Miracle Clear Exfoliating Cleanser
Miracle Clear Exfoliating Cleanser
Product Description
Product overview
Rael Miracle Clear Exfoliating Cleanser is a gentle, sulfate-free cream-to-foam face wash powered by Succinic Acid, a Minerice Enzyme Complex (rice ferment + rice extract), and Wintergreen Leaf Extract. It melts away surface buildup, excess sebum, and dead skin cells without compromising the skin barrier — formulated specifically for hormonal, oily, and blemish-prone skin that still values comfort and hydration.
Minerice Enzyme Complex
Saccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate plus Oryza Sativa (Rice) Extract gently dissolve dead cells and brighten dullness without scrubbing.
Texture & feel
SENSORYMinerice Enzyme Complex
Saccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate plus Oryza Sativa (Rice) Extract gently dissolve dead cells and brighten dullness without scrubbing.
Succinic Acid for Sebum
A trending alternative to BHAs that helps balance excess oil and refine the look of clogged pores while staying gentle on sensitive skin.
Barrier-Respecting Surfactants
Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate and Glutamate replace harsh sulfates for a creamy, low-stripping lather that leaves skin soft, never squeaky.
Wintergreen + Quillaja Soothe
Gaultheria Procumbens and saponin-rich Quillaja Bark calm post-cleanse redness and lift impurities like a natural foaming agent.
Safety & compatibility
SAFESulfate, paraben, phthalate, silicone and synthetic fragrance free. Dermatologist-tested for reactive skin types.
Targets hormonal cycle breakouts, oily T-zones, blackheads and clogged pores using Succinic Acid rather than aggressive BHAs.
The current Trio formula is salicylic-acid free, but contains Bergamot and Clary Sage essential oils — best to consult your OB/GYN.
Contains Limonene and Linalool from Bergamot and Clary Sage oils — patch test if you have very reactive or fragrance-sensitive skin.
As a rinse-off cleanser, it can be safely paired with retinol, niacinamide, vitamin C, AHAs and BHAs in your follow-up routine.
Avoid direct contact with eyes. The Bergamot oil and saponins can cause stinging if rubbed into the eye area.
Ingredient breakdown
INGREDIENTSSaccharomyces / Rice Ferment Filtrate ~1-3%Proven
The hero of Rael's "Minerice Enzyme Complex." A fermented rice extract rich in amino acids, beta-glucan and natural enzymes that gently digests dead cell buildup while delivering hydration and a subtle brightening glow.
- Source: Rice ferments have been studied for skin-brightening, antioxidant and barrier-supporting effects in dermatology journals.
- Function: Mild enzymatic exfoliation — gentler than glycolic or salicylic acid, suitable for daily use.
Succinic Acid <1%Promising
A naturally occurring dicarboxylic acid (also found in amber and sugarcane) that has become a viral ingredient for acne care. Helps balance sebum, reduce the look of post-blemish marks, and gently exfoliate without the irritation of stronger BHAs.
- Source: Cited in cosmetic chemistry as antibacterial against C. acnes and supportive of pH balance.
- Function: Anti-blemish + sebum-regulating — works synergistically with rice ferment in this formula.
Quillaja Saponaria Bark Extract ~1-2%Proven
Known as "soap bark," this South American tree extract is naturally rich in saponins — plant compounds that produce a soft, cushiony foam without harsh detergents. A clean, eco-friendly alternative to sulfates.
- Source: Long-used in natural cosmetic formulations as a gentle, biodegradable surfactant.
- Function: Boosts lather and helps lift sebum and sunscreen residue without stripping moisture.
Gaultheria Procumbens (Wintergreen) Leaf Extract <1%Promising
Naturally contains methyl salicylate — a botanical cousin of salicylic acid — providing mild anti-inflammatory and pore-refining benefits. Soothes the post-cleanse "tight" feeling acne-prone skin often gets.
- Source: Traditional herbal medicine ingredient with documented anti-irritant and circulation-supporting effects.
- Function: Calms redness, reduces visible irritation, supports a fresh, comfortable finish.
Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate + Glutamate + Isethionate 10-15% (combined)Proven
The barrier-friendly surfactant trio that does the actual cleansing work. All three are derived from coconut and amino acids — they cleanse effectively while maintaining the skin's pH and lipid barrier far better than SLS or SLES.
- Source: Considered industry-standard "mild surfactants" in dermatology-recommended cleansers.
- Function: Removes oil, sunscreen and light makeup; produces a creamy lather without the post-wash squeak.
Glycerin 5-10%Proven
Listed second on the INCI — meaning it's one of the highest-concentration ingredients besides water. A classic humectant that draws water into the skin, counteracting any drying potential of the cleansing surfactants.
- Source: One of the most extensively studied skincare humectants; gold-standard for barrier support.
- Function: Hydration + softening; key reason this cleanser doesn't leave skin tight or stripped.
24 ingredients
Water, Glycerin, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Lauryl Hydroxysultaine, Betaine, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Salvia Sclarea (Clary) Oil, Quillaja Saponaria Bark Extract, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Extract, Sea Salt, Saccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate, Gaultheria Procumbens (Wintergreen) Leaf Extract, Aspartic Acid, Coco-Glucoside, Succinic Acid, Citric Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sodium Chloride, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Limonene, Linalool.
Where it fits in your routine
ROUTINEUse AM and PM as the second step of a double-cleanse, or as your sole cleanser in the morning. Pairs naturally with the Miracle Clear Toner and Barrier Cream for a complete acne-prone routine.
How to use
HOW TO USEWet your face
Splash with lukewarm water — hot water can over-strip and worsen oil rebound on acne-prone skin.
Dispense a 10-cent coin amount
Pump or squeeze a small dollop into damp palms — the cream concentrate goes a long way.
Lather into a soft foam
Massage between palms or use a foaming net for a dense, velvety lather. Spend extra seconds on the T-zone and chin.
Massage gently 30-60 seconds
Use small circular motions to give Succinic Acid and rice enzymes time to dissolve buildup. Avoid the eye area.
Rinse & pat dry
Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water and gently pat (don't rub) with a clean towel. Follow with toner while skin is still damp.
Who is it for?
WHOPerfect for you if:
- You have oily, combination, or hormonal acne-prone skin
- You break out around your menstrual cycle
- Your skin feels tight or "squeaky" after most foaming cleansers
- You want gentle daily exfoliation without scrubs
- You like clean, vegan, sulfate-free K-beauty formulas
- You have visible blackheads, congestion, or enlarged pores
Consider alternatives if:
- You have very dry or eczema-prone skin (try CeraVe Hydrating)
- You're sensitive to limonene, linalool or essential oils
- You want zero fragrance from natural sources
- You need a heavy-duty makeup remover (use as second step)
- You're allergic to salicylates (wintergreen contains methyl salicylate)
Skin type compatibility
SKIN TYPESSuccinic Acid and rice ferment manage sebum without over-drying — the formula's ideal target user.
Balances oily T-zone while glycerin keeps drier cheeks comfortable. A versatile daily option.
Designed for hormonal and blemish-prone skin; fungal-acne safe (no problematic esters or oils as main components).
Sulfate-free and barrier-respecting, but contains Bergamot and Clary Sage — patch test if reactive.
Won't strip the barrier, but very dry skin may prefer a non-foaming cream cleanser instead.
Rice ferment and amino acids brighten dullness; gentle enough alongside retinol routines.
Results timeline
6-8 WEEKSRefreshed, smoother feel
Skin feels clean but not stripped. The light wintergreen scent and creamy lather give an immediate "spa" sensation. Clinical testing showed visible texture and clarity improvements after a single use.
~85% noticedLess surface congestion
Daily exfoliation from rice enzymes and Succinic Acid begins to soften visible blackheads and reduce small bumps along the forehead, nose and chin.
~70% noticedCalmer, more balanced skin
Hormonal flare-ups feel less aggressive, oil production looks more regulated, and pores appear visibly tighter. Brand cites a 4-week clinical study with 32 subjects showing improved clarity.
~65% noticedCleaner, brighter complexion
Cumulative brightening from rice ferment, smoother makeup application, and fewer new clogged pores when used as part of the full Miracle Clear routine.
~55% noticedRatings by platform
12K+ REVIEWSPros & cons
BALANCEDPraised
- Genuinely gentle on hormonal acne and sensitive skin
- Doesn't leave the dreaded "tight" feeling after rinse
- Clean, vegan, sulfate-free K-beauty formulation
- Visibly minimizes blackheads and surface congestion
- Clinically tested at 4 weeks with positive results
- Affordable for a clean K-beauty cleanser (~$13)
- Gel-cream texture transforms into rich, soft foam
Criticized
- Contains Bergamot & Clary Sage — fragrance-sensitive users beware
- Limonene and Linalool may irritate very reactive skin
- Bottle size (5.1 oz) feels small vs. drugstore competitors
- May be too foaming for very dry skin types
- Contains rice ferment — fine for FA-prone skin but check tolerance
- Formula updates have caused confusion among repeat buyers
Budget-friendly alternatives (dupes)
DUPESDrugstore staple with salicylic acid + ceramides. More clinical, less luxurious texture, fragrance-free. Better for dry-acne combo, but lacks Rael's gentle K-beauty feel and rice ferment glow.
K-beauty alternative with 0.5% salicylic acid. Foamier, lighter texture. Works similarly for blackheads but doesn't include rice ferment or Succinic Acid.
2% salicylic acid in a clear gel formula. Stronger BHA but no fermented ingredients or hydrating humectant base. Better for stubborn pores, harsher on sensitive skin.
K-beauty AHA cleanser with green plum extract. Similar mild-foam, barrier-friendly approach but uses fruit AHA instead of Succinic Acid; more brightening, less acne-targeted.
Comparison with competitors
SIDE-BY-SIDEStorage & shelf life
12 MONTHS12 months after opening — symbol on packaging shows "12M".
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Avoid humid bathroom shelves to preserve the rice ferment efficacy.
Recyclable squeeze tube / pump bottle. Lightweight and travel-resistant.
Yes — at 5.1 fl oz (150 ml) it exceeds the 100 ml carry-on limit, but a 1 fl oz mini version is available for travel.
Frequently asked questions
FAQThe current Trio formula is salicylic-acid free, which is a plus during pregnancy. However, it contains Bergamot and Clary Sage essential oils — both of which are typically advised against during pregnancy by some obstetricians. As a rinse-off cleanser, exposure is minimal, but we recommend consulting your OB/GYN before use during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Yes — as a rinse-off product it's generally considered safe for malassezia/fungal acne sufferers. While it contains rice ferment filtrate (which can theoretically feed malassezia), the short contact time before rinsing dramatically reduces any risk. There are no problematic fatty esters or polysorbates in concerning amounts. Most fungal-acne reviewers report good tolerance.
Absolutely. Because this is a gentle rinse-off cleanser using mild Succinic Acid and rice enzymes (no high-strength salicylic acid in the current Trio formula), it layers beautifully under retinol, vitamin C, niacinamide, AHAs and BHAs. If you're using multiple actives, Rael recommends introducing them gradually to avoid over-exfoliation.
This cleanser is engineered for oily, combination, and acne-prone skin — particularly those dealing with hormonal breakouts, blackheads, enlarged pores, or congested texture. It's also a strong fit for sensitive acne-prone skin that finds traditional BHA cleansers too harsh. Very dry or eczema-prone skin may want a non-foaming cream cleanser instead.
Most users report a fresher, smoother feel after the first wash, with reduced surface congestion within 1-2 weeks. Rael's clinical study (32 subjects, 4 weeks) showed visible improvements in skin clarity and texture. For deeper hormonal acne benefits, 6-8 weeks of consistent use combined with the rest of the Miracle Clear routine yields the best results.
Use it as your main cleanser (step 1 in the morning) or as the second step of a double-cleanse at night, after an oil cleanser or cleansing balm. Follow with toner, treatment serums, moisturizer, and SPF in the morning. It pairs especially well with the Rael Miracle Clear Toner and Barrier Cream as a complete acne-prone routine.
No. With a comedogenic rating of approximately 1 out of 5, this cleanser is considered very low risk for clogging pores. It's silicone-free, sulfate-free, and uses lightweight surfactants and humectants. As a rinse-off product, it actually helps unclog pores rather than contribute to congestion.
The Period After Opening (PAO) is 12 months, marked by a "12M" symbol on the bottle. With twice-daily use, most people finish a 5.1 fl oz / 150 ml bottle in approximately 2-3 months — well within shelf life. Store away from heat and direct sunlight to preserve ingredient potency, especially the rice ferment.
Verdict: The Rael Miracle Clear Exfoliating Cleanser is a standout K-beauty cleanser for hormonal and oily acne-prone skin, blending clean, vegan formulation with genuinely effective actives — Succinic Acid, rice ferment, and saponin-rich Quillaja bark. It cleanses thoroughly without the post-wash tightness of drugstore BHA cleansers, and the gentle daily exfoliation visibly softens blackheads and texture over 2-4 weeks. The main caveats are the Bergamot and Clary Sage essential oils (which limonene/linalool-sensitive users should approach with care) and the modest size for the price. For the right skin type — sensitive yet acne-prone, looking for a clean K-beauty alternative to CeraVe SA — it's an easy daily-driver recommendation.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Water
Solvent, Skin Conditioning
|
|
|
| 2 |
Glycerin
Solvent, Perfuming, Fragrance, Humectant, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Hair Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Denaturant, Skin Conditioning
|
Promotes Wound Healing
Hydrating
|
|
| 1 |
Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate
Skin Conditioning, Surfactant, Hair Conditioning
|
|
|
| 1 |
Lauryl Hydroxysultaine
Antistatic Agent, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Sufactant, Foam Boosting, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Viscosity Controlling
|
|
|
| 1 |
Betaine
Skin Conditioning, Humectant, Viscosity Controlling, Antistatic Agent, Hair Conditioning
|
Hydrating
Irritation
Dark Spots
|







