Dr. Althea Amino Gel Cleanser for acne-prone skin
Betula Platyphylla Japonica Juice
Glycerin
Low
- HighCombination Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
A weak match for acne-prone skin; the cleansers alongside fit it 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
- Offers moderate cleansing for your acne, blemishes, and breakouts, as cocamidopropyl betaine and citric acid effectively clear pores without causing irritation to your combination skin.
- Glycerin and Betula Platyphylla Japonica Juice provide essential hydration, supporting your skin's moisture balance.
- The formula is safe for your skin, containing no harsh or prohibited 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
★4.7Overall rating based on 100+ reviewsBased on limited data, this gel-to-foam cleanser is highly regarded by users with sensitive, oily, and acne-prone skin for its effective yet gentle cleansing. It is frequently praised for leaving the skin feeling soft and hydrated without stripping its natural moisture barrier, and is noted for its soothing properties. Some users with specific dehydration concerns found it slightly drying, and a few mentioned it requires effort to lather.
Highlights
Gentle & non-stripping Mostly Mentioned
- “skin doesn't feel stripped”
- “very gentle on the skin”
- “leaves face soft”
Soothing for sensitive Often Mentioned
- “no breakouts at all”
- “calming cleanser”
- “good for redness”
Hydrating finish Sometimes Noted
- “feels hydrated”
- “moisturizing sensation”
- “leaves skin soft like baby”
Pleasant texture Sometimes Noted
- “foams up well”
- “feels like a cloud”
- “rich and creamy foam”
Lathering effort Rarely Noted
- “takes a little water and elbow grease”
- “needs to be lathered well”
Residue feeling Rarely Noted
- “left a moisturizing film”
- “husband didn't like the film”
Slightly drying Rarely Noted
- “drying on my hands and face”
- “mildly irritated my cheeks”
- “not perfect for surface dehydration”
Sources: lovi.care, stylekorean.com, olivekollection.com, yesstyle.com, kiyokobeauty.com, incidecoder.com, and more
Questions and answers
Why is the Dr. Althea Amino Gel Cleanser a weak match for acne-prone skin?
Dr. Althea Amino Gel Cleanser is a weak match for acne-prone skin because while it provides moderate cleansing and hydration, it lacks the powerful blemish-fighting ingredients and barrier-repairing agents needed to properly care for this skin type. A cleanser of this type needs ingredients like Niacinamide, Ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and soothing agents to effectively manage breakouts and maintain a balanced moisture barrier.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2013
Which ingredients make this cleanser a poor fit for acne-prone skin?
This cleanser is a weak match for acne-prone skin because it lacks the powerful ingredients needed to effectively address breakouts and clear blemishes. A cleanser of this type needs beneficial ingredients like niacinamide, ceramides, and targeted acids to properly balance oily skin and soothe acne.
What does Water do for acne-prone skin?
Water-based hydration helps keep acne-prone skin balanced by providing essential moisture without adding excess oil. Proper hydration also helps reduce dryness and flakiness that can sometimes result from harsh acne treatments.
What does Birch Juice do for acne-prone skin?
Birch Juice helps hydrate oily and acne-prone skin without clogging pores, leaving it feeling soft and smooth. Because it is lightweight and packed with minerals and amino acids, it helps calm redness and supports a balanced, clear complexion.
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?
This cleanser goes in the morning and evening steps of your routine to clear pores without irritation. Acne-prone skin needs a cleanser that gently removes buildup while balancing moisture with ingredients like glycerin and soothing plant juices.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cleanser with retinol, applying the cleanser first on damp skin and following with your retinol treatment once your face is completely dry. A cleanser of this type for acne-prone skin needs gentle cleansing agents and hydrating ingredients to clear pores while keeping your skin calm and moisturized during retinol use.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2012
How often should I use this cleanser?
You can use this cleanser daily in the morning and evening as part of your routine. A gentle cleanser like this helps keep pores clear and supports skin moisture while you wash, making it safe for regular use.
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 contains gentle ingredients that clear pores without irritation, but since it is a weak match for acne-prone skin, a cleanser for this skin needs stronger blemish-fighting acids and oil-balancing ingredients.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2013
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
You can use this cleanser on the body and around the eyes, as its gentle ingredients are safe for different skin areas. Because the skin around the eyes is very thin, a cleanser used there needs soothing and hydrating ingredients like glycerin and birch juice to keep it soft without irritation.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Daily 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 novel composition containing salicylic acid, capryloyl salicylic acid, HEPES, glycolic acid, citric acid, and dioic acid showed similar tolerance and efficacy compared with clindamycin 1% and benzoyl peroxide 5% gel in subjects with acne vulgaris.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2013A 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, 2017Betula alba bark extract and Empetrum nigrum fruit juice upregulated barrier genes, strengthened the skin barrier, and showed significantly better skin restructuring, hydration, and TEWL compared to placebo and 3% niacinamide.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2022The emollient V0034CR significantly reduced TEWL compared to vehicle and vehicle plus glycerol, and significantly increased corneometry scores compared to vehicle and vehicle plus petrolatum in healthy volunteers with dry skin, demonstrating combined barrier function improvement from petrolatum and hydration improvement from glycerol.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Ten days of treatment with a cream containing 20% glycerin significantly increased skin hydration measured by corneometer values in 17 healthy volunteers compared to a placebo cream, but showed no influence on transepidermal water loss or skin sensitivity to an irritating surfactant.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2001Niacinamide/glycerin body moisturizers provided better rapid and prolonged improvement of cosmetic xerosis through functional improvement of stratum corneum barrier function compared to no treatment and conventional moisturizers in female subjects.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2012
Ingredients
Water, Betula Platyphylla Japonica Juice, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sodium Chloride, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Disodium Edta
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.