Cetaphil

Cetaphil Gentle Clear Complexion Clearing BPO Acne Cleanser.

Cleansers

About this product

A gentle benzoyl peroxide acne cleanser formulated with 2.6% micronized BPO, zinc, and licorice root for use on acne-prone and sensitive skin.

Full ingredients

Benzoyl Peroxide (2.6%), Water, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Glycerin, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, PEG-75, PEG/Ppg-120/10 Trimethylolpropane Trioleate, Laureth-2, Phenoxyethanol, Xanthan Gum, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Poloxamer 124, Zinc Gluconate, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid

Guru Score

85%

Yay

4 experts · Moderate agreement

What the gurus are saying

Micronized benzoyl peroxide lets sensitive skin tolerate this cleanser without the harsh dryness that stops most people from using BPO. The micronized formula disperses evenly across skin to prevent irritation hot spots, while zinc and licorice add soothing action that also helps regulate oil. Using it in the shower lets you sit with it for a couple minutes without worrying about benzoyl peroxide staining.

Synthesized from 4 expert reviews · most recent take June 2026

What they liked

Soothing zinc and licorice root included
Gentle enough for sensitive skin
Works without extreme dryness

What they flagged

Nothing. None of the experts who reviewed it raised a problem.

Best for

Sensitive skin Acne-prone skin

Type

CleansersLiquid

Key actives

Benzoyl peroxide

Formula notes

Fragrance-freeNo drying alcohol

Where to buy

Ulta → Amazon → Google → iHerb →

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What the gurus are saying.

Every take we've logged from this product's reviews across YouTube. Click any row to watch the moment they said it.

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Doctorly

3.59M subs

✓Yay

"Cetaphil's acne line is topnotch. They have a micronized benzoyl peroxide wash that helps minimize irritation while still being extremely effective."

All 3 takes from Doctorly

2023's BEST Products For Acne | Doctorly Reviews

"I also like the lower percentage. Cetaphil has a micronized benzoyl peroxide wash. Micronizing the benzoyl peroxide, there's a 2010 study that looked at the micronization and encapsulation of benzoyl peroxide in the setting of rosacea. Micronizing it and encapsulating it helps increase the absorption, it helps increase even distribution, decreasing clumping, decreasing hotspots. So it not only makes it more effective, it also makes it less irritating."

Dermatologists' Most Underrated Skincare Brands of 2026

"Cetaphil's acne line is topnotch. They have a micronized benzoyl peroxide wash that helps minimize irritation while still being extremely effective."

SIMPLE ACNE ROUTINE FROM A DERMATOLOGIST | Doctorly Routines

"It has zinc topically and liquorice in it. This line is lit. It is amazing. [...] The micronized portion not only helps with stability and increased penetration into the follicles to really increase the efficacy, but some of the studies with micronized ingredients also show that it kind of disperses more evenly across the skin to prevent hot spots and minimize irritation. There are a lot of prescription benzoyl peroxide products. This mimics those and it does it better. I think it's great."

Dr Dray

2.69M subs

✓Yay

"They micronized benzo peroxide cleanser is also good 2.6% benzo peroxide good for acne as well as body odor although you might want to go with a higher strength for body odor purposes"

Dr. Jenny Liu

323k subs

✓Yay

"For acne, the Cetaphil Gentle Clear line contains 2.6% micronized benzoyl peroxide [...] in a creamy cleanser you leave on for a few minutes then rinse off. It's an effective way to target acne while reducing irritation, nice especially for sensitive skin."

All 3 takes from Dr. Jenny Liu

Dermatologist Ranks Favorite Cetaphil Products | Dr. Jenny Liu

"If I were to compare this one against other options, I have to say Cetaphil's one really wins as the most creamy, most hydrating cleanser. I mean it's so creamy and hydrating that I view it as more of a treatment, like a cleansing treatment that you leave on for a few minutes, and not so much as a cleanser. So you definitely, if you have makeup, sunscreen that you want to remove, you definitely don't want to use this because you're not going to feel that you're removing things effectively."

10 Tips to Switch Up your Skincare Routine: Summer to Fall

"If you're looking for a BPO cleanser that's creamy, gentle, but effective then you need to check out this one from Cetaphil. [...] It's their Gentle Clear Complexion Clearing BPO Acne Cleanser. It contains 2.5 micronized benzoyl peroxide that makes it less irritating, also contains zinc and licorice root that are soothing. [...] Compared to all the creamy, gentle benzoyl peroxide cleansers I have personally tried, this is the most creamy, hydrating, and gentle."

Ultimate Sensitive skincare guide for winter from Dermatologist | Dr. Jenny Liu

Dr Alexis Stephens

582k subs

✓Yay

"The Cetaphil Gentle Clear Complexion Clearing BPO Acne Cleanser has been a staple I've been using this product all the time and that's very unusual for me with someone with very sensitive skin to be able to tolerate a benzoyl peroxide without getting extremely dry."

What the evidence says.

Independent of what the gurus think, this is what the published research supports about the main active ingredients here.

Benzoyl peroxide

Benzoyl peroxide has strong evidence for inflammatory acne, and unlike antibiotics the bacteria involved do not become resistant to it. It bleaches towels and pillowcases.

Source: DermNet

Frequently asked.

What is Cetaphil Gentle Clear Complexion Clearing BPO Acne Cleanser?

A gentle benzoyl peroxide acne cleanser formulated with 2.6% micronized BPO, zinc, and licorice root for use on acne-prone and sensitive skin.

Is Cetaphil Gentle Clear Complexion Clearing BPO Acne Cleanser worth it?

Yes. All 4 gurus who reviewed it give it their stamp of approval, for a Guru Score of 85%.

What is Cetaphil Gentle Clear Complexion Clearing BPO Acne Cleanser's Guru Score?

Cetaphil Gentle Clear Complexion Clearing BPO Acne Cleanser holds a Guru Score of 85%. That is our read on how warmly the experts talk about it, based on the verdicts of 4 expert reviewers we have collected.