🇫🇷France

Isntree Mugwort Calming Powder Wash for acne-prone skin

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes

Isntree Mugwort Calming Powder Wash

High

  • HighCombination Skin Fit
  • AverageEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

A great choice for acne-prone skin; a few products fit it even 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 cleansing and exfoliation for your acne-prone skin, as sodium cocoyl isethionate and papain gently decongest the pores and manage blemishes.
  • The inclusion of sea salt and artemisia princeps leaf powder further aids in managing blemishes, though the formula could benefit from additional humectants to better support drier areas of your combination skin.
  • The product is safe for your skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients.

How to apply

  • Use your enzyme powder cleanser as part of your PM weekly routine. Start by using it once a week and build up slowly if your skin is happy.
  • Place this step after your regular cleanser and before applying your hydrating toner. Follow the weekly routine order for the best results.
  • Mix the powder with a little water in your hands to create a soft foam. Gently massage onto your face and avoid rubbing too hard.
  • Apply the enzyme powder cleanser on slightly damp skin to help activate the formula evenly. Make sure your face is clean before applying.
  • Avoid the sensitive eye area during application. Do a patch test first and do not combine this with strong acids on the same night.

People Say

★4.8Overall rating based on 900+ reviews

This powder wash is highly regarded for its gentle exfoliation and non-stripping finish, leaving skin smooth and soft. Users with sensitive and acne-prone skin frequently report a soothing effect that reduces redness. While the individual sachets are convenient for travel, some users find the product expensive for the quantity and criticize the packaging waste. It is generally recommended as a second cleanser rather than for makeup removal.

Highlights

  • Gentle exfoliation Mostly Mentioned
    • “skin feels incredibly smooth”
    • “perfect mixture of exfoliation”
    • “removes dead skin without damage”
    • “softens rough skin”
  • Convenient travel packaging Often Mentioned
    • “perfect for travel”
    • “easy to pack”
    • “convenient for on-the-go”
    • “love the individual packets”
  • Non-stripping finish Often Mentioned
    • “doesn't dry skin out”
    • “face doesn't feel stripped”
    • “leaves skin moist”
    • “no tight feeling”
  • Expensive for quantity Often Mentioned
    • “price point is steep”
    • “wish bottle was bigger”
    • “expensive for daily use”
    • “small quantity”
  • Soothing and calming Sometimes Noted
    • “calms my sensitive skin”
    • “reduces redness”
    • “soothes inflammation”
    • “gentle on acne”
  • Excessive packaging waste Sometimes Noted
    • “too much plastic waste”
    • “not eco-friendly”
    • “wasteful individual packets”
    • “bad for landfill”
  • Difficult packet usability Rarely Noted
    • “packaging gets soggy”
    • “hard to open with wet hands”
    • “paper dissolves if wet”
    • “risky to store in shower”
  • Unpleasant scent Rarely Noted
    • “strange strong odor”
    • “smell is earthy”
    • “scent is off-putting”
    • “herbal smell isn't for everyone”

Sources: lovi.care, iherb.com, oliveyoung.com, yesstyle.com, stylevana.com, reddit.com, and more

Questions and answers

What makes Isntree Mugwort Calming Powder Wash a great fit for acne-prone skin?

Isntree Mugwort Calming Powder Wash is a great fit because its gentle cleansing and enzymes help clear pores and manage blemishes on acne-prone skin. It is also unlikely to cause irritation since it leaves out harsh ingredients, keeping your skin calm and smooth.

Giornale Italiano Di Dermatologia E Venereologia, 2015Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2007

Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for acne-prone skin?

This cleanser is a great fit for your acne-prone skin because sodium cocoyl isethionate and papain gently decongest the pores and manage blemishes. Sea salt and artemisia princeps leaf powder further help manage blemishes while keeping your skin calm and clear.

Giornale Italiano Di Dermatologia E Venereologia, 2015Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2007

What does Mugwort Leaf Powder do for acne-prone skin?

Mugwort leaf powder helps calm angry, red skin and may reduce swelling and irritation because it has strong anti-inflammatory properties. To properly care for acne-prone skin, products of this type also need soothing ingredients that balance oil and strengthen the skin barrier without clogging pores.

Mediators of Inflammation, 2016Molecular Medicine Reports, 2017

What does Papain do for acne-prone skin?

Papain helps clear acne-prone skin by gently removing dead cells and targeting blemishes as part of a targeted treatment gel used daily. However, it may cause mild redness or irritation, and since it can disrupt the skin barrier, acne-prone skin also needs soothing, barrier-repairing ingredients to stay calm and protected.

Giornale Italiano Di Dermatologia E Venereologia, 2015The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2015

Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?

This enzyme powder cleanser goes into your weekly routine as an exfoliating step, typically used once a week for best results. It is safe for your skin and is unlikely to cause irritation.

Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?

You can use this cleanser with retinol by using the cleanser first and applying your retinol treatment afterward, as long as your skin does not feel dry or irritated. This cleanser is unlikely to cause irritation because it lacks harsh ingredients, but you should still listen to your skin and avoid using both at the same exact time if sensitivity occurs.

Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2007

How often should I use this cleanser?

Use this enzyme powder cleanser once a week to start, as Lovi routines recommend for this step. If your skin tolerates it well and you see good results, you can carefully use it more often.

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 uses gentle cleansing ingredients that do not upset the skin barrier. Papain and sea salt help clear out pores and manage blemishes safely without harshness.

Giornale Italiano Di Dermatologia E Venereologia, 2015Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2007

Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.

What the research says

  • A 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, 2015

  • Sodium cocoyl isethionate micelles are too large to penetrate stratum corneum aqueous pores, resulting in significant steric hindrance that prevents skin barrier perturbation and explains its skin mildness.

    Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2007

  • Isosecotanapartholide (ISTP) isolated from Artemisia princeps Pampanini extract downregulated STAT-1 expression, reduced IL-33 production, and inhibited TARC/CCL17 mRNA and ICAM-1 protein expression in human keratinocytes stimulated by tumor necrosis factor-alpha/interferon-gamma.

    Molecular Medicine Reports, 2017

  • Artemisia princeps-derived nanovesicles accelerate cell proliferation, decrease senescence-associated beta-galactosidase activity, inhibit MMP-1 activity more effectively than EGCG, and increase procollagen type I expression in human dermal cells and skin models.

    Journal of Extracellular Biology, 2025

  • Artemisia annua aqueous extract increased the itching threshold, inhibited TSLP expression, and promoted FLG mRNA expression in in vitro and in vivo models.

    Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2024

  • Artemisia Capillaris Thunb. extract protects human HaCaT keratinocytes from UVB-induced apoptosis and inflammation by suppressing the cGAS/STING signaling pathway.

    Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology. B, Biology, 2024

  • Topical papain treatment may slightly decrease pain within 30 minutes in humans stung by Chrysaora chinensis compared to placebo.

    Wilderness & Environmental Medicine, 2016

  • Reflux 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, 2020

  • Carica 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, 2021

  • Hydrolyzed corn starch containing maltotetraose activated the NRF2 pathway, upregulated antioxidant-responsive genes, increased NRF2 protein expression and nuclear translocation, and reduced reactive oxygen species levels in human keratinocytes exposed to oxidative stress.

    PloS One, 2026

Ingredients

Zea Mays Starch, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sodium Palmitate, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Diglycerin, Papain, Sea Salt, Artemisia Princeps Leaf Powder, Allantoin, Maltodextrin, Water

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.

  • Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Co-founder, Medical Director

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer

  • Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Co-founder, CEO and CTO

    PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex

  • Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Medical Board

    Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine

  • Aishani Shah, MD

    Aishani Shah, MD

    Medical Board

    Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD

  • Asya Zubkova, MS

    Asya Zubkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member

  • Hanna Kurets, MD

    Hanna Kurets, MD

    Medical Board, Medical Advisor

    Dermatology MD

  • Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Medical Board

    Dermatology and diagnostic consultant

  • Victoria Derkova, MS

    Victoria Derkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist

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How does it fit your skin?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.

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