To Be Clear Pure Cleansing Gel (AU)

To Be Clear Pure Cleansing Gel (AU$26) is the gel cleanser in the Nutricentials line — a gel-to-foam formula built around mandelic acid (an AHA derived from almonds), gentle surfactants and the Bioadaptive Botanical Complex. It is the matched alternative to HydraClean Creamy Cleansing Lotion for oily and combination skin, for humid coastal Australian climates, and for users for whom SPF buildup and pore congestion are the dominant cleansing concerns. In Nu Skin's user trial, 88% of participants reported cleaner-feeling pores and the appearance of reduced oiliness within the first week of use. Ships from the official Nu Skin Australia warehouse with no membership required.

To Be Clear vs HydraClean — Which Cleanser

The Nutricentials line has two cleansers and they solve different problems:

• To Be Clear Pure Cleansing Gel (this product) — gel-to-foam with mandelic acid for oily and combination skin. Builds light foam, includes a gentle AHA for pore-level clearing during the cleansing step. The right pick when SPF residue, daily sebum and pore congestion are the dominant concerns.
• HydraClean Creamy Cleansing Lotion — non-foaming cream for dry and sensitive skin. Squalane and shea butter in a cream base. Removes makeup and sunscreen without stripping the lipid barrier. The right pick for dry, mature, sensitive or barrier-compromised skin.

Choose by skin condition. Skin that still feels oily within hours of cream cleansing is the signal that To Be Clear is the better match. Skin that feels tight and slightly stinging after foaming cleansers is the signal that HydraClean is the better match.

Why Mandelic Acid in a Cleanser Earns Its Place

Most gel cleansers for oily skin rely solely on surfactants to strip oil. That creates a self-defeating cycle: strip the oil, the skin overproduces sebum to compensate, the skin feels oily again within hours, and the surfactants run a little harder next wash. The cycle continues — and dehydrated oily skin is the result.

To Be Clear breaks the cycle by adding a chemical-exfoliation component to the cleansing step. Mandelic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid derived from almonds with a notably larger molecular size than glycolic acid (152 g/mol versus 76 g/mol for glycolic). The larger molecule penetrates more slowly and more evenly, which produces measurably less irritation at equivalent concentration — a 1999 study in Cosmetic Dermatology reported mandelic acid as effective for oily and acne-prone skin with materially less irritation than glycolic acid at equivalent strengths. In a rinse-off cleanser format, the contact time is short (30–60 seconds) and the chemical exfoliation is gentle, but cumulative use produces clearer-feeling pores without the strip-and-rebound dynamic of surfactant-only cleansers.

Key Actives

Mandelic acid. Gentle AHA derived from almonds. Provides pore-level exfoliation during the cleansing step at concentrations and contact times tolerated by skin already sensitised by Australian UV exposure. The mechanistic differentiator versus surfactant-only gel cleansers.

Gentle surfactant blend. Provides foam action to dissolve excess sebum and SPF residue without the aggressive lipid-stripping of sulphate-based cleansers. Builds enough foam for the gel-cleanser experience without driving rebound oil production.

Bioadaptive Botanical Complex. Adaptogenic plant extracts shared across the Nutricentials line. Supports tolerance during the cleansing step and reduces the appearance of reactive redness that oily, acne-prone skin often experiences.

Why Australians See Daily SPF Buildup

Daily SPF 50+ is essential in Australian conditions — Bureau of Meteorology UV index data shows extreme readings across most of the country, and Cancer Council Australia data confirms up to 80% of UV penetrates cloud cover. The corresponding cleansing challenge is real: SPF builds up in pores faster than ordinary cleansing alone clears, and the residue accumulates to drive the appearance of congestion and surface dullness within days of starting daily SPF use. To Be Clear's mandelic acid component dissolves part of that SPF and sebum residue at the pore level rather than only the surface, which is the practical reason it earns a place in oily-skin Australian routines specifically.

How to Use

Apply a small amount to damp skin. Massage in circular motions for 30–60 seconds — long enough to lather and let the mandelic acid contact the skin surface. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water. Use twice daily.

Practical pattern in an Australian routine: a shorter 30-second wash in the morning to clear overnight sebum, and a more thorough 60-second wash in the evening that doubles as the SPF-and-sebum removal cleanse. Follow with the In Balance pH Balance Toner to reset surface pH, then serum and moisturiser.

For heavy waterproof or zinc-based mineral sunscreens, consider an oil cleanser or micellar water as the first cleansing pass to remove the bulk of the sunscreen, followed by To Be Clear as the second cleanse for pore-level clearing.

Who It's For

✅ Best suited for: Oily and combination skin year-round. Anyone in humid coastal Australian conditions where heavier cream cleansers feel insufficient. Users introducing chemical exfoliation for the first time, since rinse-off mandelic acid is one of the gentler entry points into AHA use. Daily SPF wearers (which should be everyone in Australia) who notice SPF residue building up in pores. Mild-to-moderate acne-prone skin as a daily maintenance cleanser.

⚠️ Less suited for: Dry, sensitive, mature or barrier-compromised skin where HydraClean is the matched alternative. Active inflammatory acne flares — for active acne, a salicylic-acid-led targeted cleanser is more directly suited. Pregnant or breastfeeding users should consult their healthcare professional, although mandelic acid in a rinse-off cleanser format is generally considered low-risk because of brief contact time.

💡 Pairs well with: The In Balance pH Balance Toner immediately after to support pH recovery, a Nutricentials hydration moisturiser appropriate to your skin (Thirst Fix for combination, Dew All Day for normal), and broad-spectrum SPF 50+ in the morning. Layers cleanly into a routine that includes Here You Glow exfoliating toner on alternate evenings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the mandelic acid make my skin peel?

At the concentration used in a rinse-off cleanser, peeling is unlikely — contact time (30–60 seconds) is too short for aggressive exfoliation. Most users notice smoother surface texture within a week of consistent use, but visible peeling is not expected from this format.

Can I use it with other AHA/BHA products?

Yes, but introduce them gradually and watch for over-exfoliation signs. A common pattern: To Be Clear in the morning (gentle mandelic exposure), Here You Glow exfoliating toner in the evening on alternate nights with retinol or other actives. If you experience persistent dryness or stinging, drop the evening exfoliation frequency before reducing the cleanser frequency.

Is it suitable for acne-prone skin?

To Be Clear works well as a daily maintenance cleanser for mild-to-moderate acne-prone skin. For active inflammatory acne flares, a dedicated salicylic-acid-led targeted treatment is more appropriate alongside this cleanser. Consult a healthcare professional if acne does not respond to over-the-counter routines.

Will it cause photosensitivity?

Mandelic acid increases photosensitivity for 24–48 hours after application. Daily broad-spectrum SPF 50+ is non-negotiable in Australian conditions when using AHA-containing products — and is non-negotiable in Australia regardless of the cleanser used.

Does it strip the skin?

The gentle non-sulphate surfactant blend is calibrated to remove sebum and SPF residue without the aggressive stripping of sodium-lauryl-sulphate-based foaming cleansers. The mandelic acid does the pore-level clearing rather than the surfactants doing it through brute strip force.

How long does the bottle last?

At twice-daily use, the bottle typically lasts 8–10 weeks. Once-daily use brings that to 16–20 weeks.

Important Information

Individual results may vary. This product is for cosmetic use only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or skin condition. Mandelic acid increases photosensitivity — daily broad-spectrum SPF is essential. Discontinue use and consult a healthcare professional if irritation persists. Patch test recommended before first use. If pregnant, breastfeeding or under medical care, consult your healthcare professional before introducing acid-based products.

Clinical results referenced are from studies conducted or commissioned by Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc., or from independent peer-reviewed literature where cited, and may not reflect typical consumer experience.

NuBest Skin is an Independent Nu Skin Brand Affiliate. This website is independently operated and is not produced, endorsed, or approved by Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc.

Sources & References

1. Taylor, M.B. et al. "Mandelic Acid in the Treatment of Acne and Skin Rejuvenation." Cosmetic Dermatology, 12(1) (1999).
2. Cancer Council Australia — Sun Safety — Australian sun exposure context.
3. Bureau of Meteorology — UV Index — Australian UV exposure data.
4. Therapeutic Goods Administration — Cosmetics — Australian classification of cosmetic versus therapeutic claims.

Reviewed by the NuBest Skin Editorial Team. Last updated May 2026.