Klairs Gentle Black Deep Cleansing Oil for acne-prone skin
Ribes Nigrum Seed Oil
Black Soybean Oil
Jojoba Seed Oil
Shea Butter
Cranberry Seed Oil
Average
- HighCombination Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
Works for acne-prone skin; other pre-cleansers 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 benefits for your combination skin, as jojoba seed oil and soybean oil provide emollient action and barrier repair, supporting general cleansing and hydration.
- The formula is highly suitable for combination skin due to the presence of jojoba seed oil and soybean oil which offer emollient action and barrier repair.
- The product is safe for your acne-prone skin, with no risks of irritation from harsh ingredients and the inclusion of soothing agents like jojoba seed oil and shea butter.
How to apply
- Use this makeup remover PM as the first step of your evening routine to clear away dirt and oil. Start 3x/week and work up to daily use if your combination skin tolerates it well.
- Apply this makeup remover before cleansing and using the rest of your skin products. This ensures all makeup and impurities are fully washed away.
- Gently press a small amount of the makeup remover onto your face using a soft cotton pad. Avoid rubbing the skin too harshly to prevent irritation.
- Apply the makeup remover on dry skin to easily dissolve makeup and clear out blemishes. There is no need to dampen your face beforehand.
- Do a patch test before first use to ensure your skin reacts well. Avoid the delicate eye area while applying.
People Say
★4.6Overall rating based on 3.5k+ reviewsThis cleansing oil is widely praised as a gentle yet effective first-step cleanser that excels at breaking down heavy makeup without stripping the skin of moisture. Based on a very large amount of data, this should be definitely taken into account. While it is a "holy grail" for many with dry or sensitive skin due to its nourishing "black" oil ingredients, users with oily or acne-prone skin report mixed results, with some experiencing breakouts or finding the texture too rich.
Highlights
Effective makeup removal Mostly Mentioned
- “Dissolves waterproof mascara instantly”
- “Removes heavy foundation easily”
- “Melts away eyeliner without rubbing.”
Gentle, non-stripping Often Mentioned
- “Skin feels moisturized after”
- “Doesn't leave face tight”
- “Perfect for sensitive dry skin.”
Emulsifies well Sometimes Noted
- “Turns milky immediately with water”
- “Rinses clean without residue”
- “Emulsifies beautifully.”
Pleasant texture Sometimes Noted
- “Thick but spreads easily”
- “Feels luxurious on skin”
- “Smooth gliding texture.”
Caused breakouts Sometimes Noted
- “Gave me cystic acne”
- “Caused tiny bumps/whiteheads”
- “Broke me out immediately.”
Eye irritation Sometimes Noted
- “Made my vision blurry/foggy”
- “Stung my eyes”
- “Cloudy eyes for minutes.”
Blackhead reduction Rarely Noted
- “Pulled out grits/plugs”
- “Helped clear blackheads”
- “Pores look cleaner.”
Fragrance sensitivity Rarely Noted
- “Smell was too strong”
- “Fragrance irritated my skin”
- “Prefer the unscented version.”
Leaking packaging Rarely Noted
- “Bottle leaks oil”
- “Pump dispenses too much”
- “Messy bottle design.”
Thick consistency Rarely Noted
- “Too thick for oily skin”
- “Felt heavy on face”
- “Prefer lighter oils.”
Sources: lovi.care, wishtrend.com, sokoglam.com, influenster.com, iherb.com, yesstyle.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Klairs Gentle Black Deep Cleansing Oil work for acne-prone skin?
Klairs Gentle Black Deep Cleansing Oil works for acne-prone skin, though other products fit it better. It cleanses safely without harsh irritation and includes soothing oils, but a top product for this skin needs targeted ingredients that actively calm breakouts and blemishes without heavy oils.
Forschende Komplementarmedizin, 2012Frontiers in Pharmacology, 2024
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for acne-prone skin?
Jojoba seed oil and shea butter make this cleanser a good fit for acne-prone skin because they help soothe the skin without causing irritation. To work even better for this skin, a makeup remover needs nourishing plant oils and soothing ingredients that help calm blemishes and maintain skin health without clogging pores.
Forschende Komplementarmedizin, 2012Frontiers in Pharmacology, 2024
What does Black Currant Seed Oil do for acne-prone skin?
Black Currant Seed Oil helps acne-prone skin by delivering essential fatty acids that may reduce inflammation and decrease acne lesions. Studies show that omega-6 fatty acids like gamma-linolenic acid support skin health and are useful in managing inflammatory skin conditions.
Acta Dermato-venereologica, 2014International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2020
What does Black Soybean Oil do for acne-prone skin?
Black Soybean Oil is not a good fit for acne-prone skin because heavy plant oils can clog pores and lead to breakouts. To care for acne-prone skin safely, a product of this type needs lightweight ingredients that help control oil and keep skin clear without heavy blockage.
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?
This makeup remover goes in the evening routine before your cleanser, and weekly before your cleanser. Acne-prone skin needs a makeup remover that uses soothing ingredients like jojoba seed oil and shea butter to help calm the skin without causing irritation.
Can I use it with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this makeup remover in your evening routine before your cleanser when using retinol. This product is unlikely to irritate your acne-prone skin, and using barrier-supporting ingredients helps keep your skin calm while using stronger treatments.
How often should I use it?
You can use this makeup remover in the evening as the first step of your routine to take off makeup and sunscreen before cleansing. Acne-prone skin works best with products that provide soothing agents and gentle oils like jojoba and soybean to keep the skin calm and clean.
Forschende Komplementarmedizin, 2012Frontiers in Pharmacology, 2024
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?
This cleanser may occasionally cause breakouts for acne-prone skin, as some reviewers report, though it is free of harsh irritants. A product for this skin type typically needs lightweight, non-clogging ingredients and gentle cleansing agents that clear pores without leaving a heavy residue.
Is it fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Multiple 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, 2025A combination cream of stimu-tex AS and saccharide isomerate reduced erythema, increased skin capacitance, and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to placebo in 20 subjects after fractional CO2 laser procedure without causing serious adverse events.
Lasers in Medical Science, 2025A skin barrier restoring cream with shea butter, silkflo, and vitamin E increased type I procollagen synthesis, enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity, decreased reactive oxygen species generation, and promoted hyaluronic acid production in H2O2-stimulated human keratinocyte cells compared to untreated cells.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2025
Ingredients
Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Isononyl Isononanoate, Peg-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Isopropyl Myristate, Jojoba Seed Oil, Glycine Soja Oil Soybean Oil, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Ribes Nigrum Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Peg-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, Polysorbate 20, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Shea Butter, Carapa Guaianensis Seed Oil, Cranberry Seed Oil
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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