Grown Alchemist Gentle Gel Facial Cleanser for acne-prone skin
Geranium Leaf
Bergamot
Rose Bud
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Average
- HighCombination Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
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 Lauroyl Sarcosinate and Caprylyl Capryl Glucoside gently decongest, while Willow Bark Extract and Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract provide mild exfoliation and hydration.
- Coco-Glucoside and other plant-derived surfactants contribute to effective pore cleansing, addressing your concerns with acne, blemishes, and breakouts.
- The formula is safe for your combination skin, with no harsh ingredients that could cause irritation.
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
★4.5Overall rating based on 2.7k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this cleanser is highly praised for its ability to decongest pores and remove impurities while maintaining the skin's natural moisture barrier, making it a favorite for those with combination or sensitive skin. While most users love the botanical scent and gentle, non-stripping formula, some individuals with reactive skin may find the essential oil-based fragrance irritating.
Highlights
Non-stripping formula Mostly Mentioned
- “Doesn't dry out my skin”
- “leaves skin feeling soft”
- “cleans without that tight feeling”
Effective cleansing Often Mentioned
- “Gets everything nice and clean”
- “removes daily build-up”
- “works well for AM/PM”
Gentle on skin Often Mentioned
- “Perfect for sensitive skin”
- “doesn't cause redness”
- “feels like silk”
Pleasant scent Often Mentioned
- “Smells amazing”
- “nice rosy smell”
- “refreshing earthy smell”
Not for makeup Sometimes Noted
- “Isn't going to be your makeup remover”
- “needs an oil-based cleanser first”
Strong fragrance Sometimes Noted
- “Too perfumy notes”
- “scent too strong”
- “fragrance allergen considerations”
Packaging issues Rarely Noted
- “Metal tube gets annoying”
- “crinkles on the packaging”
Unpleasant texture Rarely Noted
- “Gooey texture”
- “unpleasant to wash with”
Sources: lovi.care, amazon.com, sephora.sg, grownalchemist.com, walmart.com, dermapproved.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does the Grown Alchemist Gentle Gel Facial Cleanser work for acne-prone skin?
This cleanser works reasonably well for acne-prone skin, providing moderate cleansing and mild exfoliation without causing irritation. A cleanser of this type needs an exceptionally safe formulation with soothing extracts, gentle cleansers that prevent over-drying, and hydrating ingredients like aloe and glycerin to properly address breakouts and maintain skin balance.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019Clinical Pharmacology, 2018
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for acne-prone skin?
Willow bark extract and aloe leaf extract help make this cleanser a good fit by gently clearing pores and soothing breakouts without causing irritation. To work best for acne-prone skin, this type of product needs a formulation that balances effective pore cleansing with strong soothing and hydrating ingredients to prevent over-drying.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019Clinical Pharmacology, 2018
What does Geranium Leaf do for acne-prone skin?
Geranium Leaf helps calm angry, red skin and keeps oily buildup in check, making it a good match for acne-prone skin. It may also help soothe swelling and irritation when blemishes pop up.
Biochimie Open, 2017Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry, 2016
What does Bergamot do for acne-prone skin?
Bergamot essential oil helps soothe acne-prone skin and calm redness. Studies show it may improve breakouts when paired with other targeted ingredients, though it needs careful formulation to suit sensitive skin.
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?
This cleanser goes in your morning and evening routine, coming right after a makeup remover at night. It gently decongests pores and removes buildup, though acne-prone skin often does better with products that include targeted blemish-fighting actives or deeper pore-clearing ingredients.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cleanser in the same routine as retinol by applying it first to wash your face before putting on your retinol treatment. Using a gentle cleanser like this helps keep your skin clean without harsh irritation while you use active ingredients.
How often should I use this cleanser?
You can use this cleanser twice a day as part of your morning and evening routine. Using a gentle cleanser regularly helps wash away impurities and excess oil while keeping your skin calm and balanced.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts since it uses gentle plant cleansers and willow bark extract to clear pores without irritation. However, because acne-prone skin often needs stronger oil control and targeted blemish-fighting ingredients, this type of skin usually does better with a cleanser that includes salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019Clinical Pharmacology, 2018
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
You can use this cleanser on your body, but it is best to avoid the sensitive skin directly around your eyes. Because the skin around the eyes is much thinner than the skin on most of the body, a cleanser of this type needs extra gentle ingredients and hydrating botanical extracts to prevent irritation there.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (benzyl alcohol, linalool plant, limonene plant, geraniol plant, and citronellol plant).
What the research says
A botanical face cleanser with hops and willow bark extract continuously reduced skin sebum levels without reactive seborrhea after treatment in 21 healthy volunteers compared to a sodium laureth sulfate cleanser, with neither cleanser causing skin irritation.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019A cream combining propolis, tea tree oil, and Aloe vera reduced erythema scars, acne severity index, and total lesion count better than erythromycin cream in sixty patients with mild to moderate acne vulgaris compared to placebo.
Clinical Pharmacology, 2018Bioactive lipid nanocarriers co-loaded with willow bark or ivy leaf extracts and UV-filters provided pronounced UVA photoprotection up to an SPF-equivalent value of 13 and a maximum in vivo skin hydration effect of 97% when prepared with pomegranate oil.
Nanomaterials, 2022A topical serum containing 0.5% salicin applied twice daily reduced visible signs of skin aging, including wrinkles and tactile roughness, in 30 female subjects over 12 weeks compared to baseline.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2010Topical treatment with Geranium thunbergii extract lotion improved skin elasticity and reduced skin wrinkling scores compared to placebo in healthy Japanese women by inhibiting HYBID-mediated hyaluronan degradation and down-regulating HYBID expression.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019Geranium and Calendula essential oil-loaded ethanolic lipid vesicular creams exhibited notable antioxidant capacity, sun protection factor values of 10.26 and 18.54, and collagenase and elastase inhibition capacity compared to nonvesicular creams.
BioMed Research International, 2021Combining bergamot essential oil-loaded nano-phytosomes with spironolactone significantly improved therapeutic response against acne vulgaris compared to bergamot essential oil-loaded nano-phytosomes alone in patients.
Pharmaceuticals, 2023Citrus bergamia extract significantly reduced dose-dependently ICAM-1, iNOS, NO, ROS, and GAG production in human NCTC 2544 keratinocytes exposed to interferon-gamma and histamine compared to untreated exposed cells.
Life Sciences, 2012Topical application of bergamot and boxthorn extract increased superoxide dismutase activity and collagen content, decreased malondialdehyde content, and promoted hair growth in mice compared to a control group.
Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi = Zhongguo Zhongyao Zazhi = China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica, 2003Treatment with a rose extract activated newly identified skin olfactory receptors and prevented epinephrine-induced skin stress responses in epidermal keratinocytes and human skin explants, while clinically decreasing the appearance of under-eye dark circles in stressed women.
Molecules, 2020Rose petal extract improves stratum corneum moisture levels in humans by upregulating HAS2 expression via the GLK-MAP2K-MAPK signaling pathway.
BioFactors, 2023Rosa gallica petal extract (RPE) exerts skin whitening by attenuating tyrosinase activity and melanin accumulation and exhibits anti-wrinkle activity by suppressing MMP-1 levels in human cells.
Journal of Medicinal Food, 2020Topical aloe vera gel significantly accelerated split-thickness skin graft donor-site healing compared to placebo in 12 patients, but showed no significant difference in pain relief.
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2018Topical application of Aloe vera cream reduced postoperative pain at rest and during defecation, accelerated wound healing at two weeks, and decreased analgesic requirements in patients after open hemorrhoidectomy compared to placebo.
Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2010Formulations containing 0.10%, 0.25%, and 0.50% freeze-dried Aloe vera extract increased stratum corneum water content compared with the vehicle in 20 female subjects, while transepidermal water loss was not modified.
Skin Research and Technology, 2006A novel D-limonene and Gelucire 44/12 based microemulsion formulated with Labrasol and Labrafil M 1944 CS showed high stability, optical transparency, nanometric globule size, and a safe in vivo skin profile on mice ear skin.
Advanced Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 2021
Ingredients
Water, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate Plant, Caprylyl Capryl Glucoside Plant, Coco-Glucoside Plant, Cellulose Plant, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Pelargonium Graveolens Oil Flower Geranium Oil Flower, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil Expressed Peel Oil, Willow Bark Extract, Citrus Reticulata Peel Oil Mandarin Orange Peel Oil, Bergamot Peel Oil Expressed Peel Oil, Rosa Damascena Oil Flower Rose Oil Flower, Chamomilla Recutita Oil Flower Chamomile Oil Flower, Sodium Phytate Plant, Tocopherol Vitamin E Plant, Dehydroacetic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, Linalool Plant, Limonene Plant, Geraniol Plant, Citronellol Plant
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
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