPS / FedEx factors and therefore cannot be guaranteed. If you are in Hawaii, Alaska or a non-contiguous State, shipments will take up to 14 business days for delivery. Please note we must be contacted at customerservices@skinelite.com within 21 days of shipping notification to address shipping issues.
All orders are processed and shipped within 1 to 2 business days of order receipt. You will receive an automated email notification containing your tracking number as soon as a shipping label is created. Business days are Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.
Cut off time for Expedited, Express 2 day, and Next Day shipping options is 2pm ET. We cannot ship to PO boxes for Expedited, Express 2 Day, and Next Day Shipping. Please note Expedited, Express 2 Day and Next Day shipping is available to the 48 contiguous States only.
All deliveries are tracked with delivery confirmation provided. Insurance of packages is effective up to delivery confirmation only. Once items are confirmed as delivered, packages become the responsibility of the customer. Packages tracked as delivered, but reported missing, will need a UPS / USPS/ FedEx claim number to be investigated.
All delivery estimates are in business days excluding holidays. Skin Elite Group LLC is not responsible for carrier delays or delays due to events outside our control.