🇦🇪United Arab Emirates

Curél Foaming Facial Wash for acne-prone skin

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes

Curél Foaming Facial Wash

Average

  • AverageCombination Skin Fit
  • AverageEffectiveness
  • ExcellentSafety

Works for acne-prone skin; other cleansers fit it better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with acne-prone skin: breakouts, blackheads, and post-acne marks. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.

Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works

Lovi Assistant explains

  • Offers moderate cleansing for your combination skin, as Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate and Sodium Lauroyl Aspartate effectively cleanse pores while Glycerin provides hydration.
  • The formula offers general cleansing benefits for acne-prone skin and includes Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate for soothing effects, though it lacks sufficient ingredients for optimal oil control on oily areas.
  • The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the presence of soothing components.

How to apply

  • Could be used as part of your AM and PM routine. Start using it 3 times a week and build up to daily use if your skin tolerates it.
  • This cleanser is the first step in your morning routine and the second step after your pre-cleanser in the evening. Always follow up with a toner and moisturizer .
  • Gently massage a small amount of the cleanser onto your face in circular motions. Avoid harsh rubbing to keep your skin calm.
  • Apply the cleanser on slightly damp skin to help it work effectively against breakouts. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water .
  • Avoid the immediate eye area and do a patch test before your first use to check for any sensitivity.

People Say

★4.7Overall rating based on 700+ reviews

The product is frequently described as gentle and non-stripping, leaving the face feeling soft and clean rather than tight or "squeaky," though it is widely recommended to be used as a second step in a double-cleansing routine for heavy makeup.

Highlights

  • Gentle and non-stripping Mostly Mentioned
    • “doesn't strip skin of moisture”
    • “no tightness after rinsing”
    • “skin feels soft and comfortable”
    • “perfect for my sensitive barrier”
  • Dense, rich foam Often Mentioned
    • “foam is dense and luxurious”
    • “one pump gives rich lather”
    • “velvety texture on skin”
    • “bubbles last through the wash”
  • Safe for sensitive skin Often Mentioned
    • “calmed my redness”
    • “only wash that doesn't break me out”
    • “great for reactive skin”
  • Fragrance-free Sometimes Noted
    • “completely scentless”
    • “no chemical smell”
    • “great for fragrance sensitivity”
    • “smells like nothing”
  • Not for heavy makeup Sometimes Noted
    • “need an oil cleanser first”
    • “won't take off mascara”
    • “too gentle for full glam”
    • “better as a morning wash”
  • Price vs. quantity Sometimes Noted
    • “runs out faster than tube cleansers”
    • “a bit pricey for the amount”
    • “wish the bottle was bigger”
    • “refills are hard to find”
  • Not actively moisturizing Rarely Noted
    • “still need moisturizer immediately”
    • “not as hydrating as a cream cleanser”
    • “felt a little dry in winter”
    • “neutral but not moisturizing”
  • Packaging issues Rarely Noted
    • “pump got stuck”
    • “bulky bottle for travel”
    • “hard to tell how much is left”
    • “leaked in my bag”

Sources: lovi.care, boots.com, curel.com, lookfantastic.com, influenster.com, and more

Questions and answers

How well does Curél Foaming Facial Wash work for acne-prone skin?

Curél Foaming Facial Wash works well enough for acne-prone skin by gently cleansing pores and soothing the skin, though it lacks strong oil control for oily areas. To truly thrive, acne-prone skin needs cleansers that control oil, fight breakouts with powerful ingredients like Niacinamide and Ceramides, and keep the skin balanced.

Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for acne-prone skin?

Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate and Sodium Lauroyl Aspartate help clean pores, while Glycerin adds hydration and Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate soothes the skin. This cleanser works for acne-prone skin, though a cleanser for this skin needs powerful blemish-fighting ingredients like Niacinamide and Ceramides, alongside strong oil control.

What does Glycerin do for acne-prone skin?

Glycerin helps keep acne-prone skin hydrated and calm without clogging pores or feeling heavy. It supports the skin barrier so it stays soft and smooth while handling everyday treatments.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2008International Journal of Toxicology, 2019

What does Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate do for acne-prone skin?

Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate is a mild cleanser ingredient that helps wash away excess oil and dirt from acne-prone skin without stripping away essential moisture. By using gentle surfactants that have low irritation levels, it protects your skin barrier while keeping your face feeling soft and clean.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2004Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2025

Where does it go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?

This cleanser works as the first step of your morning routine and the second step of your evening routine after removing makeup. It is unlikely to cause irritation because it lacks harsh ingredients, but acne-prone skin needs a cleanser that also provides strong oil control on oily areas.

Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?

You can use this cleanser with retinol, applying the cleanser first to clean your skin before your retinol treatment. This cleanser is unlikely to cause irritation and helps keep your skin calm, but acne-prone skin also needs stronger ingredients for oil control on oily areas.

How often should I use it?

You can use this cleanser daily in the morning and evening as part of your routine. It cleanses pores and soothes the skin safely without irritation, though acne-prone skin also needs additional ingredients for oil control.

Can it clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?

This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts because it is free of harsh ingredients and includes soothing Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, though acne-prone skin still needs added oil-controlling ingredients for the best results.

Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?

You can use this gentle cleanser on your face, but cleansers for the body or thin skin around the eyes need extra care to match those areas.

Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 2002

Is it fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.

What the research says

  • A single application of a moisturizing fluid containing hyaluronic acid 1%, glycerin 5%, and Centella asiatica stem cells extract significantly increased skin hydration by 29% and reduced transepidermal water loss at 24 hours compared to baseline and an untreated control site in twenty healthy women.

    Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

  • Dipotassium glycyrrhizinate-loaded hydroxypropyl chitosan and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) hydrogels applied to wounds in a mouse full-thickness skin defect model resulted in rapid wound closure, efficient tissue remolding, collagen deposition, and decreased inflammation compared to commercial Tegaderm film and 3M dressing controls.

    Acta Biomaterialia, 2022

  • The emollient V0034CR significantly reduced TEWL compared to vehicle and vehicle plus glycerol, and significantly increased corneometry scores compared to vehicle and vehicle plus petrolatum in healthy volunteers with dry skin, demonstrating combined barrier function improvement from petrolatum and hydration improvement from glycerol.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020

  • Ten days of treatment with a cream containing 20% glycerin significantly increased skin hydration measured by corneometer values in 17 healthy volunteers compared to a placebo cream, but showed no influence on transepidermal water loss or skin sensitivity to an irritating surfactant.

    International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2001

  • Niacinamide/glycerin body moisturizers provided better rapid and prolonged improvement of cosmetic xerosis through functional improvement of stratum corneum barrier function compared to no treatment and conventional moisturizers in female subjects.

    Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2012

  • Combining 755 nm alexandrite laser with topical licorice gel significantly reduces terminal hair counts compared to alexandrite laser with placebo in women with idiopathic hirsutism.

    Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2015

  • Licochalcone A activated Nrf2 signaling, elevated cytoprotective enzymes, increased the reduced-to-oxidized glutathione ratio, and decreased reactive oxygen species in human fibroblasts and neutrophils, while a LicA-rich licorice extract lowered UVA-induced oxidative processes in vivo.

    Experimental Dermatology, 2015

  • Bioactive glycyrrhizic acid and oxymatrine ionic liquid self-assembled nanomicelles significantly promoted the transdermal permeation, subcutaneous retention, and anti-photoaging efficacy of palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 in cellular and animal models compared to unformulated peptide.

    Advanced Science, 2025

Why other cleansers fit acne-prone skin better

  • A panthenol-enriched mask improved skin hydration, regulated sebum, and reduced redness and TEWL across dry sensitive, oily sensitive, and oily acne skin subgroups with excellent tolerance and no adverse reactions.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

  • Co-delivery of paeonol and madecassoside via nanoemulsions improved transdermal delivery, promoted barrier repair proteins, inhibited inflammatory cytokine secretion in cellular and 3D models, and reduced transepidermal water loss and acne in human facial skin compared to free components.

    Molecules, 2023

Ingredients

Water, Glycerin, Maltitol, Propylene Glycol, Peg-150, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Sodium Lauroyl Aspartate, Lauryl Hydroxysultaine, Polysorbate 60, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium Edta, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Potassium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben

Behind this fit score

Lovi calculates every fit score from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.

  • Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Co-founder, Medical Director

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer

  • Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Co-founder, CEO and CTO

    PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex

  • Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Medical Board

    Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine

  • Aishani Shah, MD

    Aishani Shah, MD

    Medical Board

    Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD

  • Asya Zubkova, MS

    Asya Zubkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member

  • Hanna Kurets, MD

    Hanna Kurets, MD

    Medical Board, Medical Advisor

    Dermatology MD

  • Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Medical Board

    Dermatology and diagnostic consultant

  • Victoria Derkova, MS

    Victoria Derkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist

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Prices checked 6 Nov 2026

The Lovi Fit is the same in every country; only the stores and prices differ, and the ones here are for the United Arab Emirates.

How does it fit your skin?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.

QR code: get the Lovi app
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