Dr. Althea Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm for sensitive skin
Caprylic Capric Triglyceride
Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil
Madecassoside- Centella Asiatica Extract
Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil Grape Seed Oil
High
- HighNormal Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- HighSafety
A great choice for sensitive skin; a few pre-cleansers fit it even better.
- Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2020
- Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with sensitive skin: redness, stinging, and reactions to new products. 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
- Highly suitable for normal skin, this balm effectively removes makeup with Cetyl Ethylhexanoate and Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, while Madecassoside and Centella Asiatica Extract soothe your redness and irritation.
- Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil and Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil further support barrier repair and offer antioxidant benefits, complementing your skin's needs.
- The formula is safe for your sensitive skin, containing no harsh or prohibited ingredients that could cause irritation.
How to apply
- Use this makeup remover PM as the first step of your evening routine. Start 3x/week before building up to daily use if your skin tolerates it well.
- Apply this makeup remover before your regular cleanser and toner. Follow with your usual moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated.
- Gently press a small amount of the makeup remover onto your face using a soft cotton pad. Avoid any harsh rubbing to protect your sensitive skin.
- Apply the makeup remover on dry skin to ensure better tolerance for sensitive areas. This helps reduce any potential irritation or redness.
- Do a patch test before your first use and avoid the direct eye area to ensure safe application.
People Say
★4.7Overall rating based on 600+ reviewsThis cleansing balm is highly recommended for sensitive and acne-prone skin, with users frequently praising its hygienic grinding dispenser and gentle, moisturizing formula that leaves skin soft. The innovative packaging and smooth texture are also commonly highlighted positive aspects. A significant number of users find the 50ml size runs out quickly and note that it may require extra effort to remove heavy waterproof makeup.
Highlights
Hygienic packaging Mostly Mentioned
- “Innovative dial mechanism”
- “sanitary dispensing”
- “no dipping fingers”
- “mess-free”
Gentle formula Often Mentioned
- “Soothes sensitive skin”
- “no tight feeling”
- “safe for acne-prone areas”
- “moisturizing finish”
Smooth texture Often Mentioned
- “Melts instantly”
- “spreads easily”
- “non-greasy feel”
- “emulsifies quickly”
Small quantity Often Mentioned
- “Runs out fast”
- “only 50ml”
- “expensive for size”
- “wish for larger version”
Effective daily cleansing Sometimes Noted
- “Removes sunscreen well”
- “dissolves foundation”
- “clears pores”
- “leaves no residue”
Packaging design Sometimes Noted
- “Hard to see remaining amount”
- “difficult to empty completely”
- “plastic waste concerns”
Weak on waterproof Sometimes Noted
- “Struggles with waterproof mascara”
- “requires scrubbing”
- “needs separate eye remover”
Eye irritation Rarely Noted
- “Clouds vision temporarily”
- “film on eyes”
- “slight stinging for some”
Sources: lovi.care, oliveyoung.com, stylekorean.com, olivekollection.com, iherb.com, stylevana.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes Dr. Althea Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm a great fit for sensitive skin?
Dr. Althea Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm is a great fit for sensitive skin because it gently removes makeup while calming redness and irritation with Centella Asiatica Extract and Madecassoside. It also supports barrier repair and provides antioxidants with Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil and grape seed oil, all without harsh ingredients that could trigger discomfort.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for sensitive skin?
Madecassoside and Centella Asiatica Extract make this cleanser a great fit because they help calm redness and irritation on sensitive skin. Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil and grape seed oil further support the skin barrier with nourishing care.
What does Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride do for sensitive skin?
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride helps keep sensitive skin hydrated and soft by sealing in moisture to prevent dryness. This ingredient is generally well tolerated, though sensitive skin types may still benefit from soothing additions like ceramides or niacinamide to keep the skin calm and comfortable.
What does Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil do for sensitive skin?
Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil helps soothe sensitive skin by boosting hydration and calming redness. It is unlikely to cause irritation and supports the outer skin barrier.
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for sensitive skin?
This makeup remover goes in the evening routine, as the first step before your cleanser. It safely washes away makeup while soothing your sensitive skin.
Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2020Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this makeup remover in the evening before your cleanser and retinol because its gentle formula helps calm redness without harsh ingredients. Using a soothing barrier-supporting product first is unlikely to cause irritation and may make your skin more comfortable with retinol.
How often should I use this cleanser?
You can use this makeup remover in the evening as the first step of your routine. It is a great fit for sensitive skin because it gently removes makeup while soothing redness and irritation, and it is unlikely to cause harsh reactions.
Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2020Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for sensitive skin?
This cleansing balm is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for sensitive skin, as its formula contains safe ingredients that soothe irritation without harsh additives. Studies show that key ingredients like Centella asiatica extract help calm the skin and support its moisture barrier.
Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016Molecules, 2023
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Topical application of 0.05% w/w ECa 233 gel reduced erythema index by 0.03 U and improved early crusting and general wound appearance compared to placebo in thirty individuals undergoing facial laser resurfacing.
Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2020Cosmetic formulations containing 5% Centella asiatica extract showed the best efficacy in improving skin moisture and decreasing transepidermal water loss, while also exhibiting antiinflammatory properties in 25 volunteers compared to baseline measurements.
Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016Co-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, 2023Tea seed oil makeup remover successfully removed foundation and eyeliner without causing skin irritation in 20 human volunteers, with the 60% formulation showing superior foundation removal compared to other formulations and an olive oil benchmark.
Annales Pharmaceutiques Francaises, 2017Topical application of an emollient emulsion containing 15.0% caprylic/capric triglyceride doubled the amount of urocanic acid isomers and increased skin hydration with reduced transepidermal water loss in healthy subjects, though it did not prevent ultraviolet-induced urocanic acid isomerization.
Life, 2023Tea seed oil loaded nanostructured lipid carriers prepared with a combination of surfactants (NLC-C) showed significantly greater nontoxicity and hair growth-stimulating effects on human follicle dermal papilla cells compared to intact oil, while improving the sensory and diffusion properties of the hair serum.
Pharmaceutics, 2022A 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, 2017Moisturizer containing 5% panthenol, madecassoside, and copper-zinc-manganese decreased adverse reactions and downtime after ablative fractional carbon dioxide laser resurfacing with comparable efficacy to 0.02% triamcinolone acetonide cream in 20 subjects.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019Topical treatment with 5% vitamin C and 0.1% madecassoside significantly improved clinical scores for wrinkles, suppleness, firmness, roughness, and skin hydration, along with functional and structural remodeling of the elastic fiber network in 20 female volunteers with photoaged skin after 6 months compared to baseline.
Experimental Dermatology, 2008Grapeseed oil-loaded dermocosmetic nanoemulgel applied on the cheeks of healthy volunteers significantly reduced skin melanin, erythema, sebum production, and pores while increasing moisture and elasticity compared to a placebo.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022Topical treatment with cranberry oil and grape oil improved wound healing in rats, with cranberry oil showing an 88.1% wound area reduction and grape oil showing 84.6% compared to 74.1% in controls and 78.4% in the mupirocin standard group on day 13.
Phytotherapy Research, 2011An ionic liquid-based grapeseed oil emulsion increased transdermal penetration by 4.63-fold and improved skin hydration, firmness, elasticity, and facial wrinkles after 28 days of continuous use compared to ordinary emulsion.
Pharmaceuticals, 2024
Ingredients
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Peg-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, Synthetic Wax, Peg-10 Isostearate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil Grape Seed Oil, Madecassoside, Centella Asiatica Extract, Asiaticoside, Water, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin
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.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
How does it fit your skin?
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