Lagom Cellup Gel To Water Cleanser for oily acne-prone skin
Sodium Hyaluronate
Glycerin
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil Lavender OilAverage
- HighOily Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for oily acne-prone skin; other cleansers fit it better.
- Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2020
- Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
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 hydration for your oily skin, with Sapindus Mukorossi Fruit Extract and Saponaria Officinalis Leaf Extract effectively cleansing pores, while Glycerin and Sodium Hyaluronate provide humectant action without being occlusive.
- While it addresses oiliness, the formula lacks targeted ingredients like salicylic acid for your acne, blemishes, and breakouts.
- The product is safe for your skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.
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
★4.8Overall rating based on 600+ reviewsThis cleanser is widely praised as an ideal morning wash for dry and sensitive skin due to its unique texture that transforms from a plump gel into a watery liquid upon contact. Users consistently report that it effectively removes overnight oil and light impurities without stripping the moisture barrier, leaving the face feeling refreshed, soft, and hydrated rather than tight.
Highlights
Gentle & Non-stripping Mostly Mentioned
- “feels clean but not stripped dry”
- “incredibly gentle for sensitive skin”
- “doesn't dry out my skin”
- “skin feels soft afterward”
Perfect for Mornings Often Mentioned
- “best morning cleanser”
- “removes overnight impurities”
- “great for waking up the skin”
- “perfect light cleanse”
Unique Texture Often Mentioned
- “melts into water”
- “light and refreshing”
- “glides smoothly”
- “cool watery sensation”
Hydrating Finish Sometimes Noted
- “instant hydration boost”
- “leaves skin moist”
- “feels like a hydrating gel”
- “skin feels plump”
Pleasant Scent Sometimes Noted
- “smells like clean laundry”
- “light herbal scent”
- “uplifting citrus smell”
- “relaxing fragrance”
Weak cleansing power Sometimes Noted
- “doesn't remove makeup well”
- “not enough for heavy sunscreen”
- “too weak for night use”
- “need a separate makeup remover”
Eye irritation Rarely Noted
- “stings my eyes”
- “slight tingling in eyes”
- “hurts if it gets in eyes”
- “eye area sensitivity”
Lack of foam Rarely Noted
- “doesn't foam at all”
- “confused when it didn't lather”
- “miss the bubbly feeling”
- “feels like rubbing gel”
Price Rarely Noted
- “price is a bit much”
- “luxury purchase”
- “expensive for a face wash”
- “wait for a sale”
Residue/Film Rarely Noted
- “leaves a film”
- “hard to rinse off completely”
- “felt a bit slimy”
- “residue left behind”
Sources: lovi.care, iherb.com, stylekorean.com, sokoglam.com, oliveyoung.com, reddit.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Lagom Cellup Gel To Water Cleanser work for oily acne-prone skin?
Lagom Cellup Gel To Water Cleanser works moderately well for oily acne-prone skin, cleansing pores and providing hydration without heavy oils, though it lacks targeted blemish-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid. Oily acne-prone skin needs a product that effectively clears pores and controls oil while deeply addressing breakouts with powerful active ingredients and gentle, non-irritating cleansers.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for oily acne-prone skin?
Sapindus mukorossi fruit extract and saponaria officinalis leaf extract help clean pores, while glycerin and sodium hyaluronate add moisture without feeling heavy on oily skin. This type of skin needs a cleanser that is exceptionally safe, addresses acne and blemishes with powerful ingredients, and features gentle surfactants and skin-beneficial extracts to maintain balance and clarity without stripping.
What does Hyaluronic Acid do for oily acne-prone skin?
Hyaluronic acid helps calm oily acne-prone skin by reducing sebum production and lipid synthesis in sebaceous glands. It also supports skin barrier function and improves hydration while helping deliver treatments without causing irritation.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2017Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022
What does Glycerin do for oily acne-prone skin?
Glycerin helps keep oily acne-prone skin hydrated without feeling heavy. It draws moisture into the skin while supporting the skin barrier so it stays soft and balanced.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2008Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin?
This cleanser goes in the morning and evening steps of your routine to clean pores, though for oily acne-prone skin it needs to include targeted ingredients like salicylic acid to address breakouts.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cleanser with retinol by washing your face with it before applying your retinol treatment. It is unlikely to irritate your skin, but because it does not target breakouts, oily acne-prone skin needs a cleanser that includes blemish-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid.
How often should I use this cleanser?
This cleanser works fine in your daily routine, though an oily acne-prone skin type needs a cleanser with targeted blemish-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily acne-prone skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts because it has a safe profile without harsh ingredients, but it lacks targeted blemish-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid to properly clear up acne-prone skin.
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
You can use this cleanser on your body, but it is best to avoid the very thin skin around the eyes where the skin is most delicate. It offers gentle cleansing with a very good safety profile that is unlikely to cause irritation.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no fragrance and contains drying alcohol (alcohol).
What the research says
An antiacne herbal cream containing Saponaria officinalis, Inula helenium, and Solanum nigrum extracts led to the disappearance of 91.4% of acne lesions by the end of six weeks in 27 acne patients compared to placebo.
Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2020A 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, 2017Saponaria officinalis callus extract suppressed inflammatory mediators in macrophages, showed no skin irritation in 30 volunteers, and significantly reduced desquamation by 44.07% in 21 participants, demonstrating significant anti-inflammatory and exfoliating effects.
Plants, 2025Topical application of 0.1% hyaluronic acid formulations of different molecular weights led to significant improvements in skin hydration and elasticity, with low-molecular-weight formulations also significantly reducing wrinkle depth in seventy-six female subjects compared to a vehicle control.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2011Topical application of hyaluronic acid in conjunction with free gingival graft significantly reduced donor site postoperative pain until day 7 compared to normal saline, with no significant differences in graft dimensions or patient satisfaction.
Clinical Oral Investigations, 2022Treatment with a hyaluronic acid-containing mouth rinse or topical gel led to significant lesion reduction, pain relief, and normalization of lesion color in adult patients with minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis, with the gel formulation showing an earlier healing onset at 3 days.
BMC Oral Health, 2019The 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, 2012Topical purslane at 5% and 10% concentrations achieved alleviation of symptoms and lesion remission comparable to topical 0.1% triamcinolone acetonide in 34 subjects with oral lichen planus over 90 days.
BMC Oral Health, 2023Facial masks containing low-temperature extracted Portulaca oleracea protect sensitive skin from photothermal stimulation and improve skin barrier function during photorejuvenation.
Cutaneous and Ocular Toxicology, 2025Portulaca oleracea extract ameliorated skin barrier damage and inflammation induced by combined exposure to glycolic acid and UVB in HaCaT cells.
Cutaneous and Ocular Toxicology, 2022Limonene protects immortalized human skin keratinocytes against UVB-induced photodamage and photoaging by increasing cell viability, inhibiting intracellular ROS generation, suppressing alpha-MSH secretion, and preventing depletion of tight junction proteins through activation of the Nrf2-dependent antioxidant defense system.
Environmental Toxicology, 2022Topical application of Foeniculum vulgare compounds fenchone and limonene increased wound contraction and re-epithelialization in rats compared to untreated and sham control groups over 10 days.
Biotechnic & Histochemistry, 2017Cold pressed terpeneless Valencia orange oil completely inhibited Campylobacter jejuni and reduced cells attached to chicken skin by 1.5 to 2 logarithms compared to control, while showing variable inhibition against Campylobacter coli and Arcobacter spp.
International Journal of Food Microbiology, 2009Polysaccharide-based O/W emulsions incorporated with lavender essential oil applied to cellulosic support are non-irritating, provide softness and moisturizing effects, and are safe for topical patch applications.
International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2021Gellan gum hydrogel films co-encapsulating ofloxacin with tea tree or lavender oil achieved 98% wound contraction and completely healed epidermis in rats after ten days of treatment compared to baseline.
International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2021Topical application of lavender oil significantly promoted wound contraction, collagen synthesis, and fibroblast differentiation with up-regulation of TGF-beta in a rat model compared to control.
BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2016
Why other cleansers fit oily acne-prone skin better
Topical 5% tea tree oil gel significantly improved total acne lesions and acne severity index compared to placebo in 60 patients with mild to moderate acne vulgaris, showing 3.55 times and 5.75 times greater efficacy respectively.
Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology, 2007Tea tree oil gel and face wash significantly reduced total facial acne lesions from 23.7 to 10.7 and improved investigator global assessment scores in 14 participants with mild to moderate facial acne over 12 weeks.
The Australasian Journal of Dermatology, 2017A novel emulsion containing niacinamide, lens esculenta seed extract, and white willow bark extract effectively improved acne, blackheads, and conspicuous facial pores in 30 subjects with oily skin.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
Ingredients
Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Peg-6 Caprylic Capric Glycerides, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Peg-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Urea, Chlorphenesin, Disodium Edta, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil, Butylene Glycol, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil Lavender Oil, Alcohol, Geranium Oil, Bergamot Oil Fruit, Sandalwood Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Rose Oil Flower, Chamomilla Recutita Oil Flower Matricaria Oil Flower, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Styrax Benzoin Gum, Commiphora Myrrha Oil, Coconut Acid, Sapindus Mukorossi Fruit Extract, Saponaria Officinalis Leaf Extract, Maltodextrin, Hydrolyzed Protein, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Coco-Caprylate Caprate, Dimethicone, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Cetyl Phosphate, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
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
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