Cleanse

NeoStrata Clarify Mandelic Clarifying Cleanser

A foaming gel cleanser with AHA, BHA and PHA for oily, congested or blemish-prone skin.

Best suited to: Oil, blackheads and congestion with good acid tolerance.
Another option may be better if: Your skin is dry, sensitive, rosacea-prone or already using an intensive active routine.

£31.00

200ml

Guidance continues after purchase

Why it made The Curatory

This was selected as a focused option for someone who wants cleansing and mild exfoliation in the same step. The combination of AHA, BHA and PHA is more considered than relying on abrasive particles or the idea that blemish-prone skin must be scrubbed clean.

Its role is to support a routine for oil and congestion, not to turn cleansing into the main treatment.

It may suit you if…

A stronger fit if your skin is oily, blemish-prone or affected by blackheads and you already tolerate exfoliating acids.

It may suit someone who prefers a gel that lathers and wants a more active option than a plain everyday cleanser.

Another option may be better if…

Choose NeoStrata Restore or another plain gentle cleanser if your skin is dry, sensitive, rosacea-prone or currently irritated.

A simpler cleanse may also be better alongside a retinoid, benzoyl peroxide or leave-on acid if the combined routine causes tightness, stinging or flaking.

What to expect

Expect a fresh rinse-off feel and gradual support with surface texture, oil and congestion. Rinse-off acids have limited contact time, so improvements should be modest.

This will not treat persistent acne on its own. If breakouts are painful, scarring or not settling, use the support or consultation route rather than continually adding stronger products.

Product overview

This is a soap-free, gel cleanser that will leave your skin feeling clean, gently exfoliated but not completely stripped.

It has been designed specifically for people with acne prone skin. It’s triple whammy of AHAs (mandelic acid), BHAs (salicylic acid) and PHAs (gluconolactone) mean that is it exfoliating, lipophilic (breaking down excess sebum), anti-inflammatory and helps to reduce the concentration of acne causing bacteria on the skin.

It also has a drop of glycerin in the formulation which helps to add some moisture back to the skin in place of that excess sebum.

Routine placement Where this fits Morning + EveningCleanse

A broad guide to where this sits, without assuming how many steps your routine has.

This product Cleanse

FoundationalAntioxidant Explore this step

OptionalTargeted Explore this step

Essential final stepSPF Explore this step

If neededRemove make-up or tinted SPF before cleansing.

This product Cleanse

OptionalTargeted Explore this step

Treat Explore this step

If neededMoisturise Explore this step

How to introduce it

Massage a small amount over wet skin, avoiding the eye area, then rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water.

Begin once daily or on alternate evenings if acids are new to you. Increase only if the skin remains comfortable; twice-daily use is not necessary for everyone.

Use a separate gentle cleanser on days when the skin feels dry or when other active steps already make the routine demanding.

Guidance continues after purchase. We can help you introduce, simplify or adjust this product.

Inside the formula

The ingredients that make this special

A closer look at the ingredients doing the most meaningful work in this formula—and what the evidence can reasonably tell us.

Mandelic Acid

A gently exfoliating AHA that increases skin cell turnover and reduces inflammation associated with acne.

Read the clinical context

Mandelic Acid is an alphahydroxy acid (AHA) which means that it’s an ingredient that acts as a keratolytic, or a chemical exfoliant. Unlike other AHAs, mandelic acid is a really large molecule. This means that it doesn’t penetrate quite as quickly or as deeply as other AHAs (like glycolic and citric acid). That makes it perfect for those with more sensitive skin types. Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, it’s also great at calming down the redness associated with acne or as an entry level AHA for those with more sensitive skin or rosacea.

Salicylic acid

An exfoliating BHA that helps to increase skin cell turnover and support the treatment of acne.

Read the clinical context

Salicylic acid is a betahydroxy acid (BHA) that has a number of benefits, particularly for acne-prone skin. Its most well studied benefit is as a chemical exfoliant, particularly when with a lower pH. This increases how quickly skin cells turnover, bringing healthy skin cells to the surface. It’s also a hydrophobic or oil-loving molecule so helps to break down excess sebum and unclog the oxidised sebum trapped in pores (black heads). If that weren’t enough, salicylic acid is also anti-inflammatory and helps to calm redness associated with acne.

Gluconolactone

A PHA that very gently exfoliates and helps to support the skin barrier and calm redness.

Read the clinical context

Gluconolactone is a polyhydroxy acid (PHA) that not only acts as a potent antioxidant but also helps to very gently chemically exfoliate without causing any sensitivity. Gentle exfoliation from PHAs like gluconolactone helps to support the skin barrier and keep it functioning properly, reducing the amount of water that’s lost from the skin and preventing sensitivity.

Tea Tree Oil

An antibacterial ingredient that may support other evidence-based acne treatments.

Read the clinical context

Tea Tree Oil has long been used as a traditional remedy for acne and there is actually some evidence from small studies that show that its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties can help treat acne. I would never recommend it as a standalone ingredient but when combined with other ingredients may help to improve the formulation.

View the complete ingredients list

Aqua (Water), PEG-80 Sorbitan Laurate, Glycerin, Gluconolactone, Ammonium Laureth Sulfate, Triethanolamine, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Mandelic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B5), Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil, PEG-150 Distearate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Laureth-13 Carboxylate, Sodium Chloride, PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate, PPG-2 Hydroxyethyl Cocamide, Polyquaternium-10, Polysorbate 20, Benzalkonium Chloride, BHT, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol.

The thinking behind the formula

More about NeoStrata

NeoStrata grew from the work of dermatologists Dr Eugene Van Scott and Dr Ruey Yu, whose research helped establish the use of alpha hydroxy acids in modern skincare. The brand has continued to develop acid-based technologies, including polyhydroxy acids, with an emphasis on how active ingredients are formulated and tolerated.

That history is relevant to the Restore Cleanser: gluconolactone is not included simply because acids are fashionable, but as part of a gentle formula intended to support comfortable, consistent cleansing.