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Cetaphil PRO DermaControl Oil Removing Foam Wash for acne-prone skin

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

Cetaphil PRO DermaControl Oil Removing Foam Wash

High

  • HighCombination Skin Fit
  • HighEffectiveness
  • ExcellentSafety

A great choice for acne-prone skin; a few cleansers fit it even better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with acne-prone skin: breakouts, blackheads, and post-acne marks. 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 combination skin as zinc gluconate helps regulate oil production and glycerin provides essential hydration, balancing your skin's needs.
  • The formula offers excellent cleansing for oily skin, effectively removing excess oil with zinc coceth sulfate while maintaining skin comfort.
  • This product is safe for your acne-prone skin, featuring soothing ingredients like Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate and avoiding harsh or irritating components.

How to apply

  • Could be used as part of your AM and PM routine. Start using it 3 times a week and build up to daily use if your skin tolerates it.
  • This cleanser is the first step in your morning routine and the second step after your pre-cleanser in the evening. Always follow up with a toner and moisturizer .
  • Gently massage a small amount of the cleanser onto your face in circular motions. Avoid harsh rubbing to keep your skin calm.
  • Apply the cleanser on slightly damp skin to help it work effectively against breakouts. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water .
  • Avoid the immediate eye area and do a patch test before your first use to check for any sensitivity.

People Say

★4.6Overall rating based on 8.2k+ reviews

Based on a very large amount of data, users with oily and acne-prone skin widely praise this cleanser for its ability to effectively remove excess sebum and control shine without stripping the moisture barrier, often describing it as a "holy grail" for sensitive, combination skin. While the majority report a gentle, non-irritating experience that leaves skin feeling matte and balanced, a notable minority experiences sensitivity to the fragrance or a burning sensation upon application.

Highlights

  • Effective oil control Often Mentioned
    • “keeps my face matte for hours”
    • “significantly reduced my midday shine”
    • “removes grease without leaving residue”
    • “best oil control wash I've tried”
  • Gentle and non-stripping Often Mentioned
    • “cleans deep but doesn't leave skin tight”
    • “gentle enough for my sensitive skin”
    • “doesn't make my face feel dry or squeaky”
    • “leaves skin feeling soft and balanced”
  • Helps clear acne Sometimes Noted
    • “noticed fewer breakouts after two weeks”
    • “keeps my hormonal acne at bay”
    • “helped clear up my forehead bumps”
    • “great maintenance wash for acne-prone skin”
  • Pleasant foam texture Sometimes Noted
    • “love the light, airy foam”
    • “one pump covers the whole face”
    • “lathers well and rinses easily”
    • “foam feels luxurious and soft”
  • Strong fragrance Sometimes Noted
    • “scent is overpowering and lingers”
    • “smells too like cheap perfume”
    • “fragrance irritated my sensitive nose”
    • “wish they made an unscented version”
  • Burning sensation Rarely Noted
    • “burned my face immediately upon applying”
    • “stung my eyes and cheeks bad”
    • “caused redness and heat sensation”
    • “felt like a chemical burn”
  • Can be drying Rarely Noted
    • “left dry patches around my mouth”
    • “too drying for winter use”
    • “made my skin feel tight and flaky”
    • “stripped my skin too much”
  • Pump issues Rarely Noted
    • “pump gets stuck often”
    • “dispenser broke halfway through bottle”
    • “hard to get the last bit out”

Sources: lovi.care, iherb.com, ulta.com, walmart.com, influenster.com, well.ca, and more

Questions and answers

What makes Cetaphil PRO DermaControl Oil Removing Foam Wash a great fit for acne-prone skin?

This cleanser is a great fit for your acne-prone skin because zinc gluconate helps regulate oil production while glycerin provides essential hydration. It also effectively removes excess oil with zinc coceth sulfate to keep your skin comfortable, and features soothing dipotassium glycyrrhizate without harsh components.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2023Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026

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

Zinc gluconate helps balance oil production, while glycerin provides essential hydration to keep your skin comfortable. Additionally, dipotassium glycyrrhizate and zinc coceth sulfate help soothe your skin and remove excess oil without harsh irritation.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2023Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026

What does Glycerin do for acne-prone skin?

Glycerin helps keep acne-prone skin hydrated and calm without clogging pores or feeling heavy. It supports the skin barrier so it stays soft and smooth while handling everyday treatments.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2008International Journal of Toxicology, 2019

What does Zinc Coceth Sulfate do for acne-prone skin?

Zinc Coceth Sulfate is a cleansing ingredient that helps remove excess oil and impurities from acne-prone skin while maintaining a gentle touch. This type of cleanser works best when it is formulated with mild ingredients that keep your skin feeling comfortable rather than dry or tight.

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

This cleanser is a great fit for your acne-prone skin, going in both your morning and evening routines. It helps remove excess oil and calm the skin while maintaining comfort, using ingredients like zinc gluconate and glycerin.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2023Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026

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

You can use this cleanser with retinol by applying it before your retinol treatment in your evening routine. Using a gentle cleanser helps wash away excess oil and impurities without irritation, keeping your skin calm while using stronger treatments.

How often should I use this cleanser?

You can use this cleanser daily as part of your morning and evening routine to help remove excess oil and keep acne-prone skin comfortable. Daily cleansing with a mild formula supports skin health and helps maintain a clear complexion.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2023The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022

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

This cleanser is safe and unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for your acne-prone skin, as it features soothing ingredients like dipotassium glycyrrhizate and avoids harsh components. Zinc gluconate also helps regulate oil production while glycerin keeps your skin hydrated and balanced.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2023Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026

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

This cleanser is safe for use on the body, particularly for managing truncal acne, but avoid applying it around the eyes because the skin there is much thinner and more delicate. Zinc gluconate helps reduce breakouts while maintaining skin comfort.

Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 2002Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2023

Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.

What the research says

  • Daily use of a deep cleansing gel containing salicylic acid 2%, zinc gluconate 0.2% and lipohydroxy acid 0.05% significantly reduced total lesion count by 56.3% after 84 days in 35 subjects with mild to moderate truncal acne.

    Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2023

  • A dermocosmetic cream containing Punica granatum Pericarp extract, Salicylic acid, Niacinamide, Zinc gluconate, and Aqua Posae Filiformis significantly decreased inflammatory, non-inflammatory, and total lesion counts in subjects with mild to moderate acne compared to untreated hemi-faces after 15 days.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026

  • A 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, 2017

  • Dipotassium glycyrrhizinate-loaded hydroxypropyl chitosan and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) hydrogels applied to wounds in a mouse full-thickness skin defect model resulted in rapid wound closure, efficient tissue remolding, collagen deposition, and decreased inflammation compared to commercial Tegaderm film and 3M dressing controls.

    Acta Biomaterialia, 2022

  • The 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, 2020

  • Ten 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, 2001

  • Niacinamide/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, 2012

  • Combining 755 nm alexandrite laser with topical licorice gel significantly reduces terminal hair counts compared to alexandrite laser with placebo in women with idiopathic hirsutism.

    Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2015

  • Licochalcone A activated Nrf2 signaling, elevated cytoprotective enzymes, increased the reduced-to-oxidized glutathione ratio, and decreased reactive oxygen species in human fibroblasts and neutrophils, while a LicA-rich licorice extract lowered UVA-induced oxidative processes in vivo.

    Experimental Dermatology, 2015

  • Bioactive glycyrrhizic acid and oxymatrine ionic liquid self-assembled nanomicelles significantly promoted the transdermal permeation, subcutaneous retention, and anti-photoaging efficacy of palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 in cellular and animal models compared to unformulated peptide.

    Advanced Science, 2025

  • Different strains of Propionibacterium acnes modulate cutaneous innate immunity with varying pro-inflammatory potentials, with P. acnes type III showing the highest and P. avidum the weakest, and zinc gluconate down-regulates the expression of most induced immune markers.

    Experimental Dermatology, 2013

  • Zinc gluconate induced alpha2, alpha3, alphaV, and alpha6 integrins, copper gluconate induced alpha2, alpha6, and beta1, and manganese gluconate induced most studied integrins in cultured keratinocytes.

    The British Journal of Dermatology, 1999

Ingredients

Water, Zinc Coceth Sulfate, Glycerin, Peg-75, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Zinc Gluconate, Peg-200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate, Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Peg-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Sodium Benzoate, Masking, Disodium Edta

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
Download on theApp Store Get it onGoogle Play