Dr. Althea Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm for acne-prone skin
Caprylic Capric Triglyceride
Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil
Madecassoside- Centella Asiatica Extract
Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil Grape Seed Oil
Average
- AverageCombination Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for acne-prone skin; other pre-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 Cetyl Ethylhexanoate and Caprylic Capric Triglyceride effectively dissolve makeup and impurities, while Centella Asiatica Extract and Madecassoside provide supportive soothing benefits for your acne and blemishes.
- Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil and Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil offer antioxidant activity and some emollient action, contributing to overall skin health without exacerbating your skin type.
- The product is safe for your acne-prone skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the inclusion of soothing components.
How to apply
- Use this makeup remover PM as the first step of your evening routine to clear away dirt and oil. Start 3x/week and work up to daily use if your combination skin tolerates it well.
- Apply this makeup remover before cleansing and using the rest of your skin products. This ensures all makeup and impurities are fully washed away.
- Gently press a small amount of the makeup remover onto your face using a soft cotton pad. Avoid rubbing the skin too harshly to prevent irritation.
- Apply the makeup remover on dry skin to easily dissolve makeup and clear out blemishes. There is no need to dampen your face beforehand.
- Do a patch test before first use to ensure your skin reacts well. Avoid the delicate eye area while applying.
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
How well does Dr. Althea Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm work for acne-prone skin?
Dr. Althea Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm is an average fit for acne-prone skin, as it dissolves makeup and impurities while soothing blemishes with centella extracts, but it lacks the specialized ingredients needed to fully optimize this skin type. A makeup remover for acne-prone skin needs nourishing oils and plant extracts that provide deep soothing properties and targeted blemish care without feeling too heavy.
Molecules, 2023Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for acne-prone skin?
Centella Asiatica Extract and Madecassoside help soothe your acne and blemishes without causing irritation. To be a better fit for acne-prone skin, a product of this type needs additional ingredients like squalane, hyaluronic acid, and lighter plant oils that deeply hydrate and balance oily and dry areas.
Molecules, 2023Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016
What does Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride do for acne-prone skin?
Caprylic/capric triglyceride helps keep skin hydrated and balanced without feeling heavy. It is unlikely to cause breakouts when formulated properly, though acne-prone skin still needs lightweight, non-clogging ingredients that help control excess oil and soothe irritation.
What does Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil do for acne-prone skin?
Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil is unlikely to cause irritation and may help soothe inflammation for acne-prone skin. However, since this is a rich plant oil, acne-prone skin generally needs lightweight formulas packed with soothing and balancing ingredients rather than heavy oils.
Where does it go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?
This makeup remover goes in the evening routine before your cleanser, or as a weekly step before cleansing. It safely dissolves makeup and impurities while keeping your skin calm, though acne-prone skin often does better with a lighter formula that avoids heavy oils.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this makeup remover in your evening routine before your cleanser when using retinol. This type of skin needs a gentle, calming cleanser and a lightweight moisturizer that support the skin barrier while managing blemishes.
How often should I use it?
You can use this makeup remover in the evening whenever you wear makeup or need to clear away impurities, as part of your nightly routine. It is safe for your acne-prone skin, though acne-prone skin often benefits even more from lightweight, non-pore-clogging formulas rich in purifying and clarifying ingredients.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?
This cleansing balm is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts on acne-prone skin, as it contains soothing Centella Asiatica extract and madecassoside without harsh irritating ingredients. However, because it offers only an average fit for this skin type, acne-prone skin often needs lighter, non-greasy cleansers with targeted clarifying ingredients to better prevent breakouts.
Molecules, 2023Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016
Is it fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
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, 2023Cosmetic 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, 2016Tea 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, 2017A 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 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, 2022Topical 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, 2020Moisturizer 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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