True Botanicals Ginger Turmeric Cleansing Balm for oily skin
Zingiber Officinale
Curcuma Longa
Sunflower Seed Oil
Avocado Oil
Lactic AcidAverage
- AverageOily Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for oily skin; other pre-cleansers 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
- Offers moderate suitability for oily skin as lactic acid and azelaic acid provide mild keratolytic and seboregulating actions, though the presence of oils like Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil and Persea Gratissima Oil may exacerbate oiliness. These oils are effective for makeup removal, but their inclusion is less supportive for your oily shine concerns.
- The formulation is safe for your oily skin due to the absence of harsh ingredients, ensuring no irritation.
- While the product offers general hydration and cleansing benefits, it lacks sufficient ingredients for optimal oil control, making it a limited choice for your primary concern of oily shine.
How to apply
- Use this makeup remover PM as the first step of your evening routine. Start 3×/week and increase to daily use if your skin tolerates it well.
- Apply this makeup remover before your regular cleanser and toner. It prepares your skin by melting away excess oil and makeup.
- Gently press a small amount onto your dry skin using your fingertips. Massage softly and avoid harsh rubbing to protect your pores.
- Apply this product on dry skin to effectively break down heavy makeup and surface oil. Massage it gently before washing it off with water.
- Avoid the sensitive eye area during application. Do a patch test before your first use to ensure your skin feels comfortable.
People Say
★4.7Overall rating based on 1.2k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this cleansing balm is highly effective at removing makeup and impurities, leaving skin feeling hydrated and soft. Users frequently enjoy its luxurious, spa-like scent and gentle formula. Some users note that the balm can be firm and may require a washcloth for complete removal.
Highlights
Deeply hydrating Often Mentioned
- “Skin feels hydrated and plump”
- “Doesn't strip moisture”
- “Leaves skin feeling supple”
- “No dry patches”
Effective makeup removal Often Mentioned
- “Melt off all my makeup”
- “Removes dirt, sunscreen, and makeup”
- “Gets rid of makeup with ease”
Gentle formula Sometimes Noted
- “Didn't burn my eyes”
- “Doesn't irritate my eyes”
- “Supports skin resilience”
Pleasant scent Sometimes Noted
- “Smells heavenly”
- “Spa-like scent”
- “Love the scent”
- “Refreshing fragrance”
Difficult to rinse Sometimes Noted
- “Doesn't rinse clean”
- “Always had to use a washcloth”
- “Requires a second cleanse”
Firm texture Sometimes Noted
- “Takes longer to melt”
- “Doesn't glide as easily”
- “Very thick”
High price point Sometimes Noted
- “Expensive”
- “Does it live up to its high price”
- “Only drawback is the price”
Sources: lovi.care, nordstrom.com, truebotanicals.com, hannahhereandthere.com, doctoranne.de, thenewknew.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does True Botanicals Ginger Turmeric Cleansing Balm work for oily skin?
This cleansing balm is an average fit for oily skin because, while it cleans effectively and has safe ingredients, it contains heavy oils that may add to your shine. It has mild exfoliating ingredients like lactic and azelaic acids, but an oily face needs lighter makeup removers with oil-controlling ingredients to keep shine under control.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for oily skin?
Lactic acid and azelaic acid help make this cleanser a fit for oily skin by providing mild skin-clearing and oil-balancing actions. An oily skin type needs lightweight oil-control ingredients that cleanse without adding extra oils.
What does Ginger Root Extract do for oily skin?
Ginger root extract helps calm oily skin by reducing redness and soothing inflammation. It is unlikely to clog pores and may help keep breakouts under control.
Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology. B, Biology, 2019Molecules, 2022
What does Turmeric do for oily skin?
Turmeric helps calm oily skin because it has natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that may reduce redness and balance the skin. It is unlikely to cause irritation, making it a gentle option for keeping your skin feeling smooth and healthy.
Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2023Polski Merkuriusz Lekarski, 2017
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for oily skin?
This makeup remover goes in the evening routine before a cleanser, and during weekly routines before a cleanser, enzyme powder, cleansing mask, hydrating toner, treatment, and moisturizer. Oily skin needs a product of this type that also includes oil-controlling ingredients to properly manage shine.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this makeup remover in your evening routine before your cleanser, but oily skin needs a lighter formula with stronger oil-controlling ingredients and less oil to truly stay shine-free.
How often should I use this cleanser?
You can use this makeup remover in your evening routine and your weekly routine for oily skin. It is safe to use and won't cause irritation, but because it contains oils that may make oily shine worse, oily skin needs a product that provides stronger oil control.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?
This cleansing balm is unlikely to cause irritation on oily skin, but the heavy oils it uses for makeup removal may add to your oily shine. A cleanser for this skin needs lighter ingredients and stronger oil control to keep pores clear.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (limonene, geraniol, and linalool).
What the research says
Azelaic acid nanocrystal hydrogel 10% achieved a higher success rate and greater lesion reduction than azelaic acid cream 20% in patients with mild to moderate facial acne.
Pharmaceutics, 2021Application of 15% azelaic acid gel significantly reduced post-inflammatory erythema and hyperpigmentation, decreased hemoglobin and melanin content, improved quality of life, and contributed to acne improvement in patients with mild to moderate acne compared to placebo.
Dermatology and Therapy, 2024Topical application of a dermocosmetic containing Myrtus communis extract and azelaic acid reduced acne relapses and helped maintain remission compared to a light moisturizing cream in adult females in the acne maintenance phase over 16 weeks.
Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2023A 1-year clinical study on human facial skin demonstrated that Zingiber officinale (L.) Rose extract inhibits the UV-induced decrease in skin elasticity and prevents or improves wrinkle formation around the eye.
Archives of Dermatological Research, 2008Ginger extract transethosomal hydrogel improved skin permeability, sustained drug release, and exhibited significant inhibition of edema swelling along with reduced reactive oxygen species and prostaglandin E2 compared to free ginger extract hydrogel and ketoprofen gel in a rat-paw edema model.
International Journal of Nanomedicine, 2023Topical delivery of ginger extract-loaded nanoemulsions significantly reduced arthritic symptoms, paw edema inhibition by 27.7%, and inflammatory cytokines in RA-induced rats compared to the negative control.
Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2023Topical application of curcumin or turmeric treats various skin conditions by leveraging antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties.
Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2023Topical formulations of curcumin target oxidative damage and inflammation to improve wound healing in animal models.
Drug Discovery Today, 2017A curcumin-loaded spanlastic anti-aging gel utilizing formula F5 incorporated into 2% HPMC E50 demonstrated sustained release action, compatibility, and the ability to penetrate skin layers to a depth of about 112.5 um without signs of irritation.
Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal, 2024Topical cream containing saffron extract and avocado oil improved wrinkle grading, reduced nasolabial fold area and volume, and increased skin elasticity in twenty healthy volunteers over 12 weeks without allergic reactions.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Topical treatment with SSFAO 50% or avocado oil increased wound contraction, reepithelialization, collagen density, and tensile strength while showing anti-inflammatory activity compared to petroleum jelly in rats.
Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2013Application of a cream containing lactic acid 12% and pramoxine HCl 1% significantly improved skin dryness, hydration, and itch compared with a nontreated control in 24 women with a history of dry itchy skin.
Cutis, 2004Topical 12% ammonium lactate produced a significant sparing of epidermal and dermal atrophy induced by clobetasol propionate in human volunteers, without influencing the corticosteroid's bioavailability or antiinflammatory properties.
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 1992A lactic acid/ceramide lotion significantly improved skin moisturization and desquamation compared to no treatment in women with dry, rough skin on the anterior shins.
The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2020
Ingredients
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Sunflower Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Oil, Polyglyceryl-4 Oleate, Persea Gratissima Oil Avocado Oil, Hydrogenated Jojoba Oil, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Citrus Reticulata Peel Oil Tangerine Peel Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil Argan Kernel Oil, Avena Sativa Kernel Oil Oat Kernel Oil, Cucumis Sativus Oil, Zingiber Officinale Oil Root, Vaccinium Myrtillus Leaf Extract Fruit, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Lemon Fruit Extract, Sugar Maple Extract, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Tocopherol, Citrus Aurantium Amara Oil, Azelaic Acid, Lactic Acid, Phosphoric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Water, Limonene, Geraniol, Linalool
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.
-
Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
-
Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
-
Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
-
Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
-
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
-
Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
-
Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
-
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.