Curél Foaming Facial Wash for oily skin
Glycerin
Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Lauryl Hydroxysultaine
Maltitol
Low
- LowOily Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- ConcerningSafety
A weak match for oily skin; the cleansers alongside 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
- Suboptimal for your oily skin as glycerin and maltitol provide humectant action that may not be ideal for managing excess sebum, while sodium cocoyl glutamate and lauryl hydroxysultaine offer moderate cleansing benefits.
- The product offers general skincare benefits like hydration and soothing, with Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate contributing to a gentle experience, but these are largely supportive and not directly targeted at your oily shine concerns.
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
★4.7Overall rating based on 700+ reviewsThe product is frequently described as gentle and non-stripping, leaving the face feeling soft and clean rather than tight or "squeaky," though it is widely recommended to be used as a second step in a double-cleansing routine for heavy makeup.
Highlights
Gentle and non-stripping Mostly Mentioned
- “doesn't strip skin of moisture”
- “no tightness after rinsing”
- “skin feels soft and comfortable”
- “perfect for my sensitive barrier”
Dense, rich foam Often Mentioned
- “foam is dense and luxurious”
- “one pump gives rich lather”
- “velvety texture on skin”
- “bubbles last through the wash”
Safe for sensitive skin Often Mentioned
- “calmed my redness”
- “only wash that doesn't break me out”
- “great for reactive skin”
Fragrance-free Sometimes Noted
- “completely scentless”
- “no chemical smell”
- “great for fragrance sensitivity”
- “smells like nothing”
Not for heavy makeup Sometimes Noted
- “need an oil cleanser first”
- “won't take off mascara”
- “too gentle for full glam”
- “better as a morning wash”
Price vs. quantity Sometimes Noted
- “runs out faster than tube cleansers”
- “a bit pricey for the amount”
- “wish the bottle was bigger”
- “refills are hard to find”
Not actively moisturizing Rarely Noted
- “still need moisturizer immediately”
- “not as hydrating as a cream cleanser”
- “felt a little dry in winter”
- “neutral but not moisturizing”
Packaging issues Rarely Noted
- “pump got stuck”
- “bulky bottle for travel”
- “hard to tell how much is left”
- “leaked in my bag”
Sources: lovi.care, boots.com, curel.com, lookfantastic.com, influenster.com, and more
Questions and answers
Why is Curél Foaming Facial Wash a weak match for oily skin?
This cleanser is a weak match for oily skin because its ingredients mainly add moisture rather than manage excess shine and oil. Cleansers that fit oily skin better need ingredients like niacinamide, ceramides, or salicylic acid to control oil and minimize pores without causing irritation.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a poor fit for oily skin?
Glycerin and maltitol make this cleanser a suboptimal fit for oily skin because they provide hydration that does not help manage excess shine. A cleanser for this skin needs ingredients like niacinamide, ceramides, or salicylic acid to control oil and minimize pores without causing irritation.
What does Glycerin do for oily skin?
Glycerin helps keep oily skin hydrated without feeling heavy and supports the skin barrier. Because this product is a weak fit for your skin, an ideal product of this type needs lightweight hydrators and ingredients that balance oil while protecting the skin.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2008International Journal of Toxicology, 2019
What does Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate do for oily skin?
Sodium cocoyl glutamate helps wash away excess oil and dirt while being very gentle on the skin. This mild ingredient is less likely to cause dryness or irritation, keeping oily skin clean and comfortable.
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for oily skin?
This cleanser fits into both your morning and evening routines as the first step after removing makeup. Because it focuses on gentle soothing and hydration rather than managing excess shine, an oily skin type needs a cleanser with balancing ingredients that target oil and deep clean pores.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cleanser with retinol, applying it before your retinol treatment. Because your skin is oily, an oily skin routine needs a cleanser with ingredients that help control excess shine.
How often should I use this cleanser?
You can use this gentle cleanser twice a day as part of your morning and evening routine, though it is a weak match for oily skin because its ingredients focus more on hydration and soothing than managing excess shine. Oily skin needs a cleanser with oil-controlling ingredients like salicylic acid or clay to help clear away extra sebum and keep pores clean.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to directly clog pores or cause breakouts for oily skin, as its gentle ingredients are generally well-tolerated. However, it does not target excess sebum or shine. Oily skin needs cleansers with oil-absorbing ingredients and balancing agents like salicylic acid or clay to truly manage shine and keep pores clear.
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
You can safely use this gentle cleanser around the eyes and on your body because its mild ingredients are well tolerated by thinner skin areas. For oily skin, however, this type of cleanser needs oil-controlling and clarifying ingredients to properly manage shine.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
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 topical formulation containing panthenol, niacinamide, and dipotassium glycyrrhizate increased skin hydration by 74.1% and reduced transepidermal water loss by 13.5% at 28 days compared to baseline and untreated control in 35 individuals with xerosis.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026The 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, 2012Combining 755 nm alexandrite laser with topical licorice gel significantly reduces terminal hair counts compared to alexandrite laser with placebo in women with idiopathic hirsutism.
Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2015Licochalcone A activated Nrf2 signaling, elevated cytoprotective enzymes, increased the reduced-to-oxidized glutathione ratio, and decreased reactive oxygen species in human fibroblasts and neutrophils, while a LicA-rich licorice extract lowered UVA-induced oxidative processes in vivo.
Experimental Dermatology, 2015Bioactive glycyrrhizic acid and oxymatrine ionic liquid self-assembled nanomicelles significantly promoted the transdermal permeation, subcutaneous retention, and anti-photoaging efficacy of palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 in cellular and animal models compared to unformulated peptide.
Advanced Science, 2025
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, Glycerin, Maltitol, Propylene Glycol, Peg-150, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Sodium Lauroyl Aspartate, Lauryl Hydroxysultaine, Polysorbate 60, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium Edta, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Potassium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben
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.