Burt's Bees Facial Cleanser for acne-prone skin
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Glycerin
Quillaja Saponaria Bark Extract
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Sunflower Seed Oil
Olea Europaea Oil Fruit Olive Oil Fruit
Average
- AverageCombination 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 suitability for your combination skin, as Quillaja Saponaria Bark Extract and Glycerin provide gentle cleansing and hydration, balancing oil production on your T-zone.
- Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil and Olea Europaea Fruit Oil offer emollient benefits, though additional ingredients could better address your specific concerns with acne and breakouts.
- The formula is safe for your combination skin, free from 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
★4.1Overall rating based on 4.5k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, Burt's Bees facial cleansers are frequently praised for their natural ingredients and gentle, hydrating effects, particularly for sensitive, dry, and combination skin. Many users report a soothing outcome. However, a significant number of reviews mention that the cleansers can leave a residue, and some users experienced breakouts or irritation. The effectiveness for removing makeup is also a concern for some.
Highlights
Gentle on skin Mostly Mentioned
- “Doesn't strip moisture”
- “No stinging/redness”
- “Feels very mild”
Hydrating feel Often Mentioned
- “Leaves skin soft”
- “Not tight/dry”
- “Moisturizing cream texture”
Leaves residue Often Mentioned
- “Weird waxy film”
- “Doesn't rinse off”
- “Feels grimy”
Natural ingredients Sometimes Noted
- “99% natural origin”
- “No harsh chemicals”
- “Clean ingredients”
Soothing effect Sometimes Noted
- “Helps reduce redness”
- “Calms reactive skin”
- “Aloe is soothing”
Caused breakouts Sometimes Noted
- “Broke me out”
- “Acne in a tube”
- “Clogged my pores”
Poor makeup removal Sometimes Noted
- “Doesn't remove makeup”
- “Not for heavy makeup”
- “Needs double cleanse”
Irritating sensation Rarely Noted
- “Burned around eyes”
- “Tingling was painful”
- “Skin on fire”
Sources: lovi.care, amazon.com, target.com, walmart.com, burtsbees.ca, sephora.my, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Burt's Bees Facial Cleanser work for acne-prone skin?
Burt's Bees Facial Cleanser works moderately well for acne-prone skin, cleaning gently and adding moisture while balancing oil in your T-zone. Olive oil and sunflower seed oil soften the skin, though this cleanser lacks ingredients that more directly target breakouts. Acne-prone skin needs cleansers that feature soothing agents, Niacinamide, or Ceramides to clear blemishes while keeping the skin barrier strong and balanced.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for acne-prone skin?
Quillaja Saponaria bark extract and glycerin make this cleanser a good fit by providing gentle cleansing and hydration that helps balance oil on your skin. An acne-prone cleanser of this type needs powerful acne-fighting ingredients like niacinamide and ceramides, alongside barrier-repairing agents, to properly address breakouts.
What does Aloe Vera Leaf Juice do for acne-prone skin?
Aloe Vera Leaf Juice helps calm acne-prone skin and may reduce redness, bumps, and spots when used consistently. Studies show it helps clear breakouts and keeps skin smooth by fighting blemish-causing factors.
Clinical Pharmacology, 2018The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2014
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
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?
This cleanser fits into both your morning and evening routines as the first step after removing makeup in the evening. Because this product offers an average fit for acne-prone skin, a cleanser for this skin type needs targeted ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide to better clear breakouts and manage oil.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cleanser with retinol by applying the cleanser first, followed by your retinol treatment in your PM routine. This product is unlikely to cause harsh irritation, but acne-prone skin needs targeted ingredients that actively clear breakouts and control excess oil.
How often should I use this cleanser?
You can use this cleanser daily as part of your morning and evening routine to gently clean and hydrate your skin. To better address acne-prone skin, this cleanser type needs targeted breakout-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?
Yes, this cleanser may cause breakouts for acne-prone skin, as some reviewers report and olive oil can be heavy for this skin type. To better care for acne-prone skin, a cleanser needs ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide to deeply clear pores and prevent pimples.
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
This cleanser may be used on your body, but the thin skin around the eyes needs gentle ingredients that specifically target delicate areas without causing irritation.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (limonene). Cetearyl alcohol and cetyl alcohol are fatty alcohols, which soften the skin.
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, 2017A 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, 2018Topical 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, 2006The 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, 2012
Why other cleansers fit acne-prone skin better
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, 2023A 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
Ingredients
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Sunflower Seed Oil, Quillaja Saponaria Bark Extract, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Olea Europaea Oil Fruit Olive Oil Fruit, Limonene, Avena Sativa Kernel Flour Oat Kernel Flour, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil, Avena Sativa Kernel Oil Oat Kernel Oil, Lanolin, Beta-Carotene, Tocopherol, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract Rosemary Leaf Extract, Glycine Soja Oil Soybean Oil, Canola Oil, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Benzoate
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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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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