Mario Badescu Enzyme Cleansing Gel for acne-prone skin
Carica Papaya Fruit Extract
Grapefruit Fruit Extract
Glycerin
Phenoxyethanol
Triethanolamine
Average
- HighCombination Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
Works for acne-prone skin; other cleansers fit it better.
- Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
- Giornale Italiano Di Dermatologia E Venereologia, 2015
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 cleansing and exfoliation for your combination skin, as Carica Papaya Fruit Extract and Grapefruit Fruit Extract provide mild enzymatic action to smooth texture and aid in pore refinement. Glycerin supports hydration, but these ingredients are not specifically targeted to address your acne, blemishes, and breakouts.
- The formulation is generally suitable for your skin type, with mild enzymatic exfoliation and antioxidant activity contributing to overall skin health.
- The safety profile is good, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the presence of soothing components like Glycerin and Carica Papaya Fruit Extract.
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
★4.4Overall rating based on 2.0k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this non-foaming gel cleanser is highly recommended for combination and oily skin types, effectively removing excess oil and impurities while maintaining skin hydration. Users frequently report a brighter, refreshed complexion and improved skin texture. However, it may not fully remove heavy makeup and some users dislike the lack of lather or are concerned about parabens.
Highlights
Gentle and non-drying Mostly Mentioned
- “does not strip skin”
- “leaves face soft”
- “gentle enough for daily use”
- “no tight feeling”
Brightening and refreshing Often Mentioned
- “leaves skin bright”
- “complexion looks refreshed”
- “gives a nice glow”
- “revives dull skin”
Effective oil control Often Mentioned
- “removes excess oil”
- “great for oily skin”
- “balances my combination skin”
- “keeps shine away”
Poor makeup removal Often Mentioned
- “doesn't remove mascara”
- “need a separate remover”
- “leaves residue”
- “not for heavy makeup”
Improves skin texture Sometimes Noted
- “skin feels smoother”
- “helps with blackheads”
- “reduces bumps”
- “exfoliates gently”
Pleasant scent Sometimes Noted
- “smells like a spa”
- “fresh clean scent”
- “love the smell”
- “light and pleasant”
Non-foaming texture Sometimes Noted
- “doesn't foam at all”
- “weird gel texture”
- “miss the bubbles”
- “feels like slime”
Contains parabens Rarely Noted
- “contains methylparaben”
- “wish it was paraben-free”
- “ingredients aren't clean”
- “avoiding preservatives”
Eye irritation Rarely Noted
- “burns my eyes”
- “stings if it gets in eyes”
- “avoid eye area”
- “painful on eyes”
Price vs. value Rarely Noted
- “a bit pricey”
- “better cheaper options”
- “paying for the brand”
- “not worth the money”
Sources: lovi.care, ulta.com, mariobadescu.com, sephora.com, spacenk.com, beautybay.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Mario Badescu Enzyme Cleansing Gel work for acne-prone skin?
Mario Badescu Enzyme Cleansing Gel is an average fit for acne-prone skin because it gently refreshes and smooths texture with fruit extracts, but it lacks specific ingredients to target breakouts. A cleanser for this skin needs powerful blemish-fighting ingredients like niacinamide and ceramides, alongside soothing and hydrating agents to balance oily and dry areas safely.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for acne-prone skin?
Carica Papaya Fruit Extract and Grapefruit Fruit Extract help smooth texture and refine pores with mild enzymatic action, while glycerin supports hydration. However, cleansers for acne-prone skin need powerful ingredients like niacinamide, ceramides, or multiple forms of hyaluronic acid to effectively target breakouts and maintain moisture balance.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Giornale Italiano Di Dermatologia E Venereologia, 2015
What does Papaya Fruit Extract do for acne-prone skin?
Papaya fruit extract helps clear acne-prone skin by gently removing dead skin cells and clearing pores. This helps reduce both pimples and red bumps when used consistently in your routine.
Giornale Italiano Di Dermatologia E Venereologia, 2015International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2023
What does Grapefruit Fruit Extract do for acne-prone skin?
Grapefruit Fruit Extract helps calm redness and swelling on acne-prone skin while protecting against everyday irritation and stress. Because it is rich in antioxidants, this ingredient may help keep your skin clear and smooth when used regularly in your routine.
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?
This cleanser goes in the morning and evening routine steps right before your toner or makeup remover. Acne-prone skin needs a cleanser that pairs mild enzymatic action with targeted blemish-fighting ingredients to properly clear breakouts.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cleanser alongside retinol, but because it does not target breakouts, acne-prone skin needs a dedicated treatment product with ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide to clear blemishes.
How often should I use this cleanser?
You can use this cleanser daily in your morning and evening routine, as it offers gentle cleansing and mild enzymatic exfoliation. Acne-prone skin needs a cleanser that pairs mild cleansing with targeted blemish-fighting ingredients and soothing components to properly address breakouts.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts because it is free of harsh ingredients, but it does not specifically target acne, blemishes, or breakouts. Acne-prone skin needs cleansers with targeted active ingredients that clear pores and address breakouts directly.
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 thin skin around your eyes to prevent irritation. This type of skin needs extra gentle, hydrating formulas without strong fruit extracts or foaming agents.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (parfum, linalool, hexyl cinnamal, benzyl alcohol, limonene, citronellol, and geraniol).
What the research says
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, 2017A fixed combination of hydroxypinacolone retinoate, retinol glycospheres, and papain glycospheres in aqueous gel applied once daily for 12 weeks achieved a 41% mean reduction in GAGS score and a 40.8% mean reduction in total lesions, with 15.3% of patients experiencing mild to moderate local side effects, in 94 evaluable patients with comedonal-papular, mild to moderate acne of the face.
Giornale Italiano Di Dermatologia E Venereologia, 2015Topical application of a naringenin-containing formulation protected hairless mice from ultraviolet B-induced skin damage by inhibiting edema, cytokine production, superoxide anion, and lipid hydroperoxides while maintaining antioxidant enzymes and glutathione levels.
PloS One, 2016Topical papain treatment may slightly decrease pain within 30 minutes in humans stung by Chrysaora chinensis compared to placebo.
Wilderness & Environmental Medicine, 2016Reflux extraction of Carica papaya leaves yielded higher antioxidant capacity and superior in vitro wound-healing activities including fibroblast proliferation, cell migration, and collagen synthesis in human skin fibroblasts compared to ultrasonic-assisted extraction and agitation.
Molecules, 2020Carica papaya leaf extracts obtained via supercritical fluid and conventional methods demonstrated antioxidant and cytoprotective effects on skin fibroblasts against oxidative stress, driven by their respective lipophilic and hydrophilic constituents.
Molecules, 2021Topical application of an aqueous gel containing 0.1% w/w naringenin demonstrated in vitro safety, significantly reduced UV-induced stratum corneum lipid peroxidation, and showed in vivo anti-inflammatory efficacy against methyl nicotinate-induced inflammation in human participants compared to a blank gel and untreated area, while chlorogenic acid, apigenin, and kaempferol displayed pro-oxidant profiles.
Frontiers in Chemistry, 2024Encapsulating naringenin, nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA), and kaempferol into nanostructured lipid carriers provided prolonged release, stability, and antioxidant protection against oxidative stress in human keratinocytes, with an NDGA and kaempferol mixture showing synergistic antioxidant effects.
Pharmaceutics, 2021Naringenin prevented UV-B radiation-induced mitochondrial fragmentation, oxidative stress, and inflammation in human dermal fibroblasts and Balb/c mice.
Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology. B, Biology, 2024The 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 2% tea lotion significantly decreased inflammatory lesions and was superior to 5% zinc sulphate solution in patients with acne vulgaris.
Saudi Medical Journal, 2008Topical 2% tea lotion significantly reduced the mean lesion count of papules and pustules in patients with mild to moderate acne vulgaris compared to a control solution over 2 months.
Saudi Medical Journal, 2006
Why other 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, 2023A 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, 2024
Ingredients
Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Peg-8 Stearate, Ppg-2 Hydroxyethyl Cocamide, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Grapefruit Fruit Extract, Carbomer, Sodium Chloride, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Triethanolamine, Diazolidinyl Urea, Mica, Ci 77891 Titanium Dioxide, Ci 19140 Yellow 5, Ci 42090 Blue 1, Ci 15985, Linalool, Hexyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Alcohol, Limonene, Citronellol, Geraniol
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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