Clarifying Foam

A cleanser that treats on the way through

Clarifying Foam is a sulphate-free foaming wash built around two acids that suit blemish-prone skin for different reasons: salicylic acid, oil-soluble, which travels into the pore to loosen the plug, and mandelic acid, a large, slow-penetrating alpha hydroxy acid that resurfaces gently and has an antibacterial edge. Niacinamide works on oil and the barrier, tea tree oil adds a mild antimicrobial note, and chlorhexidine keeps the formula itself clean.

Why foam

The glucoside and sulfosuccinate surfactants lift oil and sunscreen without stripping, so the acids can do their work twice a day without the tightness that pushes oily skin to produce more.

The fit

The cleansing step of a Medik8 congestion routine, ahead of Press & Clear and Blemish SOS. The 40ml travel size is the gym-bag and try-first version.

Oily, congested and breakout-prone skin; blackheads and enlarged pores; teenage and adult acne alike; and anyone whose current cleanser leaves skin squeaky but still congested.

Worth knowing

Contains tea tree oil with declared limonene, so check it with a fragrance or essential-oil sensitivity, and benzyl alcohol as a preservative. Salicylic acid at a cleanser dose is rinsed off, so it is generally fine in pregnancy, but check with your practitioner if in doubt. Dry or sensitive skin usually prefers Gentle Cleanse.

Morning and evening: one to two pumps massaged over damp face and neck for a minute, then rinsed with lukewarm water. At night, after a cleansing oil or micellar if you wear SPF or makeup.

If skin feels tight, drop to once daily and use Gentle Cleanse in the morning.

Use alongside

Before Press & Clear and Blemish SOS at night, before Hydr8 B5 and SPF in the morning. Do not double up with another leave-on salicylic product on the same night without building up to it.