Clarins Total Cleansing Oil for oily skin
Alpine Golden Gentian Extract
Melissa Officinalis Extract
Sunflower Seed Oil
Apricot Kernel Oil
Moringa Oleifera Seed ExtractAverage
- AverageOily Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
Works for oily skin; other pre-cleansers fit it better.
- Photodermatology, Photoimmunology & Photomedicine, 2025
- International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2017
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily skin: shine, enlarged pores, blackheads, and blemishes. 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 suitability for your oily skin as Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil and Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil provide emollient action, though they may not be sufficiently balancing for excess sebum.
- The formula excels at makeup removal due to these oils, but lacks targeted ingredients to address oily shine.
- The safety profile is excellent for your oily skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the presence of soothing agents like Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract and Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract.
How to apply
- Use this makeup remover PM as the first step of your evening routine. Start 3×/week and increase to daily use if your skin tolerates it well.
- Apply this makeup remover before your regular cleanser and toner. It prepares your skin by melting away excess oil and makeup.
- Gently press a small amount onto your dry skin using your fingertips. Massage softly and avoid harsh rubbing to protect your pores.
- Apply this product on dry skin to effectively break down heavy makeup and surface oil. Massage it gently before washing it off with water.
- Avoid the sensitive eye area during application. Do a patch test before your first use to ensure your skin feels comfortable.
People Say
★4.3Overall rating based on 1.4k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, users frequently praise this lightweight oil for its ability to emulsify into a milky texture that removes waterproof makeup without stripping moisture, leaving skin feeling soft and hydrated. Many appreciate the floral scent and the post-wash feel. A minority of users with oily or sensitive eyes report issues with blurry vision or find the fragrance overpowering.
Highlights
Gentle and non-drying Mostly Mentioned
- “skin feels supple”
- “doesn't strip skin”
- “good for sensitive skin”
Effective makeup remover Often Mentioned
- “melts everything away”
- “removes stubborn makeup”
- “no raccoon eyes”
Luxurious scent Sometimes Noted
- “smells amazing”
- “relaxing fragrance”
- “refreshing herbal scent”
Pleasant texture Sometimes Noted
- “emulsifies beautifully”
- “silky consistency”
- “no greasy residue”
Eye irritation Sometimes Noted
- “cloudy eyes”
- “stings eyes”
- “oil film on contacts”
High price Sometimes Noted
- “pricey for face wash”
- “expensive habit”
- “steep price point”
Little goes long way Rarely Noted
- “one pump is enough”
- “bottle lasts months”
- “economical usage”
Breakouts Rarely Noted
- “caused small bumps”
- “clogged my pores”
- “broke me out”
Strong fragrance Rarely Noted
- “smell is overwhelming”
- “too much perfume”
- “scent lingers”
Thin consistency Rarely Noted
- “very watery”
- “runs through fingers”
- “messy pump”
Sources: lovi.care, sephora.com, clarinsusa.com, boots.ie, influenster.com, ulta.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Clarins Total Cleansing Oil work for oily skin?
This cleansing oil offers moderate suitability for oily skin, effectively melting away makeup while feeling gentle and comfortable. However, because it lacks oil-controlling ingredients, an oily skin type needs lightweight or clarifying ingredients that balance excess sebum without clogging pores.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for oily skin?
Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract and Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract make this cleanser a good fit by soothing your skin safely without causing irritation. Oily skin also needs oil-controlling and balancing ingredients to help manage excess shine.
What does Alpine Golden Gentian Extract do for oily skin?
Alpine Golden Gentian Extract helps calm and balance oily skin without causing irritation. Studies on this ingredient show it is safe to use and supports healthy skin.
What does Lemon Balm Extract do for oily skin?
Lemon balm extract helps calm oily skin by reducing redness and protecting against everyday stress. A product of this type needs lightweight hydrators and balancing ingredients like niacinamide or green tea extract to keep oily skin clear and smooth.
Where does it go in a skincare routine for oily skin?
This makeup remover goes in the evening routine before your cleanser to take off makeup. Oily skin also needs balancing ingredients that control excess sebum and target oily shine.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this makeup remover in your evening routine before your cleanser, followed by your retinol treatment. It is unlikely to cause irritation due to soothing ingredients like Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, but an oily skin routine also needs targeted ingredients to balance excess shine.
How often should I use it?
You can use this makeup remover daily as part of your evening routine to melt away makeup, though it may not balance excess oil on its own. Oily skin typically needs oil-absorbing ingredients like clay or niacinamide to help control shine.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for oily skin since it has an excellent safety profile with no harsh ingredients, though oily skin needs targeted balancing ingredients to manage excess sebum.
Is it fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (parfum).
What the research says
Topical treatment with a lemon balm leaf extract formulation reduced eye-corner wrinkles in 20 healthy women compared to placebo by promoting Endo180 production and inhibiting the decline in collagen levels.
Photodermatology, Photoimmunology & Photomedicine, 2025Gentiana lutea extract increases lipid synthesis and triglyceride levels in human primary keratinocytes in vitro via p38 MAPK and PPARgamma signaling, and significantly increases skin lipid content in a proof-of-concept trial of 33 volunteers compared to placebo.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2017Topical application of Gentiana lutea extract reduced average roughness, relief of the upper eyelid skin, and redness of dark circles in 22 subjects after 14 days compared to placebo.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2023Topical application of a cream containing the NHE1 activator rosmarinic acid decreased skin surface pH and transepidermal water loss while increasing skin hydration in 50-60-year-old adult females compared to vehicle cream and no treatment.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2022Incorporating rosmarinic acid into sunscreens enhanced the in vivo SPF of octocrylene by over 157% and reduced lipid peroxidation in the human stratum corneum.
Antioxidants, 2025RA-BSP-PVA@PLA nanofibers promoted wound healing in rat dorsal skin wound models by inducing wound tissue growth, facilitating the proliferation and transformation of early wound macrophages, and down-regulating MPO+ expression.
International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2023Aqueous standardized leaf extracts of Moringa oleifera showed the highest human dermal fibroblast and human keratinocyte proliferation and migration properties, leading to the development of an alginate-pectin film dressing with optimal physicochemical properties.
Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2018Topical administration of Moringa oleifera seed extract on excision wounds in male albino rabbits significantly increased the wound healing rate, elevated TGF-β1, VEGF, and Type I collagen relative expression, and reduced inflammatory markers like IL-1β and TNF-α compared to untreated and MEBO-treated groups.
Antioxidants, 2022Moringa oleifera leaf extracts provided significant UV protection with an SPF of 2 at 2% to 4% concentrations and showed no significant irritant potential in cosmetic formulations.
Molecules, 2018
Ingredients
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Sunflower Seed Oil, C9-12 Alkane, Peg-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil Apricot Kernel Oil, Water, Propanediol, Parfum, Tocopherol, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Sodium Citrate, Gentiana Lutea Extract, Citric Acid, Capsicum Annuum Fruit Extract, Maltodextrin, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract Rosemary Leaf 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.
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
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Victoria Derkova, MS
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How does it fit your skin?
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