Indie Lee Brightening Cleanser for acne-prone skin
Strawberry Seed Oil
Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Lycopene Tomato
Decyl Glucoside
Coco Glucoside
High
- HighCombination Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- HighSafety
A great choice for acne-prone skin; a few cleansers 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
- Highly suitable for your combination skin, this cleanser effectively addresses acne and blemishes with decyl glucoside and coco-glucoside oil to deeply cleanse pores and Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein for gentle exfoliation and antioxidant support.
- The presence of strawberry seed oil and lycopene tomato further enhances antioxidant activity and mild exfoliation, contributing to a brighter complexion.
- This formula is safe for your skin, as it contains no harsh ingredients and poses no risk of irritation.
How to apply
- Could be used as part of your AM and PM routine. Start using it 3 times a week and build up to daily use if your skin tolerates it.
- This cleanser is the first step in your morning routine and the second step after your pre-cleanser in the evening. Always follow up with a toner and moisturizer .
- Gently massage a small amount of the cleanser onto your face in circular motions. Avoid harsh rubbing to keep your skin calm.
- Apply the cleanser on slightly damp skin to help it work effectively against breakouts. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water .
- Avoid the immediate eye area and do a patch test before your first use to check for any sensitivity.
People Say
★4.7Overall rating based on 200+ reviewsUsers with normal, combination, and sensitive skin frequently praise this gel cleanser for its ability to remove impurities without stripping natural oils, often describing a "spa-like" experience due to its scent. While many report a noticeable glow and softer texture, those with very dry skin occasionally find it dehydrating, and results regarding the fading of dark spots vary.
Highlights
Strawberry scent Mostly Mentioned
- “Smells like fresh strawberries”
- “reminds me of sweet ripe strawberries”
- “scent brings a smile to my face”
- “smells amazing but not fake”
Gentle and non-stripping Often Mentioned
- “Leaves skin feeling clean but not stripped”
- “very gentle on sensitive skin”
- “face feels soft and tight in a good way”
- “doesn't leave a film”
Clean ingredients Sometimes Noted
- “Love the clean ingredients”
- “no harsh chemicals”
- “simple ingredient list”
Gel texture Sometimes Noted
- “Feels like a cloud”
- “silky and lightweight”
- “foams well with small amount”
- “rich gel facial serum feel”
Versatile multi-use Sometimes Noted
- “Doubles as a mask if left on”
- “removes makeup even mascara”
- “leave it on for 5 minutes for a glow”
- “great 2-in-1 product”
Price point Sometimes Noted
- “A bit pricey though”
- “wish there was more product for money”
- “expensive for a face wash”
- “higher price point”
Drying for some Rarely Noted
- “Might dry you out too much”
- “leaves my skin dry”
- “felt dry a few hours after using”
- “not for very dry skin”
Makeup removal Rarely Noted
- “Doesn't remove waterproof makeup”
- “need to use oil cleanser first”
- “stings if it gets in eyes”
- “doesn't get everything off”
Packaging issues Rarely Noted
- “Product gets jammed in dispenser”
- “dropped bottle and it shattered”
- “pump is annoying”
- “glass is slippery in shower”
Scent dislike Rarely Noted
- “Smelled like rotting fruit”
- “couldn't get past the smell”
- “too sweet for me”
- “scent is a bit much”
Sources: lovi.care, dermstore.com, sephora.sg, ulta.com, thegreenkiss.com, everydayhealth.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes Indie Lee Brightening Cleanser a great fit for acne-prone skin?
This cleanser is a great fit for your acne-prone skin because it uses decyl glucoside and coco-glucoside oil to deeply clean your pores while gently clearing blemishes. It also features hydrolyzed wheat protein, strawberry seed oil, and lycopene tomato to give you gentle exfoliation and antioxidant support for a brighter, calm complexion without any harsh irritation.
European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, 2022Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2020
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for acne-prone skin?
This cleanser is a great fit for acne-prone skin because it uses decyl glucoside and coco glucoside to deeply clean pores, along with hydrolyzed wheat protein, strawberry seed oil, and lycopene tomato for gentle exfoliation and antioxidant support. These ingredients help clear blemishes and brighten your complexion safely without causing irritation.
European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, 2022Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2020
What does Strawberry Seed Oil do for acne-prone skin?
Strawberry Seed Oil helps keep oily skin feeling soft and smooth without making breakouts worse. It is a light oil that absorbs easily and is unlikely to clog your pores, though acne-prone skin still benefits from pairing it with lightweight moisture and gentle clearing ingredients.
What does Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein do for acne-prone skin?
Hydrolyzed wheat protein helps condition skin, but it may cause allergic reactions or breakouts for some people, especially those with sensitive skin. If you have acne-prone skin, a product of this type needs soothing and non-clogging ingredients like jojoba oil to help strengthen the skin barrier without causing irritation.
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?
This cleanser goes in your morning and evening routine as the main cleansing step, and it is also used in your weekly routine. It deeply cleanses pores and helps clear blemishes without irritating your skin.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2020
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cleanser with retinol, applying the cleanser first to clean your skin before putting on your retinol treatment. This cleanser is unlikely to irritate your acne-prone skin, as it contains no harsh ingredients and uses gentle cleansers to wash out pores.
How often should I use this cleanser?
This cleanser is a great fit for acne-prone skin and is gentle enough to use twice a day in both your morning and evening routines. It helps deeply clean pores and brighten your complexion without harsh ingredients or irritation.
European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, 2022Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2020
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 is a great fit for acne-prone skin and uses gentle cleansers to deeply clear pores without harsh ingredients. It helps keep skin calm and balanced while reducing blemishes.
European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, 2022Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2020
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
You can use this cleanser on your body and around the eyes because it contains gentle cleansers and plant extracts that are safe for sensitive areas and unlikely to cause irritation.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Topical lycopene-based emulgel significantly enhanced skin hydration and elasticity while reducing erythema, melanin, and sebum contents in human volunteers compared to a placebo formulation over 12 weeks.
European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, 2022Cosmetic formulations containing lycopene and melatonin showed significant differences in skin sebum content, hydration, elasticity, erythema index, and melanin index compared to control in 36 healthy women.
Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2020Application of a cosmetic multiple emulsion containing vitamin C and wheat protein as well as a base formulation increased skin moisture in 11 human volunteers over four weeks, while producing no significant variations in skin sebum, pH, elasticity, melanin, or erythema.
Pakistan Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2008The addition of polymers and hydrolysed proteins to model body wash cosmetics improves foaming properties, storage stability, and safety by reducing skin irritant potential, with the polyvinylpyrrolidone/hydrolysed wheat protein crosspolymer showing the strongest reduction effect.
Colloids and Surfaces. B, Biointerfaces, 2015Topical delivery of lycopene via MG- and TG-containing microemulsions significantly increased stratum corneum and viable skin layer penetration compared to a control solution, with the MG-containing microemulsion also increasing skin antioxidant activity by 10-fold.
Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2010Propolis and lycopene extract nanoemulsions provided better therapeutic efficiency and a sustained release for 24 hours compared to standard suspension in an acute inflammation rat paw edema model.
Journal of Nanobiotechnology, 2011Coco-glucoside powered emulgels containing probiotics and prebiotics demonstrated stability without phase separation and preserved probiotic viability for up to 11 days, supporting the skin's natural barrier.
International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 2025
Ingredients
Water, Decyl Glucoside Oils Sugar, Disodium Coco-Glucoside Citrate, Coco Glucoside Oil Coconut And Sunflower Oil, Glyceryl Oleate, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Xanthan Gum, Strawberry Seed Oil, Lycopene Tomato, Propanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate
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?
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