Aēsop Parsley Seed Facial Cleanser for acne-prone skin
Licorice Root
Lactic Acid
Ribes Nigrum Seed Oil
Jojoba Seed Oil
Parsley Seed Oil
Average
- HighCombination Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for acne-prone skin; other cleansers fit it better.
- Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
- Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2015
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 hydration for your combination skin, as Sodium Laureth Sulfate and Coco-Betaine effectively decongest pores while Glycerin and Jojoba Seed Oil provide supportive hydration.
- Lactic acid offers mild exfoliation, which is beneficial for your acne, blemishes, and breakouts, though more specialized acne-fighting ingredients would enhance treatment.
- The product is safe for your combination skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.
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
★4.3Overall rating based on 600+ reviewsThis cleanser is highly praised for its gentle and effective cleansing, leaving skin feeling soft and refreshed, particularly beneficial for combination, oily, or sensitive skin types. It is noted as a good option for a morning cleanse or as a second step in a routine, though it may not be sufficient for removing heavy makeup and some users find it can be slightly drying. The product's high price point and polarizing scent are also frequently mentioned drawbacks.
Highlights
Gentle cleansing Often Mentioned
- “Leaves my face feeling soft after cleansing.”
- “Cleanses the skin well without any gross/sticky/greasy residue.”
- “Gentle on the skin but it is a shame it is so expensive.”
Non-stripping formula Often Mentioned
- “Will not remove makeup—which is exactly what you want for a gentle morning wash.”
- “Doesn't feel like it's stripping my skin at all.”
- “Does not cause the skin to feel or look dry.”
Expensive product Often Mentioned
- “The price is quite high for the amount you get.”
- “Expensive. But the price is more than a bit off-putting.”
- “It is a shame it is so expensive.”
Improves skin Sometimes Noted
- “I used to have severe flaking... but after using this product, it's disappeared.”
- “My skin absolutely glows after using this.”
- “Kept my problem skin in check.”
Refreshing scent Sometimes Noted
- “Soft herbal scent that feels fresh and floral.”
- “I love the scent—herbal refreshing and invigorating.”
- “Lovely calming smell.”
Packaging issues Sometimes Noted
- “The downside is the pump.”
- “Does not come with a pump.”
- “Glass bottle... makes it that much heavier, and more importantly, that much more fragile.”
Poor makeup removal Sometimes Noted
- “I found this doesn't effectively remove makeup.”
- “Not great at removing eye make-up.”
- “Not the most thorough cleanser on its own.”
Unpleasant scent Rarely Noted
- “Nasty smell... would not buy again.”
- “The scent was too strong for a cleanser.”
- “A peculiar, subtle licorice-like scent.”
Sources: lovi.care, hwahae.com, spacenk.com, whatsinmyjar.com, youtube.com, thevelvetlife.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Aēsop Parsley Seed Facial Cleanser work for acne-prone skin?
This cleanser works moderately well for acne-prone skin, as it cleans pores and provides mild exfoliation with lactic acid, though other products fit this skin better. Cleansers of this type need stronger acne-fighting ingredients like Niacinamide and Ceramides, alongside soothing and hydrating agents, to manage blemishes and maintain moisture balance.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for acne-prone skin?
This cleanser works for acne-prone skin because Lactic Acid offers mild exfoliation for breakouts, while Licorice Root, Ribes Nigrum Seed Oil, Jojoba Seed Oil, and Parsley Seed Oil provide supportive care. A cleanser for this skin also needs powerful acne-fighting ingredients like Niacinamide and Ceramides, alongside hydrating and barrier-repairing components.
What does Licorice Root Extract do for acne-prone skin?
Licorice Root Extract helps calm red, irritated skin and soothe breakouts. It also works to fade the dark marks that pimples often leave behind.
What does Lactic Acid do for acne-prone skin?
Lactic acid helps clear acne-prone skin by reducing both inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesions with regular topical use. It works well to smooth and calm the skin while managing breakouts safely over time.
Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology, 2002
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?
This cleanser goes in your morning and evening routine, followed by a hydrating toner, moisturizer, and sunscreen in the morning, and a makeup remover, cleansing toner, treatment, and moisturizer in the evening. To better help acne-prone skin, this type of cleanser needs specialized blemish-fighting ingredients alongside its mild exfoliation and hydration.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cleanser with retinol as part of your routine, provided you apply it before your retinol treatment. It cleans pores and offers mild exfoliation, but acne-prone skin of this type needs more specialized acne-fighting ingredients for better treatment results.
How often should I use this cleanser?
You can use this cleanser daily in the morning and evening as part of your routine. This product works for your skin, though an acne-prone skin needs a cleanser with more specialized blemish-fighting ingredients and mild exfoliants to fully clear breakouts.
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 has a safe formula with no harsh ingredients that irritates acne-prone skin. It offers gentle cleansing and mild exfoliation, but acne-prone skin needs more specialized blemish-fighting ingredients and deeper treatment to truly thrive.
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
This cleanser is safe for your skin, but cleansers for acne-prone skin used on the delicate eye area or body typically need extra soothing ingredients and richer hydrators to prevent dryness.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (benzyl alcohol, linalool, and d-limonene).
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, 2017Combining 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, 2025Application 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, 2020Multiple applications of blackcurrant seed oil successfully impregnated the stratum corneum of human dry skin, combining its essential and other fatty acids with endogenous lipids to potentially enhance protective effects.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 1988Clay jojoba oil facial masks reduced total skin lesions by a mean of 54% after 6 weeks in 133 participants with acne-prone, lesioned skin and mild acne compared to baseline.
Forschende Komplementarmedizin, 2012Topical application of jojoba wax reduced LPS-induced secretion of IL-6, IL-8, and TNFα by approximately 30% and increased the synthesis of pro-collagen III and hyaluronic acid compared to untreated skin in an ex-vivo human skin organ culture model.
Frontiers in Pharmacology, 2024Topical jojoba oil application in male mice decreased exercise-induced pro-inflammatory gene expression (Il-1b and Il-6 in soleus, Il-1b in gastrocnemius) compared to untreated exercised mice.
Biomolecules, 2025
Why other cleansers fit acne-prone skin better
Co-delivery of paeonol and madecassoside via nanoemulsions improved transdermal delivery, promoted barrier repair proteins, inhibited inflammatory cytokine secretion in cellular and 3D models, and reduced transepidermal water loss and acne in human facial skin compared to free components.
Molecules, 2023A 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, 2024
Ingredients
Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Olive Peg-7 Esters Oil, Sodium Peg-7 Olive Carboxylate Oil, Coco-Betaine, Potassium Lactate, Peg-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Sodium Citrate, Lactic Acid, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil Lavender Oil, Glycerin, Jojoba Seed Oil, Ribes Nigrum Seed Oil, Ormenis Multicaulis Oil, Chamomilla Recutita Oil Flower Matricaria Oil Flower, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract Licorice Root Extract, Parsley Seed Oil, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Benzyl Alcohol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Linalool, D-Limonene
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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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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