DHC Face Wash Powder for oily acne-prone skin
Zea Mays Starch
Sodium Hyaluronate
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Honey
Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract Lavender Flower ExtractAverage
- HighOily Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
Works for oily acne-prone skin; other products fit it better.
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 exfoliation and cleansing for your oily skin, with ingredients like protease and sodium cocoyl isethionate helping to decongest pores and manage oiliness. Zea Mays Starch and Silica further absorb excess sebum, providing a good base for managing breakouts.
- Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate and Sodium Hyaluronate offer soothing benefits, which is beneficial for your skin, though the inclusion of alcohol may slightly counteract these effects for some.
- The product is safe for your skin, as it lacks harsh ingredients and contains soothing components that minimize irritation risk.
How to apply
- Use your enzyme powder cleanser PM once a week to start, then increase frequency if your skin tolerates it well. Always apply SPF during the day since exfoliating products can make skin sensitive to the sun.
- Apply this enzyme powder cleanser in your weekly routine after the standard cleanser and before your hydrating toner and moisturizer. This step helps clear away dead skin cells.
- Mix the powder with a little water in your hands to create a gentle foam , then massage it softly onto your face while avoiding harsh rubbing.
- Apply the enzyme powder cleanser on slightly damp skin to help activate the formula effectively. Make sure your face is clean from makeup before starting.
- Avoid the delicate eye area and do a patch test before your first use. Do not mix this with strong acids or retinoids in the same routine to prevent irritation.
People Say
★4.7Overall rating based on 800+ reviewsUsers consistently praise this enzyme-powder cleanser for its ability to gently exfoliate and smooth skin texture without causing irritation, making it a favorite for those with sensitive, oily, or combination skin. The water-activated formula is frequently noted for leaving the face feeling "squeaky clean" yet soft and hydrated, though a minority of users with very dry skin found it slightly stripping.
Highlights
Excellent for travel Mostly Mentioned
- “perfect for camping”
- “no liquid limits”
- “lightweight and easy to pack”
- “great for gym bag”
Gentle exfoliation Often Mentioned
- “smooths bumps”
- “gentle on sensitive skin”
- “cleared my blackheads”
- “mild enzyme action”
Soft, clean finish Often Mentioned
- “squeaky clean but soft”
- “skin feels baby soft”
- “doesn't dry me out”
- “leaves face refreshed”
Long-lasting value Sometimes Noted
- “lasts forever”
- “a little goes a long way”
- “bottle lasted months”
- “only need a pinch”
Drying for some Sometimes Noted
- “left my skin tight”
- “caused burning dryness”
- “too harsh for daily use”
- “stripped my moisture barrier”
Messy packaging Sometimes Noted
- “pours out too fast”
- “cap broke off”
- “powder gets everywhere”
- “hard to control amount”
Eye irritation Rarely Noted
- “stung my eyes bad”
- “extreme eye irritation”
- “burned my eyes”
- “be careful around eyes”
Price per size Rarely Noted
- “expensive for the size”
- “tiny bottle”
- “pricey compared to others”
- “not enough product”
Sources: lovi.care, amazon.com, dermstore.com, ulta.com, target.com, lookfantastic.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does DHC Face Wash Powder work for oily acne-prone skin?
DHC Face Wash Powder works moderately well for oily acne-prone skin, offering gentle cleansing and pore decongestion with protease and sodium cocoyl isethionate. While it helps manage oil and breakouts, it may be less ideal than top-rated alternatives because it lacks stronger oil control and includes alcohol. An ideal product for this skin type needs exceptional safety with zero irritation risk, targeted acne-fighting ingredients, and superior oil-cleansing performance without any unsuitability risks.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for oily acne-prone skin?
Protease and sodium cocoyl isethionate help clear pores and manage oiliness, while Zea Mays starch and silica absorb extra oil to help prevent breakouts. Oily acne-prone skin needs a product that safely balances oil and clears blemishes without causing irritation while keeping skin properly hydrated.
What does Corn Starch do for oily acne-prone skin?
Corn starch helps manage oily, acne-prone skin by absorbing excess oil and minimizing friction without clogging pores or fueling irritation. This type of product needs to stay lightweight and non-greasy, using oil-absorbing minerals or starches to keep skin soft and matte.
What does Hyaluronic Acid do for oily acne-prone skin?
Hyaluronic acid helps calm oily acne-prone skin by reducing sebum production and lipid synthesis in sebaceous glands. It also supports skin barrier function and improves hydration while helping deliver treatments without causing irritation.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2017Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022
Where does it go in a skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin?
This enzyme powder is used once a week as part of your evening routine after makeup remover and cleanser. Oily acne-prone skin of this type needs products with pore-clearing enzymes, oil-absorbing starches, and soothing ingredients to help manage oil and breakouts without harsh irritation.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this enzyme powder cleanser in your routine, but because it provides moderate exfoliation, it is best used on a different night than your retinol treatment to help prevent irritation. Oily acne-prone skin needs gentle cleansers that clear out pores without harshness, alongside calming ingredients and oil-absorbing starches.
How often should I use it?
Start by using this cleanser once a week in your weekly routine. If your skin tolerates it well and you see good results, you may carefully use it more often.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily acne-prone skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts because it helps clear oil and congestion, though alcohol may dry some skin. Oily acne-prone skin typically needs ingredients that gently lift dead cells and control oil without harsh irritation, along with soothing components.
Is it fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no fragrance and contains drying alcohol (alcohol).
What the research says
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, 2007A topical formulation containing panthenol, niacinamide, and dipotassium glycyrrhizate increased skin hydration by 74.1% and reduced transepidermal water loss by 13.5% at 28 days compared to baseline and untreated control in 35 individuals with xerosis.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026Dipotassium glycyrrhizinate-loaded hydroxypropyl chitosan and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) hydrogels applied to wounds in a mouse full-thickness skin defect model resulted in rapid wound closure, efficient tissue remolding, collagen deposition, and decreased inflammation compared to commercial Tegaderm film and 3M dressing controls.
Acta Biomaterialia, 2022Enzymatic hydrolysis of codfish skin using SM9913 extracellular protease yielded over 66% of collagen oligopeptide-rich hydrolysates with high bioactivity, including moisture-retention, antioxidant activity, and promotion of human dermal fibroblast cell viability, while proving to be nontoxic and nonirritating.
Scientific Reports, 2017Hydrolyzed 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, 2026Topical application of 0.1% hyaluronic acid formulations of different molecular weights led to significant improvements in skin hydration and elasticity, with low-molecular-weight formulations also significantly reducing wrinkle depth in seventy-six female subjects compared to a vehicle control.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2011Topical application of hyaluronic acid in conjunction with free gingival graft significantly reduced donor site postoperative pain until day 7 compared to normal saline, with no significant differences in graft dimensions or patient satisfaction.
Clinical Oral Investigations, 2022Treatment with a hyaluronic acid-containing mouth rinse or topical gel led to significant lesion reduction, pain relief, and normalization of lesion color in adult patients with minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis, with the gel formulation showing an earlier healing onset at 3 days.
BMC Oral Health, 2019Combining 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, 2025Honey-based dressings reduced mean healing duration, length of hospital stay, and VAS pain scores compared with povidone iodine-based dressings in 1236 participants.
Journal of Wound Care, 2021Topical honey application improved the mean duration of attacks and pain, occurrence of crusting, and healing time compared to acyclovir cream in 16 adult patients with recurrent labial and genital herpes lesions.
Medical Science Monitor, 2004Lavandula angustifolia leaf callus extract enhanced skin cell viability, reduced oxidative stress and melanin content, improved wound healing, and enhanced skin barrier function in human skin cells and clinical tests.
Free Radical Biology & Medicine, 2025Tea tree oil effectively treated acne while lavender and rosemary oils demonstrated anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties in derma cosmetic applications based on an evaluation of various essential oils.
Frontiers in Medicine, 2025A blend of Lavandula angustifolia flower extract and dipeptide-4 reduced oxidative and glycation markers, enhanced ATP, SOD, autophagy, and melatonin production, and improved tissue morphology in human skin models and fibroblasts.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2026
Ingredients
Zea Mays Starch, Maltitol, Potassium Myristate, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sorbitol, Protease, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Glycyl Glycine, Silica, Water, Alcohol, Honey Mel Miel, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract Lavender Flower Extract
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.