Paula's Choice CLEAR Daily Skin Clearing Cream, All Over Fac

The Verdict

Body acne is stubborn. You’ve tried the harsh bar soaps, the benzoyl peroxide washes that bleach your towels, the sprays that smell like a chemistry lab. What you probably haven’t tried is a moisturizer that treats breakouts while actually hydrating your skin. That’s the gap Paula’s Choice CLEAR Daily Skin Clearing Cream targets — and for most users, it hits it dead-on.

What you actually get

The tube contains 75 ml (2.5 oz) of a lightweight white lotion with a thin, fast-absorbing texture. The star ingredient is 2% salicylic acid (BHA) — the same concentration as their cult-favorite BHA liquid exfoliant, but suspended in a moisturizing base rather than a watery toner. That’s a meaningful difference for body acne, where skin tends to be thicker and drier than your face.

Supporting players include ceramides to repair the skin barrier, hyaluronic acid for hydration, and green tea extract for soothing. Notably absent: the drying alcohols and harsh detergents that plague most acne body lotions.

Real-world performance

The texture is the first thing you’ll notice. It’s not greasy, not sticky, and it sinks in within about 60 seconds. That matters because you’re supposed to apply it after showering, and nobody wants to wait around half-naked for a lotion to dry.

Results typically show up in 2–3 weeks of consistent use. The salicylic acid works by dissolving the oil and dead skin cells that clog pores, so existing breakouts shrink faster, and new ones appear less frequently. Multiple reviewers noted it cleared their “chest acne” and “back breakouts” within a month — one shopper said, “I’ve tried everything for my shoulder acne for years. This is the first product that actually stopped new breakouts from forming.”

On the face, it works as a daily moisturizer for acne-prone skin, but it’s not rich enough for dry winter skin on its own. Layer a heavier moisturizer over it if you’re prone to flaking.

What buyers consistently praise

Across roughly 225 ratings at 4.5 stars, the themes are consistent:

• It doesn’t dry you out. “Finally an acne product that doesn’t leave my skin feeling like paper. My face is actually soft.” That’s the core differentiator — most acne treatments trade breakouts for irritation, and this one avoids that tradeoff.
• Face and body versatility. Users appreciate one product that works everywhere. The tube is small but a little goes a long way.
• No purging disaster. Several reviewers mentioned their skin adjusted without the angry “purging” breakout phase that retinol and benzoyl peroxide often cause.

Where it falls short

Let’s be direct about the downsides.

The fragrance issue is real. This product contains essential oils (including citrus oils) for scent. If your skin reacts to fragrance — and many acne-prone people do — this could cause redness or contact dermatitis. Paula’s Choice makes fragrance-free versions of most products, but not this one. That’s a genuine miss for a brand that markets itself as science-first.

The size-to-price ratio is tough to swallow. At roughly $30 for 2.5 oz, using this on your back and shoulders daily means you’ll go through a tube in 3–4 weeks. That’s a $30–40/month habit for body acne maintenance. It works, but it’s not cheap.

It’s not enough for severe cystic acne. This excels at clogged pores, whiteheads, and inflamed papules. If you’re dealing with deep, painful cysts, you need a dermatologist, not a lotion.

Who should buy this

Buy it if: You’re an adult with persistent chest, back, or shoulder breakouts that aren’t severe enough for prescription treatment. You want something that treats acne and moisturizes in one step, and you’re willing to pay a premium for a non-drying formula.

Skip it if: Your skin is reactive to fragrance, you have extremely dry skin (you’ll need a heavier moisturizer on top), or you’re looking for a budget body wash solution. Also skip if you have severe cystic acne — this isn’t that medication.

FAQ

Can I use this alongside other acne treatments? Yes, but be careful. If you’re also using benzoyl peroxide or prescription retinoids, apply this on alternate days or in the morning and your other treatment at night. Combining BHA with other exfoliants can over-strip skin.

How long does one tube last? For face-only use, about 6–8 weeks. For face and body, expect 3–4 weeks. Apply a thin layer only to breakout-prone areas, not your whole body.

Does it work for back acne specifically? Yes — that’s actually where it shines. The lotion texture spreads easily over large areas, and the 2% BHA concentration is ideal for the thicker skin on your back. Just apply it immediately after showering while skin is still slightly damp.

The Verdict

Rating: 4.6/5

Paula’s Choice CLEAR Daily Skin Clearing Cream earns its reputation. It’s one of the few acne products that treats breakouts without nuking your moisture barrier, and the face-and-body versatility makes it genuinely useful. The fragrance inclusion and small tube size keep it from being perfect, but if your breakouts are more “persistent nuisance” than “medical condition,” this is the best all-over acne lotion you’ll find on Amazon. It’s a buy.