New Miracle Clear Trio
Active 3-Step Acne Bundle
Verified reviewer
Pros & cons.
- +Contains the Complete Acne Serum (1.5% salicylic + 2% niacinamide + zinc PCA) — the real treatment step the original trio lacks
- +More active configuration than the original Miracle Clear Trio — appropriate for moderate acne
- +Modest bundle discount vs individual purchase
- +Three products work together as a complete cleanse → treat → moisturize regimen
- +All fragrance free, vegan, dermatologist tested
- −Skips the toner step — no calming intermediate between the BHA cleanser and the BHA serum
- −More aggressive active load may be too much for sensitive skin starting acne care
- −$39.99 vs $34.99 for original trio — $5 premium for the serum upgrade
- −Total active load (BHA cleanser + BHA serum) is higher than the OTC monograph for casual use; ramp slowly
The full review.
The Rael New Miracle Clear Trio is the active-treatment configuration of the Miracle Clear acne regimen — Exfoliating Cleanser, Complete Acne Serum, and Barrier Cream. Where the original Miracle Clear Trio bundles cleanser + toner + cream for maintenance, this newer version swaps the toner for the serum, creating a more aggressive 3-step treatment routine for moderate acne.
The serum is the formulation upgrade. The Complete Acne Serum (1.5% salicylic acid + 2% niacinamide + 0.5% zinc PCA in a hydrating base with jojoba and panthenol) is the real leave-on treatment step in the Miracle Clear line — substantially more active than the toner’s succinic acid + centella positioning. For acne sufferers whose presentation has moved beyond the maintenance-routine threshold (frequent breakouts, persistent comedones, T-zone congestion), the serum-inclusive trio is the more therapeutically relevant bundle.
What the trio doesn’t include is the buffering toner step. The full Miracle Clear regimen runs cleanser → toner → serum → cream as four products. Removing the toner means the BHA cleanser and BHA serum sit directly adjacent without a soothing layer between. For users with established BHA tolerance this is fine — the toner is more buffer than treatment. For sensitive skin starting BHA care, the toner provides genuine soothing benefit and skipping it may push the active load above tolerance.
The bundle discount is meaningful — $39.99 vs $46.97 buying individually = ~15% off, a better discount than the original trio’s 10%. The serum is the most expensive of the three components ($19.99 alone), so the savings concentrate there. For users assembling the full 4-step regimen, buying the New Miracle Clear Trio + adding the toner separately ($12.99) gives the full regimen at $52.98 — about 5% off the full retail price.
At PM use, the routine is: Exfoliating Cleanser → Complete Acne Serum (wait 5-10 minutes for absorption) → Barrier Cream. AM should use just cleanser + cream + sunscreen — the serum’s photosensitization makes morning use risky without strict SPF. Start the serum at 3x weekly and ramp to nightly as tolerance builds.
Not ideal for
Sensitive skin starting acne care — use the original trio’s gentler configuration first, then upgrade. Anyone already running a leave-on BHA from another brand — pick one serum, not both. Severe nodulocystic acne — consult a dermatologist about prescription options; OTC active load alone won’t address that severity.
Ingredient analysis.
Skin match.
The science.
Treatment vs maintenance routines
Acne routines fall on a spectrum from minimum-intervention maintenance (cleanse, moisturize, SPF) to maximum-active treatment (multiple actives, prescription retinoid, oral medication). Where on the spectrum a routine should sit depends on acne severity, irritation tolerance, and treatment goals.
The original Miracle Clear Trio (cleanser + toner + cream) sits on the maintenance end. 0.5% BHA cleanser provides cumulative mild exfoliation; toner soothes; ceramide cream restores barrier. Good for mild acne, sensitive skin, or starting acne care.
The New Miracle Clear Trio (cleanser + serum + cream) shifts toward the treatment end. The serum at 1.5% salicylic
- 2% niacinamide + 0.5% zinc PCA is a meaningful leave-on active load that does real comedonal clearing and inflammation reduction. Good for moderate acne with frequent breakouts.
Neither configuration includes the full 4-step regimen (cleanser + toner + serum + cream). The 4-step adds the buffering soothing layer between the BHA cleanser and the BHA serum, which is the gentlest way to run both actives simultaneously. Users with established BHA tolerance can run the 3-step new trio without the buffer; sensitive users benefit from adding the toner back in.
References
- Acne treatment guidelines — Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (2016)
- Salicylic acid + niacinamide for acne — Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology (2019)
Where it fits in your routine.
PM: Exfoliating Cleanser → Complete Acne Serum (wait 5-10 min) → Barrier Cream. AM: cleanser → Barrier Cream → SPF. Start serum at 3x weekly, ramp to nightly as tolerance builds.
$39.99 vs $46.97 individual = ~15% off. Better discount than the original trio (10%); the serum is the more expensive component being bundled.
Users with moderate acne — frequent breakouts, comedonal congestion, post-inflammatory marks. Anyone already tolerating salicylic acid who wants the more aggressive bundle. People building a full Miracle Clear regimen from scratch.
Sensitive skin starting acne care — go to the original trio. Anyone already using a stronger leave-on BHA — don't stack.
Product details.
3-product set
Fragrance free across all 3
Box containing one of each product
12 months per product
All Year
The backstory.
Rael's newer, more active 3-step acne bundle — cleanser + serum + cream. The treatment-focused configuration vs the original trio's maintenance-focused approach.
About Rael
K-beauty / acne-careRael was founded in 2017 by three Korean-American women. The original Miracle Clear Trio launched 2023; this New Miracle Clear Trio (with serum substituted for toner) launched 2024 as the more active bundle option.
Common myths.
A 3-step routine with a serum is more effective than a 4-step routine with a toner.
Active products do the treatment work; toners provide soothing buffer. The "new" trio (with serum) is more aggressive; the "original" trio (with toner) is gentler. Better depends on your skin's needs, not which has more steps.
FAQ.
Why is this $5 more than the original trio?
The Complete Acne Serum (in this trio) is $19.99 individually; the Clarifying Toner (in the original trio) is $12.99. The new trio is essentially the original trio with the serum swapped in for the toner — $7 more in individual cost, $5 more in bundle cost.
Should I get this or the original?
The original (cleanser + toner + cream) is the maintenance regimen; this new version (cleanser + serum + cream) is the treatment regimen. Pick based on acne severity. Mild and intermittent — original. Moderate with frequent breakouts — new. The very ambitious can buy the full 4-step lineup separately.
Is the BHA cleanser + BHA serum combination too much?
For most users, no — total BHA load is modest because the cleanser is rinse-off and the serum is the treatment step. For very sensitive skin or first-time BHA users, start with one or the other before stacking both.
Can I add the toner separately?
Yes — buy the Clarifying Toner ($12.99) and use it as Step 2 between cleanser and serum. That's the full 4-step Miracle Clear regimen.
Is the serum pregnancy safe?
Generally yes — topical 1.5% salicylic acid is below the OTC restriction level — but many OBs avoid all BHA in pregnancy. Check with your OB before starting this trio if you're pregnant.
What the community says.
"Includes the actual treatment step the original misses"
"Better bundle discount than the original"
"Visible results in 2-4 weeks"
"Active enough to actually clear comedones"
"More aggressive than expected for first-time BHA users"
"Skips the toner step"
"Pricier than the original trio"
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