Gently Effective Acne-Treating Cleansing Paste

4.6 (593)
$29.00
Color:No Color
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Free gift with purchase
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Product details

Web ID: 20909917
This cleansing paste is clinically proven to reduce acne without drying skin. Formulated with medicated 2% salicylic acid to help treat and prevent acne, this non-drying formula also contains kaolin clay and charcoal to help absorb oil and draw out impurities, while soothing Cica/Centella and glycerin reinforce skin's barrier to help prevent dryness.
  • Product Features

    • WHAT IT IS:
    • A targeted acne-treating cleansing paste formulated with salicylic acid to help reduce and prevent acne without drying skin
    • WHAT IT DOES:
    • Helps treat acne and prevent future blemishes; can be used as cleanser, mask or spot treatment for face
    • SKIN TYPES:
    • Suitable for all skin types, including sensitive and acne-prone skin types
    • HOW TO USE:
    • Dispense into palm and apply to face
    • Wash thoroughly with water or wet towel
    • RESULTS:
    • Clinically proven to help reduce acne:
    • In three days, reduces four types of acne*
    • -49% acne count in one week**
    • 100% saw clearer skin in one week***
    • *Based on an expert grading of papule, pustule, whitehead and blackhead count
    • **Based on an expert grading of inflammatory (papule and pustule) acne count
    • ***Based on expert grading of inflammatory and non-inflammatory count at four weeks
    • USE WITH:
    • Kiehl's Since 1851 Acne Lotion
    • Kiehl's Since 1851 Acne Liquid Pimple Patch
  • Shipping & Returns

    • This item qualifies for Free Shipping with minimum purchase! exclusions & details
    • California and Minnesota customers call 1-800-289-6229 for Free Shipping information.
    • For complete details, see our Shipping and Returns policies.

Ratings & Reviews

Here's what customers think
  • This versatile 3-in-1 cleansing paste effectively treats acne and unclogs pores with 2% salicylic acid, charcoal, and kaolin clay, while soothing ingredients like centella and glycerin prevent dryness and irritation.
  • Customers report it is gentle yet powerful, helping to reduce breakouts and improve skin texture without over-drying.
  • The creamy, paste-like texture is easy to apply and leaves skin feeling clean, smooth, and balanced, even for sensitive skin types.
AI-generated summary from 589 customers reviews.

4.6/5

593 star ratings, 589 reviews

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68.3% of reviews have 5 stars
405
25.1% of reviews have 4 stars
149
5.4% of reviews have 3 stars
32
1.0% of reviews have 2 stars
6
0.2% of reviews have 1 star
1

680 customer images

589 reviews
francisb9c64_9267
24 days ago
Incentivized review

Great

I love how versatile this is and it worked amazing as a spot treatment. I highly recommend this product to anyone with acne that hopes to get rid of it.

Customer review from influenster.com

ginat66_831
1 month ago
Incentivized review

Helpful acne paste

The texture of this cream feels a little oily but it rubbed in smoothly. It helped treat the smaller ance but wasn't as effective on the larger ones.

Customer review from influenster.com

Response from influenster.com

Consumer Care Center1 month ago

Hi there! Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. We appreciate your honest feedback about the texture and how the cream performed on different types of breakouts. While results can vary, your insights are incredibly helpful and will be shared with our team. If you’d like help finding a product better suited for larger breakouts or a lighter feel, our Customer Service team would be happy to assist at 1-800-543-4572 (Mon–Sun, 10am–7pm EST).

yessg6_3927
2 months ago
Incentivized review

Gentle & Effective

Really like this cleanser! It’s more of a clay paste than a foaming wash (no bubbles) but it helps with breakouts without drying out my skin. My face feels clean after using it and I love that it can also be used as a nice clay mask. Like most products it takes some time for the results to kick in. It has a bit of a scent but its barely noticeable and it did not cause any irritation however always patch test!

Customer review from influenster.com

chloes435_8112
2 months ago
Incentivized review

Wonderful Cleansing Product

I recieved this product in exchange for an honest review. I absolutely loved this product. It was exfoliating, and made my skin feel so clean. You get a lot of bang for your buck, a little bit goes a long way and the tube is a good side. My one qualm is that it’s advertised as a wash, spot treatment, and a mask but on the product itself there is only instructions for using it as a cleanser.

Customer review from influenster.com

Jen45
2 months ago
from Phoenix, AZ

Great anti-acne treatment for truly sensitive skin

I've been fighting acne for 20 years, but my skin is super sensitive and most products do so much damage in the process that I can't use them. This gently pulled out the bacteria under my skin (it took 8 weeks to be fully blemish free) without irritation. I had to use it with the skin calming moisturizer though, the anti-acne lotion was too irritating.

Recommends this product

Customer review from kiehls.com

amrits14_943
3 months ago
Incentivized review

This is amazing

This acne treatment cleansing paste is great The scent is not too strong not a bad experience with this and also the results are pretty satisfying

Customer review from influenster.com

dillee_7475
3 months ago
Incentivized review

Effective!

Okay, so after using the Kiehl’s Gently Effective Acne-Treating Cleansing Paste for a bit, I feel like I can finally give it an honest rundown. First off: the consistency. It’s exactly what you’d expect from something called a “cleansing paste”—a little thicker, a little grainy, but not in a harsh exfoliating way. It feels more like a soft scrub that melts down as you massage it in. If you like cleansers that *feel* like they’re doing something without tearing your face apart, this hits that sweet spot. Scent-wise, it’s very Kiehl’s. Clean, slightly herbal, nothing overwhelming. It smells like someone who takes skincare seriously but isn’t trying to blind you with essential oils. As for performance: it’s definitely gentle, and that’s both its strength and its “depends on the person” factor. If you’re dealing with angry, active breakouts or you need something strong to keep oil in check, this might feel a little too mild on its own. But if your skin is easily irritated and you want something that treats acne without that tight, stripped feeling, it’s honestly kind of perfect. I noticed my skin looked calmer and smoother after a few days, and it didn’t trigger any dryness or flakiness—which almost every acne product tries to gift me. The only thing I’d call out is that it works best as part of a routine, not a miracle product. Think of it like a solid supporting actor instead of the hero that saves the entire movie. It keeps things balanced, helps prevent new breakouts, and makes your skin feel clean without punishment. Just don’t expect it to erase a zit overnight. Overall, I’d say it’s a really good option for anyone who wants acne care that doesn’t feel like a chemical assault. If you want strong results *without* strong reactions, this is definitely worth trying. As with all products, consistency is key.

Customer review from influenster.com

lauranicole205_1443
3 months ago
Incentivized review

Helped a lot

I received this product in exchange for my honest review. It really seemed to help brighten my skin. My face appeared less red and helped calm down my acne. I will purchase again.

Customer review from influenster.com