Cetaphil

Gentle Clear Mattifying Acne Moisturizer.

Acne

About this product

A lightweight, fragrance-free mattifying moisturizer formulated with 0.5% salicylic acid, designed to hydrate and control oil in acne-prone skin.

Best for

Oily skin Acne-prone skin

Type

AcneLotion

Key actives

Hyaluronic acid Salicylic acid (BHA)Squalane

Formula notes

Fragrance-freeNo drying alcohol

Full ingredients

Salicylic Acid (2%), Water, Butylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Sodium Polyacrylate, Glycerin, Ceteareth-20, Polysorbate 60, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, PPG-2 Myristyl Ether Propionate, Phenoxyethanol, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Squalane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Zinc Gluconate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Morus Alba Root Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Bisabolol, Safflower Oil/Palm Oil Aminopropanediol Esters, PPG-5-Laureth-5, Sodium Hydroxide, Kojic Acid, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Sophora Angustifolia Root Extract, Disodium EDTA, Polyquaternium-11, Arctostaphylos Uva-Ursi Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Allantoin

Guru Score

80%

Approved

4 experts · Moderate agreement

4Gurus

4Approved

0Mixed

0Skip

What the gurus are saying

The low concentration of salicylic acid means gentler exfoliation that won't cause dryness or irritation, yet still helps with pores and blackheads when used regularly. Dermatologists praise it as a genuinely moisturizing base that manages shine and layers beautifully under sunscreen or makeup, making it a standout choice for oily, acne-prone skin; those with drier skin may find it less supportive depending on how dry they are. It's one of Cetaphil's most loved but underrated products.

Synthesized from 4 expert reviews · most recent take August 2025

Where to buy

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How it works Independent by design. Every take comes from a creator we have no relationship with. We do not ask anyone to review, and affiliate links never move a score.

Every take, in full

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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Dr. Aleksandra Brown

131k subs

✓Approved

"The Cetaphil Gentle Clear Mattifying Acne Moisturizer is a super lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturizer specifically formulated for acne-prone skin, especially if you're oily. It helps control that oil and shine while providing hydration and barrier support. It's completely fragrance-free and has this matte finish, making it really good for daytime use under makeup or underneath sunscreen. It's best for oily, acne-prone skin looking for that shine control and hydration at the same time. But it's really also good for anyone who's using active treatments like salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide and needs a lightweight barrier support. The key ingredients are salicylic acid 0.5%, prebiotic aloe, panthenol or vitamin B5, and niacinamide."

Dr Dray

2.67M subs

✓Approved

"The other one that I really like a lot, and it's kind of similar as far as benefits it is offering, 0.5% salicylic acid, is the Cetaphil Gentle Clear Mattifying Acne Moisturizer."

All 5 takes from Dr Dray

Dear Klairs All Day Airy Sunscreen IMPRESSED ME

"The other one that I really like a lot, and it's kind of similar as far as benefits it is offering, 0.5% salicylic acid, is the Cetaphil Gentle Clear Mattifying Acne Moisturizer."

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"This is from Cetaphil and honestly it is underrated. Everyone I have ever recommended this to has sung the praises of it. It's probably one of their most loved products that just kind of flies under the radar. It's a moisturizer with 0.5% salicylic acid, so for those who have acne prone skin, salicylic acid is a useful ingredient for helping to exfoliate the pore lining, cutting down on blackheads and whiteheads. It's also a useful ingredient for people with rough and bumpy skin on the face, keratosis pilaris, because it softens and gently exfoliates those rough bumps. Salicylic acid is also anti-inflammatory and it's helpful for lightening hyperpigmentation. This moisturizer is such a nice formula. It is mattifying, it's not greasy, it's hydrating and moisturizing, free of fragrance. They really balance out the formula to be suitable for quite a broad spectrum of skin types."

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"This is one of my favorites from Cetaphil. The Gentle Clear Mattifying Acne Moisturizer has 5% salicylic acid, but the base is really moisturizing. It has sodium hyaluronate, it has squalane, and it has licorice root, which is good for cutting down on redness as well as tackling hyperpigmentation. Salicylic acid can help in gently exfoliating the skin to lighten dark spots, but also it has some anti-inflammatory properties that may help in preventing them."

SKINCARE PRODUCTS FOR FACE BUMPS | Dermatologist

"I highly suggest this one from Cetaphil, this mattifying acne moisturizer, because it uses a 0.5 percent salicylic acid which when used consistently is still going to be helpful for pores, for comedones, for bumps. What's great about this is it's a very moisturizing formula."

DRUGSTORE SKINCARE FOR MATURE SKIN 2023 | Dermatologist

"This Cetaphil Gentle Clear Mattifying Acne Moisturizer has salicylic acid which is helpful for acne control, and it's super moisturizing. It doesn't lead to dryness and irritation and peeling and flaking."

Doctorly

3.57M subs

✓Approved

"I love their mattifying acne moisturizer. It's really good, one of the best mattifying moisturizers, especially for those with acne-prone skin that I know of. It anchors on ceramides and the skin barrier, which are both good. It's not a product the brand really tries to push or advertise for, and people aren't really talking about it much, but it's definitely worth trying."

Dr. Jenny Liu

318k subs

✓Approved

"It has 0.5% salicylic acid so lower concentration, which isn't as effective but will be less irritating along with licorice root that's anti-inflammatory and may offer some brightening benefits, and cica acid that is a brightening ingredient. This is a lightweight gel cream that is very fast absorbing but hydrating, doesn't feel sticky. I personally love this in the morning under sunscreen. It's not super mattifying but definitely is not sticky at all and can be used by everyone. If you are acne-prone but have oily skin I think this would be a good moisturizer. For those with more dry skin it's definitely hydrating but you may find it to be not supportive enough depending on how dry and sensitive your skin is. But overall for most individuals looking for a lightweight elegant moisturizer that offers some acne benefits, some brightening benefits, helps targeting post-acne marks, that's going to feel nice, not heavy, and layer nicely under sunscreen, I recommend checking this one out."

Common questions

Frequently asked.

What is Cetaphil Gentle Clear Mattifying Acne Moisturizer?

A lightweight, fragrance-free mattifying moisturizer formulated with 0.5% salicylic acid, designed to hydrate and control oil in acne-prone skin.

Is Cetaphil Gentle Clear Mattifying Acne Moisturizer worth it?

Yes. All 4 gurus who reviewed it give it their stamp of approval, for a Guru Score of 80%.

What is Cetaphil Gentle Clear Mattifying Acne Moisturizer's Guru Score?

Cetaphil Gentle Clear Mattifying Acne Moisturizer holds a Guru Score of 80%. That is our read on how warmly the experts talk about it, based on the verdicts of 4 independent expert reviewers we have collected.