Farmacy Green Clean for oily skin
Carica Papaya Extract
Sunflower Oil
Echinacea Purpurea Root Extract
Squalane
Grape Seed OilAverage
- AverageOily Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for oily skin; other pre-cleansers fit it better.
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 suitability for oily skin as cleansing esters like Cetyl Ethylhexanoate and Polyglyceryl-6 Isostearate effectively dissolve impurities, though sunflower seed oil and grape seed oil provide emollient action that may not be sufficient for optimal oil control.
- While the formula provides general cleansing benefits, it lacks specialized ingredients to directly address concerns like oily shine.
- The product is safe for your oily skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.
How to apply
- Use this makeup remover PM as the first step of your evening routine. Start 3×/week and increase to daily use if your skin tolerates it well.
- Apply this makeup remover before your regular cleanser and toner. It prepares your skin by melting away excess oil and makeup.
- Gently press a small amount onto your dry skin using your fingertips. Massage softly and avoid harsh rubbing to protect your pores.
- Apply this product on dry skin to effectively break down heavy makeup and surface oil. Massage it gently before washing it off with water.
- Avoid the sensitive eye area during application. Do a patch test before your first use to ensure your skin feels comfortable.
People Say
★4.6Overall rating based on 15.0k+ reviewsThis cleansing balm is widely praised for its sorbet-like texture that effortlessly melts away stubborn waterproof makeup without stripping the skin's natural moisture. Based on a very large amount of data, it is generally celebrated as safe for sensitive and acne-prone skin due to its clean ingredients, though a minority of users experience eye irritation or breakouts linked to its essential oils.
Highlights
Effortless Makeup Removal Mostly Mentioned
- “melts waterproof mascara instantly”
- “dissolves long-wear foundation”
- “removes everything without scrubbing”
- “takes off stage makeup easily”
Non-Stripping & Hydrating Often Mentioned
- “leaves skin feeling soft”
- “face feels hydrated not tight”
- “doesn't strip natural oils”
- “skin feels plump after rinsing”
Pleasant Sensory Experience Often Mentioned
- “smells like a spa”
- “love the lime/citrus scent”
- “texture is like sorbet”
- “feels luxurious on the skin”
Gentle on Sensitive Skin Sometimes Noted
- “no redness after use”
- “gentle enough for daily use”
- “didn't irritate my reactive skin”
Rinses Cleanly Sometimes Noted
- “emulsifies into a milk”
- “leaves no greasy residue”
- “washes off completely with water”
- “no film left behind”
Eye irritation Sometimes Noted
- “caused blurry vision”
- “cloudy film over eyes”
- “stings if it gets in eyes”
- “irritated my contacts”
Price/Value Sometimes Noted
- “too expensive for the amount”
- “jar runs out quickly”
- “pricey for a cleanser”
- “wish it was cheaper”
Breakouts/Reactions Rarely Noted
- “caused cystic acne”
- “broke me out in tiny bumps”
- “clogged my pores”
Residue Issues Rarely Noted
- “left a waxy film”
- “hard to wash off completely”
- “felt greasy afterwards”
- “needed a second cleanse to remove”
Strong Fragrance Rarely Noted
- “scent is too overpowering”
- “essential oils irritated my skin”
- “smell is too strong for face”
- “prefer fragrance-free”
Sources: lovi.care, sephora.com, ulta.com, amazon.com, farmacybeauty.com, reddit.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does FARMACY Green Clean Makeup Meltaway Cleansing Balm work for oily skin?
This makeup remover works moderately well for oily skin, dissolving impurities safely without causing irritation. However, because it contains richer oils, it lacks specific ingredients to control excess shine. Oily skin works best with makeup removers that provide effective cleansing along with oil-controlling ingredients to keep the complexion fresh and shine-free.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for oily skin?
This cleanser works for oily skin because cleansing esters like cetyl ethylhexanoate and polyglyceryl-6 isostearate dissolve impurities well, while keeping the skin safe without irritation. However, because it relies on richer oils like sunflower seed oil and grape seed oil, oily skin needs a cleanser that adds oil-controlling ingredients to manage shine.
What does Papaya Extract do for oily skin?
Papaya extract helps keep oily skin clear by gently shedding dead surface cells and clearing out pores. Using this ingredient may help reduce blemishes and smooth out skin texture with a low likelihood of irritation.
International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2023Giornale Italiano Di Dermatologia E Venereologia, 2015
What does Sunflower Oil do for oily skin?
Sunflower seed oil helps keep the skin barrier strong and improves hydration without clogging pores, making it a good fit for oily skin. It preserves skin integrity and supports barrier repair, which helps keep oily skin calm and smooth.
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for oily skin?
This makeup remover goes in your evening and weekly routines before your cleanser. An oily skin type needs specialized ingredients that directly control shine and balance oil production.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this makeup remover in your evening routine before cleansing and applying your retinol treatment, as it is safe and unlikely to cause irritation. Oily skin works best with cleansers that include targeted ingredients to manage shine.
How often should I use this cleanser?
You can use this makeup remover in the evening whenever you wear makeup, and as part of your weekly routine as well. It is safe for your oily skin and unlikely to cause irritation. To better manage oily shine, this skin needs a makeup remover with specialized oil-controlling ingredients.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?
This makeup remover is unlikely to cause irritation on oily skin, though it has a low risk of breakouts. A cleanser for this skin type needs lighter oils and ingredients that actively help control excess shine.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Topical application of a water-in-oil emulsion containing 2% Muscat hamburg grape seed extract significantly improved melanin, elasticity, and sebum content compared to a placebo in human volunteers over 8 weeks, with no reported skin hypersensitivity.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2015Application of Echinacea purpurea cream and gel increased skin hydration up to 10.6 AU and 11.4 AU and decreased wrinkles by 9.47% and 14.92% without causing skin irritation in 10 healthy volunteers over 1 month.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2010Topical papain treatment may slightly decrease pain within 30 minutes in humans stung by Chrysaora chinensis compared to placebo.
Wilderness & Environmental Medicine, 2016A 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, 2015Reflux 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, 2020A new skincare formulation from Echinacea purpurea completely blocked the 40-60% reduction in skin nerve endings caused by UVA and UVB exposure in ex vivo human skin samples.
Cell Proliferation, 2012Topical application of Echinacea pallida root extract and its constituent echinacoside showed good anti-inflammatory and wound healing properties compared to E. purpurea and control in rats.
Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2002A standardized preparation of Echinacea purpurea killed Propionibacterium acnes and completely reversed bacterial-induced pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion in cell culture models.
Phytotherapy Research, 2011Squalane at 0.005-0.015% counteracts UVA-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and collagen metabolism inhibition while stimulating fibroblast migration in human dermal fibroblasts.
Molecules, 2025Plant-derived squalane protected human dermal fibroblasts against UVA-induced damage by counteracting ROS formation, suppressing apoptosis-related proteins p53, caspase-3, caspase-9, and PARP, and restoring the pro-survival p-Akt/mTOR pathway.
Antioxidants, 2025Grapeseed 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, Tridecyl Stearate, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Peg-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, Dipentaerythrityl Hexacaprylate Hexacaprate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Polyglyceryl-6 Isostearate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Sunflower Seed Oil, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil Grape Seed Oil, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Echinacea Purpurea Root Extract, Jojoba Esters, Squalane
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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