CLEAR: Acne-Targeting Skincare
Breakouts that clear slowly and leave marks behind. Skin that is simultaneously oily at the surface and sensitive underneath. Treatments that work while you are using them but stop working when you stop.
These are common experiences with acne — and they reflect what acne actually is: a multifactorial condition involving excess sebum, dead skin cell build-up inside pores, and the proliferation of Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes) bacteria in that environment.
Addressing only one of these factors explains why single-ingredient products often produce partial results.
The Paula's Choice CLEAR Regular Strength collection is designed as a complete, two-pronged routine.
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BHA (2% salicylic acid) works inside the pore lining to dissolve the dead cells and sebum build-up that creates the acne environment.
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Benzoyl peroxide (2.5%) delivers oxygen directly into the pore — creating conditions where C. acnes bacteria cannot survive.
Together, these two actives target acne at the pore level and at the bacterial level simultaneously.
All CLEAR products are fragrance-free, oil-free, and clinically tested to be non-irritating. Fragrance is a common source of unnecessary inflammation — and inflamed, irritated skin makes acne worse, not better. Effective acne care does not have to be harsh.
Is This Right for You?
This collection is suited to you if:
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You experience regular breakouts — particularly inflammatory pimples, congested pores, or recurring clusters in the same areas
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Your skin is oily or combination and breakout-prone
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You have tried one-ingredient treatments (cleanser only, spot treatment only) without sustained results
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You want a complete routine specifically formulated and tested for acne-prone skin
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You are dealing with body acne on the back, chest, or shoulders alongside facial breakouts
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Your breakouts leave behind dark marks or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) that takes months to fade
Quick Decision Guide
Use this to identify where to start based on the type of acne you are dealing with.
|
Acne Concern |
Active Ingredient |
Key Product |
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Blackheads, whiteheads, and congested pores |
2% BHA (salicylic acid) exfoliates inside pores to clear oil, dead skin, and congestion |
Regular Strength Exfoliating Solution 2% BHA — applied after cleansing as a leave-on treatment |
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Active pimples and recurring inflammatory breakouts |
2.5% benzoyl peroxide helps eliminate acne-causing bacteria and reduce inflamed breakouts |
Regular Strength Daily Skin Clearing Treatment 2.5% BP —used as a spot treatment or thin all-over layer |
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Oily skin that is causing both congestion and shine |
BHA + gentle cleansing + lightweight hydration help manage oil without over-drying skin |
Pore Normalizing Cleanser AM + PM; Oil-Free Moisturizer to hydrate without congesting |
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Acne-prone skin that also needs SPF (non-negotiable in Singapore) |
Oil-free broad-spectrum SPF helps prevent post-acne marks and protects skin from UV damage |
Ultra-Light Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 30+ — as the final step of the morning routine |
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Body acne on the back or chest |
2% BHA (salicylic acid) helps unclog pores and reduce body breakouts |
Acne Body Spray — for easy application to hard-to-reach areas |
The CLEAR Regular Strength Routine
The CLEAR collection is designed as a complete system. Each product serves a specific function — and they are formulated to work together without conflicting interactions. Here is every product in the routine, what it does, and where it fits.
|
Product |
Active Ingredient / Function |
How to Use |
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Pore Normalizing Cleanser (Best Seller) |
Gentle gel cleanser that removes excess oil, impurities, and surface debris without over-drying skin. Helps keep pores clear and prepares skin for leave-on treatments. Fragrance-free. |
AM and PM. Massage onto damp skin for 20 to 30 seconds, then rinse thoroughly. Use it as the first step of your routine. From $14. |
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Regular Strength Exfoliating Solution 2% BHA (Best Seller) |
2% salicylic acid leave-on exfoliant that works on the skin's surface and inside pores to help clear congestion, reduce blackheads, and improve skin clarity. Fragrance-free. |
PM after cleansing. Apply with fingertips or a cotton pad and leave on. Start 3 times weekly and increase frequency as tolerated. From $20. |
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Regular Strength Daily Skin Clearing Treatment 2.5% BP (Award Winner) |
2.5% benzoyl peroxide acne treatment that helps reduce active breakouts, prevent future blemishes, and calm visible redness. Research shows that 2.5% can be as effective as higher strengths with less irritation for many users. Fragrance-free. |
Apply after cleansing and exfoliating. Use on affected areas or as directed. Start 3 times weekly and gradually increase frequency based on tolerance. From $15. |
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Oil-Free Moisturizer (Best Seller) |
Lightweight, oil-free moisturizer with niacinamide, ceramides, and soothing ingredients to hydrate acne-prone skin without clogging pores. Fragrance-free. |
AM and PM after treatments. Provides lightweight hydration without adding excess oil or shine. From $20. |
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Ultra-Light Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 30+ |
Broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen in a lightweight, oil-free formula designed for acne-prone and oily skin. Helps protect against UV damage while maintaining a shine-free finish. Fragrance-free. |
AM as the final step of your skincare routine. Apply generously after moisturizer and reapply as needed throughout the day. From $22. |
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Acne Body Spray |
2% salicylic acid body treatment that helps unclog pores, reduce body breakouts, and improve skin clarity in hard-to-reach areas such as the back and chest. Fragrance-free. |
Apply to clean skin after showering. Spray evenly onto affected areas and leave on. Do not rinse. Priced at $48. |
How BHA and Benzoyl Peroxide Work Together
These two actives target acne through different mechanisms — using both in the same routine is more effective than either alone.
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BHA (Salicylic Acid 2%) |
Benzoyl Peroxide (2.5%) |
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Oil-soluble exfoliant that penetrates through sebum into the pore lining |
Antibacterial treatment that releases oxygen within the pore |
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Helps dissolve dead skin cells, excess oil, and pore-clogging debris that contribute to acne formation |
Creates an oxygen-rich environment that reduces C. acnes bacteria, which thrive in low-oxygen conditions |
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Helps clear blackheads, whiteheads, and congested pores |
Most effective for inflammatory acne, including red pimples, papules, and pustules |
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Provides mild anti-inflammatory benefits that can help reduce visible redness |
Helps reduce acne-causing bacteria and prevent new inflammatory lesions from forming |
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Targets the earliest stages of acne development by keeping pores clear |
Targets active breakouts by addressing one of the primary drivers of inflammatory acne |
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Apply after cleansing as a leave-on treatment. Start 3 times weekly and increase frequency as tolerated. |
Apply after BHA has absorbed. Start 3 times weekly and gradually increase frequency as tolerated. |
Key Ingredients
|
Ingredient |
What It Does |
|
Salicylic Acid (BHA, 2%) |
Oil-soluble exfoliant that penetrates the pore lining at a low pH (3.0 to 4.0). Dissolves the dead cells and sebum build-up that creates the environment where acne develops. Mild anti-inflammatory and mild antimicrobial properties. FDA-approved acne treatment ingredient at 1 to 2% concentration. Most effective as a leave-on treatment — not as an active in a rinse-off cleanser. |
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Benzoyl Peroxide (2.5%) |
Releases oxygen inside the pore, creating conditions that are inhospitable for C. acnes bacteria. At 2.5%, clinical studies show equivalent acne reduction compared to 5% and 10% concentrations, with significantly less irritation and dryness. Can bleach fabric — apply on clean skin, allow it to fully absorb before contact with clothing or towels. |
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Niacinamide |
Reduces sebum production with consistent use, which contributes to reduced breakout frequency. Also inhibits melanin transfer — helping with the post-acne marks (PIH) that often linger after breakouts heal. Included in the Oil-Free Moisturizer. Fragrance-free; well tolerated by acne-prone skin. |
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Green Tea Extract and Antioxidants |
Reduce oxidative stress and skin inflammation. Included across CLEAR formulas to help calm the surrounding skin and reduce the post-breakout redness that characterizes acne-prone skin. |
Managing Common Concerns with the CLEAR Routine
|
Common Concern |
What to Know |
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Skin purging in the first few weeks |
Some people notice a temporary increase in breakouts during the first two to four weeks of using BHA or benzoyl peroxide. This is purging — congestion that was already forming inside the pore being brought to the surface faster. It typically resolves by weeks four to six. Reduce frequency if it is significant, but do not stop. Purging from actives that affect cell turnover (BHA) is different from breakouts caused by a product clogging pores. |
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Dryness or flaking from benzoyl peroxide |
2.5% benzoyl peroxide is significantly less drying than 5% or 10% — but some adjustment is normal, especially in the first two to three weeks. Use the Oil-Free Moisturizer twice daily and start BP at 3x weekly before building. If dryness persists, reduce BP frequency and prioritize the BHA exfoliant as the foundation of your routine. Hydrated skin responds better to acne treatments. |
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Post-acne dark marks (PIH) that linger after breakouts heal |
PIH — the dark marks left after acne inflammation — is especially persistent on Fitzpatrick skin types III to IV (the most prevalent in Singapore). The most effective approach: treat the acne consistently to reduce new marks forming, use BHA to speed cell turnover, and add a targeted treatment for dark spots (such as the Clinical Discoloration Repair Serum from the Brighten Up collection) once the acne itself is under control. Daily SPF is essential — UV exposure darkens PIH marks significantly. |
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Acne that continues despite using BHA and BP |
For persistent or severe acne, or acne that includes cystic or nodular lesions, topical over-the-counter treatments may not be sufficient alone. Consider consulting a dermatologist — prescription options (retinoids, antibiotics, or other treatments) can be used alongside the CLEAR routine. If you are on prescription acne medication, check with your doctor before introducing new actives. |
When Will You See Results?
|
Goal |
Typical Timeline |
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Reduction in active breakouts (BHA + benzoyl peroxide) |
4 to 6 weeks of consistent use — visible reduction in new pimples and congestion |
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Improvement in skin texture and pore congestion (BHA) |
4 to 8 weeks |
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Reduction in post-acne marks / PIH (BHA + niacinamide + SPF) |
8 to 12 weeks — faster when combined with a targeted dark spot treatment |
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Sustained clear skin (full CLEAR routine) |
Continued use — most acne treatments require ongoing consistency to maintain results, not just to achieve them |
Acne in Singapore's Climate
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Heat, Humidity, and Acne
Singapore's year-round heat and outdoor humidity above 80% increase sebum production and sweat output — both of which contribute to the pore environment where acne develops.
Frequent sweating throughout the day means more oil and debris accumulate in the pore lining, which accelerates the cycle of congestion and breakout formation.
A leave-on BHA exfoliant applied consistently in the evening addresses this build-up on an ongoing basis — making it especially suited to Singapore's conditions.
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Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation and Darker Skin Tones
Singapore's population is predominantly Fitzpatrick skin types III to IV — skin tones that have more melanin-producing activity and respond to inflammation with stronger and more persistent pigmentation.
This means that post-acne marks tend to be darker and take longer to fade than on lighter skin. Every unresolved breakout is a potential PIH mark — which is why treating acne consistently, not just reactively, matters more in this context.
Daily SPF 30 or above is essential: UV exposure is the single most reliable factor in darkening PIH and extending the time it takes to fade.
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Skincare Layering for Singapore's Oily-Humid Conditions
In Singapore's humidity, heavy or occlusive moisturizers are often uncomfortable on acne-prone skin and can contribute to congestion.
The CLEAR Oil-Free Moisturizer and Ultra-Light SPF 30+ are both lightweight, oil-free, and non-comedogenic — formulated to provide necessary hydration and sun protection without adding to the oiliness that drives acne.
Stripping the skin by skipping moisturizer is counterproductive: it signals the skin to produce more sebum, not less.
How to Use the CLEAR Routine Step by Step
Morning: Pore Normalizing Cleanser → Oil-Free Moisturizer → Ultra-Light Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 30+
Evening: Pore Normalizing Cleanser → Regular Strength Exfoliating Solution 2% BHA (leave-on, do not rinse) → allow to absorb for 5 minutes → Regular Strength Daily Skin Clearing Treatment 2.5% BP → Oil-Free Moisturizer
Starting out: Introduce BHA and BP separately before using both together.
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Week 1: BHA alone, 3x per week.
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Week 2 to 3: add BP on the same 3 evenings.
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Week 4 onward: build toward more frequent use as your skin adapts.
Consistent use every day produces better results than intensive use on some days and none on others.
Daily SPF reminder: Benzoyl peroxide and BHA both increase photosensitivity — and UV exposure is the primary factor that darkens post-acne marks (PIH) and prolongs their appearance. In Singapore's high-UV environment (UV Index 6 to 9 daily), always apply a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or greater every morning as the final step of your routine.