Clearasil Rapid Action Wash
The Clearasil Rapid Action Wash is a misc. Our analysis of its 24 ingredients (15 low-risk) rates it Great (76/100). Based on its ingredients, it looks well-suited to oily / acne-prone skin. Heads up: it contains fragrance, which can irritate sensitive or reactive skin.
The Clearasil Rapid Action Wash is a misc. Our analysis of its 24 ingredients (15 low-risk) rates it Great (76/100). Based on its ingredients, it looks well-suited to oily / acne-prone skin. Heads up: it contains fragrance, which can irritate sensitive or reactive skin.
Summarised from our ingredient analysis — not brand marketing copy.
The evidence
| EWG | CIR | Ingredient Name & Cosmetic Functions | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
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Salicylic Acid
(Antiacne Agent, Antidandruff Agent, Corn/Callus/Wart Remover, Denaturant, Exfoliant, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Keratolytic, Masking, Preservative) |
Good for Oily Skin
Bad for Sensitive Skin
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Glycerin
(Denaturant, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Humectant, Oral Care Agent, Oral Health Care Drug, Skin Protecting, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Perfuming, Solvent) |
Good for Dry Skin
Fungal Acne Trigger
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Myristic Acid
(Fragrance, Opacifying, Sufactant, Emulsifying, Perfuming) |
Bad for Oily Skin
Fungal Acne Trigger
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Stearic Acid
(Fragrance, Sufactant, Emulsifying, Surfactantsurfactant Cleansing Agent Is Included As A Function For The Soap Form Of Stearic Acid., Emulsion Stabilising, Masking, Refatting) |
Bad for Oily Skin
Fungal Acne Trigger
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Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
(Antistatic Agent, Cleansing, Emulsifying, Foaming, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Surfactant, Viscosity Controlling) |
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Palmitic Acid
(Fragrance, Opacifying, Sufactant, Surfactant Emulsifying Agentsurfactant Cleansing Agent Is Included As A Function For The Soap Form Of Palmitic Acid., Emollient) |
Bad for Oily Skin
Fungal Acne Trigger
|
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Potassium Hydroxide
(Ph Adjuster, Buffering Agent) |
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Lauric Acid
(Fragrance, Sufactantsurfactant Cleansing Agent Is Included As A Function For The Soap Form Of Lauric Acid., Emulsifying) |
Bad for Oily Skin
Fungal Acne Trigger
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Polyquaternium-10
(Antistatic Agent, Film Forming, Hair Fixing) |
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Fragrance
(Deodorant, Masking, Perfuming) |
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Phenoxyethanol
(Fragrance, Preservative) |
Paraben
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Tetrasodium EDTA
(Chelating Agent) |
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Pentasodium Pentetate
(Chelating Agent) |
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Tetrasodium Etidronate
(Chelating Agent, Emulsion Stabilising, Viscosity Controlling) |
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Menthol
(Denaturant, External Analgesic, Flavoring Agent, Fragrance, Oral Health Caredrug, Masking, Refreshing, Soothing) |
Good for Oily Skin
Bad for Sensitive Skin
Bad for Dry Skin
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Methylparaben
(Fragrance, Preservative) |
Paraben
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Butylparaben
(Fragrance, Preservative, Masking) |
Paraben
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Ethylparaben
(Fragrance, Preservative) |
Paraben
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Isobutylparaben
(Preservative) |
Paraben
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Propylparaben
(Fragrance, Preservative, Perfuming) |
Paraben
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Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
(Skin Conditioning) |
Good for Sensitive Skin
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Maltodextrin
(Absorbent, Binding Agent, Emulsion Stabilising, Film Forming, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Suspending Agent Nonsurfactant, Binding) |
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Potassium Sorbate
(Fragrance, Preservative) |
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Sodium Benzoate
(Fragrance, Preservative, Anticorrosive, Masking) |
No personal ingredient notes yet. Save ingredients to your profile to get good/bad alerts here.
EWG flags hazard, not real-world risk — ratings don't account for how much of an ingredient a product contains. Treat these as things to research, not verdicts. How we score →
How to use
General guidance from this product's category and active ingredients — always follow the directions on the package.
Trust & honesty
Contains ingredients some choose to avoid or double-check while pregnant or nursing.
Low-strength topical salicylic acid (BHA) is generally considered fine. Caution is usually reserved for high-strength leave-on products and salicylic peels.
This is general information, not medical advice. Pregnancy guidance varies and depends on concentration and your individual situation — always check with your doctor, midwife or pharmacist. How we flag this.
The concentrations these actives are typically effective at in research — not a measurement of this product.
Salicylic acid is OTC-capped at 2%; 0.5–2% is the usual leave-on range. Much below that it acts more as a soothing agent than an exfoliant.
Salicylic Acid
INCI lists don't disclose amounts, and we don't claim to know this product's levels — these are the ranges these ingredients are usually effective at, so you can tell a real formula from "fairy-dusting" a marketed active. How we estimate this.
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