Benefits
- Fights blackheads, whiteheads, and other acne blemishes
- Treats both the internal and external causes of acne
- Reduces redness and swelling
- Prevents scarring
- Fights against future acne breakouts
All data for this product review has been collected from independent tests of Clear Pores. Individual results may vary and specific results are not guaranteed. All information herein is, to the best of our knowledge, accurate at the time of publication.
Featured Ingredients
Salicylic Acid – Exfoliates and removes damaged skin cells. Also works to unclog pores to eliminate acne blemishes.
Glycolic Acid – Unclogs pores. Also exfoliates to clear up dry, flaky skin. Glycolic acid belongs to the broader family of alpha hydroxy acids, which work on the skin’s surface to loosen dead cells.
See our anti-acne ingredient guide for more information about these and other anti-acne ingredients.
For a full list of ingredients click here.
Herbal Supplement: Dandelion Root (Taraxacum Officinale), Burdock Root (Arctium Lappa), Aloe Vera, Yellow Dock (Rumex Crispus), Echinacea Purpurea, Red Clover (Trifolium Pratense), Sarsaparilla Root (Smilax Officinalis), Licorice Root (Glycyrrhiza Glabra), Turmeric (Curcuma), Atlantic Kelp (Ascophyllum Nodosum), Cayenne (Capsicum Annuum), Partially Hydrogenated Cotton Seed Oil, Kosher, NF, Magnesium Stearate, Gelatin Capsule.
Deep Facial Wash: Water, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Propylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Xantham Gum, Linum Usitatissimum (linseed) Seed Extract, Ulmaria (Meadowsweet) Root Extract, SD Alcohol 40, Farnesol, Polysorbate 60, Cyclopentasiloxane, Salicylic Acid (Beta Hydroxy Acid), Sclerotium Gum, Disodium EDTA, BHT, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Polysorbate 20, Capryloyl Glycine, Phospholipids, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Bisabolol.
Facial Protection Cream: Water, Isopropyl Palmitate, Propylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Stearath-21, Dimethicone, Soy Lecithin, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Ceteth-10 Phosphate, Steareth-2, Thioctic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Potassium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Diazolidinyl Urea, Laureth-7, Methylparaben, Disodium EDTA, Propylparaben.
Side Effects and Directions
This product contains glycolic acid, which can irritate skin and increase sensitivity to sun exposure. Test the product on a small patch of skin before regular use to reduce the risk of an adverse reaction. Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen before heading outside for any length of time while using this product. Those who are pregnant, nursing, or considering getting pregnant should consult a medical professional before use.
Take one dose of the Herbal Supplement every morning. Use the Deep Facial Wash and Facial Protection Cream twice daily. Gently lather a small amount of facial wash and apply to your face. Rinse and pat dry. Apply a pea-sized amount of cream to your entire face. Massage in until fully absorbed.
In-Depth Review
The Clear Pores Skin Cleansing System uses a three-piece approach that pairs an oral supplement with two topical products. The pitch is that acne has both internal and external drivers, so the routine targets both at once. Clear Pores includes an herbal supplement, a deep facial wash, and a facial protection cream.
The herbal supplement is built around traditional botanicals like burdock root, dandelion root, yellow dock, and turmeric. These ingredients have a long history in herbal medicine for skin complaints, and small studies suggest burdock has antibacterial activity against Cutibacterium acnes, the bacteria involved in inflammatory acne. Clinical evidence for oral botanicals as a standalone acne treatment is still limited, so the supplement is best understood as a supportive addition rather than a primary fix.
Both the facial wash and the protection cream contain salicylic acid, one of the most widely used ingredients in over-the-counter acne products. Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid that penetrates oil and works inside the pore to dissolve the bonds holding dead skin cells together. That action makes it especially useful for blackheads and whiteheads. Anti-inflammatory botanicals in the formulas, like turmeric in the supplement and meadowsweet extract in the wash, may help reduce visible redness, while linseed extract offers antioxidant support.
The brand’s marketing leans heavily on “all-natural” language, but the topical formulas do include synthetic preservatives, propylene glycol, and SD alcohol 40. That isn’t a dealbreaker, but anyone choosing the system specifically to avoid parabens or alcohol should read the ingredient list closely.
To find the acne treatment that’s right for you, take a look at our anti-acne product comparison chart.
Who Clear Pores Is Best For
Clear Pores is a reasonable fit for people dealing with mild to moderate acne, especially the comedonal kind: blackheads, whiteheads, and occasional inflamed pimples. The salicylic acid content matches what most over-the-counter products offer, and the multi-step routine works well for anyone who prefers a structured regimen. Knowing the types of acne you’re treating clarifies whether this kind of system is the right tool.
Cystic and nodular acne usually need prescription-strength treatment from a dermatologist, so the system isn’t the right starting point for severe cases. Anyone with very sensitive skin should also approach with caution, because the wash contains SD alcohol, which can disrupt the skin barrier in some users.
Pregnant or nursing women should skip the system entirely. The supplement combines botanicals that haven’t been studied in pregnancy, and salicylic acid use during pregnancy is generally discouraged at higher concentrations. People with ragweed or daisy allergies should also be careful, since burdock and dandelion belong to the same plant family and can cross-react.
The system is positioned at adults and older teens. Younger teens with breakouts often respond well to simpler routines, and most cases of teenage acne clear with a single topical active rather than a layered system.
How to Use Clear Pores for Best Results
Daily use is what makes this system work. Skipping the wash or cream slows visible progress, especially in the first month. The wash and cream go on morning and evening over clean skin, and the supplement is taken once daily with food.
Independent testing of Clear Pores suggests visible improvement typically shows up between four and eight weeks, with fuller results closer to the twelve-week mark. Salicylic acid takes time to clear stubborn comedones, and the botanical supplement works gradually rather than all at once.
Daily broad-spectrum SPF is essential while using glycolic and salicylic acids. Both increase sun sensitivity, and unprotected exposure can leave dark marks, especially on acne-prone skin. Avoid pairing this system with other strong actives like retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, or additional exfoliating acids in the same routine. Combining too many actives often causes irritation that looks like worsening acne.
If results stall after eight weeks, it may be a sign the acne type doesn’t match this system, and the broader question of how to choose acne treatment depends on lesion type, severity, and skin sensitivity.
Is Clear Pores Worth It?
The internal-plus-external concept is one of the more thoughtful approaches in the over-the-counter space, and similar systems like Exposed Skincare and ZenMed Derma Cleanse follow the same logic with their own ingredient mixes.
Clear Pores does the basics well. The salicylic acid concentration isn’t disclosed, which is a fair criticism, but the formulation is reasonable, the routine is simple to follow, and the herbal supplement adds a layer of support that single-product creams don’t offer. For acne with more than one driver, a bundled approach often outperforms a one-product fix.
The cost sits above drugstore competitors and below dermatologist-prescribed regimens. For mild to moderate acne, that price point is justifiable if the system delivers, and most independent reviewers report visible improvement over a two to three month window. Severe acne sufferers will likely need something stronger, and very sensitive skin types may find the alcohol content too much for daily use.
All data for this product review has been collected from independent tests of Clear Pores. Individual results may vary and specific results are not guaranteed. All information herein is, to the best of our knowledge, accurate at the time of publication.
