🇩🇪Germany

COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser for oily acne-prone skin

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes

COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser

Average

  • AverageOily Skin Fit
  • AverageEffectiveness
  • Low RiskSafety

Works for oily acne-prone skin; other cleansers fit it better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily acne-prone skin: shine, breakouts, blemishes, and enlarged pores. 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 oily skin, as cocamidopropyl betaine and betaine salicylate help to clear pores and gently remove impurities. While beneficial for general oiliness, it lacks specialized ingredients to directly target acne, blemishes, and breakouts.
  • The formula provides mild keratolytic action suitable for oily skin, though stronger seboregulating ingredients would enhance its effectiveness for your primary concerns.
  • The product is generally safe for your oily skin, with a low risk of irritation from ingredients like betaine salicylate and citric acid.

How to apply

  • Use this cleanser as part of your AM and PM routine. Start using it daily to help clear your breakouts.
  • Apply this cleanser as the first step in the morning and right after your pre-cleanser in the evening. Follow it with your toner and moisturizer.
  • Gently massage a small amount of the cleanser onto your face using circular motions. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water and pat dry.
  • Apply the cleanser on slightly damp skin to help clean deeply and remove excess oil. This works best for oily skin types.
  • Avoid the sensitive eye area during application. Do a patch test before your first use.

People Say

★4.5Overall rating based on 15.0k+ reviews

Based on a very large amount of data, this gel cleanser is highly recommended for those with oily, acne-prone, and sensitive skin, effectively managing excess oil and breakouts without compromising the skin barrier. Many users appreciate its refreshing feel. Conversely, individuals with dry skin frequently find it to be stripping, leading to a tight sensation that necessitates immediate moisturizing. Some users also note a strong scent and occasional eye irritation.

Highlights

  • Effective acne control Often Mentioned
    • “cleared up my spots”
    • “helps with hormonal acne”
    • “reduced redness overnight”
    • “keeps breakouts at bay”
  • Gentle & non-stripping Often Mentioned
    • “doesn't strip my skin”
    • “gentle enough for morning”
    • “skin feels soft, not tight”
    • “respects my skin barrier”
  • Drying for dry skin Often Mentioned
    • “left my face tight”
    • “too drying for winter”
    • “stripped my dry skin”
    • “need moisturizer immediately”
  • Deep cleansing/oil control Sometimes Noted
    • “removes all the oil”
    • “pores look smaller”
    • “great for oily T-zone”
    • “leaves face squeaky clean”
  • Refreshing sensation Sometimes Noted
    • “feels very refreshing”
    • “wakes me up”
    • “cooling effect on skin”
    • “perfect morning cleanse”
  • Strong medicinal scent Sometimes Noted
    • “smells like chemicals”
    • “strong tea tree odor”
    • “scent is overpowering”
    • “smells like rotting plants”
  • Caused breakouts Rarely Noted
    • “gave me tiny bumps”
    • “broke me out in cysts”
    • “caused a bad reaction”
  • Eye irritation Rarely Noted
    • “stings my eyes bad”
    • “burns if it gets in eyes”
    • “can't use on eye makeup”

Sources: lovi.care, iherb.com, ulta.com, sokoglam.com, yesstyle.com, walmart.com, and more

Questions and answers

How well does COSRX Low pH cleanser work for oily acne-prone skin?

This cleanser works moderately well for oily skin by clearing pores and removing impurities, but it lacks specialized ingredients to directly target breakouts. A cleanser for this skin needs soothing and effective ingredients like niacinamide, ceramides, probiotics, or salicylic acid to balance oil production and manage acne without irritation.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2013

Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for oily acne-prone skin?

Cocamidopropyl betaine and betaine salicylate make this cleanser a good fit for oily acne-prone skin by clearing pores and gently removing impurities with a low risk of irritation. To better fit this skin type, a cleanser of this type needs soothing and effective ingredients like Niacinamide and Ceramides, probiotics, or Glycerin to address acne, balance oil, and maintain skin clarity without causing dryness or irritation.

Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2013Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021

What does Cocamidopropyl Betaine do for oily acne-prone skin?

Cocamidopropyl betaine is a cleansing ingredient that helps wash away dirt and excess oil from oily, acne-prone skin, though it may occasionally cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in some people. This type of skin needs gentle cleansers and oil-reducing ingredients that clear pores while keeping the skin barrier healthy and calm.

What does Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate do for oily acne-prone skin?

Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate is a gentle cleansing ingredient that helps wash away excess oil and dirt from oily acne-prone skin without stripping away essential moisture. Cleansers with mild ingredients like this are unlikely to damage the skin barrier, keeping your skin feeling clean and soft.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2004International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2015

Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin?

This cleanser goes first in your morning routine and second in your evening routine after makeup removal. While it offers moderate cleansing and gentle exfoliation for oily skin, an acne-prone skin type needs specialized ingredients to directly target blemishes and stronger oil-controlling components for best results.

Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?

You can use this cleanser in your routine, but a cleanser of this type needs stronger oil-controlling and breakout-targeting ingredients to really help oily acne-prone skin. Use it before your retinol treatment in the evening, ensuring you follow up with a good moisturizer to keep your skin calm and hydrated.

How often should I use this cleanser?

You can use this cleanser daily in the morning and evening as part of your routine. This product of this type needs stronger seboregulating ingredients and specialized blemish-targeting components to effectively care for oily acne-prone skin.

Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily acne-prone skin?

COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser helps clear pores and remove impurities on oily skin, but it is unlikely to directly target or clear stubborn breakouts because it lacks specialized blemish-fighting ingredients. While generally safe, this cleanser may occasionally cause breakouts or irritation for some users, and a cleanser for this skin needs stronger oil-balancing and acne-fighting ingredients like targeted retinoids or specialized acids.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2013

Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?

You can use this cleanser on your body, but you should avoid the thin skin around your eyes to prevent irritation. While it is generally safe and helps clear pores, oily and acne-prone skin needs specialized ingredients that directly target acne, blemishes, and breakouts.

Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 2002

Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.

What the research says

  • The 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, 2003

  • Topical gel containing chitosan, 0.2% chlorhexidine, allantoin and dexpanthenol did not improve postoperative comfort regarding swelling and pain, but improved the wound's aesthetic appearance following impacted lower third molar extraction compared to no gel.

    Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral Y Cirugia Bucal, 2016

  • A topical gel containing chitosan, chlorhexidine, allantoin, and dexpanthenol significantly reduced postoperative pain, trismus, swelling, and analgesic consumption, while improving wound healing after third molar surgery compared to a placebo.

    Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral Y Cirugia Bucal, 2020

  • An overnight patch containing Allium cepa extract and allantoin safely promotes scar healing after dermatologic surgery, resulting in significantly greater reductions in observer- and patient-assessed POSAS scores compared to no treatment.

    Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 2018

  • Topical green tea and green tea plus lotus multiple emulsions reduced casual sebum secretions compared to placebo in healthy adults, with the combined treatment producing significantly greater reductions than green tea alone over a 60-day period.

    Hippokratia, 2013

  • Combined topical application of lotus and green tea improved facial skin surface parameters including roughness, scaliness, smoothness, and wrinkling in healthy Asian men compared to single treatments and placebo.

    Rejuvenation Research, 2013

  • Cosmetics containing lotus-derived callus extract showed a significant skin-whitening effect in 21 volunteers.

    Plants, 2023

Why other cleansers fit oily acne-prone skin better

  • Topical application of Lactobacillus plantarum-GMNL6 enhanced collagen synthesis and SPTSSA gene expression while reducing melanin synthesis, Staphylococcus aureus biofilm, and Cutibacterium acnes proliferation, leading to clinical improvements in skin moisture, color, spots, wrinkles, UV spots, and porphyrins in human volunteers.

    International Journal of Medical Sciences, 2021

  • A 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

  • A novel emulsion containing niacinamide, lens esculenta seed extract, and white willow bark extract effectively improved acne, blackheads, and conspicuous facial pores in 30 subjects with oily skin.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

Ingredients

Water, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Polysorbate 20, Styrax Japonicus Branch Leaf Extract Fruit, Butylene Glycol, Saccharomyces Ferment, Cryptomeria Japonica Leaf Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Leaf Extract, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Tree Oil Leaf, Allantoin, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Betaine Salicylate, Citric Acid, Ethyl Hexanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Benzoate, Disodium Edta

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.

  • Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Co-founder, Medical Director

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer

  • Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Co-founder, CEO and CTO

    PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex

  • Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Medical Board

    Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine

  • Aishani Shah, MD

    Aishani Shah, MD

    Medical Board

    Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD

  • Asya Zubkova, MS

    Asya Zubkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member

  • Hanna Kurets, MD

    Hanna Kurets, MD

    Medical Board, Medical Advisor

    Dermatology MD

  • Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Medical Board

    Dermatology and diagnostic consultant

  • Victoria Derkova, MS

    Victoria Derkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist

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Prices checked 10 Oct – 6 Nov 2026

The Lovi Fit is the same in every country; only the stores and prices differ, and the ones here are for Germany.

How does it fit your skin?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.

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