Medicube Red Cleansing Oil for oily skin
Squalane
Jojoba Seed Oil
Oil Tree Leaf
Macadamia Seed Oil
Juglans Regia Seed Oil
Average
- AverageOily Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
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 benefits for oily shine and oily skin due to the presence of Gaultheria Procumbens Leaf Extract and Melaleuca Alternifolia Tree Oil Leaf, which provide mild exfoliation and anti-inflammatory effects, but lacks stronger seboregulating ingredients for optimal results.
- It provides excellent makeup removal due to the presence of Ethylhexyl Palmitate and Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate in concentrations that effectively dissolve makeup and impurities.
- There are no risks of irritation for your oily skin due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients, and the presence of soothing ingredients like Squalane and Jojoba Seed Oil.
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
★4.5Overall rating based on 100+ reviewsBased on limited data, this cleansing oil is highly recommended for users with acne-prone and sensitive skin due to its gentle, non-comedogenic formula that effectively removes makeup without causing irritation. Many appreciate its lightweight, water-like texture. Some users find the consistency too runny and messy, and opinions vary on its ability to remove deep blackheads compared to heavier cleansing oils.
Highlights
Acne-safe, gentle Often Mentioned
- “Doesn't cause breakouts”
- “only oil that doesn't irritate”
- “safe for acne-prone”
- “calmed my skin”
Lightweight texture Often Mentioned
- “Water-like consistency”
- “not heavy or greasy”
- “absorbs beautifully”
- “feels refreshing”
Effective makeup removal Sometimes Noted
- “Melts makeup instantly”
- “removes mascara well”
- “dissolves sunscreen easily”
- “cleanses effectively”
Non-stripping Sometimes Noted
- “No deep dryness”
- “skin feels hydrated”
- “leaves skin soft”
- “gentle finish”
Runny consistency Sometimes Noted
- “Drips down arms”
- “too watery”
- “messy application”
- “hard to control”
Leaves residue Rarely Noted
- “Leaves oil film”
- “needs second cleanse”
- “doesn't rinse clean”
- “slightly oily finish”
Medicinal scent Rarely Noted
- “Strong tea tree smell”
- “smells like medicine”
- “scent is overpowering”
- “herbal odor”
Mild cleansing Rarely Noted
- “Didn't remove blackheads”
- “pores still clogged”
- “too mild for deep clean”
- “residue left behind”
Sources: lovi.care, gopicky.com, hwahae.co.kr, reddit.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Medicube Red Cleansing Oil work for oily skin?
Medicube Red Cleansing Oil works moderately well for oily skin because it effectively removes makeup and helps calm the skin, but it lacks stronger oil-controlling ingredients. Oily skin works best with products that contain oil-balancing ingredients and lighter textures to keep excess shine under control.
Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology, 2007Forschende Komplementarmedizin, 2012
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for oily skin?
Gaultheria Procumbens Leaf Extract and Melaleuca Alternifolia Tree Oil Leaf help calm oily skin and provide mild exfoliation. However, oily skin needs stronger oil-controlling and seboregulating ingredients for best results.
Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology, 2007Dermatology, 2014
What does Squalane do for oily skin?
Squalane helps keep oily skin soft and smooth without feeling heavy, though oxidized forms may sometimes trigger irritation. To work well for oily skin, this type of product needs lightweight, non-clogging ingredients that balance moisture without adding excess grease.
What does Jojoba Seed Oil do for oily skin?
Jojoba seed oil helps balance oily skin by providing lightweight moisture that is unlikely to clog pores. It may also calm redness and soothe irritation thanks to its natural soothing properties.
Frontiers in Pharmacology, 2024Giornale Italiano Di Dermatologia E Venereologia, 2013
Where does it go in a skincare routine for oily skin?
This makeup remover goes in the evening routine before your cleanser, and as a weekly step before your cleanser. An average fit for oily skin like this works for removing makeup, but oily skin needs stronger oil-controlling ingredients for optimal results.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this makeup remover in your evening routine before your cleanser, but oily skin needs a product with stronger oil-controlling ingredients for optimal results.
How often should I use it?
You can use this makeup remover in your evening routine as the first step to dissolve makeup and impurities on your oily skin. Because it offers only moderate benefits for oily shine, an oily skin type needs a product that includes stronger oil-controlling ingredients for optimal results.
Can it clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?
It is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for your oily skin, as it lacks harsh ingredients and contains soothing oils that help keep skin calm. To best manage oily shine and keep pores clear, an oily skin type needs products with stronger oil-controlling ingredients.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Topical 5% tea tree oil gel significantly improved total acne lesions and acne severity index compared to placebo in 60 patients with mild to moderate acne vulgaris, showing 3.55 times and 5.75 times greater efficacy respectively.
Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology, 2007Lactobacillus-fermented Chamaecyparis obtusa reduced inflammatory acne lesions by 65.3% compared to 38.2% with tea tree oil in 34 patients over 8 weeks, demonstrating superior efficacy, faster onset, and safety.
Dermatology, 2014A 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, 2018Clay jojoba oil facial masks reduced total skin lesions by a mean of 54% after 6 weeks in 133 participants with acne-prone, lesioned skin and mild acne compared to baseline.
Forschende Komplementarmedizin, 2012Topical application of jojoba wax reduced LPS-induced secretion of IL-6, IL-8, and TNFα by approximately 30% and increased the synthesis of pro-collagen III and hyaluronic acid compared to untreated skin in an ex-vivo human skin organ culture model.
Frontiers in Pharmacology, 2024Squalane 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, 2025Topical jojoba oil application in male mice decreased exercise-induced pro-inflammatory gene expression (Il-1b and Il-6 in soleus, Il-1b in gastrocnemius) compared to untreated exercised mice.
Biomolecules, 2025Nanolipidgel formulations with argan or jojoba oil and humectants demonstrate good sensory attributes, instrumental properties, and moisturizing efficacy for cosmetic application.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2014Topical herbal treatments including lemon balm, olive leaf extract, propolis, and sage-rhubarb cream reduce pain, swelling, lesion size, and healing time in patients with herpes labialis compared with placebo or acyclovir.
Journal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine, 2025Topical oleuropein formulations reduced erythema, transepidermal water loss, and blood flow by approximately 22%, 35%, and 30% in healthy volunteers with UVB-induced erythema.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2008An oil-in-serum formulation containing olive extract standardized in hydroxytyrosol improved skin barrier function and significantly reduced hyperpigmentation in participants with post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation after 45 days of application.
AAPS PharmSciTech, 2026Enzymatically interesterified fats based on mutton tallow and walnut oil produced emulsions that resulted in greater skin moisturization compared to non-interesterified fat and received positive sensory evaluations from 83 respondents.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2015Walnut oil significantly promoted wound healing and reduced healing time in rats with skin defect wounds compared to vaseline gauze, accompanied by decreased inflammation, increased capillary formation, lower NF-kB expression, and higher EGF, TGF-β1, and MMP-1 expression.
Die Pharmazie, 2018
Ingredients
Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Hydrogenated Poly C6-14 Olefin, Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Polysorbate 20, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Coco-Caprylate Caprate, Squalane, Jojoba Seed Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Rosa Canina Oil Fruit, Juglans Regia Seed Oil, Gaultheria Procumbens Leaf Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Tree Oil Leaf, Avena Sativa Kernel Oil Oat Kernel Oil
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.
-
Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
-
Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
-
Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
-
Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
-
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
-
Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
-
Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
-
Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
How does it fit your skin?
Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.