EltaMD Foaming Facial Cleanser for oily skin
Bromelain
Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate
Sodium Cocoyl Apple Amino Acids
Capryloyl Glycine
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Average
- AverageOily Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for oily skin; other 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 exfoliation for your oily skin due to the presence of bromelain, which aids in gentle skin resurfacing and impurity removal. Sodium cocoyl glycinate further enhances the cleansing action, balancing oil production without causing dryness.
- The formula is safe for your oily skin as it lacks harsh ingredients and prohibited substances, minimizing irritation risk.
- While effective for cleansing and mild exfoliation, the product could be improved with additional seboregulating ingredients to more optimally manage shine.
How to apply
- Use your cleanser AM and PM every day to keep your skin fresh. Always make sure to follow with a good SPF in the morning.
- Apply your cleanser as the first step in the morning or the second step in the evening before your toner.
- Gently massage a small amount onto your face using circular motions, then rinse well with water .
- You can apply this cleanser safely on damp skin for a refreshing and easy wash.
- Avoid getting the product directly into your eyes and stop use if irritation occurs.
People Say
★4.6Overall rating based on 10.2k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this enzyme-based cleanser is highly regarded for its self-foaming technology that effectively cleans pores without stripping moisture, making it suitable for sensitive, acne-prone, and post-procedure skin. Most users appreciate the soft, clean finish and reduced inflammation. However, some users report issues with the pump dispenser and a few find the formula slightly drying.
Highlights
Gentle on sensitive skin Mostly Mentioned
- “Perfect for my sensitive post-laser skin”
- “Gentle enough for morning and night”
Effective deep clean Often Mentioned
- “Removes all my makeup in one go”
- “Pores look smaller and cleaner”
- “Face feels squeaky clean but soft”
Safe for problem skin Often Mentioned
- “Helped clear my hormonal acne”
- “Dermatologist recommended after microneedling”
- “Doesn't cause breakouts”
Pump dispenser issues Often Mentioned
- “Pump stopped working halfway through”
- “Have to unscrew the top to use it”
- “Dispenser gets clogged constantly”
Unique foaming action Sometimes Noted
- “Love how it bubbles up on its own”
- “The thick foam feels luxurious”
- “Tickles slightly but cleans deep”
Counterfeit product concerns Sometimes Noted
- “Product was watery and smelled wrong”
- “Fake bottle compared to my last one”
- “Seal was broken, consistency off”
Expensive price point Sometimes Noted
- “Great product but too pricey”
- “Wish it was cheaper for the size”
- “Expensive for a cleanser”
Can be drying Rarely Noted
- “Left my skin feeling stripped”
- “Too drying for winter use”
- “Made my face feel tight”
Sources: lovi.care, amazon.com, dermstore.com, lovelyskin.com, walmart.com, edcskincare.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does EltaMD Foaming Facial Cleanser work for oily skin?
EltaMD Foaming Facial Cleanser works as an average fit for oily skin because it offers moderate exfoliation and balances oil production safely, but a cleanser of this type for this skin needs ingredients like niacinamide, ceramides, glycerin, salicylic acid or probiotics to more optimally manage shine and support skin health.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for oily skin?
Bromelain and sodium cocoyl glycinate make this cleanser a good fit for oily skin by offering moderate exfoliation, removing impurities, and balancing oil production without causing dryness. A cleanser of this type needs additional ingredients like niacinamide, ceramides, or salicylic acid to more optimally manage shine and support skin health.
What does Bromelain do for oily skin?
Bromelain is not typically used to treat oily skin, as it is an enzyme mainly known for breaking down dead tissue and helping with wounds. Oily skin generally needs ingredients that balance oil production and keep pores clear, such as plant extracts that regulate sebum.
What does Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate do for oily skin?
Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate helps gently wash oily skin without stripping away essential moisture or harming the skin barrier, keeping your face soft and comfortable. Because it is a mild cleanser with low irritation potential, it is unlikely to cause redness or dry out your skin.
Where does it go in a skincare routine for oily skin?
This cleanser goes in your morning and evening routine, before your toner, moisturizer, and other steps. It is a good fit for oily skin because it gently washes away impurities and balances oil without causing dryness, though this skin type also needs extra oil-controlling ingredients to best manage shine.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cleanser with retinol by applying the cleanser first on damp skin, rinsing thoroughly, and then following with your retinol product once your face is completely dry. This cleanser helps clear impurities gently, but to get the best results with retinol, oily skin also needs extra shine-controlling ingredients like niacinamide or salicylic acid to help manage excess oil throughout the day.
How often should I use it?
You can use this cleanser in the morning and evening as part of your daily routine. It helps remove impurities and balance oil production safely without causing dryness.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts because it lacks harsh ingredients and is safe for your oily skin, though an oily skin type usually needs extra oil-controlling ingredients to manage shine.
Can I use it around the eyes or on my body?
You can use this cleanser on your body, but you should avoid the thin skin around your eyes since facial cleansers can easily dry out that delicate area. A body wash or cleanser for this skin needs extra moisture and mild cleansing ingredients to keep the skin soft and comfortable.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Oral bromelain slightly reduced pain compared to controls (mean difference -0.27) and topical bromelain reduced time to complete debridement by 6.89 days, with no major health risks reported.
Nutrition and Health, 2023An upcycled pineapple leaf fibre crosspolymer forms a physical barrier that protects against environmental aggressors while providing antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antipollution, UV protection, hydration, and hair benefits.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2026A coaxial electrospun core-shell nanofiber scaffold delivering bromelain and salvianolic acid B demonstrated sustained drug release, in vitro endothelial cell migration, increased capillary formation in an in ovo assay, and in vivo efficacy for skin regeneration and wound healing.
Biomedical Materials, 2017A soap-free cleansing lotion containing cetyl alcohol and sodium cocoyl apple amino acids reduced skin surface impurities and improved skin hydration, barrier function, and skin tone in 27 healthy adult subjects over 30 days.
Cureus, 2025Topical application of a formulation containing capryloyl glycine 4% significantly decreased hair density, median hair length, and terminal hair density on the forearms compared to placebo in female patients with hypertrichosis after 120 days.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021
Why other cleansers fit oily skin better
A 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, 2019A 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, 2021
Ingredients
Water, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Acrylates Copolymer, Sodium Cocoyl Apple Amino Acids, Methyl Perfluoroisobutyl Ether, Magnesium Silicate, Methyl Perfluorobutyl Ether, Bromelain, Peg Ppg-14 4 Dimethicone, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Isononyl Isononanoate, Ethylhexyl Isononanoate, Sodium Cocamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hydroxide, Capryloyl Glycine, Undecylenoyl Glycine, Sodium Bisulfite
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?
Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.