Clear Skin Cleansing Bar
Clear Skin Cleansing Bar
Product Description
A best-selling 3-in-1 pore-clarifying cleanser, mask and exfoliator formulated with Salicylic Acid, Sulfur and ClearTone Advanced Technology® to fight breakouts, control oily skin and fade post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Comes with an exfoliating sponge for a spa-like treatment at home.
✨ Texture & Feel
3-in-1 Treatment
Works as a daily cleanser, exfoliator and mask in one single bar—use the included sponge for cleansing or leave the lather on for 2–3 minutes as a clarifying mask.
ClearTone Advanced Technology®
A proprietary blend of 6 ingredients (Kojic Acid, Azelaic Acid, Niacinamide, Alpha-Arbutin, L-Glutathione, Retinyl Palmitate) that work synergistically to target dark marks and uneven tone.
Dual Acne-Fighting Actives
Salicylic Acid chemically exfoliates inside pores while Sulfur absorbs excess oil and kills acne-causing bacteria for powerful breakout control.
Developed for Diverse Skin Tones
Created by licensed aesthetician Rachel Roff at her medspa specializing in melanin-rich skin. Specifically targets post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation common in darker skin tones.
🛡️ Safety & Compatibility
Contains Retinyl Palmitate (a retinoid) and Salicylic Acid. Retinoids are generally advised against during pregnancy. Consult your OB-GYN before use.
Contains Coconut Oil, Safflower Seed Oil and Sodium Oleate, which are fatty acid-rich ingredients that can feed malassezia yeast. Not recommended for fungal acne.
Salicylic Acid, Kojic Acid and Retinyl Palmitate increase photosensitivity. Always apply SPF 30+ after using this product, especially during the day.
Urban Skin Rx is Leaping Bunny Certified. No animal testing at any stage of production.
Formulated without parabens, phthalates, formaldehyde, mineral oil, nitromusks and polycyclic musks.
Contains Sulfur and multiple acids. May cause dryness, tingling or peeling, especially for sensitive skin. The brand recommends their Even Tone Gentle Gel Cleanser for very sensitive skin.
🔬 Ingredient Breakdown
🧪 Salicylic Acid (BHA) 0.5–2% Proven
A beta-hydroxy acid that penetrates deep into pores to dissolve excess sebum, dead skin cells and debris. It is the gold-standard OTC ingredient for acne treatment.
- Mechanism: Oil-soluble so it can penetrate sebum-filled pores and exfoliate from within
- Evidence: Extensive clinical data supporting efficacy for mild-to-moderate acne at 0.5–2% concentrations
- Bonus: Anti-inflammatory properties help reduce redness and swelling of active breakouts
🔥 Sulfur 1–3% Proven
A time-tested acne-fighting ingredient with antibacterial and keratolytic properties. It absorbs excess oil while helping to dry out and resolve existing blemishes.
- Mechanism: Reduces sebum production and has antimicrobial activity against P. acnes bacteria
- Evidence: Used in dermatology for over a century; FDA-recognized as an OTC acne monograph ingredient
- Synergy: Works well when paired with salicylic acid, amplifying overall acne-clearing results
✨ Azelaic Acid <2% Proven
A multitasking acid that brightens skin, evens out tone and has mild anti-acne and anti-inflammatory properties. Part of the ClearTone Advanced Technology® blend.
- Brightening: Inhibits tyrosinase to reduce melanin overproduction and lighten post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation
- Anti-acne: Has antibacterial activity and helps normalize keratinocyte shedding in follicles
- Gentle: Generally well-tolerated even by sensitive skin at low concentrations
🍋 Kojic Acid <1% Proven
A naturally derived skin-brightening agent that inhibits tyrosinase to reduce melanin production and fade dark spots, discoloration and post-acne marks.
- Source: Derived from fungi during the fermentation process of Japanese rice wine (sake)
- Evidence: Clinically shown to reduce hyperpigmentation when used consistently over 4–12 weeks
💎 Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) <2% Proven
A versatile, well-researched ingredient that strengthens the skin barrier, controls sebum, reduces pore appearance and fades dark marks.
- Barrier: Increases ceramide production, reinforcing the protective skin barrier
- Oil control: Clinically shown to reduce sebum output at 2–5% concentrations
- Brightening: Inhibits melanosome transfer to reduce hyperpigmentation over time
🌟 Alpha-Arbutin <1% Promising
A stable, gentle skin-brightening agent derived from bearberry extract that inhibits tyrosinase to reduce the appearance of dark spots and uneven skin tone.
- Safety: Considered a safer alternative to hydroquinone with a similar brightening mechanism
- Evidence: In vitro studies show it is more potent than beta-arbutin at inhibiting melanin synthesis
🔄 Retinyl Palmitate <0.5% Promising
A gentle ester form of Vitamin A (retinoid) that promotes cell turnover and supports collagen production. Less irritating than retinol or tretinoin.
- Mechanism: Converts to retinol, then retinoic acid in the skin, promoting epidermal renewal
- Stability: More stable than pure retinol, though less potent; suitable for a wash-off formulation
🛡️ L-Glutathione <1% Promising
A powerful antioxidant naturally produced by the body that helps brighten skin and protect against oxidative damage. Supports overall skin clarity and radiance.
- Antioxidant: Neutralizes free radicals and supports cellular repair
- Brightening: May shift melanin synthesis from darker eumelanin toward lighter pheomelanin
19 ingredients
Cocos Nucifera (Coconut Oil), Hydrogenated Palm Kernel Oil, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil, Glycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, d-Glucitol, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Oleate, Sulfur, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Eucalyptus Leaf Oil, Spruce Oil, Salicylic Acid, Azelaic Acid, Kojic Acid, Niacinamide, Retinyl Palmitate, L-Glutathione, Alpha-Arbutin
🔄 Where It Fits in Your Routine
Use as your first step AM and PM. As a cleanser, lather and rinse after 1–2 minutes. As a mask, leave on for up to 3 minutes before rinsing. Always follow with moisturizer and SPF in the morning.
📝 How to Use
Wet the Sponge
Moisten the enclosed exfoliating sponge with warm water. Rub the sponge across the cleansing bar to create a creamy, lightweight lather.
Massage onto Face
Gently massage the lathered sponge onto your face using small circular motions, avoiding the eye area. Allow the lather to remain on the skin for 1–2 minutes.
Rinse & Pat Dry
Rinse thoroughly with warm water and gently pat skin dry with a clean towel. For a mask treatment, leave the lather on for up to 3 minutes before rinsing.
Dry the Sponge
Rinse the sponge, wring out excess water and let it air dry on top of the jar lid. Do not store the wet sponge inside the jar to prevent bacterial growth.
👤 Who Is It For?
✅ Perfect for you if:
- You have oily, acne-prone skin with frequent breakouts
- You deal with post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (dark marks from acne)
- You want a multi-step treatment in one convenient product
- You have melanin-rich skin and need brightening without harsh bleaching agents
- You prefer a bar cleanser format over liquid cleansers
❌ Consider alternatives if:
- You have dry or sensitive skin (this formula can be quite drying)
- You are pregnant or breastfeeding (contains retinyl palmitate)
- You suffer from fungal acne (contains coconut oil and safflower oil)
- You dislike eucalyptus or sulfur scents
- You prefer a fragrance-free or soap-free formula
🎯 Skin Type Compatibility
Specifically formulated for oily skin. Sulfur and salicylic acid effectively control excess sebum and unclog pores without heavy residue.
Dual acne-fighting ingredients plus brightening actives tackle both active breakouts and the dark marks they leave behind.
Effective on the T-zone but can feel drying on cheeks. Consider using only in oily areas or alternate with a gentler cleanser.
Too stripping and drying for dry skin types. The sulfur and salicylic acid will likely exacerbate dryness and flaking. The brand recommends the Even Tone bar for non-oily skin.
Multiple active acids, sulfur and eucalyptus oil can irritate reactive skin. The brand specifically does not recommend this for sensitive skin types.
📈 Results Timeline
Reduced Oiliness & Cleaner Pores
Skin feels noticeably less greasy throughout the day. Some users report an initial purging phase where existing congestion comes to the surface.
70% noticed reduced oilinessFewer Active Breakouts
With consistent twice-daily use, new breakouts start to diminish. Existing blemishes begin to heal faster. Skin texture feels smoother and more refined.
60% noticed fewer pimplesFading Dark Marks & Even Tone
The ClearTone Advanced Technology® actives (Kojic Acid, Azelaic Acid, Alpha-Arbutin) begin visibly lightening post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and evening out overall skin tone.
55% noticed brighter skin toneSignificant Clarity & Glow
Continued use produces clearer, more radiant skin with markedly reduced dark spots. The brand shares unretouched before-and-after results at the 5-month mark.
50% reported major improvement⭐ Ratings by Platform
⚖️ Pros & Cons
✅ Praised
- Highly effective at controlling oil and reducing breakouts
- 3-in-1 format saves time and money on separate products
- Included exfoliating sponge creates a luxurious spa-like lather
- Visibly fades dark marks and post-acne hyperpigmentation over time
- Widely available at Target, Amazon, Ulta, Walmart and CVS
- Developed specifically for melanin-rich skin concerns
- Pleasant eucalyptus spa scent
❌ Criticized
- Small 2 oz size runs out quickly—expensive per ounce
- Can be very drying and cause peeling, especially in winter
- Sulfur odor is noticeable despite the eucalyptus scent
- Not suitable for dry or sensitive skin types
- Results on dark marks take 2–5 months of consistent use
- Contains retinyl palmitate—not safe for pregnancy
- Not fungal acne safe due to oils in the base formula
💰 Budget-Friendly Alternatives (Dupes)
Soap-free formula with salicylic acid, tea tree oil and kaolin clay. Gentler and more hydrating than Urban Skin Rx but lacks the multi-acid brightening complex (no kojic acid, azelaic acid or sulfur). Better for sensitive-combination skin.
Affordable charcoal-based cleanser that targets uneven skin tone. Uses sweet potato complex for brightening instead of clinical-strength acids. Much milder but significantly less potent for acne and hyperpigmentation.
Professional-grade bar with azelaic acid, kojic acid and niacinamide specifically for hyperpigmentation. Very similar brightening approach but without salicylic acid or sulfur, so less effective for active acne. Significantly more expensive.
🔄 Comparison with Competitors
Urban Skin Rx Clear Skin Cleansing Bar
$15.99PCA Skin Blemish Control Bar
$62.00Good Molecules Clarify & Cleanse Bar
$8.00Ambi Even & Clear Charcoal Black Soap
$5.99📦 Storage & Shelf Life
12 months after opening
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Keep the jar lid closed when not in use. Color changes at the bottom of the bar from light, water or air exposure are normal.
Transparent jar with screw-top lid, includes one exfoliating sponge. Store the sponge on top of the lid—never inside the jar when wet.
Yes, solid bar format is TSA-friendly and leak-proof. Compact 2 oz jar fits easily in a carry-on.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
No. This product contains Retinyl Palmitate (a form of Vitamin A/retinoid) and Salicylic Acid. Retinoids are generally advised against during pregnancy and breastfeeding. While the concentrations in a wash-off product are low, most dermatologists and OB-GYNs recommend avoiding retinoid-containing products entirely. Consult your healthcare provider before use.
No. The formula contains Coconut Oil, Safflower Seed Oil and Sodium Oleate—all fatty acid-rich ingredients that can feed malassezia yeast and potentially worsen fungal acne. If you have malassezia folliculitis, look for oil-free, fungal-acne-safe cleansers instead.
Use caution when layering. This bar already contains Salicylic Acid (BHA), Retinyl Palmitate, Azelaic Acid and Kojic Acid. Adding additional retinol, AHA or BHA products in the same routine could over-exfoliate and cause irritation, dryness or a compromised skin barrier. Vitamin C can generally be used in a separate routine step (e.g., morning serum) without issue. If you want to incorporate other actives, consider alternating AM/PM or using them on different days.
This bar is specifically designed for oily and acne-prone skin. It is ideal for anyone dealing with breakouts, clogged pores, excess oil and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. For combination skin, Urban Skin Rx recommends their Combination Skin Cleansing Bar instead, and for normal skin with dark spots, the Even Tone Cleansing Bar. It is not recommended for dry or sensitive skin.
Most users report reduced oiliness and cleaner-feeling skin within the first 1–2 weeks. Noticeable improvement in breakout frequency typically occurs within 3–4 weeks. Fading of dark marks and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation takes longer—generally 2–3 months of consistent use. The brand showcases unretouched results at the 5-month mark for significant tone evening. Consistency is key: use twice daily as directed.
It goes at Step 1 of your routine as your cleanser, both morning and night. After rinsing, follow with toner, serum, moisturizer and sunscreen (AM). It can also be used as a weekly mask by leaving the lather on for up to 3 minutes before rinsing. If you use an oil-based first cleanser (double cleanse method), this bar would be your second cleanse.
We rate it 2/5 on the comedogenic scale. While the base formula includes Coconut Oil (comedogenic rating 4) and Safflower Seed Oil, these are in a wash-off product that is rinsed away after 1–3 minutes, which significantly reduces pore-clogging risk. The Salicylic Acid and Sulfur actively work to unclog pores. Most users with oily, acne-prone skin report clearer pores rather than increased congestion.
The bar has a shelf life of approximately 12 months after opening (12M PAO). With twice-daily use, the 2 oz bar typically lasts 4–6 weeks depending on how much lather you generate. Store it with the lid closed in a cool, dry place. Color changes at the bottom of the bar are normal and do not affect efficacy.
Verdict: The Urban Skin Rx Clear Skin Cleansing Bar is an impressive multi-tasking treatment for oily, acne-prone skin—especially for those with melanin-rich skin dealing with post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. The combination of salicylic acid, sulfur and a 6-ingredient brightening complex (ClearTone Advanced Technology®) delivers real results for breakouts and dark marks over time. However, it is not for everyone: the formula is too drying for dry or sensitive skin, it is not pregnancy-safe and it is not fungal-acne friendly. The small 2 oz size also feels pricey at ~$8/oz. For its intended audience—oily, breakout-prone skin with uneven tone—it earns high marks for efficacy, convenience and thoughtful formulation.
Product Overview
Quick product notes are a great way to check if a product is free from commonly avoided ingredients by skincare enthusiasts. These preferences come about for different reasons depending on the ingredient such as personal experiences, sensitivities, health preferences & etc.
Just because a product is not free from a common preference does not mean it's a bad product! You can make a personal decision whether or not you want to use a product that contains these ingredients or not - click the labels of the preference to read more about them.
Quick Product Notes
Ever used a product that promised a certain effect but provided no results? It might not have contained any notable ingredients that could have been responsible for that promised effect. It doesn't matter what the marketing or packaging «promises» it can do, if it doesn't contain anything that can help - then the likelihood of it helping is low.
We help you identify key notable ingredients that have been shown to help with effects such as acne-fighting, brightening, UV-protection, wound healing & anti-aging to help you achieve your skincare goals smarter. Please note that different notable ingredients have varying levels of research behind them, some are extremely well proven yet some have mixed research in their efficacy.
Just because a product doesn't contain any notable ingredients doesn't mean it's bad. And a product with notable ingredients (or even many) doesn't necessarily guarantee the efficacy of the product performing these effects either. There are other factors such as ingredient quality, concentration and formulation that will ultimately determine this.
Be smart and use this as just a starting point for you to make more informed and smarter choices and compare it with reviews to see if the product is right for you
Notable Effects & Ingredients
Why are some products great for some people and horrible for others? Well everyone has different skin types and different reactions to the same ingredients.
We've identified a range of ingredients that are commonly regarded as potentially good or bad for those with Dry, Oily/Acne-Prone or Sensitive skin.
A product that contains good or bad ingredients for your skin type doesn't always flat out make the entire product good or bad for your skin. There are other factors such as ingredient quality, concentration and formulation that will ultimately determine your skins reaction.
One of the best ways to use this section is to troubleshoot products you've had bad experiences with in the past. Check if it contains any of the marked ingredients to point out suspect ingredients to avoid in the future!
Ingredients Related to Skin Types
Ingredient Safety Breakdown refers to the percentage % of ingredients in different risk categories as classified by EWG (Environment Working Group) if they are available. There are almost endless cosmetic ingredients and they are one of the few organisations globally that have assigned ratings to a lot of the more commonly used ingredients which is why we reference them.
EWG is seen by many to be more on the alarmist side in their assignment of health ratings resulting in rating ingredients as riskier than they actually are. We recommend using this a reference point rather than a strict guide of ingredient safety and to always do further research if into ingredients that you may find suspect.
Ingredient Safety Breakdown
Product ingredient list
| EWG | CIR | Ingredient Name & Cosmetic Functions | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 |
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking, Perfuming, Skin Conditioning
|
Hydrating
|
|
| 0 |
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Masking, Skin Conditioning
|
Hydrating
|
|
| 2 |
Glycerin
Solvent, Perfuming, Fragrance, Humectant, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Hair Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Denaturant, Skin Conditioning
|
Promotes Wound Healing
Hydrating
|
|
| 1 |
Water
Solvent, Skin Conditioning
|
|
|
| 1 |
Sorbitol
Skin Conditioning, Fragrance, Humectant, Flavoring Agent, Plasticizer, Masking
|
Hydrating
|

