Medik8 Pore Cleanse Gel Intense Review: Multi-Acid Cleanser
The Verdict
A well-rounded multi-acid cleanser for oily, combination or congested skin: the mandelic-lactic-salicylic acid combination gives it a broader exfoliating profile than a single-acid cleanser, and it's a sensible second-cleanse step for anyone dealing with visible pores or texture — just don't expect a rinse-off cleanser to replace a leave-on treatment for anything more stubborn.
Medik8 Pore Cleanse Gel Intense | AHA/BHA Cleanser | 150ml
£25.00
Medik8 Pore Cleanse Gel Intense is a foaming gel cleanser that combines three acids — mandelic acid, lactic acid and salicylic acid — to help decongest pores, smooth texture and control excess oil. It's formulated for oily, combination and blemish-prone skin, and Medik8 positions it as the second step of a double cleanse, used after an oil or balm cleanser has broken down make-up, SPF and surface debris.
Quick facts
| Detail | What it is |
|---|---|
| Product type | Foaming multi-acid gel cleanser |
| Format | 150ml gel-to-foam cleanser |
| Key actives | Mandelic Acid and Lactic Acid (AHAs), Salicylic Acid (BHA) |
| Also contains | Red Clover Extract, Glycerin |
| Suits | Oily, combination and blemish-prone skin; can be used less often on drier or more sensitive skin |
| When to use | As the second cleanse in a double-cleanse routine, once or twice daily |
| Price band | Mid-range — see the product page for current pricing |
What's actually in the formula
The formula's exfoliating work is split across two acid types. Mandelic acid and lactic acid are both alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), working on the surface of skin to help loosen the bonds between dead skin cells so they shed more easily — this is what contributes to the smoother, less textured feel a lot of people notice with regular use. Salicylic acid, a beta hydroxy acid (BHA), is oil-soluble, which lets it work its way into oil-filled pores rather than sitting on the surface the way the AHAs do — it's the ingredient doing most of the work on visible pore congestion and excess sebum.
Alongside the acid trio, the formula includes Red Clover Extract, which Medik8 includes for its natural astringent properties, positioned to help regulate oil production so pores are less likely to stretch and look enlarged over time. Glycerin is included to help the cleanser hold onto moisture as it foams, which is the formulation's answer to the classic problem with multi-acid cleansers: getting exfoliation and oil control without leaving skin feeling stripped or tight afterwards.
Texture and how it feels
It's a gel that turns into a light foam once worked into damp skin, rather than a thick cream cleanser. It rinses off cleanly without leaving residue, and because it's a rinse-off product rather than a leave-on acid treatment, the acid exposure is shorter and generally more forgiving than a toner or serum built around the same actives. Expect a fresh, slightly astringent finish rather than a rich or creamy one.
Double cleanse: where this fits
Medik8 designs this as the second step of a double cleanse — an oil, balm or micellar-based first cleanse to dissolve make-up, SPF and the day's build-up, followed by Pore Cleanse Gel Intense to actually clean the skin and work on pore appearance and texture. Using it as a single, first-and-only cleanse still works, but skipping the first oil-based step means it has to do double duty removing make-up and SPF as well as exfoliating, which is more work for one product and more potential for over-cleansing on any given day.
If you're also using Medik8 Press & Clear, a 2% salicylic acid toner, in the same routine, think about the combined acid exposure across the day rather than treating each product in isolation — a multi-acid cleanse followed immediately by another BHA toner is more actives stacked together than most skin needs at once. Our team can help you sequence a routine around the actives you're already using if you're not sure — get in touch and we'll talk it through.
Who it's formulated for
- Oily and combination skin dealing with visible congestion, blackheads or enlarged-looking pores
- Blemish-prone skin looking for a cleanser step that does more than remove surface dirt
- Anyone wanting to work on the appearance of texture and shine as part of a double-cleanse routine
- Skin that's already comfortable with AHA/BHA exfoliation — this isn't the gentlest starting point for first-time acid users
If your skin is very reactive, currently compromised, or new to exfoliating acids, it's worth patch testing and starting with less frequent use rather than adding this in as a twice-daily step from day one.
Frequently asked questions
Will this help with acne?
Pore Cleanse Gel Intense is formulated to help improve the appearance of congestion, oiliness and visible pores as part of a cleansing routine — it isn't a medical treatment and we don't position it as one. If you're dealing with diagnosed or persistent acne, that's best assessed by a GP or dermatologist, and our team is also on hand if you want help thinking through a supporting skincare routine — contact us any time.
Can I use this every day?
Many people with oily or combination skin use it once or twice daily as their second cleanse. If your skin is drier, more reactive, or you're combining it with other exfoliating actives elsewhere in your routine, using it less often — say every other day to start — is a sensible way to see how your skin responds before committing to daily use.
Is this the same as Medik8 Press & Clear?
No. Press & Clear is a leave-on toner built around 2% salicylic acid alone, used after cleansing. Pore Cleanse Gel Intense is a rinse-off cleanser with a broader mandelic, lactic and salicylic acid blend, used as the cleansing step itself. Many routines use both — see our Press & Clear review for how the two compare.
Can I use Medik8 Pore Cleanse Gel Intense if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
If you're pregnant or breastfeeding, please contact our team for advice before use.
Do I need to use an oil cleanser first?
Medik8 designs this product as the second step of a double cleanse, so pairing it with an oil, balm or micellar first cleanse — especially on days you've worn make-up or SPF — is how it's intended to be used. It can be used on its own, but it then has to remove make-up and SPF as well as exfoliate, which is more for a single cleanse to do in one pass.
The Skintique Academy view
Pore Cleanse Gel Intense earns its place as a genuinely multi-acid take on the cleanser category — combining two AHAs with a BHA gives it a broader exfoliating profile than most single-acid cleansers, while the Red Clover Extract and Glycerin keep it from feeling stripping. It's best used as the second step of a double cleanse on oily, combination or blemish-prone skin, introduced gradually if you're new to multi-acid formulas and sequenced thoughtfully if you're also using an acid toner like Press & Clear elsewhere in your routine. As always, if you're pregnant, breastfeeding, or unsure how it fits your existing routine, our team is here to help — just get in touch.