There has been an influx of low-budget brands promising affordable skincare loaded with active ingredients in recent years. Such marketing usually lures us because the more, the better. Right?! But, anyone could fix up similar concoctions in their kitchens and probably for less. You can dump heaps of ingredients into a formula, but it doesn’t mean that a product will work. Those brands also have their takes on old favourites like cleansers with salicylic acid, and the classics prove that those brands don’t offer bargains; just look at the unit price to understand what I mean. Unfortunately, the hype with those brands often makes people forget about stalwart products that are actually affordable and proven to work, like the Clean & Clear Deep Action Cream Wash. 

The formula is relatively simple, a creamy base consisting of fatty alcohols combined with salicylic acid. The concentration is unknown, but I assume it’s about 1-2%, enough to yield satisfactory results. There’s also some fragrance and menthol, which I appreciated a lot during the summer as it gave me a feeling of freshness in the morning. The product is suitable for all skin types, but people with sensitive skin may opt for something gentler like the renamed Neutrogena Clear & Defend Facial Wash. 

I can’t remember the last time I used this cleanser; it must have been more than ten years ago. Honestly, I don’t know why I stopped using it because it’s a great product, and I’m glad I’ve rediscovered it. I don’t think this product has changed much over the years. It’s still the same creamy face wash with a citrusy, refreshing scent that feels cushiony on the skin. I might be confusing this cleanser with a different product, but I feel like it washes off better than before. It doesn’t leave any sudsy film on the skin now. One thing that has changed for sure is its price, but I reckon that’s normal. 

I use this cleanser all over my body. It gently dissolves dead skin and prevents breakouts. I tend to break out on my back when I sweat, and this cleanser helps me to keep spots at bay. I don’t find the product irritating. I’m currently using a prescription treatment with tretinoin and hydroquinone, and my skin is dry and often reactive, but this product doesn’t aggravate it.

It’s a fantastic product – it is affordable and delivers good results. What else can I say? It’s an old classic, which will not disappoint. If you want to feel like your younger self and bring back old memories, then grab a tube and enjoy Clean & Clear’s zesty scent. 

Ingredients: 

Aqua, Cetyl Alcohol, PPG-15 Stearyl Ether, Salicylic Acid, Polysorbate 60, Steareth-21, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Xanthan Gum, Menthol, BHT, Parfum, Benzyl Salicylate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Linalool (clearanclear.co.uk) 

The Clean & Clear Deep Action Cream Wash is available from Amazon UK.