EltaMD Foaming Facial Cleanser for combination skin
Bromelain
Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate
Sodium Cocoyl Apple Amino Acids
Capryloyl Glycine
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
High
- HighCombination Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
A great choice for combination skin; a few cleansers fit it even better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with combination skin: an oily T-zone, enlarged pores, and dry cheeks. 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 exfoliation and cleansing for your combination skin, as bromelain and sodium cocoyl glycinate effectively decongest the pores and regulate sebum production. Glycine derivatives further support oil balance, making it suitable for managing oily shine.
- The formula provides general cleansing benefits, with ingredients like acrylates copolymer contributing to its effectiveness in addressing excess oil.
- The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the inclusion of soothing components.
How to apply
- Use this cleanser AM and PM as part of your daily routine. Start 3×/week and build up to daily use if your skin tolerates it well.
- Apply this cleanser as the very first step in your morning routine and right after your pre-cleanser in the evening.
- Gently massage a small amount of cleanser onto your skin using circular motions. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water.
- For the best results , apply the cleanser directly onto slightly damp skin to help lift away excess oil.
- Avoid the immediate eye area and do a patch test before your first use to check for any sensitivity.
People Say
★4.6Overall rating based on 10.2k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this enzyme-based cleanser is highly regarded for its self-foaming technology that effectively cleans pores without stripping moisture, making it suitable for sensitive, acne-prone, and post-procedure skin. Most users appreciate the soft, clean finish and reduced inflammation. However, some users report issues with the pump dispenser and a few find the formula slightly drying.
Highlights
Gentle on sensitive skin Mostly Mentioned
- “Perfect for my sensitive post-laser skin”
- “Gentle enough for morning and night”
Effective deep clean Often Mentioned
- “Removes all my makeup in one go”
- “Pores look smaller and cleaner”
- “Face feels squeaky clean but soft”
Safe for problem skin Often Mentioned
- “Helped clear my hormonal acne”
- “Dermatologist recommended after microneedling”
- “Doesn't cause breakouts”
Pump dispenser issues Often Mentioned
- “Pump stopped working halfway through”
- “Have to unscrew the top to use it”
- “Dispenser gets clogged constantly”
Unique foaming action Sometimes Noted
- “Love how it bubbles up on its own”
- “The thick foam feels luxurious”
- “Tickles slightly but cleans deep”
Counterfeit product concerns Sometimes Noted
- “Product was watery and smelled wrong”
- “Fake bottle compared to my last one”
- “Seal was broken, consistency off”
Expensive price point Sometimes Noted
- “Great product but too pricey”
- “Wish it was cheaper for the size”
- “Expensive for a cleanser”
Can be drying Rarely Noted
- “Left my skin feeling stripped”
- “Too drying for winter use”
- “Made my face feel tight”
Sources: lovi.care, amazon.com, dermstore.com, lovelyskin.com, walmart.com, edcskincare.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes EltaMD Foaming Facial Cleanser a great fit for combination skin?
EltaMD Foaming Facial Cleanser is a great fit because it offers moderate cleansing and gentle exfoliation that helps decongest pores and control oily shine on combination skin. Its soothing ingredients and lack of harsh components mean it is very unlikely to cause irritation.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for combination skin?
Bromelain and sodium cocoyl glycinate make this cleanser a great fit by cleaning out pores and managing oily shine on combination skin. Glycine derivatives and acrylates copolymer help balance oil, while soothing components keep irritation away.
What does Bromelain do for combination skin?
Bromelain helps clear away dead skin and smooth out rough areas by gently breaking down outer skin proteins. A product of this type needs soothing hydrators and gentle exfoliants to balance combination skin without causing irritation.
What does Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate do for combination skin?
Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate helps clean combination skin gently by washing away dirt and oil without stripping away essential moisture. This mild cleansing ingredient supports the skin barrier and is unlikely to leave dry areas feeling tight or irritated.
Dermatologic Therapy, 2004International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 1984
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for combination skin?
EltaMD Foaming Facial Cleanser goes in both your morning and evening routine as the main cleansing step, and it is gentle enough to use daily without causing irritation.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cleanser in your routine before applying retinol, as its gentle and balanced formula is unlikely to cause irritation.
How often should I use this cleanser?
You can use this cleanser twice a day in your morning and evening routines. Its gentle formula effectively cleans excess oil while keeping your skin calm, making it suitable for daily use.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for combination skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts because it helps decongest pores and balance oil with ingredients like bromelain and glycine derivatives, and it has an excellent safety profile with no harsh irritants. Purging typically only happens with active ingredients that speed up cell turnover, which this wash does not do in a way that causes breakouts.
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
You can use this cleanser on your body, but you should take care around the thin skin of your eyes. Its gentle formula is unlikely to cause irritation while helping to clean and balance combination skin.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Oral bromelain slightly reduced pain compared to controls (mean difference -0.27) and topical bromelain reduced time to complete debridement by 6.89 days, with no major health risks reported.
Nutrition and Health, 2023An upcycled pineapple leaf fibre crosspolymer forms a physical barrier that protects against environmental aggressors while providing antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antipollution, UV protection, hydration, and hair benefits.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2026A coaxial electrospun core-shell nanofiber scaffold delivering bromelain and salvianolic acid B demonstrated sustained drug release, in vitro endothelial cell migration, increased capillary formation in an in ovo assay, and in vivo efficacy for skin regeneration and wound healing.
Biomedical Materials, 2017A soap-free cleansing lotion containing cetyl alcohol and sodium cocoyl apple amino acids reduced skin surface impurities and improved skin hydration, barrier function, and skin tone in 27 healthy adult subjects over 30 days.
Cureus, 2025Topical application of a formulation containing capryloyl glycine 4% significantly decreased hair density, median hair length, and terminal hair density on the forearms compared to placebo in female patients with hypertrichosis after 120 days.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021
Ingredients
Water, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Acrylates Copolymer, Sodium Cocoyl Apple Amino Acids, Methyl Perfluoroisobutyl Ether, Magnesium Silicate, Methyl Perfluorobutyl Ether, Bromelain, Peg Ppg-14 4 Dimethicone, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Isononyl Isononanoate, Ethylhexyl Isononanoate, Sodium Cocamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hydroxide, Capryloyl Glycine, Undecylenoyl Glycine, Sodium Bisulfite
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.