Clarins Total Cleansing Oil for acne-prone skin
Alpine Golden Gentian Extract
Melissa Officinalis Extract
Sunflower Seed Oil
Apricot Kernel Oil
Moringa Oleifera Seed ExtractAverage
- 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 combination skin as Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil and Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil provide emollient action, but it lacks sufficient ingredients for optimal oil control to address your acne, blemishes, and breakouts.
- The formula provides excellent makeup removal and general cleansing benefits, with Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract offering antioxidant properties.
- The safety profile is good, with no risks of irritation for your combination skin due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the presence of soothing components.
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
★4.3Overall rating based on 1.4k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, users frequently praise this lightweight oil for its ability to emulsify into a milky texture that removes waterproof makeup without stripping moisture, leaving skin feeling soft and hydrated. Many appreciate the floral scent and the post-wash feel. A minority of users with oily or sensitive eyes report issues with blurry vision or find the fragrance overpowering.
Highlights
Gentle and non-drying Mostly Mentioned
- “skin feels supple”
- “doesn't strip skin”
- “good for sensitive skin”
Effective makeup remover Often Mentioned
- “melts everything away”
- “removes stubborn makeup”
- “no raccoon eyes”
Luxurious scent Sometimes Noted
- “smells amazing”
- “relaxing fragrance”
- “refreshing herbal scent”
Pleasant texture Sometimes Noted
- “emulsifies beautifully”
- “silky consistency”
- “no greasy residue”
Eye irritation Sometimes Noted
- “cloudy eyes”
- “stings eyes”
- “oil film on contacts”
High price Sometimes Noted
- “pricey for face wash”
- “expensive habit”
- “steep price point”
Little goes long way Rarely Noted
- “one pump is enough”
- “bottle lasts months”
- “economical usage”
Breakouts Rarely Noted
- “caused small bumps”
- “clogged my pores”
- “broke me out”
Strong fragrance Rarely Noted
- “smell is overwhelming”
- “too much perfume”
- “scent lingers”
Thin consistency Rarely Noted
- “very watery”
- “runs through fingers”
- “messy pump”
Sources: lovi.care, sephora.com, clarinsusa.com, boots.ie, influenster.com, ulta.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Clarins Total Cleansing Oil work for acne-prone skin?
Clarins Total Cleansing Oil works moderately well for acne-prone skin, as it cleanses effectively and feels gentle, but it lacks enough oil-controlling ingredients to properly manage breakouts. A makeup remover for this skin needs soothing plant extracts and lightweight hydrators like hyaluronic acid or squalane to balance oily and dry areas without clogging pores.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for acne-prone skin?
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil and Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil help make this cleanser a decent fit by providing gentle softening action without irritation. However, this skin type needs a cleanser that also includes ingredients for oil control and targeted blemish care.
What does Alpine Golden Gentian Extract do for acne-prone skin?
Alpine Golden Gentian Extract helps calm acne-prone skin and keeps oily areas balanced. It is unlikely to clog pores and may reduce redness associated with breakouts.
What does Lemon Balm Extract do for acne-prone skin?
Lemon balm extract is generally not highlighted for treating acne, as its main studied benefits focus on keeping skin smooth and firm by supporting collagen and reducing wrinkles. For acne-prone skin, a product typically needs ingredients that help clear pores and calm redness.
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?
This makeup remover goes in the evening routine before your cleanser, or as a weekly first step before cleansing. To better address your acne and breakouts, acne-prone skin needs a makeup remover or cleanser with ingredients that help control oil.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this makeup remover in your evening routine before your regular cleanser and retinol treatment. It helps clear away makeup gently without harsh ingredients, but acne-prone skin also needs targeted oil-control ingredients to properly address breakouts.
How often should I use this cleanser?
You can use this makeup remover in your evening routine and weekly routine to gently take off makeup without causing irritation. Acne-prone skin works best with cleansers that also provide oil-controlling ingredients to help target breakouts.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?
This cleanser may not be the best fit for acne-prone skin because it lacks sufficient ingredients for oil control while using plant oils that leave skin soft. To properly care for acne-prone skin, a cleanser of this type needs targeted oil-balancing ingredients that clear out pores and manage breakouts without heaviness.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (parfum).
What the research says
Gentiana lutea extract increases lipid synthesis and triglyceride levels in human primary keratinocytes in vitro via p38 MAPK and PPARgamma signaling, and significantly increases skin lipid content in a proof-of-concept trial of 33 volunteers compared to placebo.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2017Topical application of Gentiana lutea extract reduced average roughness, relief of the upper eyelid skin, and redness of dark circles in 22 subjects after 14 days compared to placebo.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2023Topical application of a cream containing the NHE1 activator rosmarinic acid decreased skin surface pH and transepidermal water loss while increasing skin hydration in 50-60-year-old adult females compared to vehicle cream and no treatment.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2022Topical treatment with a lemon balm leaf extract formulation reduced eye-corner wrinkles in 20 healthy women compared to placebo by promoting Endo180 production and inhibiting the decline in collagen levels.
Photodermatology, Photoimmunology & Photomedicine, 2025Incorporating rosmarinic acid into sunscreens enhanced the in vivo SPF of octocrylene by over 157% and reduced lipid peroxidation in the human stratum corneum.
Antioxidants, 2025Aqueous standardized leaf extracts of Moringa oleifera showed the highest human dermal fibroblast and human keratinocyte proliferation and migration properties, leading to the development of an alginate-pectin film dressing with optimal physicochemical properties.
Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2018Topical administration of Moringa oleifera seed extract on excision wounds in male albino rabbits significantly increased the wound healing rate, elevated TGF-β1, VEGF, and Type I collagen relative expression, and reduced inflammatory markers like IL-1β and TNF-α compared to untreated and MEBO-treated groups.
Antioxidants, 2022Moringa oleifera leaf extracts provided significant UV protection with an SPF of 2 at 2% to 4% concentrations and showed no significant irritant potential in cosmetic formulations.
Molecules, 2018
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
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Sunflower Seed Oil, C9-12 Alkane, Peg-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil Apricot Kernel Oil, Water, Propanediol, Parfum, Tocopherol, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Sodium Citrate, Gentiana Lutea Extract, Citric Acid, Capsicum Annuum Fruit Extract, Maltodextrin, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract Rosemary Leaf 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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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
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Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
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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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