Augustinus Bader The Cleansing Balm for oily skin
Tfc8 Trigger Factor Complex 8
Squalane
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Sunflower Seed Oil
Coconut Oil
Persea Gratissima Oil Avocado Oil
Average
- AverageOily Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- 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 suitability for your oily skin as Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil and Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil provide emollient action, though it lacks sufficient ingredients for strong seboregulation to address oily shine.
- The formula provides excellent makeup removal due to the presence of Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil and Coconut Oil, effectively dissolving makeup and impurities.
- The product is safe for your oily skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the inclusion of soothing agents like Bisabolol and Tocopherol.
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
★4.4Overall rating based on 1.1k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, users describe this balm as a luxurious, spa-like treatment that effectively melts away makeup while leaving dry or mature skin feeling exceptionally soft, hydrated, and plump rather than stripped. A minority of users find the heavy glass packaging cumbersome and note that the rich formula can leave a film if not removed thoroughly with the included muslin cloth, making it less ideal for those preferring a quick rinse-off cleanser.
Highlights
Deeply hydrating Mostly Mentioned
- “skin feels balanced and hydrated”
- “leaves skin peachy clean and conditioned”
- “nourishes and hydrates for soothed skin”
- “never felt stripped.”
Luxurious texture Often Mentioned
- “decadent and buttery texture”
- “melts into the skin effortlessly”
- “feels like a luxurious treat”
- “texture is true heaven.”
High price point Often Mentioned
- “not worth the money”
- “definitely on the pricier end”
- “can't justify the price”
- “expensive for a cleanser.”
Effective makeup removal Sometimes Noted
- “mascara and liquid liner literally melted off”
- “removes every trace of the day”
- “dissolves stubborn makeup”
- “effortlessly removes makeup.”
Gentle and fragrance-free Sometimes Noted
- “fragrance-free and suitable for all skin types”
- “very gentle yet cleanses everything”
- “odorless formula”
- “calms as it cleanses.”
Requires cloth removal Sometimes Noted
- “leaves a white residue until I use the cloth”
- “requires a second step to remove”
- “didn't fully wash off with warm water”
- “high-maintenance for me.”
Eye irritation Rarely Noted
- “fogs my eyes”
- “cloudy vision after use”
- “irritated my eyes slightly”
- “struggled with eye makeup removal.”
Heavy packaging Rarely Noted
- “packaging is way too big”
- “heavy glass jar”
- “digging finger into a pot”
- “not travel friendly.”
Sources: lovi.care, cultbeauty.com, sephora.co.uk, lovelyskin.com, beautytheshop.com, augustinusbader.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Augustinus Bader The Cleansing Balm work for oily skin?
Augustinus Bader The Cleansing Balm works moderately well for oily skin because it effectively removes makeup and impurities using sunflower seed oil and coconut oil while remaining safe and unlikely to cause irritation. However, it lacks oil-controlling ingredients and contains heavier oils that can lead to excess shine or clogged pores. An ideal makeup remover for oily skin needs oil-balancing ingredients that clear away impurities without adding extra weight or shine.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for oily skin?
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil and Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil make this cleanser a good fit for oily skin by providing softening benefits. Oily skin of this type needs ingredients that control shine and balance oil production.
What does Tfc8 do for oily skin?
Tfc8 is not a standard fit for oily skin because it is typically found in rich, heavy creams designed to nourish dry skin. Oily skin instead needs lightweight, oil-free hydration and ingredients that help balance excess shine without clogging pores.
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.
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for oily skin?
This makeup remover goes in the evening routine before your cleanser, or as a weekly step before cleansing. It works for oily skin by dissolving makeup well, but an oily skin routine also needs strong oil-controlling ingredients to properly manage shine.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this makeup remover in your routine with retinol, applying it in the evening before your cleanser to gently take off makeup. Oily skin also needs ingredients that control excess oil and shine.
How often should I use this cleanser?
Use this makeup remover in your evening routine, as listed in the PM routine for oily skin. It helps dissolve makeup and impurities safely, though oily skin needs additional ingredients for strong seboregulation to address oily shine.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to cause irritation or breakouts on oily skin, as it leaves out harsh ingredients and includes soothing agents like bisabolol and vitamin E. However, because it lacks strong oil-controlling ingredients, an oily skin type needs a product packed with targeted oil-balancing and purifying ingredients.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Squalane 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, 2025Overnight virgin coconut oil application provides a skin protective effect against damage and increased TEWL from frequent alcohol-based hand sanitizer usage in 60 volunteers, resulting in a 25% increase in perceived moisture content compared to the control group.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Topical cream containing saffron extract and avocado oil improved wrinkle grading, reduced nasolabial fold area and volume, and increased skin elasticity in twenty healthy volunteers over 12 weeks without allergic reactions.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Topical treatment with SSFAO 50% or avocado oil increased wound contraction, reepithelialization, collagen density, and tensile strength while showing anti-inflammatory activity compared to petroleum jelly in rats.
Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2013
Ingredients
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Sunflower Seed Oil, Coconut Oil, Polyglyceryl-4 Oleate, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil Grape Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Wax Seed Sunflower Wax Seed, Persea Gratissima Oil Avocado Oil, Squalane, C10-18 Triglycerides, Phytosterols, Bisabolol, Hydrogenated Oil, Olea Europaea Oil Fruit Olive Oil Fruit, Glyceryl Stearate, Sorbitan Oleate, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glycerin, Water, Lecithin Soybean, Pentylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Xanthan Gum, Butylene Glycol, Arginine, Phenylalanine, Glycine, Lysine, Sisymbrium Irio Seed Oil, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Hydroxide, Oligopeptide-4, Oligopeptide-177
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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PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
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Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
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Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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