🇳🇱Netherlands

Paula's Choice Pore Normalizing Cleanser for acne-prone skin

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

Paula's Choice Pore Normalizing Cleanser

Average

  • AverageCombination Skin Fit
  • AverageEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

Works for acne-prone skin; other 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 for your combination skin, as sodium laureth sulfate and sodium lauroyl sarcosinate effectively remove impurities while glycerin provides hydration, though it lacks targeted ingredients for optimal oil control on oily areas.
  • The formula provides general cleansing benefits supportive for acne, blemishes, and breakouts, but does not specifically address these concerns.
  • The safety profile is good, with allantoin, panthenol, and aloe barbadensis leaf juice offering soothing benefits and no harsh ingredients present.

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

★4.4Overall rating based on 500+ reviews

Users with oily and acne-prone skin frequently praise this gel cleanser for effectively clearing breakouts and controlling sebum without stripping the moisture barrier. While most find it gentle and refreshing, a minority of users with combination or sensitive skin experienced dryness, tightness, or purging after use.

Highlights

  • Effective acne control Mostly Mentioned
    • “Holy grail for acne”
    • “cleared my clogged comedones”
    • “tackle my blemishes”
    • “fights spots.”
  • Gentle & non-stripping Often Mentioned
    • “Squeaky clean but not stripped”
    • “doesn't dry me out”
    • “gentle but does the job”
    • “no redness.”
  • Oil balancing Often Mentioned
    • “Keeps oil in check”
    • “removes excess oil”
    • “helped with oily t-zone”
    • “skin feels balanced.”
  • Makeup removal Sometimes Noted
    • “Cleans off leftover makeup”
    • “removes heavy makeup”
    • “takes off makeup very well”
    • “dissolves pore-clogging debris.”
  • Pleasant texture Sometimes Noted
    • “Great gel consistency”
    • “lathers up well”
    • “silky feel”
    • “refreshing gel.”
  • Drying for some Sometimes Noted
    • “Made my skin pretty dry”
    • “skin around lips went dry”
    • “felt tight after using”
    • “drying? yes.”
  • Breakouts/Purging Rarely Noted
    • “Broke me out”
    • “caused itchy papules”
    • “brought zits to a head”
    • “bad reaction.”
  • Packaging issues Rarely Noted
    • “Bad packaging”
    • “leaked in transit”
    • “cap broke easily”
    • “hard to dispense.”
  • Skin irritation Rarely Noted
    • “Slightly irritating”
    • “caused redness”
    • “felt slightly itchy”
    • “burned my skin.”
  • Unpleasant scent Rarely Noted
    • “Chemical smell”
    • “bad smell”
    • “smells like medicine”
    • “weird scent.”

Sources: lovi.care, sephora.ph, sephora.com.au, dermstore.com, paulaschoice.com, cultbeauty.com, and more

Questions and answers

How well does the Pore Normalizing Cleanser work for acne-prone skin?

This cleanser works reasonably well for acne-prone skin by offering general cleansing and soothing benefits, though it lacks targeted ingredients for optimal oil control. To fit this skin better, a cleanser needs powerful acne-fighting ingredients like Niacinamide and Ceramides, along with reliable oil-controlling and barrier-repairing agents.

American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017

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

Allantoin, panthenol, and aloe barbadensis leaf juice help soothe your skin with a good safety profile, though this cleanser needs targeted acne-fighting ingredients like niacinamide and ceramides for an optimal fit.

Clinical Pharmacology, 2018American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002

What does Sodium Laureth Sulfate do for acne-prone skin?

Sodium laureth sulfate is a detergent that cleanses the skin, but it may cause dryness and irritation on acne-prone skin, which can weaken the skin barrier.

Food and Chemical Toxicology, 2001

What does Cocamidopropyl Betaine do for acne-prone skin?

Cocamidopropyl Betaine helps gently clean acne-prone skin by removing dirt and oil without leaving it feeling stripped or dry. When formulated thoughtfully in a cleanser, it helps maintain skin comfort while supporting your daily routine.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2004

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

This cleanser fits in both your morning and evening routine as the main cleansing step, and should be followed by a hydrating toner and moisturizer. An acne-prone skin routine works best with cleansers that also provide targeted oil control ingredients to properly manage breakouts.

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

You can use this cleanser with BHA by washing with the cleanser first to remove impurities and then applying your BHA treatment. This routine cleans your skin safely, but acne-prone skin also needs targeted ingredients for oil control.

How often should I use this cleanser?

You can use this cleanser twice a day in your morning and evening routine. A daily skincare routine with a mild cleanser helps keep skin clean and comfortable while supporting overall skin health.

The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022

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

This cleanser is unlikely to cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin because it has a low complaint rate for this issue and contains soothing ingredients like allantoin and panthenol that help calm skin. However, an acne-prone skin type often needs targeted ingredients for oil control and blemish care to get the best fit.

American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017

Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?

You can use this cleanser on your body, but you should be cautious around your eyes since the skin there is much thinner and more sensitive. The gentle ingredients like glycerin and panthenol help keep skin calm and hydrated without causing irritation.

Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 2002American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002

Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.

What the research says

  • A 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, 2017

  • A cream combining propolis, tea tree oil, and Aloe vera reduced erythema scars, acne severity index, and total lesion count better than erythromycin cream in sixty patients with mild to moderate acne vulgaris compared to placebo.

    Clinical Pharmacology, 2018

  • Topical dexpanthenol acts as a moisturizer, improves stratum corneum hydration, accelerates wound healing and epidermal regeneration, reduces erythema, and improves symptoms of skin irritation compared to vehicle or no pretreatment.

    American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002

  • A new topical panthenol-containing emollient significantly improved transepidermal water loss reduction, stratum corneum hydration, and intercellular lipid lamellae length compared with control in healthy subjects without negatively impacting bacterial viability.

    The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017

  • Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) treatment decreases lipid membrane chain conformational order and stiffness leading to increased water sorption and diffusivity, whereas sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES) treatment increases lipid membrane conformational order and stiffness with increased water sorption capacity driven by its hygroscopic nature.

    Langmuir, 2014

  • The cytotoxic effect of sodium lauryl sulphate on normal human keratinocytes was significantly decreased when combined with cocamidopropyl betaine, Tween 20, and Tween 80 at concentrations well below the critical micelle concentration.

    Skin Pharmacology and Applied Skin Physiology, 2003

  • The 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, 2020

  • Ten 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, 2001

  • Niacinamide/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

  • Topical gel containing chitosan, 0.2% chlorhexidine, allantoin and dexpanthenol did not improve postoperative comfort regarding swelling and pain, but improved the wound's aesthetic appearance following impacted lower third molar extraction compared to no gel.

    Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral Y Cirugia Bucal, 2016

  • A topical gel containing chitosan, chlorhexidine, allantoin, and dexpanthenol significantly reduced postoperative pain, trismus, swelling, and analgesic consumption, while improving wound healing after third molar surgery compared to a placebo.

    Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral Y Cirugia Bucal, 2020

  • An overnight patch containing Allium cepa extract and allantoin safely promotes scar healing after dermatologic surgery, resulting in significantly greater reductions in observer- and patient-assessed POSAS scores compared to no treatment.

    Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 2018

  • Moisturizer containing 5% panthenol, madecassoside, and copper-zinc-manganese decreased adverse reactions and downtime after ablative fractional carbon dioxide laser resurfacing with comparable efficacy to 0.02% triamcinolone acetonide cream in 20 subjects.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019

  • Topical dexpanthenol formulated in lipophilic vehicles improved stratum corneum hydration and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to vehicle control in humans.

    Arzneimittel-Forschung, 2000

  • Hyaluronic acid, hyaluronic acid plus dexpanthenol, and isotonic saline nasal sprays all significantly improved dry nose symptoms over four weeks in 240 patients, with hyaluronic acid plus dexpanthenol providing superior nasal moisturisation compared to the other two.

    Auris, Nasus, Larynx, 2020

Why other 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

Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycerin, Sodium Chloride, Peg-200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate, Peg-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Allantoin, Panthenol, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Sodium Hydroxide, Tetrasodium Edta, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin

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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Prices checked 4 Nov 2026

The Lovi Fit is the same in every country; only the stores and prices differ, and the ones here are for the Netherlands.

How does it fit your skin?

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

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