SkinCeuticals Simply Clean Gel for acne-prone skin
Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate
Coco-Betaine
Glycerin
Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
High
- HighCombination Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
A great choice for acne-prone skin; a few cleansers fit it even 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 excellent cleansing for your combination skin, as Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate and Coco-Betaine effectively remove impurities and excess oil from pores. Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid and Citric Acid provide mild chemical exfoliation, addressing acne and blemishes without causing irritation.
- Glycerin and Citric Acid further support your combination skin by providing essential hydration and modulating pH for a balanced complexion.
- The product is safe for your skin, featuring soothing Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract and Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract with no harsh or prohibited ingredients.
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
★4.7Overall rating based on 700+ reviewsIdeally suited for oily and combination skin types, this gel cleanser is widely praised for its ability to deeply purify pores and remove makeup without causing excessive dryness. Users frequently report improved skin texture and fewer acne breakouts, though individuals with drier or more sensitive skin occasionally find the exfoliating formula slightly stripping.
Highlights
Effective Deep Cleansing Mostly Mentioned
- “removes excess oil”
- “thoroughly cleanses skin”
- “face feels fresh”
Improves Skin Texture Often Mentioned
- “smooths rough skin”
- “refines pore appearance”
- “gentle enzymatic exfoliation”
Controls Acne Breakouts Sometimes Noted
- “clears hormonal acne”
- “prevents new blemishes”
- “keeps skin clear”
High Product Efficiency Sometimes Noted
- “lathers very well”
- “little goes long way”
- “bottle lasts months”
Removes Makeup Well Sometimes Noted
- “dissolves waterproof makeup”
- “takes off daily grime”
- “no residue left”
High Price Point Sometimes Noted
- “expensive for cleanser”
- “pricey daily wash”
- “cost prohibits repurchase”
Drying Effect Rarely Noted
- “skin feels tight”
- “strips natural oils”
- “too harsh for dry skin”
Packaging Issues Rarely Noted
- “pump mechanism breaks”
- “bottle leaks during travel”
- “hard to dispense”
Skin Irritation Rarely Noted
- “caused burning sensation”
- “stinging on application”
- “redness after use”
Unpleasant Scent Rarely Noted
- “medicinal smell”
- “chemical odor”
- “scent is off-putting”
Sources: lovi.care, lovelyskin.com, skinceuticals.ca, bluemercury.com, walmart.com, dermstore.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes SkinCeuticals Simply Clean a great fit for acne-prone skin?
SkinCeuticals Simply Clean is a great fit for acne-prone skin because it thoroughly removes impurities and excess oil from pores while gently exfoliating to address blemishes without irritation. Glycerin and citric acid help maintain a balanced complexion by providing essential hydration, while soothing aloe and chamomile keep the skin calm.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Clinical Pharmacology, 2018
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for acne-prone skin?
Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate and Coco-Betaine make this cleanser a great fit by washing away dirt and excess oil from pores, while Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid and Citric Acid gently clear blemishes without causing irritation. Glycerin balances moisture, and soothing Aloe Barbandensis Leaf Extract and Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract help keep your skin calm and safe.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2013
What does Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate do for acne-prone skin?
Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate helps clean acne-prone skin gently by removing excess oil and dirt without stripping away natural moisture or damaging the delicate skin barrier. Because it is a mild cleanser, it is unlikely to cause the severe dryness or irritation often triggered by harsher acne washes. This ingredient works best when paired with soothing and hydrating agents that keep skin soft and balanced.
What does Coco-Betaine do for acne-prone skin?
Coco-betaine helps cleanse acne-prone skin as a surfactant, but it is unlikely to treat acne on its own and may cause mild skin irritation. Cleansers for acne-prone skin need gentle cleansing agents combined with soothing and oil-reducing ingredients to keep the skin calm and smooth.
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?
This cleanser goes as the first step in your morning routine and the second step in your evening routine right after your makeup remover. It helps clear away excess oil and impurities while keeping your skin calm.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
Yes, you can use this cleanser with retinol by using the cleanser first on damp skin to remove impurities and clear pores, followed by your retinol treatment once your face is completely dry. This cleanser helps keep skin clear with gentle exfoliants and soothing aloe and chamomile, making it a safe pairing that is unlikely to cause irritation when used in the correct order.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2012
How often should I use this cleanser?
You can use this cleanser twice a day as part of your morning and evening routine to clear away excess oil and impurities from pores. It features soothing ingredients like aloe and chamomile that help keep skin calm without causing irritation.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for acne-prone skin because it thoroughly removes excess oil and provides gentle exfoliation with mild acids. It also features soothing aloe and chamomile extracts to help calm the skin.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2013
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
This cleanser is suitable for use on the body, but it is generally best to avoid the thin skin directly around the eyes to prevent irritation. The gentle cleansing ingredients effectively remove impurities from larger skin areas while maintaining a balanced feel.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (limonene).
What the research says
Daily treatment with a facial serum containing multiple acids reduced post-inflammatory hyperchromia lesion grade and number by 29.4% at 56 days, and decreased skin oiliness by 30.7% at 7 days in Brazilian patients with acne vulgaris.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021A novel composition containing salicylic acid, capryloyl salicylic acid, HEPES, glycolic acid, citric acid, and dioic acid showed similar tolerance and efficacy compared with clindamycin 1% and benzoyl peroxide 5% gel in subjects with acne vulgaris.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2013A 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, 2018The cytotoxic effect of sodium lauryl sulphate on normal human keratinocytes was significantly decreased when combined with cocamidopropyl betaine, Tween 20, and Tween 80 at concentrations well below the critical micelle concentration.
Skin Pharmacology and Applied Skin Physiology, 2003The 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, 2012A novel D-limonene and Gelucire 44/12 based microemulsion formulated with Labrasol and Labrafil M 1944 CS showed high stability, optical transparency, nanometric globule size, and a safe in vivo skin profile on mice ear skin.
Advanced Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 2021
Ingredients
Water, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Coco-Betaine, Glycerin, Acrylates Copolymer, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Chloride, Propylene Glycol, Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium Edta, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Limonene, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract Matricaria Flower Extract, Citric Acid
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
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