🇩🇪Germany

Indie Lee Brightening Cleanser for oily acne-prone skin

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

Indie Lee Brightening Cleanser
  • Strawberry Seed Oil
  • Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
  • Lycopene Tomato
  • Decyl Glucoside
  • Coco Glucoside

Average

  • HighOily Skin Fit
  • HighEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

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 benefits for your acne and oiliness due to the presence of strawberry seed oil and lycopene, which provide antioxidant and mild exfoliating properties that are suitable for oily skin.
  • The cleansing agents decyl glucoside and coco glucoside effectively cleanse pores and degrease oily skin without causing irritation.
  • The product is safe for your skin as it lacks prohibited or harsh ingredients, posing no risk of irritation.

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

★4.7Overall rating based on 200+ reviews

Users with normal, combination, and sensitive skin frequently praise this gel cleanser for its ability to remove impurities without stripping natural oils, often describing a "spa-like" experience due to its scent. While many report a noticeable glow and softer texture, those with very dry skin occasionally find it dehydrating, and results regarding the fading of dark spots vary.

Highlights

  • Strawberry scent Mostly Mentioned
    • “Smells like fresh strawberries”
    • “reminds me of sweet ripe strawberries”
    • “scent brings a smile to my face”
    • “smells amazing but not fake”
  • Gentle and non-stripping Often Mentioned
    • “Leaves skin feeling clean but not stripped”
    • “very gentle on sensitive skin”
    • “face feels soft and tight in a good way”
    • “doesn't leave a film”
  • Clean ingredients Sometimes Noted
    • “Love the clean ingredients”
    • “no harsh chemicals”
    • “simple ingredient list”
  • Gel texture Sometimes Noted
    • “Feels like a cloud”
    • “silky and lightweight”
    • “foams well with small amount”
    • “rich gel facial serum feel”
  • Versatile multi-use Sometimes Noted
    • “Doubles as a mask if left on”
    • “removes makeup even mascara”
    • “leave it on for 5 minutes for a glow”
    • “great 2-in-1 product”
  • Price point Sometimes Noted
    • “A bit pricey though”
    • “wish there was more product for money”
    • “expensive for a face wash”
    • “higher price point”
  • Drying for some Rarely Noted
    • “Might dry you out too much”
    • “leaves my skin dry”
    • “felt dry a few hours after using”
    • “not for very dry skin”
  • Makeup removal Rarely Noted
    • “Doesn't remove waterproof makeup”
    • “need to use oil cleanser first”
    • “stings if it gets in eyes”
    • “doesn't get everything off”
  • Packaging issues Rarely Noted
    • “Product gets jammed in dispenser”
    • “dropped bottle and it shattered”
    • “pump is annoying”
    • “glass is slippery in shower”
  • Scent dislike Rarely Noted
    • “Smelled like rotting fruit”
    • “couldn't get past the smell”
    • “too sweet for me”
    • “scent is a bit much”

Sources: lovi.care, dermstore.com, sephora.sg, ulta.com, thegreenkiss.com, everydayhealth.com, and more

Questions and answers

How well does Indie Lee Brightening work for oily acne-prone skin?

This cleanser works moderately well for oily acne-prone skin because it uses gentle cleansers to wash away oil without irritation and includes ingredients like strawberry seed oil and lycopene that help with oil and blemishes. A product of this type needs a stronger focus on oil control and deeper exfoliation to deliver the best results for this skin type.

European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, 2022Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2020

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

Strawberry seed oil and lycopene make this cleanser a good fit because they provide antioxidant and mild exfoliating benefits for oily skin, while gentle cleansers clean pores without irritation. However, a cleanser for this skin also needs stronger oil-controlling ingredients and deeper exfoliants to manage breakouts and oil production most effectively.

European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, 2022Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2020

What does Strawberry Seed Oil do for oily acne-prone skin?

Strawberry Seed Oil helps balance oily, acne-prone skin by providing light hydration that feels comfortable without clogging pores. Because it is rich in lightweight fatty acids, it absorbs quickly and leaves your face feeling soft and smooth.

What does Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein do for oily acne-prone skin?

Hydrolyzed wheat protein in skincare can cause allergic reactions for some people, especially if your skin is already dry, irritated, or compromised. For oily, acne-prone skin, this type of product needs soothing ingredients and lightweight hydrators that help strengthen the skin barrier without clogging pores.

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

This cleanser fits into your morning routine and your evening routine after removing makeup. It safely cleans pores and removes extra oil without causing irritation, though oily acne-prone skin works best with products that also provide stronger blemish-fighting benefits.

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

Yes, you can use this cleanser with retinol, applying the cleanser first to wash your face before putting on your retinol. It is gentle and safe for oily acne-prone skin, though this skin type generally does better with a cleanser that provides stronger oil control and deeper pore clearing.

How often should I use this cleanser?

You can use this cleanser daily in the morning and evening as part of your routine. It cleans pores and removes oil without causing irritation, though oily acne-prone skin often needs stronger oil-balancing and exfoliating ingredients for better results.

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

This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts because it is free of harsh ingredients and uses gentle cleansers that effectively clear oil without irritation. However, because it only offers moderate benefits for acne and oiliness, oily acne-prone skin often needs a cleanser with stronger blemish-clearing ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide.

European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, 2022Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2020

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

This cleanser is gentle enough to use on your body, but you should avoid using it directly around your eyes because it is formulated for facial skin and may cause irritation in that delicate area. A product for the eye area needs soothing and deeply hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid or plant extracts that protect thin skin without stinging.

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

  • Topical lycopene-based emulgel significantly enhanced skin hydration and elasticity while reducing erythema, melanin, and sebum contents in human volunteers compared to a placebo formulation over 12 weeks.

    European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, 2022

  • Cosmetic formulations containing lycopene and melatonin showed significant differences in skin sebum content, hydration, elasticity, erythema index, and melanin index compared to control in 36 healthy women.

    Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2020

  • Topical delivery of lycopene via MG- and TG-containing microemulsions significantly increased stratum corneum and viable skin layer penetration compared to a control solution, with the MG-containing microemulsion also increasing skin antioxidant activity by 10-fold.

    Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2010

  • Application of a cosmetic multiple emulsion containing vitamin C and wheat protein as well as a base formulation increased skin moisture in 11 human volunteers over four weeks, while producing no significant variations in skin sebum, pH, elasticity, melanin, or erythema.

    Pakistan Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2008

  • The addition of polymers and hydrolysed proteins to model body wash cosmetics improves foaming properties, storage stability, and safety by reducing skin irritant potential, with the polyvinylpyrrolidone/hydrolysed wheat protein crosspolymer showing the strongest reduction effect.

    Colloids and Surfaces. B, Biointerfaces, 2015

  • Propolis and lycopene extract nanoemulsions provided better therapeutic efficiency and a sustained release for 24 hours compared to standard suspension in an acute inflammation rat paw edema model.

    Journal of Nanobiotechnology, 2011

  • Coco-glucoside powered emulgels containing probiotics and prebiotics demonstrated stability without phase separation and preserved probiotic viability for up to 11 days, supporting the skin's natural barrier.

    International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 2025

Ingredients

Water, Decyl Glucoside Oils Sugar, Disodium Coco-Glucoside Citrate, Coco Glucoside Oil Coconut And Sunflower Oil, Glyceryl Oleate, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Xanthan Gum, Strawberry Seed Oil, Lycopene Tomato, Propanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate

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

How does it fit your skin?

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How does it fit your skin?

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

QR code: get the Lovi app
Download on theApp Store Get it onGoogle Play