[REVIEW] Sebamed Clear face antibacterial cleansing foam
2:05 AM
It’s somehow March, and last year’s “I’ll deal with it later” has turned into no free time, high stress, every thought is a loud thought. I’ve been dodging friends because I don’t want to turn brunch into a TED Talk about my breakouts.
what i feel right now lololol
The acne started small and cute (a pop here and there) and then, over 3 months, it mutated—itchy, angry, and marching down my neck + cheeks.
I suspected triggers, so I cut back on dairy and oily food (hard mode in Indonesia) and still crave Caramel Macchiato like it’s oxygen.
I started food-logging in an agenda like a stern aunt, and like everyone with a face in crisis—went hunting for a cleanser that wouldn’t make it worse.
Enter:
Product I Tried
Sebamed Clear Face Antibacterial Cleansing Foam (pH 5.5)
Why I picked it
- Good reviews for acne-prone/oily skin
- pH-balanced (helps maintain the skin barrier’s acid mantle)
- Marketed as gentle but antibacterial
Key ingredients (plain-English read)
- Cocamidopropyl Betainamide MEA Chloride – mild surfactant/foamer
- Cocotrimonium Methosulfate – cleansing/conditioning support
- Sodium Lactate – humectant (pulls in water)
- Panthenol – soothing/conditioning
- Phenoxyethanol – preservative
- Parfum – light fragrance (note if you’re fragrance-sensitive)
- (INCI from my bottle: Aqua, … you know the drill.)
My Skin Type & Situation
- Oily, reactive when stressed
- Current status: widespread breakout, some itch
- Goal: something that doesn’t strip, doesn’t inflame, maybe reduces chaos
Results (2 honest sentences)
- It didn’t make things worse. Skin felt clean, not tight, slightly smoother/hydrated.
- It didn’t reduce my breakout either. Calm-ish maintenance, not a miracle.
Pros
- pH 5.5 (barrier-friendly)
- Doesn’t strip or leave that squeaky, fragile feeling
- Skin feels hydrated/smooth post-wash
(even on my oily skin) - Hygienic pump; packaging feels tidy
Cons
- It’s still a foam, I often feel foams don’t cleanse enough if I wore sunscreen + island & city air + regret
- No visible reduction in the breakout clusters
(neutral performance) - Contains fragrance (fine for me, but YMMV)
How I’d use it (so it actually helps)
- Make it your AM cleanser or your gentle second cleanse at night after a proper oil/gel first cleanse (especially if you wear sunscreen/makeup).
- Pair with leave-on actives that target acne (e.g., BHA/salicylic acid or azelaic acid) since this foam is more supporting role than main character.
- Keep barrier care tight: lightweight moisturizer, non-comedogenic SPF.
- Log triggers (sleep, dairy, oils, stress) because yes, your schedule is skin care.
Who I’d recommend it for
- Oily/combination folks who want a gentle daily cleanser that won’t strip.
- If your acne is mild and you already have actives in your routine.
- If your skin hates harsh cleansers but you still want a clean feel.
Who might skip
- If you want a cleanser that actively shrinks pimples (look for benzoyl peroxide or medicated washes).
- Fragrance-sensitive skin.
Verdict (me vs. mirror)
I’ll keep using it as a non-irritating daily wash, but it’s not my breakout solution. Think of it as a stable friend—not dramatic, not hurtful, just there while you and your actives do the real work. And I’m grateful it didn’t make my face worse. Small wins.
If your breakouts are red/painful/spreading, or you’re dealing with rashy, itchy flare-ups on the neck + cheeks that don’t budge, i might consider seeing a dermatologist.
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