SkinCeuticals Soothing Cleanser Foam for oily acne-prone skin
Orchid Extract
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Glycerin
Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate
Coco-Betaine
Average
- AverageOily Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- 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 cleansing and soothing benefits for your oily skin and acne concerns, as glycerin and orchid extract provide hydration and calming effects without harshness. Sorbitol and glycerin offer humectant action, but the formula lacks sufficient ingredients for optimal oil control on oily skin.
- The presence of sodium cocoyl glycinate and coco-betaine helps to gently lift impurities, contributing to a balanced cleanse.
- The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation for your oily skin due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the inclusion of soothing orchid and cucumber extracts.
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 500+ reviewsUsers consistently describe this cleanser as an exceptionally gentle and calming option, ideal for sensitive, reactive, or post-procedure skin. While it effectively removes daily impurities and excess oil without stripping the moisture barrier, many users note it struggles with heavy makeup and is best used as a second cleanse or morning wash.
Highlights
Gentle and non-irritating Mostly Mentioned
- “gentle and non-drying”
- “perfect for sensitive skin”
- “great for post-procedure”
Luxurious foam texture Often Mentioned
- “velvety feel”
- “dense and rich foam”
- “feels like a cloud”
- “little goes a long way”
Non-stripping finish Often Mentioned
- “skin feels soft”
- “no tight feeling”
- “leaves face hydrated”
- “doesn't dry me out”
Soothing effect Sometimes Noted
- “calms my redness”
- “soothing on compromised skin”
- “comforting emulsion”
- “refreshing sensation”
High price point Sometimes Noted
- “expensive for a face wash”
- “pricey splurge”
- “wish it was cheaper”
- “cost prohibits daily use”
Poor makeup removal Sometimes Noted
- “struggles with mascara”
- “doesn't remove heavy makeup”
- “need a separate remover”
- “leaves residue”
Drying for some Rarely Noted
- “felt tight afterwards”
- “not enough for very dry skin”
- “stripped my moisture”
- “need immediate moisturizer”
Scent/Smell Rarely Noted
- “medicinal smell”
- “scent is off-putting”
- “smells like cucumber”
- “fragrance not for everyone”
Sources: lovi.care, lovelyskin.com, bluemercury.com, dermstore.com, reddit.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does SkinCeuticals Soothing Cleanser work for oily acne-prone skin?
SkinCeuticals Soothing Cleanser Foam works reasonably well for oily acne-prone skin, offering moderate cleansing and calming effects without irritation, but it lacks sufficient oil-control ingredients. An ideal cleanser for this skin type needs ingredients like niacinamide, ceramides, probiotics, or salicylic acid to properly balance oil production and manage blemishes.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2024
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for oily acne-prone skin?
Glycerin, orchid extract, cucumber extract, and gentle cleansing agents make this cleanser a good fit for oily acne-prone skin by providing gentle hydration and calming effects without irritation. However, because it lacks sufficient ingredients for optimal oil control, a cleanser for this skin needs added ingredients like niacinamide, ceramides, probiotics, or salicylic acid.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2024
What does Orchid Extract do for oily acne-prone skin?
Orchid extract helps keep oily, acne-prone skin smooth and hydrated while calming irritation, though most current evidence for these benefits comes from laboratory studies rather than clinical trials on people. For this skin type, products need lightweight hydrators and soothing plant extracts that balance moisture without clogging pores.
What does Cucumber Fruit Extract do for oily acne-prone skin?
Cucumber fruit extract helps soothe and calm oily, acne-prone skin while providing antioxidant benefits with a very safe profile. It is unlikely to clog pores and works well to refresh the skin, though this skin type also needs ingredients that balance oil production and clear pores.
Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders Drug Targets, 2021Fitoterapia, 2013
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin?
This cleanser goes in the morning and evening routine for oily acne-prone skin, right before hydrating toners, moisturizers, and treatments. It gently lifts impurities without harshness, but to properly manage oil on this skin type, it needs added oil-controlling ingredients.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cleanser with retinol, applying it before your retinol treatment in your evening routine. Using gentle cleansers alongside acne treatments helps keep your skin calm while managing breakouts. Oily acne-prone skin of this type needs cleansers with extra oil-controlling and pore-clearing ingredients to work best.
How often should I use this cleanser?
You can use this cleanser twice a day as part of your morning and evening routine, because its mild ingredients gently lift impurities without harshness. It gives your oily acne-prone skin moderate cleansing and soothing benefits, though a cleanser with stronger oil-controlling ingredients would fit this skin type better.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily acne-prone skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to cause irritation or breakouts on oily acne-prone skin because it has an excellent safety profile and uses gentle ingredients like orchid and cucumber extracts to calm the skin. However, since it lacks sufficient ingredients for optimal oil control, a cleanser for this skin needs added blemish-fighting and oil-balancing ingredients.
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
You can use this cleanser on your body and around your eyes, as it is very safe and unlikely to cause irritation. Because the skin around the eyes is exceptionally thin, choose gentle, hydrating formulas that respect delicate areas.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Exogenous sorbitol protected epidermal keratinocytes from osmotic toxicity in vitro and significantly improved skin barrier repair and moisturization in individuals in arid environments.
Journal of Cosmetic Science, 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, 2017Transgenic cucumber expressing poly-γ-glutamic acid synthesis genes increased water content by 6-14%, reduced water loss by 11-12%, decreased facial wrinkles and roughness by 19.58% and 24.97%, decreased skin melanin by 5.27%, and improved facial elasticity in human skin and zebrafish compared to controls.
International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2024Copper Oxide nanoparticles synthesized using cucumber extract exhibited antibacterial, antifungal, UV protection, and reactive-oxygen species inhibition properties with low cellular toxicity and skin-rejuvenating effects when incorporated into skin cream.
Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders Drug Targets, 2021Phalaenopsis orchid flower water extract attenuated high glucose-induced cellular senescence, reactive oxygen species production, cell cycle arrest, and matrix metalloproteinase-1 expression in human dermal fibroblasts via Nrf2/HO-1 activation and senescence marker protein-30 restoration.
Cellular and Molecular Biology, 2025Topical treatment with Holothuria parva extract gel showed significant wound contraction compared to the negative control in full-thickness wounded rats.
The International Journal of Lower Extremity Wounds, 2024The 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, 2012The 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
Why other cleansers fit oily acne-prone skin better
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, 2024Topical 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, 2021A botanical face cleanser with hops and willow bark extract continuously reduced skin sebum levels without reactive seborrhea after treatment in 21 healthy volunteers compared to a sodium laureth sulfate cleanser, with neither cleanser causing skin irritation.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019
Ingredients
Water, Sorbitol, Glycerin, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Peg-8, Hexylene Glycol, Coco-Betaine, Propylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium Edta, Sodium Chloride, Orchid Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
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
How does it fit your skin?
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