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Indie Lee Brightening Cleanser for oily 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

High

  • HighOily Skin Fit
  • HighEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

A great choice for oily skin; a few cleansers fit it even 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

  • Highly suitable for your oily skin due to the presence of decyl glucoside and coco glucoside, which offer mild cleansing and degreasing properties to manage excess sebum without stripping the skin.
  • These ingredients provide excellent cleansing, effectively clearing pores and offering moderate benefits for oily shine.
  • The formula is safe for your oily skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.

How to apply

  • Use your cleanser AM and PM every day to keep your skin fresh. Always make sure to follow with a good SPF in the morning.
  • Apply your cleanser as the first step in the morning or the second step in the evening before your toner.
  • Gently massage a small amount onto your face using circular motions, then rinse well with water .
  • You can apply this cleanser safely on damp skin for a refreshing and easy wash.
  • Avoid getting the product directly into your eyes and stop use if irritation occurs.

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

What makes Indie Lee Brightening Cleanser a great fit for oily skin?

Indie Lee Brightening Cleanser is a great fit because it uses mild cleansers like decyl glucoside and coco glucoside to clear pores and manage excess shine without stripping your skin. Its safe formula avoids harsh ingredients to keep your skin calm and clean.

International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 2025European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, 2022

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

Decyl glucoside and coco glucoside make this cleanser a great fit because they offer mild cleansing and degreasing properties to manage excess sebum without stripping the skin. These gentle ingredients effectively clear pores and help reduce oily shine safely.

International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 2025Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2020

What does Strawberry Seed Oil do for oily skin?

Strawberry Seed Oil helps keep oily skin feeling soft and balanced without feeling heavy. It is light and absorbs quickly, so it is unlikely to clog pores.

What does Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein do for oily skin?

Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein is unlikely to benefit oily skin and may trigger allergic reactions, especially in people with broken or sensitive skin barriers. Oily skin of this type needs lightweight ingredients that balance oil and keep pores clear without heavy or reactive proteins.

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

This cleanser fits into both your morning and evening routines as the first or second cleansing step to help manage excess oil. It uses mild cleansers to clear pores and reduce oily shine safely without stripping your skin.

Can I use it with retinol, and in what order?

You can use this cleanser with retinol because its mild cleansers manage excess oil without harsh irritation, making it safe for your routine. Use it first to clean your skin before applying your retinol treatment.

How often should I use this cleanser?

You can use this cleanser daily in the morning and evening as part of your routine. Its mild cleansers help manage excess oil without stripping the skin or causing irritation.

European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, 2022International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 2025

Can it clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?

This cleanser is a great fit for oily skin and is unlikely to clog pores, cause breakouts, or lead to purging. Its mild cleansers clear pores and manage excess shine without stripping your skin.

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

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

You can use this cleanser on your body, but you should avoid getting it in your eyes because the thin skin there easily absorbs products and may become irritated. This gentle formula is unlikely to cause irritation elsewhere, but it is always best to keep cleansers away from the delicate eye area.

Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 2002

Is it fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.

What the research says

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

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

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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
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