Sulwhasoo Gentle Cleansing Oil for oily acne-prone skin
Camellia Japonica Seed Oil
Coconut Oil
Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil Apricot Kernel Oil
Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Extract
Squalane
Average
- AverageOily Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
Works for oily acne-prone skin; other pre-cleansers fit it better.
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 suitability for your oily skin as Squalane and Caprylic Capric Triglyceride provide emollient action, though it lacks sufficient seboregulating ingredients for optimal oil management.
- The formula provides excellent makeup removal due to cleansing oils like Caprylic Capric Triglyceride and Squalane, but it lacks specialized ingredients like salicylic acid to effectively target your acne and breakouts.
- The safety profile is good, with no risks of irritation for your oily skin due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the presence of soothing agents like Squalane and Camellia Japonica Seed Oil.
How to apply
- Use this makeup remover PM as the first step of your evening routine to clear away impurities. Start by using it 3×/week before working up to daily use if your skin tolerates it well.
- Apply this makeup remover before your regular cleanser and toner. Follow it with your usual cleansing steps to ensure all residue is thoroughly washed away.
- Gently press a small amount of the makeup remover onto your face using soft cotton pads. Avoid harsh rubbing to prevent irritating your blemishes and active breakouts.
- Apply the makeup remover on completely dry skin to effectively break down excess oil and makeup. Clean away thoroughly before moving on to the next skincare steps .
- Do a patch test before your first use to ensure your skin reacts well. Avoid getting the product directly into your eyes .
People Say
★4.8Overall rating based on 800+ reviewsUsers with dry to combination skin frequently praise this oil for effectively dissolving makeup and sunscreen without stripping moisture, noting a pleasant, spa-like herbal scent. A moderate number of reviewers mention eye irritation and blurry vision, while a low number of users with acne-prone skin reported breakouts.
Highlights
Effective makeup removal Mostly Mentioned
- “melts waterproof mascara”
- “removes stubborn sunscreen”
- “dissolves heavy foundation”
- “cleans pores deeply”
Non-stripping, hydrating Mostly Mentioned
- “skin feels soft”
- “never dry or tight”
- “leaves face moisturized”
- “gentle on sensitive skin”
Elegant texture Sometimes Noted
- “glides over skin”
- “emulsifies instantly”
- “rinses clean without residue”
- “lightweight consistency”
Luxurious herbal scent Sometimes Noted
- “smells like a spa”
- “relaxing hanbang scent”
- “lovely ginseng fragrance”
- “earthy and calming”
Eye irritation Sometimes Noted
- “stings my eyes”
- “causes blurry vision”
- “burns if it gets in eyes”
- “cloudy eyes after rinsing”
High price point Sometimes Noted
- “very expensive”
- “pricey for a cleanser”
- “hard to justify cost”
- “luxury splurge”
Potential breakouts Rarely Noted
- “caused cystic acne”
- “clogged my pores”
- “broke me out”
- “caused whiteheads”
Strong fragrance Rarely Noted
- “scent is too strong”
- “overpowering herbal smell”
- “smells like medicine”
- “fragrance lingers”
Sources: lovi.care, sephora.com, nordstrom.com, influenster.com, reddit.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Sulwhasoo Gentle Cleansing Oil work for oily acne-prone skin?
Sulwhasoo Gentle Cleansing Oil works moderately well for oily acne-prone skin, as it melts away makeup nicely and is unlikely to cause irritation, but it lacks oil-controlling ingredients like salicylic acid. A product of this type needs lightweight hydrators and oil-balancing components that manage excess sebum without clogging pores or causing breakouts.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for oily acne-prone skin?
Squalane and camellia japonica seed oil make this cleanser a good fit because they soothe your skin without causing irritation. Oily acne-prone skin needs a product of this type that also manages excess oil and helps clear breakouts with ingredients like salicylic acid.
What does Camellia Seed Oil do for oily acne-prone skin?
Camellia seed oil helps keep skin soft and smooth by locking in moisture without feeling heavy, and it is unlikely to clog pores or cause irritation. It helps protect the skin barrier and keeps hydration balanced, making it a gentle option for skin that gets oily and breaks out.
What does Coconut Oil do for oily acne-prone skin?
Coconut oil is generally a poor fit for oily, acne-prone skin because its heavy texture may clog pores and trigger breakouts. Skincare for this skin type needs lightweight ingredients that hydrate without feeling heavy and help keep pores clear.
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin?
This makeup remover goes in the evening routine before your cleanser, and as part of your weekly routine. An oily acne-prone skin type needs a makeup remover that also includes oil-controlling and breakout-targeting ingredients.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this makeup remover in the evening before your cleanser and retinol treatment. It helps gently melt away makeup while keeping your skin calm, though an oily skin type also needs ingredients like salicylic acid to properly manage breakouts.
How often should I use this cleanser?
You can use this makeup remover in your evening routine to wash away makeup and sunscreen. An oily acne-prone skin needs a product of this type that also brings oil-balancing ingredients and blemish-fighting acids to manage breakouts.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily acne-prone skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to cause irritation for your oily skin, though a product of this type needs acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid to properly manage breakouts and clear pores.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (parfum, limonene, and linalool).
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, 2023Camellia japonica oil activated the human COL1A2 promoter, induced type I procollagen synthesis, inhibited matrix metalloproteinase-1 activity, and reduced trans-epidermal water loss without inducing adverse reactions in human skin.
Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2007Squalane at 0.005-0.015% counteracts UVA-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and collagen metabolism inhibition while stimulating fibroblast migration in human dermal fibroblasts.
Molecules, 2025Liquid crystalline emulsions formulated with camellia seed oil and four different surfactant combinations reduced transepidermal water loss and increased skin hydration without causing skin irritation, with the formulation containing Lecinol S-10 and Tween 80 demonstrating the best clinical results.
Scientific Reports, 2023Overnight virgin coconut oil application provides a skin protective effect against damage and increased TEWL from frequent alcohol-based hand sanitizer usage in 60 volunteers, resulting in a 25% increase in perceived moisture content compared to the control group.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Plant-derived squalane protected human dermal fibroblasts against UVA-induced damage by counteracting ROS formation, suppressing apoptosis-related proteins p53, caspase-3, caspase-9, and PARP, and restoring the pro-survival p-Akt/mTOR pathway.
Antioxidants, 2025
Why other pre-cleansers fit oily acne-prone skin better
Epigallocatechin-3-gallate significantly improved acne in patients compared to the control side during an 8-week clinical trial.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2013Topical application of tocopherol succinate ethosomal gel decreased erythema, melanin, and sebum levels while improving moisture content and skin elasticity in 34 human women.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
Ingredients
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Isopropyl Palmitate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Peg-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, Peg-8 Isostearate, Coconut Oil, Dextrin Palmitate, Parfum, Limonene, Glyceryl Behenate Eicosadioate, Coco-Caprylate Caprate, Squalane, Linalool, Water, Butylene Glycol, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil Apricot Kernel Oil, Pinus Koraiensis Seed Oil, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Extract, Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract, Chestnut Shell Extract, Spirodela Polyrhiza Extract, Prunus Mume Seed Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Seed Extract, Tangerine Peel Extract
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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