Mario Badescu Enzyme Cleansing Gel for oily skin
Carica Papaya Fruit Extract
Grapefruit Fruit Extract
Glycerin
Phenoxyethanol
Triethanolamine
Average
- HighOily Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for oily skin; other cleansers fit it better.
- International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2023
- Giornale Italiano Di Dermatologia E Venereologia, 2015
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily skin: shine, enlarged pores, blackheads, and blemishes. 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 oily skin, as Carica Papaya Fruit Extract and Grapefruit Fruit Extract provide enzymatic exfoliation and mild astringent properties to smooth texture.
- While beneficial for oily shine, the formula's cleansing action is general and not specialized for managing excess oil.
- The product is safe for your oily skin due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the inclusion of soothing Glycerin.
How to apply
- Use your cleanser AM and PM every day to keep your skin fresh. Always make sure to follow with a good SPF in the morning.
- Apply your cleanser as the first step in the morning or the second step in the evening before your toner.
- Gently massage a small amount onto your face using circular motions, then rinse well with water .
- You can apply this cleanser safely on damp skin for a refreshing and easy wash.
- Avoid getting the product directly into your eyes and stop use if irritation occurs.
People Say
★4.4Overall rating based on 2.0k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this non-foaming gel cleanser is highly recommended for combination and oily skin types, effectively removing excess oil and impurities while maintaining skin hydration. Users frequently report a brighter, refreshed complexion and improved skin texture. However, it may not fully remove heavy makeup and some users dislike the lack of lather or are concerned about parabens.
Highlights
Gentle and non-drying Mostly Mentioned
- “does not strip skin”
- “leaves face soft”
- “gentle enough for daily use”
- “no tight feeling”
Brightening and refreshing Often Mentioned
- “leaves skin bright”
- “complexion looks refreshed”
- “gives a nice glow”
- “revives dull skin”
Effective oil control Often Mentioned
- “removes excess oil”
- “great for oily skin”
- “balances my combination skin”
- “keeps shine away”
Poor makeup removal Often Mentioned
- “doesn't remove mascara”
- “need a separate remover”
- “leaves residue”
- “not for heavy makeup”
Improves skin texture Sometimes Noted
- “skin feels smoother”
- “helps with blackheads”
- “reduces bumps”
- “exfoliates gently”
Pleasant scent Sometimes Noted
- “smells like a spa”
- “fresh clean scent”
- “love the smell”
- “light and pleasant”
Non-foaming texture Sometimes Noted
- “doesn't foam at all”
- “weird gel texture”
- “miss the bubbles”
- “feels like slime”
Contains parabens Rarely Noted
- “contains methylparaben”
- “wish it was paraben-free”
- “ingredients aren't clean”
- “avoiding preservatives”
Eye irritation Rarely Noted
- “burns my eyes”
- “stings if it gets in eyes”
- “avoid eye area”
- “painful on eyes”
Price vs. value Rarely Noted
- “a bit pricey”
- “better cheaper options”
- “paying for the brand”
- “not worth the money”
Sources: lovi.care, ulta.com, mariobadescu.com, sephora.com, spacenk.com, beautybay.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Mario Badescu Enzyme Cleansing Gel work for oily skin?
This cleanser works moderately well for oily skin by offering general cleansing and gentle fruit extracts that smooth texture, though it is not specialized for managing excess oil. Cleansers that fit this skin better need ingredients like niacinamide, ceramides, or salicylic acid to actively manage oily shine and support skin health without causing irritation.
International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2023Giornale Italiano Di Dermatologia E Venereologia, 2015
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for oily skin?
Carica Papaya Fruit Extract and Grapefruit Fruit Extract help smooth texture through mild exfoliation, while Glycerin keeps your oily skin safe and comfortable. Cleansers of this type for oily skin need ingredients like niacinamide, ceramides, salicylic acid, and probiotics to properly manage excess oil and support skin health.
International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2023Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
What does Papaya Fruit Extract do for oily skin?
Papaya fruit extract helps clear away dead skin and impurities, making it a great match for oily skin to keep pores clean and skin smooth. It also fights everyday stress on the skin with antioxidants.
International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2023Biology, 2021
What does Grapefruit Fruit Extract do for oily skin?
Grapefruit Fruit Extract helps calm oily skin by fighting off sun-related redness and stress. It is unlikely to feel heavy and works to keep the skin balanced and comfortable.
Where does it go in a skincare routine for oily skin?
Use this cleanser in the morning and evening as the first or second step of your routine to wash your face and help smooth your skin texture. Oily skin also needs specialized ingredients that actively control excess oil and shine.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cleanser in your routine, but a product of this type for oily skin needs specialized oil-control ingredients and targeted deep cleansing to better manage excess oil.
How often should I use it?
You can use this cleanser daily in the morning and evening as part of your routine. A cleanser of this type for oily skin needs ingredients that provide deep oil control and specialized blemish management to be a top fit.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for your oily skin because it has a safe formula without harsh ingredients, though a cleanser for this skin needs specialized oil-control ingredients to properly manage excess oil.
Can I use it around the eyes or on my body?
You can use this cleanser on your body, but it is not recommended for the thin, sensitive skin around the eyes. Oily skin in other areas needs gentle cleansers with specialized oil-controlling ingredients and soothing agents like glycerin to manage excess shine effectively.
Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 2002International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2023
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (parfum, linalool, hexyl cinnamal, benzyl alcohol, limonene, citronellol, and geraniol).
What the research says
Incorporating 1, 2, and 5 percent papain into starch- and carboxymethyl cellulose-based films preserved proteolytic and skin exfoliation activity while improving mechanical properties and water solubility compared to control films, with immobilized enzyme maintaining stability for up to 90 days.
International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2023A fixed combination of hydroxypinacolone retinoate, retinol glycospheres, and papain glycospheres in aqueous gel applied once daily for 12 weeks achieved a 41% mean reduction in GAGS score and a 40.8% mean reduction in total lesions, with 15.3% of patients experiencing mild to moderate local side effects, in 94 evaluable patients with comedonal-papular, mild to moderate acne of the face.
Giornale Italiano Di Dermatologia E Venereologia, 2015A 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, 2017Topical papain treatment may slightly decrease pain within 30 minutes in humans stung by Chrysaora chinensis compared to placebo.
Wilderness & Environmental Medicine, 2016Reflux extraction of Carica papaya leaves yielded higher antioxidant capacity and superior in vitro wound-healing activities including fibroblast proliferation, cell migration, and collagen synthesis in human skin fibroblasts compared to ultrasonic-assisted extraction and agitation.
Molecules, 2020Carica papaya leaf extracts obtained via supercritical fluid and conventional methods demonstrated antioxidant and cytoprotective effects on skin fibroblasts against oxidative stress, driven by their respective lipophilic and hydrophilic constituents.
Molecules, 2021Topical application of an aqueous gel containing 0.1% w/w naringenin demonstrated in vitro safety, significantly reduced UV-induced stratum corneum lipid peroxidation, and showed in vivo anti-inflammatory efficacy against methyl nicotinate-induced inflammation in human participants compared to a blank gel and untreated area, while chlorogenic acid, apigenin, and kaempferol displayed pro-oxidant profiles.
Frontiers in Chemistry, 2024Topical application of a naringenin-containing formulation protected hairless mice from ultraviolet B-induced skin damage by inhibiting edema, cytokine production, superoxide anion, and lipid hydroperoxides while maintaining antioxidant enzymes and glutathione levels.
PloS One, 2016Encapsulating naringenin, nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA), and kaempferol into nanostructured lipid carriers provided prolonged release, stability, and antioxidant protection against oxidative stress in human keratinocytes, with an NDGA and kaempferol mixture showing synergistic antioxidant effects.
Pharmaceutics, 2021The 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, 2020Ten 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, 2001Niacinamide/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, 2012Topical 2% tea lotion significantly decreased inflammatory lesions and was superior to 5% zinc sulphate solution in patients with acne vulgaris.
Saudi Medical Journal, 2008Topical 2% tea lotion significantly reduced the mean lesion count of papules and pustules in patients with mild to moderate acne vulgaris compared to a control solution over 2 months.
Saudi Medical Journal, 2006
Why other cleansers fit oily skin better
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 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, 2024Topical application of Lactobacillus plantarum-GMNL6 enhanced collagen synthesis and SPTSSA gene expression while reducing melanin synthesis, Staphylococcus aureus biofilm, and Cutibacterium acnes proliferation, leading to clinical improvements in skin moisture, color, spots, wrinkles, UV spots, and porphyrins in human volunteers.
International Journal of Medical Sciences, 2021
Ingredients
Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Peg-8 Stearate, Ppg-2 Hydroxyethyl Cocamide, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Grapefruit Fruit Extract, Carbomer, Sodium Chloride, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Triethanolamine, Diazolidinyl Urea, Mica, Ci 77891 Titanium Dioxide, Ci 19140 Yellow 5, Ci 42090 Blue 1, Ci 15985, Linalool, Hexyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Alcohol, Limonene, Citronellol, Geraniol
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.
-
Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
-
Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
-
Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
-
Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
-
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
-
Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
-
Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
-
Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
How does it fit your skin?
Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.