Perricone MD Nutritive Cleanser for oily acne-prone skin
Alpha Lipoic Acid
Copper Gluconate
Zinc Gluconate
Dimethyl Mea Dmae
Aha Complex
Average
- AverageOily Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for oily acne-prone skin; other cleansers fit it better.
- International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2014
- Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2023
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 cleansing for your oily skin with Sodium Laureth Sulfate and Lauryl Glucoside, effectively removing impurities without causing irritation.
- While Dimethyl MEA and Citric Acid provide some antioxidant and pH modulating benefits, the formula lacks specialized ingredients like salicylic acid to directly address your acne, blemishes, and breakouts.
- The safety profile is good, with no risks of irritation for your oily skin due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.
How to apply
- Use this cleanser as part of your AM and PM routine. Start using it daily to help clear your breakouts.
- Apply this cleanser as the first step in the morning and right after your pre-cleanser in the evening. Follow it with your toner and moisturizer.
- Gently massage a small amount of the cleanser onto your face using circular motions. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water and pat dry.
- Apply the cleanser on slightly damp skin to help clean deeply and remove excess oil. This works best for oily skin types.
- Avoid the sensitive eye area during application. Do a patch test before your first use.
People Say
★4.5Overall rating based on 1.5k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, users frequently praise this gel cleanser for its ability to thoroughly remove makeup and oil without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier, making it a favorite for those with normal to dry skin. Many report softer, brighter, and more radiant skin after use, though a notable minority of users express dissatisfaction with the product's strong fragrance and the recent packaging change from a glass bottle to a plastic tube.
Highlights
Gentle and non-drying Mostly Mentioned
- “never dry or tight”
- “leaves skin soft”
- “doesn't strip moisture”
- “gentle on sensitive skin”
Effective makeup remover Often Mentioned
- “removes all makeup”
- “takes off mascara”
- “cleans thoroughly”
- “melts away dirt”
Anti-aging benefits Sometimes Noted
- “firming effect”
- “helps with fine lines”
- “youthful glow”
- “great for mature skin”
Improves skin texture Sometimes Noted
- “skin looks brighter”
- “smoother complexion”
- “pores look smaller”
- “improves tone”
Packaging issues Sometimes Noted
- “hate the new tube”
- “cap breaks easily”
- “leaks in travel”
- “hard to control amount”
Unpleasant scent Sometimes Noted
- “smells like perfume”
- “strong floral scent”
- “fragrance is awful”
- “scent is overpowering”
Eye irritation Rarely Noted
- “burns my eyes”
- “stings if near eyes”
- “irritates eyes”
- “have to be careful”
High price point Rarely Noted
- “very pricey”
- “expensive for a cleanser”
- “wait for a sale”
- “cost is high”
Sources: lovi.care, nordstrom.com, dermstore.com, perriconemd.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Nutritive Cleanser work for oily acne-prone skin?
This cleanser provides moderate washing for oily skin and has a safe formula that is unlikely to cause irritation. However, it lacks specialized ingredients like salicylic acid to directly address breakouts. Cleansers for this skin need to be exceptionally safe, effectively address acne and blemishes using powerful ingredients, perform cleansing extremely well, and be perfectly suited for oily skin.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2014Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2023
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for oily acne-prone skin?
Sodium Laureth Sulfate and Lauryl Glucoside make this cleanser a good fit because they remove impurities from oily skin without causing irritation. For this skin type, a product also needs powerful ingredients like salicylic acid to directly address acne, blemishes, and breakouts.
What does Alpha Lipoic Acid do for oily acne-prone skin?
Alpha lipoic acid helps improve skin texture and tone without causing irritation or peeling, making it suitable for oily skin. However, since this product type is not an ideal match for acne-prone skin, it needs ingredients that target clogged pores and excess oil to truly fit this skin type.
European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, 2014
What does Copper Gluconate do for oily acne-prone skin?
Copper gluconate helps balance oil and calm breakouts on oily, acne-prone skin. It supports skin clarity and may reduce the appearance of blemishes when used regularly in your routine.
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin?
This cleanser goes in your morning and evening routine as the first cleansing step, and it is also used in your weekly routine. It effectively washes away impurities from your oily skin without causing irritation. Oily acne-prone skin needs cleansers with specialized ingredients like salicylic acid to directly address breakouts.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2014Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2023
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cleanser with retinol by applying the cleanser first on damp skin, rinsing thoroughly, and then following with your retinol treatment. It is unlikely to cause irritation for your oily skin, but a cleanser for this skin also needs ingredients like salicylic acid to directly address breakouts.
How often should I use this cleanser?
You can use this cleanser daily in the morning and evening as part of your routine. It effectively removes impurities from oily skin without causing irritation, though this type of skin needs targeted ingredients like salicylic acid to properly manage acne and breakouts.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily acne-prone skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts on oily skin, as it safely washes away impurities without harsh ingredients. However, because it does not include targeted acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid, a cleanser for this skin type needs those specialized components to effectively keep blemishes and breakouts under control.
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
You can use this cleanser on your body, but you should take care around the thin skin of your eyes. While its gentle cleansing ingredients help prevent dryness on the body, cleansers for acne-prone skin need targeted ingredients like salicylic acid to properly manage breakouts.
Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 2002International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2014
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (parfum).
What the research says
Formulating sodium laureth sulphate with sodium laureth carboxylate and lauryl glucoside prevented significant decreases in cutaneous capacitance and reduced erythema and dryness in healthy volunteers compared to unsupplemented sodium laureth sulphate.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2014Daily use of a deep cleansing gel containing salicylic acid 2%, zinc gluconate 0.2% and lipohydroxy acid 0.05% significantly reduced total lesion count by 56.3% after 84 days in 35 subjects with mild to moderate truncal acne.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2023Daily treatment with a facial serum containing multiple acids reduced post-inflammatory hyperchromia lesion grade and number by 29.4% at 56 days, and decreased skin oiliness by 30.7% at 7 days in Brazilian patients with acne vulgaris.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021A dermocosmetic cream containing Punica granatum Pericarp extract, Salicylic acid, Niacinamide, Zinc gluconate, and Aqua Posae Filiformis significantly decreased inflammatory, non-inflammatory, and total lesion counts in subjects with mild to moderate acne compared to untreated hemi-faces after 15 days.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026Topical 30% P407 gel loaded with ALA cubosomes reduced facial lines, nearly resolved fine lines in the periorbital and upper lip areas, and improved skin color and texture without irritation or peeling in volunteers.
European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, 2014Application of 5% cubosomal alpha lipoic acid gel twice daily for 6 months significantly improved global aesthetic scores and increased epidermal thickness compared to placebo in 20 aging female faces.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2017Treatment with a cream containing 5% alpha-lipoic acid for 12 weeks reduces skin roughness by an average of 50.8% compared to 40.7% with placebo in women with photoaged facial skin.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2003Zinc gluconate induced alpha2, alpha3, alphaV, and alpha6 integrins, copper gluconate induced alpha2, alpha6, and beta1, and manganese gluconate induced most studied integrins in cultured keratinocytes.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 1999Different strains of Propionibacterium acnes modulate cutaneous innate immunity with varying pro-inflammatory potentials, with P. acnes type III showing the highest and P. avidum the weakest, and zinc gluconate down-regulates the expression of most induced immune markers.
Experimental Dermatology, 2013Daily application of 3% DMAE facial gel for 16 weeks safely and efficaciously mitigates forehead lines and periorbital fine wrinkles, improves lip shape and fullness and overall aging skin appearance, and increases skin firmness compared to placebo.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2005A gel containing 3% 2-dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE) increased skin firmness, demonstrated by increased shear wave velocity in 30 volunteers compared to a formulation without DMAE.
Skin Research and Technology, 2002A DMAE-based formulation increased dermal and collagen fiber thickness in hairless mice and enhanced stratum corneum water content in human forearm skin compared to control formulations, without significantly modifying mechanical properties.
Die Pharmazie, 2009
Why other cleansers fit oily acne-prone skin better
Topical 5% tea tree oil gel significantly improved total acne lesions and acne severity index compared to placebo in 60 patients with mild to moderate acne vulgaris, showing 3.55 times and 5.75 times greater efficacy respectively.
Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology, 2007Tea tree oil gel and face wash significantly reduced total facial acne lesions from 23.7 to 10.7 and improved investigator global assessment scores in 14 participants with mild to moderate facial acne over 12 weeks.
The Australasian Journal of Dermatology, 2017A novel emulsion containing niacinamide, lens esculenta seed extract, and white willow bark extract effectively improved acne, blackheads, and conspicuous facial pores in 30 subjects with oily skin.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
Ingredients
Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Lauryl Glucoside, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Ppg-2 Hydroxyethyl Coco Isostearamide, Dimethyl Mea Dmae, Citric Acid, Sodium Chloride, Thioctic Acid Alpha-Lipoic Acid, Disodium Edta, Parfum, Benzophenone-4, Magnesium Aspartate, Zinc Gluconate, Copper Gluconate, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone
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.