Anua Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Gentle Foaming Cleanser for oily skin
Glycerin
Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate
Average
- HighOily Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for oily skin; other cleansers fit it better.
- The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2020
- American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002
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
- Highly suitable for oily skin due to the presence of zinc pca for seboregulation and multiple forms of hyaluronic acid for humectant action, this cleanser offers moderate cleansing with ingredients like Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate and Coco-Glucoside that gently yet effectively remove impurities.
- While it provides general skincare benefits such as hydration, it does not directly address your primary concern of oily shine due to a lack of specialized oil-controlling ingredients.
- The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation for your oily skin due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the inclusion of soothing components like Glycerin and Panthenol.
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
★4.8Overall rating based on 400+ reviewsUsers with dry and sensitive skin frequently praise this cleanser for its hydrating and non-stripping properties, noting it leaves skin soft and clean. It is also often described as gentle and suitable for sensitive skin types, with a moderate number of users appreciating its rich lather and effective cleansing. A moderate number of reviews mention issues with the thick consistency and packaging, making it difficult to dispense, while a low number of users found the scent unpleasant or the results underwhelming compared to other products. Negligible mentions of breakouts were reported.
Highlights
Hydrating non-stripping Mostly Mentioned
- “doesn't leave skin tight”
- “leaves face soft”
- “moisturizing finish”
- “no dry feeling”
Gentle sensitive skin Often Mentioned
- “no irritation”
- “mild facial cleanser”
- “soothing for redness”
- “great for sensitive skin”
Effective cleansing Sometimes Noted
- “removes residue well”
- “cleanses pores deeply”
- “refreshing finish”
- “skin feels clean”
Rich creamy lather Sometimes Noted
- “foams well”
- “dense bubbles”
- “luxurious foam”
- “little goes a long way”
Packaging texture issues Sometimes Noted
- “hard to squeeze out”
- “very thick consistency”
- “tube is stiff”
- “difficult to dispense”
Beneficial ingredients Rarely Noted
- “love the panthenol”
- “zinc helps oil”
- “8 types of HA”
- “good barrier support”
Caused breakouts Rarely Noted
- “caused small bumps”
- “broke me out”
- “acne on forehead”
- “clogged my pores”
Underwhelming results Rarely Noted
- “just an ordinary cleanser”
- “nothing special”
- “prefer the Heartleaf version”
- “expected more hydration”
Unpleasant scent Rarely Noted
- “odd medicinal smell”
- “smells like raw ingredients”
- “faint chemical scent”
- “weird fragrance-free smell”
Sources: lovi.care, anua.us, oliveyoung.com, stylekorean.com, yesstyle.com, ulta.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Anua Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Gentle Foaming Cleanser work for oily skin?
This cleanser works moderately well for oily skin because it gently removes impurities and includes zinc pca to help balance oil, though it lacks stronger oil-controlling ingredients. It is unlikely to cause irritation and helps keep your skin feeling calm and hydrated. A cleanser for this skin needs ingredients like niacinamide, ceramides, or salicylic acid to better manage oily shine and support skin health.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for oily skin?
This cleanser works for oily skin thanks to Zinc PCA for balancing oil and multiple forms of hyaluronic acid for hydration. Glycerin and Panthenol also provide soothing benefits and are unlikely to cause irritation. Oily skin often needs specialized ingredients like Niacinamide, Ceramides, or Salicylic Acid to better manage shine and control excess oil.
What does Water do for oily skin?
Water helps keep oily skin hydrated without adding grease or clogging pores. Keeping oily skin properly hydrated may also help balance oil production and reduce unwanted shine.
What does Glycerin do for oily skin?
Glycerin helps keep oily skin hydrated without feeling heavy and supports the skin barrier. Because this product is a weak fit for your skin, an ideal product of this type needs lightweight hydrators and ingredients that balance oil while protecting the skin.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2008International Journal of Toxicology, 2019
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for oily skin?
You can use this cleanser in both your morning and evening routines, as well as part of your weekly routine. It gently washes away impurities while keeping your skin calm, though oily skin ultimately needs specialized oil-controlling ingredients to properly target excess shine.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cleanser alongside retinol, using it before applying your retinol treatment to gently wash your face. It is very unlikely to cause irritation due to its soothing and gentle ingredients. To properly care for oily skin, a cleanser of this type needs specialized oil-controlling ingredients like zinc PCA and multiple forms of hyaluronic acid.
How often should I use this cleanser?
You can use this cleanser twice a day in the morning and evening as part of your daily routine. Mild cleansers like this help remove impurities and maintain hydration without irritating the skin.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to cause breakouts or clog pores on oily skin because it has an excellent safety profile without harsh ingredients. It helps keep skin calm using soothing components like glycerin and panthenol.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
You can use this gentle cleanser on your body, but you should be cautious around the thin skin of your eyes. Because skin thickness varies greatly across the body, harsh cleansers can easily cause dryness or irritation in delicate areas.
Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 2002American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Topical nicotinamide plus an antibacterial adhesive agent and zinc-pyrrolidone carboxylic acid combined with adapalene significantly reduced noninflammatory acne lesions by the second week of therapy compared to placebo with adapalene in patients with moderate acne vulgaris.
The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2020Topical dexpanthenol acts as a moisturizer, improves stratum corneum hydration, accelerates wound healing and epidermal regeneration, reduces erythema, and improves symptoms of skin irritation compared to vehicle or no pretreatment.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002A new topical panthenol-containing emollient significantly improved transepidermal water loss reduction, stratum corneum hydration, and intercellular lipid lamellae length compared with control in healthy subjects without negatively impacting bacterial viability.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017A panthenol-enriched mask significantly decreased erythema and hyperpigmentation, increased sebum and stratum corneum moisture, and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to a saline dressing in 60 subjects undergoing facial laser treatment.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025A 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, 2017The 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, 2001
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, 2019Topical 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
Water, Glycerin, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Lauryl Hydroxysultaine, Coco-Glucoside, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Quillaja Saponaria Bark Extract, Hydrolyzed Protein, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Potassium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Zinc Pca, Decyl Glucoside, Hectorite, Pentylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydroxypropyl Phosphate Starch, 1,2-Hexanediol, Betaine, Polyquaternium-67, Acrylates C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Citric Acid, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Phytate, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Maltodextrin
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?
Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.