🇳🇱Netherlands

Augustinus Bader The Cleansing Balm for acne-prone skin

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes

Augustinus Bader The Cleansing Balm

Average

  • LowCombination Skin Fit
  • HighEffectiveness
  • ConcerningSafety

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 cleansing benefits for your combination skin, as Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil and Coconut Oil effectively dissolve makeup and impurities, though these emollient oils may increase oiliness in certain areas.
  • Bisabolol and Tocopherol provide some anti-inflammatory and antioxidant support, which are generally beneficial but do not directly target your acne concerns.

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

★4.4Overall rating based on 1.1k+ reviews

Based on a very large amount of data, users describe this balm as a luxurious, spa-like treatment that effectively melts away makeup while leaving dry or mature skin feeling exceptionally soft, hydrated, and plump rather than stripped. A minority of users find the heavy glass packaging cumbersome and note that the rich formula can leave a film if not removed thoroughly with the included muslin cloth, making it less ideal for those preferring a quick rinse-off cleanser.

Highlights

  • Deeply hydrating Mostly Mentioned
    • “skin feels balanced and hydrated”
    • “leaves skin peachy clean and conditioned”
    • “nourishes and hydrates for soothed skin”
    • “never felt stripped.”
  • Luxurious texture Often Mentioned
    • “decadent and buttery texture”
    • “melts into the skin effortlessly”
    • “feels like a luxurious treat”
    • “texture is true heaven.”
  • High price point Often Mentioned
    • “not worth the money”
    • “definitely on the pricier end”
    • “can't justify the price”
    • “expensive for a cleanser.”
  • Effective makeup removal Sometimes Noted
    • “mascara and liquid liner literally melted off”
    • “removes every trace of the day”
    • “dissolves stubborn makeup”
    • “effortlessly removes makeup.”
  • Gentle and fragrance-free Sometimes Noted
    • “fragrance-free and suitable for all skin types”
    • “very gentle yet cleanses everything”
    • “odorless formula”
    • “calms as it cleanses.”
  • Requires cloth removal Sometimes Noted
    • “leaves a white residue until I use the cloth”
    • “requires a second step to remove”
    • “didn't fully wash off with warm water”
    • “high-maintenance for me.”
  • Eye irritation Rarely Noted
    • “fogs my eyes”
    • “cloudy vision after use”
    • “irritated my eyes slightly”
    • “struggled with eye makeup removal.”
  • Heavy packaging Rarely Noted
    • “packaging is way too big”
    • “heavy glass jar”
    • “digging finger into a pot”
    • “not travel friendly.”

Sources: lovi.care, cultbeauty.com, sephora.co.uk, lovelyskin.com, beautytheshop.com, augustinusbader.com, and more

Questions and answers

How well does Augustinus Bader The Cleansing Balm work for acne-prone skin?

Augustinus Bader The Cleansing Balm works moderately well for acne-prone skin, effectively removing makeup while providing some soothing support, though its rich oils may increase oiliness and potentially trigger breakouts in certain areas. Makeup removers that fit this skin better need ingredients that target blemishes directly and soothe effectively without heavy oils.

Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for acne-prone skin?

Bisabolol and tocopherol help soothe acne-prone skin with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant support. However, makeup removers of this type need lightweight, non-pore-clogging hydration and targeted blemish-fighting ingredients to truly fit this skin type well.

What does Tfc8 do for acne-prone skin?

Acne-prone skin needs a product that helps calm redness and clears pores without feeling heavy. Tfc8 is unlikely to clog pores, but products for this skin type work best when they also balance oil and soothe angry breakouts.

What does Squalane do for acne-prone skin?

Squalane may help keep acne-prone skin soft and smooth, but peroxidated forms can trigger inflammation in skin cells. For a better fit on acne-prone skin, products need non-clogging, soothing ingredients that balance oil without causing irritation.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2006

Where does it go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?

This makeup remover goes in the evening routine before a cleanser. It dissolves makeup and impurities with sunflower seed oil and coconut oil, though these heavy oils may increase oiliness for acne-prone skin. Acne-prone skin needs lightweight, oil-free cleansers and targeted treatments with salicylic acid or niacinamide to help clear blemishes without clogging pores.

Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?

You can use this makeup remover in your evening routine before your cleanser, leaving your skin soft while washing away makeup. When pairing with acne treatments like retinol, acne-prone skin needs products that protect the skin barrier and balance oil without clogging pores.

How often should I use it?

You can use this makeup remover in your evening routine when taking off makeup, but acne-prone skin needs a lighter product that dissolves impurities without increasing oiliness.

Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?

This cleanser may increase oiliness and breakouts on acne-prone skin because oils like sunflower seed oil and coconut oil can feel heavy and clog pores. An acne-friendly cleanser for this skin needs lightweight, non-clogging ingredients and gentle purifying benefits that clear pores without rich oils.

Is it fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.

What the research says

  • A topical serum containing vitamin C, vitamin E, and raspberry leaf cell culture extract improved skin color, elasticity, radiance, smoothness, scaliness, and wrinkles compared to the untreated contralateral side in fifty female volunteers.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020

  • Squalane at 0.005-0.015% counteracts UVA-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and collagen metabolism inhibition while stimulating fibroblast migration in human dermal fibroblasts.

    Molecules, 2025

  • Plant-derived squalane protected human dermal fibroblasts against UVA-induced damage by counteracting ROS formation, suppressing apoptosis-related proteins p53, caspase-3, caspase-9, and PARP, and restoring the pro-survival p-Akt/mTOR pathway.

    Antioxidants, 2025

  • Overnight virgin coconut oil application provides a skin protective effect against damage and increased TEWL from frequent alcohol-based hand sanitizer usage in 60 volunteers, resulting in a 25% increase in perceived moisture content compared to the control group.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021

  • Topical cream containing saffron extract and avocado oil improved wrinkle grading, reduced nasolabial fold area and volume, and increased skin elasticity in twenty healthy volunteers over 12 weeks without allergic reactions.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020

  • Topical treatment with SSFAO 50% or avocado oil increased wound contraction, reepithelialization, collagen density, and tensile strength while showing anti-inflammatory activity compared to petroleum jelly in rats.

    Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2013

Why other pre-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, 2023

Ingredients

Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Sunflower Seed Oil, Coconut Oil, Polyglyceryl-4 Oleate, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil Grape Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Wax Seed Sunflower Wax Seed, Persea Gratissima Oil Avocado Oil, Squalane, C10-18 Triglycerides, Phytosterols, Bisabolol, Hydrogenated Oil, Olea Europaea Oil Fruit Olive Oil Fruit, Glyceryl Stearate, Sorbitan Oleate, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glycerin, Water, Lecithin Soybean, Pentylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Xanthan Gum, Butylene Glycol, Arginine, Phenylalanine, Glycine, Lysine, Sisymbrium Irio Seed Oil, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Hydroxide, Oligopeptide-4, Oligopeptide-177

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.

  • Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Co-founder, Medical Director

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer

  • Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Co-founder, CEO and CTO

    PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex

  • Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Medical Board

    Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine

  • Aishani Shah, MD

    Aishani Shah, MD

    Medical Board

    Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD

  • Asya Zubkova, MS

    Asya Zubkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member

  • Hanna Kurets, MD

    Hanna Kurets, MD

    Medical Board, Medical Advisor

    Dermatology MD

  • Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Medical Board

    Dermatology and diagnostic consultant

  • Victoria Derkova, MS

    Victoria Derkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist

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How does it fit your skin?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.

QR code: get the Lovi app
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