Essentials Foaming Facial Cleanser
Budget Basics Done Right
Verified reviewer
Pros & cons.
- +Dramatically improved reformulation eliminates sulfates, parabens, fragrance, and dyes
- +One of the cheapest truly sulfate-free foaming cleansers at any drugstore
- +Panthenol and glyceryl oleate prevent the tight, stripped feeling after rinsing
- +Short, transparent ingredient list with no unnecessary additives
- +Widely available at virtually every pharmacy, grocery store, and mass retailer
- +Suitable for use alongside active treatments like retinol or benzoyl peroxide
- +Bottle made with 50% recycled plastic
- −No active ingredients — relies entirely on other products for acne treatment or exfoliation
- −Still too stripping for dry skin types despite the gentler surfactant system
- −Thinner, less satisfying foam compared to the original formula that loyal users preferred
- −Not cruelty-free — brand sells in markets where animal testing may be required
- −Cannot remove heavy makeup or waterproof sunscreen without a first-step cleanser
The full review.
If you grew up in the early 2000s, Clean & Clear’s foaming cleanser was likely your first skincare purchase. Bought at a Walgreens next to Clearasil, it promised clean skin and delivered a tight, squeaky feeling that teenagers thought meant it worked. That original formula was a horror show by modern standards: sodium laureth sulfate for stripping, synthetic fragrance for a medicinal scent, parabens for preservation, and quaternium-15, a formaldehyde-releasing preservative.
It is surprising that Clean & Clear gutted and rebuilt the entire formula. The sulfates, fragrance, parabens, dyes, and formaldehyde releasers are gone. The new, short, clean ingredient list uses cocamidopropyl betaine and decyl glucoside, two mild surfactants that cut oil without sanding your skin.
The addition of panthenol, or pro-vitamin B5, is a smart move. In a rinse-off product, panthenol lacks the contact time for full moisturizing and anti-inflammatory benefits, but it deposits enough to soften the cleansing step. The rinse feels softer than the old formula, signaling the product no longer wages war on your skin.
Glyceryl oleate also helps. As a refatting agent, it deposits a thin emollient layer during the rinse-off step. This ingredient makes a real difference in how your skin feels five minutes after washing. It keeps you feeling clean without an immediate urge to apply moisturizer.
Texture
Long-time users of the original formula may find the texture disappointing. The old version produced a thick foam you could lather heavily. This reformulated version is thinner, more watery, and produces a softer, less dramatic foam. If you judge a cleanser by lather vigor, this feels like a downgrade. If you judge it by skin barrier survival, it is an upgrade.
Best for
The formula is simple and does not multitask. It lacks exfoliating acids, antioxidants, or botanical extracts. This cleanser just cleanses. It removes surface oil, daily grime, and light makeup, then gets out of the way. For many, that is the point. A cleanser prepares the canvas; it does not paint the picture.
Not ideal for
The formula falls short at the edges of its target audience. If you have dry skin, this oil-managing formula may still feel tight. If you wear heavy makeup or waterproof sunscreen, use an oil or balm as a first-step cleanser before using this as a second cleanse. If you use low-pH cleansers with amino acid surfactants, this feels less sophisticated, even if the price-to-gentleness ratio is good.
Common Complaints
The brand itself is a major factor. Clean & Clear is not cruelty-free, which many consumers avoid. Kenvue owns Clean & Clear after spinning off from Johnson & Johnson, and the brand sells in markets where animal testing may be required. Reformulation does not change this fact.
Works for
At roughly six to seven dollars for an eight-ounce bottle that lasts three to four months with twice-daily use, the value is clear. This is one of the cheapest sulfate-free, fragrance-free foaming cleansers at a drugstore. It is a gentle, affordable, no-nonsense daily cleanser for oily skin.
Clean & Clear spent decades marketing aggressive cleansing, but has now conceded that gentleness works. The reformulation lacks the glamour for TikTok buzz, but it is a practical improvement. Your sixteen-year-old self would not have liked this formula, but your adult skin probably will.
Ingredient analysis.
Full INCI list
Water, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, PEG-80 Sorbitan Laurate, Decyl Glucoside, Panthenol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Coco-Glucoside, Glyceryl Oleate, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol
Skin match.
The science.
The Science
The reformulated Clean & Clear Essentials Foaming Facial Cleanser pivots from traditional anionic surfactants to a milder amphoteric and non-ionic surfactant system. Cocamidopropyl betaine, the primary cleanser here, is an amphoteric surfactant derived from coconut oil that carries both positive and negative charges, allowing it to interact with skin proteins less aggressively than sodium lauryl sulfate or sodium laureth sulfate. A 2005 study published in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science demonstrated that cocamidopropyl betaine produced significantly less transepidermal water loss and skin irritation than sodium lauryl sulfate at comparable cleansing concentrations.
Decyl glucoside, the secondary surfactant, belongs to the alkyl polyglucoside family — sugar-derived non-ionic surfactants that are among the mildest available in personal care. Their non-ionic character means they do not interact with the charged proteins of the stratum corneum, reducing irritation potential.
Panthenol, included here at an undisclosed concentration, is the provitamin form of vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid). While its benefits are most pronounced in leave-on formulations, a study in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology (Camargo et al., 2011) demonstrated that panthenol in wash-off products can still deposit measurable amounts on skin, providing mild barrier support and reducing signs of irritation. In this formula, panthenol works in tandem with glyceryl oleate — a partial glyceride that acts as a refatting agent during the rinse step, helping replace some of the lipids removed during cleansing.
The formula uses tetrasodium glutamate diacetate, a biodegradable chelating agent that replaces the tetrasodium EDTA found in older formulations. This is a minor but notable modernization — glutamate-based chelators perform the same water-softening and preservative-boosting function with better environmental biodegradability.
References
- Comparative evaluation of skin irritation potential of commonly used surfactants — International Journal of Cosmetic Science (2005)
- Skin moisturizing effects of panthenol-based formulations — Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology (2011)
Dermatologist Perspective
Dermatologists generally recommend gentle, fragrance-free cleansers for patients with oily or acne-prone skin, and this reformulated version aligns with those guidelines. Board-certified dermatologists note that the switch from sulfate-based to amphoteric surfactants reduces the risk of barrier disruption, which is particularly important for patients using topical treatments like retinoids or benzoyl peroxide that already compromise barrier function. However, dermatologists caution that any foaming cleanser can be over-drying for patients with dry skin, eczema, or rosacea, who would benefit from a non-foaming cream or micellar cleanser instead. The inclusion of panthenol is seen as a positive step, though its efficacy in a rinse-off product is limited compared to leave-on formulations.
Where it fits in your routine.
Wet your face with lukewarm water. Put a dime-sized amount into wet hands and lather. Massage the face in circular motions for 30-60 seconds, focusing on the T-zone if oily. Rinse with lukewarm water and pat dry. Use twice daily — morning and evening. If using as a second cleanse after an oil-based makeup remover, apply to damp skin after rinsing the first cleanser. Follow with toner and moisturizer immediately.
At approximately $6.49 for 8 fl oz, this is one of the most affordable sulfate-free, fragrance-free foaming cleansers available. One bottle lasts 3-4 months using it twice daily, costing roughly six cents per day. This basic cleanser works without irritation and offers excellent value. The reformulation uses improved ingredients at nearly the same price, making it highly cost-effective. The only caveat is that more sophisticated cleansers with amino acid surfactants or added skincare benefits exist at slightly higher prices.
Budget-conscious consumers with oily or combination skin want a simple, gentle daily cleanser without unnecessary ingredients. Teens starting their first skincare routine and adults seeking an uncomplicated wash that works with active treatments will find this cleanser effective and affordable.
Dry, dehydrated, or very sensitive skin types benefit more from a cream or oil-based cleanser. Those seeking cruelty-free products should also skip this, as Clean & Clear is not cruelty-free certified.
Product details.
This lightweight, slightly watery liquid lathers into a soft foam when rubbed between wet hands. It is less dense than traditional foaming cleansers.
Unscented — the current formula contains no added fragrance.
White plastic squeeze bottle with a flip-top cap uses 50% recycled plastic. The design is simple drugstore-standard with Clean & Clear blue and teal branding.
The liquid is clear to slightly translucent and foams modestly with water. Skin feels clean and comfortable after rinsing. The glyceryl oleate and panthenol prevent the tightness common in many drugstore foaming cleansers. No adjustment period is needed.
3-4 months with twice-daily use
12 months
All Year
The backstory.
Clean & Clear has been a rite of passage for teens since the 1990s, but its original foaming cleanser was known for being aggressive — packed with sulfates, synthetic fragrance, parabens, and even formaldehyde-releasing preservatives. The quiet reformulation to the current gentle, stripped-back formula represents one of the more dramatic ingredient overhauls in the drugstore cleanser category.
About Clean & Clear
Legacy Brand (20+ years)Revlon founded Clean & Clear in 1956. Johnson & Johnson acquired it in 1991, and Kenvue owns it now. The brand has been a mass-market drugstore staple for nearly seven decades. Clean & Clear is not a dermatologist-developed brand and relies on consumer trust rather than clinical research.
Common myths.
Foaming cleansers are always too harsh for sensitive skin.
This reformulated version uses cocamidopropyl betaine and decyl glucoside instead of sulfates. It is gentler than most foaming cleansers, though it still strips very dry skin.
Clean & Clear products are only for teenagers.
The brand targets teens, but this cleanser's simple, gentle formula works for any adult with oily or combination skin seeking a no-frills daily cleanser.
FAQ.
Does this cleanser contain sulfates?
The current reformulated version lacks sulfates. It uses cocamidopropyl betaine and decyl glucoside as primary surfactants. These are gentler than the sodium laureth sulfate in earlier formulations.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free?
Yes, the current formula is fragrance-free. Older versions of this cleanser used synthetic fragrance and dyes, but the reformulated version has neither.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol?
Yes — this cleanser's gentle, sulfate-free formula works well with retinol treatments. Panthenol provides soothing benefits, but users on stronger retinoids may need an even more hydrating cleanser.
Has Clean & Clear Essentials Foaming Facial Cleanser been reformulated?
Yes, the product has a new formulation. The current version uses a gentler surfactant system with panthenol and lacks the sulfates, parabens, fragrance, and dyes found in previous versions.
Is this cleanser good for dry skin?
This cleanser works best for oily to combination skin. The reformulation is gentler, but this foaming cleanser still removes excess oil and may strip dry skin. Dry skin types should use a cream or milk cleanser instead.
Is Clean & Clear cruelty-free?
No. Clean & Clear, owned by Kenvue (formerly Johnson & Johnson), is not cruelty-free. The brand sells in markets where laws may require animal testing.
What the community says.
"Effectively removes oil and dirt without leaving residue"
"Very affordable for a daily cleanser"
"Gentle enough for everyday use on oily skin"
"Current formula is fragrance-free and paraben-free"
"Leaves skin feeling clean and soft"
"Easy to find at any drugstore"
"Can cause dryness and tightness on non-oily skin types"
"Reformulated version is more watery and less foamy than the original"
"Long-time fans prefer the older formula"
"Not effective enough for heavy makeup removal"
"Some users still experience breakouts"
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