Clinique Cleansers Compared 2026: Bar, Liquid, Foam, Oil or Wipes, Which One Is Yours?
Eleven at night, bathroom light on, mascara still on, and three bottles lined up by the sink. One foams, one is an oil, one is a bar that came in a gift set. Which one goes first? Do you need all three? And why does Clinique sell more than twenty ways to wash your face?
Because cleansing is where the brand's whole routine begins. Olivia Reviews went through every cleanser and makeup remover on clinique.com in October 2026 and lined up the main formats side by side: bar, liquid, foam, exfoliating gel, oil, wipes and cream. Here's what each one is, what it costs in each size, and who it suits.
Quick take: For everyday washing, pick a bar ($22) or a liquid All About Clean™ soap matched to your skin type. Add the Rinse-Off Foaming Cleanser if you wear sunscreen or long-wear makeup, Take The Day Off™ Cleansing Oil or Balm if you wear a lot of makeup, and the towelettes for travel. Minis from $9 make testing easy, and you can see today's Clinique deals before you choose.
Where Cleansing Fits in the Clinique Routine
Clinique's 3-Step system is cleanse, exfoliate, moisturize, in that order. Its soaps are sold as the first step, and the brand describes them as preparing skin for Step 2, its Clarifying Lotion. Skin type decides the formula: the routine asks how your skin feels at midday without moisturizer, then sorts you from very dry to oily.
Makeup removers are a separate family, branded Take The Day Off™. The brand's own tip on those product pages is blunt: no matter how late or how tired you are, take your makeup off.
Format 1: The Bar Soap
The newest cleanser on the site is also the most old-school. Clinique Facial Soap ($22, 5.2 oz) is a hard-milled bar with what the brand calls a soft lather, sold in two formulas: For Dry Skin (Dry Combination) and For Oily Skin (Combination Oily). Clinique describes it as long-lasting and says it cleanses without leaving a taut or dry feeling.
Good for: anyone who likes a bar by the sink, wants less plastic in the shower, or travels with a soap dish.
Format 2: The Liquid Facial Soap
The pump-bottle version of Step 1. All About Clean™ Liquid Facial Soap comes in three strengths:
- Extra Mild for very dry to dry skin types
- Mild for dry combination skin types
- Oily Skin Formula for combination oily to oily skin
Clinique describes a soft, non-drying lather that loosens surface flakes, removes dirt and rinses quickly. The Mild formula is sold as a 1 fl oz trial size for $10 and a 6.7 fl oz bottle for $29, and the large 13.5 fl oz pumps were listed at $37 to $43 when we checked.
Good for: people who want the classic Clinique routine exactly as designed, matched to their skin type.
Format 3: The Rinse-Off Foam
All About Clean™ Rinse-Off Foaming Cleanser is the cleanser Clinique positions for the end of a full day. The brand says it rinses away pollution, dirt, excess oil, long-wearing makeup and sunscreen, lathering into a rich foam that's non-drying and non-stripping. It's the only one in this lineup with three size steps under $45: $9 (1 fl oz), $29 (5 fl oz) and $40 (8.5 fl oz).
Good for: daily sunscreen wearers and anyone who wants one cleanser that handles light makeup too.
→ Check the latest Clinique coupon codes and deals
Format 4: The Exfoliating Gel
New this season, Moisture Surge™ Exfoliating Glow Cleanser ($29, 4.2 fl oz) is a lightweight gel that turns into a soft foam and uses fine bamboo beads for gentle physical exfoliation. Clinique's advice on the page is to use light pressure and pair it with hydrating products, such as ones with hyaluronic acid and glycerin.
Good for: Moisture Surge fans who want a cleanser with texture. If your skin is easily bothered, start a few times a week rather than daily.
Format 5: The Cleansing Oil (and Its Balm Twin)
Take The Day Off™ Cleansing Oil ($37, 6.7 fl oz) is made to dissolve face makeup, sunscreen and impurities, then rinse off cleanly with water, according to Clinique. It's the liquid alternative to the better-known Take The Day Off™ Cleansing Balm, which is sold in 1 oz, 3.8 oz and 6.7 oz jars ($15 to $58).
How to choose between them: the oil pumps straight into dry hands and suits people who like a slippery, quick texture; the balm is solid in the jar and melts as you work it in. Both are first steps for heavy-makeup days, before your regular cleanser.
Format 6: The Towelettes
Take The Day Off™ Micellar Cleansing Towelettes for Face & Eyes ($22) are wipes soaked in a micellar cleansing liquid that remove face and eye makeup with no water. The resealable pack is the point: gym bag, carry-on, a late night at a friend's place.
Format 7: The Cream Cleanser
The newest gentle option is Clinique Daily Calm™ Gentle Cream Cleanser ($37, 4.2 fl oz), a creamy, tissue-off formula with glycerin and hyaluronic acid that the brand says cleanses without stripping. It belongs to Clinique's Daily Calm collection and suits people who prefer a lotion-like wash to foam.
The Lineup Side by Side
| Cleanser | Price and size | Format | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinique Facial Soap | $22 for 5.2 oz | Hard-milled bar | Bar-soap fans; two skin-type formulas |
| All About Clean™ Liquid Facial Soap | $10 (1 fl oz), $29 (6.7 fl oz) | Liquid | The classic 3-Step routine |
| All About Clean™ Rinse-Off Foaming Cleanser | $9, $29, $40 | Foam | Sunscreen and long-wear makeup days |
| Moisture Surge™ Exfoliating Glow Cleanser | $29 for 4.2 fl oz | Gel-to-foam with bamboo beads | Cleansing with gentle texture |
| Take The Day Off™ Cleansing Oil | $37 for 6.7 fl oz | Oil | Dissolving makeup, first step |
| Take The Day Off™ Cleansing Balm | $15–$58 | Balm | Heavy or waterproof makeup |
| Take The Day Off™ Micellar Towelettes | $22 | Wipes | Travel and the gym |
| Daily Calm™ Gentle Cream Cleanser | $37 for 4.2 fl oz | Tissue-off cream | People who dislike foam |
Prices are those shown on clinique.com in October 2026 and can change.
Three Ready-Made Combinations
- The minimalist ($22): one Facial Soap bar in your formula. Done.
- The sunscreen-every-day pair ($39): the 5 fl oz Rinse-Off Foaming Cleanser plus the 1 fl oz Mild Liquid Facial Soap to try the classic.
- The full-makeup night ($66): Take The Day Off™ Cleansing Oil first, then a 6.7 fl oz All About Clean™ Liquid Facial Soap.
What to Know Before You Order
- Shipping: standard (5–7 business days) is $8, or free on $50+ after discounts. Smart Rewards members, free to join, get free standard shipping on any order. 2nd Day is $15 and Overnight $25 with a 2:00 PM ET cutoff.
- Returns: new or gently used products within 30 days of delivery. If an order earned a free gift, it has to come back with the return.
- U.S. only: Clinique ships within the United States, including P.O. boxes, APO/FPO/DPO and territories.
- Fragrance: the brand says its skincare is 100% fragrance free.
What We Like and What to Watch
What we like
- Every main format exists, so there's a cleanser for every habit.
- Trial sizes at $9 and $10 for the two everyday liquids.
- Clear skin-type labels on the soaps and liquids.
- The new bar is a full-size cleanser for $22.
What to watch
- Overlap: several cleansers do similar jobs, which can make choosing slow.
- Duplicate listings for some sizes show slightly different prices.
- Discounts often exclude travel sizes and gift sets.
Who Should Shop This Lineup
A good fit if you want a simple, skin-typed wash, if you wear sunscreen daily and want it off at night, or if you're replacing a cleanser you've used for years. Maybe skip if you prefer one multitasking product from an indie brand, or you live outside the U.S.
How to Pay Less
- Fall Gift: an 8-piece gift drops into carts automatically at $65, with more pieces at higher tiers. The gift page lists an end date of October 28, 2026 at 3 a.m. EST, or while supplies last.
- Smart Rewards: free membership with 15% off one online order, free standard shipping and points on eligible purchases.
- Code ICONS: adds the Get Ready With Clinique Set for $69 with any eligible purchase. Clinique allows one offer code per order.
- Buy the trial size first before committing to a 13.5 fl oz pump.
Offers change often, so compare current Clinique coupons before you check out.
Clinique Cleanser FAQ
Which Clinique cleanser removes sunscreen?
Clinique names sunscreen on the Rinse-Off Foaming Cleanser and on the Take The Day Off™ Cleansing Oil and Balm.
What's the difference between the bar and the liquid soap?
Mostly format. Both are Step 1 in the 3-Step routine; the bar comes in two skin-type formulas and the liquid in three.
Can I use the exfoliating cleanser every day?
Clinique describes it as gentle with light pressure. If your skin feels sensitive, use it less often and alternate with a non-exfoliating wash.
What's the least expensive way to try one?
The 1 fl oz Rinse-Off Foaming Cleanser at $9 or the 1 fl oz Mild Liquid Facial Soap at $10.
→ Unlock today's Clinique savings on cleansers
Final Verdict
Clinique's cleanser shelf looks crowded, but it sorts neatly by habit: a bar or liquid soap for every day, a foam for sunscreen days, an oil or balm for full makeup, wipes for travel and a cream for people who skip foam. Pick one everyday wash in your skin type, add a remover only if you wear a lot of makeup, and start with a trial size. Then get the current Clinique offers and time your order around the Fall Gift.
Olivia Reviews researched Clinique using its official website, product listings and published policies in October 2026. We haven't personally tested these products. We may earn a commission when you buy through our links, at no extra cost to you.