Drunk Elephant Slaai™ Makeup-Melting Butter Cleanser for acne-prone skin
Actinidia Chinensis Seed Oil
Strawberry Seed Oil
Sclerocarya Birrea Oil
Bamboo Booster
Charcoal Powder
Average
- AverageCombination Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
Works for acne-prone skin; other pre-cleansers fit it 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
- Offers moderate suitability for your combination skin as ethylhexyl palmitate and caprylic capric triglyceride effectively dissolve makeup and impurities, while Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil provides emollient action. The blend of oils and fruit extracts offers general cleansing and hydration benefits for your acne-prone skin, but lacks specialized ingredients for addressing blemishes.
- The formula is safe for your combination skin due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the inclusion of soothing agents like Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil and Helianthus Annuus Wax Seed.
- This cleanser is generally safe for your skin, with no risks of irritation.
How to apply
- Use this makeup remover PM as the first step of your evening routine to clear away dirt and oil. Start 3x/week and work up to daily use if your combination skin tolerates it well.
- Apply this makeup remover before cleansing and using the rest of your skin products. This ensures all makeup and impurities are fully washed away.
- Gently press a small amount of the makeup remover onto your face using a soft cotton pad. Avoid rubbing the skin too harshly to prevent irritation.
- Apply the makeup remover on dry skin to easily dissolve makeup and clear out blemishes. There is no need to dampen your face beforehand.
- Do a patch test before first use to ensure your skin reacts well. Avoid the delicate eye area while applying.
People Say
★3.8Overall rating based on 1.5k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, users with dry and sensitive skin frequently praise this balm for its effective waterproof makeup removal and moisturizing properties, leaving skin soft and dewy. Users with oily or acne-prone skin often report that the thick texture can leave a greasy residue and may cause breakouts. Some users also noted issues with the waxy texture and the bamboo booster.
Highlights
Effective makeup removal Mostly Mentioned
- “melts waterproof mascara”
- “dissolves heavy foundation”
- “removes every trace”
Moisturizing and non-stripping Often Mentioned
- “leaves skin soft”
- “dewy glow”
- “not tight”
Gentle, clean formula Sometimes Noted
- “fragrance-free”
- “no essential oils”
- “doesn't sting eyes”
Smart packaging design Sometimes Noted
- “magnetic spoon attachment”
- “spatula stays clean”
- “convenient lid storage”
Caused breakouts Sometimes Noted
- “cystic acne flare-ups”
- “clogged pores”
- “small bumps appeared”
Greasy residue Sometimes Noted
- “leaves oily film”
- “hard to rinse”
- “vision blurriness”
Bamboo booster issues Rarely Noted
- “too gritty/harsh”
- “tiny quantity”
- “difficult to mix”
Thick, waxy texture Rarely Noted
- “feels like candle wax”
- “difficult to spread”
- “heavy on skin”
Sources: lovi.care, sephora.my, thecut.com, reallyree.com, alexaskin.com, mybeautythesis.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Drunk Elephant Slaai Butter Cleanser work for acne-prone skin?
This cleanser works moderately well for acne-prone skin, melting away makeup and impurities safely without causing irritation. However, it lacks specialized ingredients to actively target blemishes. Makeup removers that fit this skin better need soothing properties and targeted ingredients to help manage breakouts.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for acne-prone skin?
This cleanser fits acne-prone skin with ingredients like Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Actinidia Chinensis Seed Oil, and bamboo extract, which help clean and soothe the skin without irritation. However, a cleanser for this skin also needs specialized blemish-fighting ingredients and lighter hydration.
What does Kiwi Seed Oil do for acne-prone skin?
Kiwi Seed Oil helps keep pores clear and calm for acne-prone skin, leaving it soft and smooth without feeling heavy. A product of this type for this skin needs lightweight, balancing ingredients that nourish the skin barrier while managing oil.
What does Strawberry Seed Oil do for acne-prone skin?
Strawberry Seed Oil helps keep oily skin feeling soft and smooth without making breakouts worse. It is a light oil that absorbs easily and is unlikely to clog your pores, though acne-prone skin still benefits from pairing it with lightweight moisture and gentle clearing ingredients.
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?
This makeup remover goes at the start of your evening routine to melt away makeup before cleansing, and works for your acne-prone skin even though it lacks specialized ingredients for calming blemishes, which this skin needs.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
Yes, you can use this makeup remover in your evening routine before your cleanser, leaving your skin soft and smooth without irritation. However, because this product lacks specialized ingredients for blemishes, acne-prone skin needs cleansers with targeted active ingredients to effectively clear breakouts.
How often should I use this cleanser?
You can use this makeup remover in the evening and during your weekly routine as part of an acne-prone skincare plan, though this skin type needs a product that also includes targeted blemish-fighting ingredients.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?
This cleanser is generally safe for your skin with no risks of irritation, but it may cause breakouts for acne-prone skin because it leaves a greasy residue. To better fit acne-prone skin, a product of this type needs specialized ingredients to address blemishes and clear pores.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Topical application of an emollient emulsion containing 15.0% caprylic/capric triglyceride doubled the amount of urocanic acid isomers and increased skin hydration with reduced transepidermal water loss in healthy subjects, though it did not prevent ultraviolet-induced urocanic acid isomerization.
Life, 2023Topical application of Sclerocarya birrea nut oil is non-irritant, exhibits significant moisturising and hydrating effects on lipid-dry skin, and shows occlusive properties on normal skin in healthy caucasian adult female volunteers.
Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2015Bamboo extract alleviates UV-induced apoptosis and reactive oxygen species production in primary human skin keratinocytes through the regulation of thioredoxin 1 and the NF-κB/p65 pathway.
Clinical Interventions in Aging, 2020Ethyl acetate and aqueous fractions of Bambusa vulgaris leaves accelerate cutaneous wound healing and inhibit carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats.
Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine, 2016Soap-and-water wash and superactive charcoal paste applied topically at various times after T-2 toxin exposure effectively reduced skin lesion severity in swine compared to untreated controls.
Fundamental and Applied Toxicology, 1989
Why other pre-cleansers fit acne-prone skin better
Co-delivery of paeonol and madecassoside via nanoemulsions improved transdermal delivery, promoted barrier repair proteins, inhibited inflammatory cytokine secretion in cellular and 3D models, and reduced transepidermal water loss and acne in human facial skin compared to free components.
Molecules, 2023
Ingredients
Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Lauryl Laurate, Polyglyceryl-3 Laurate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Helianthus Annuus Wax Seed Sunflower Wax Seed, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Euterpe Oleracea Oil Fruit, Actinidia Chinensis Fruit Extract, Strawberry Seed Extract, Cranberry Seed Oil, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Polyglyceryl-2 Caprate, Watermelon Seed Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Schinziophyton Rautanenii Kernel Oil, Blueberry Fruit Extract, Ximenia Americana Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Glycerin, Bambusa Vulgaris Stem Extract, Charcoal Powder, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Mannitol, Zea Mays Starch, 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.
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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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