Shiseido Deep Cleansing Foam for acne-prone skin

Glycerin
Stearic Acid
Myristic Acid
Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract
Average
- HighCombination 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 benefits for your combination skin, as myristic acid and lauric acid effectively remove impurities and excess oil, while glycerin and betaine provide essential hydration.
- The talc in the formula helps to absorb excess oil, which is beneficial for your combination skin, but the product lacks specific ingredients to target your acne, blemishes, and breakouts.
- The formulation is safe for your combination skin, with no harsh ingredients that would cause irritation.
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 600+ reviewsUsers with oily and combination skin frequently praise this cleanser for its deep cleansing abilities, leaving skin feeling very clean and refreshed. A rich lather and high efficiency are also commonly noted positive aspects. However, a significant number of users with dry or sensitive skin report that the cleanser can be drying and stripping, sometimes leading to tightness or irritation.
Highlights
Deep cleansing effect Mostly Mentioned
- “skin feels squeaky clean”
- “removes all makeup residue”
- “pores look cleaner”
Rich lather Often Mentioned
- “creates a rich foam”
- “lathers up quite nicely”
- “bubbles are silky”
Drying and stripping Often Mentioned
- “stripped me of moisture”
- “face felt tight”
- “too harsh for dry skin”
High efficiency Sometimes Noted
- “little bit goes a long way”
- “pea sized amount needed”
- “tube lasts for months”
Refreshing finish Sometimes Noted
- “skin feels fresh”
- “smooth to the touch”
- “polished away roughness”
Caused breakouts Rarely Noted
- “caused painful acne”
- “constant breaking out”
- “tore my skin up”
Skin irritation Rarely Noted
- “stung a bit”
- “caused redness”
- “burning sensation”
Unpleasant scent Rarely Noted
- “chemical smell”
- “strong fragrance”
- “smell wasn't off putting but...”
Sources: lovi.care, shiseido.com, macys.com, sephora.sg, influenster.com, well.ca, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Shiseido Deep Cleansing Foam work for acne-prone skin?
Shiseido Deep Cleansing Foam is an average fit for acne-prone skin because, while it removes excess oil and impurities safely, it lacks specific ingredients to target breakouts. Cleansers that fit this skin better need powerful blemish-targeting ingredients like Niacinamide and Ceramides, along with soothing agents that calm irritation while maintaining moisture balance.
Dermatologic Therapy, 2020Skin Research and Technology, 2003
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for acne-prone skin?
This cleanser works for acne-prone skin because it contains lauric acid, which helps reduce breakouts and clear excess oil, alongside betaine to keep the skin calm. However, this skin type needs a cleanser with powerful ingredients like niacinamide and ceramides to properly target acne and blemishes.
Drug Development and Industrial Pharmacy, 2019Dermatologic Therapy, 2020
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 Glycerin do for acne-prone skin?
Glycerin helps keep acne-prone skin hydrated and calm without clogging pores or feeling heavy. It supports the skin barrier so it stays soft and smooth while handling everyday treatments.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2008International Journal of Toxicology, 2019
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?
This cleanser goes into both your morning and evening routines as the first or second cleansing step. A cleanser of this type for acne-prone skin also needs specific blemish-fighting ingredients to properly target breakouts.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cleanser in your routine before applying retinol, but because it lacks ingredients to target breakouts, acne-prone skin needs a cleanser that also includes acne-fighting or soothing ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide.
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 cleansing routine like this helps remove dirt and oil without irritating your skin.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to cause purging, but it may cause breakouts for acne-prone skin because it lacks specific blemish-fighting ingredients. A cleanser for this skin needs targeted ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide to help clear pores and prevent spots.
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
You can use this cleanser on your body, but it is best to avoid the thin skin around your eyes. The skin thickness varies across the body, with the eyelid being one of the thinnest areas where harsh ingredients or vigorous cleansing may cause irritation.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (parfum, linalool, geraniol, and citronellol).
What the research says
Co-application of curcumin and lauric acid liposomal gel exhibited enhanced antibacterial effect and a two-fold reduction in comedones count and cytokines in a rat ear model compared to the placebo-treated group.
Drug Development and Industrial Pharmacy, 2019All three treatments—benzoyl peroxide, benzoyl peroxide plus erythromycin, and the combination of niacinamide, gallic acid, and lauric acid—were effective in reducing acne vulgaris severity in ninety patients over eight weeks.
Dermatologic Therapy, 2020Glycerosomes loaded with lincomycin and lauric acid incorporated into a carbopol hydrogel achieved a two-fold increase in skin deposition of lincomycin and reduced inflammation, bacterial load, and improved histopathological changes in an acne mouse model compared to lincomycin hydrogel.
International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 2023Soaps containing betaine caused the least skin irritation compared to other tested soaps in twenty-eight healthy subjects, though irritation did not decrease with increasing concentrations of betaine.
Skin Research and Technology, 2003A combination of Aloe barbadensis leaf extract and trimethylglycine in a 1:1 mass ratio synergistically increased aquaporin 3 expression by up to 380% in keratinocytes and safely improved skin hydration in healthy volunteers.
Molecules, 2024A 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, 2017The 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, 2001Sodium dodecyl sulfate treatment disrupts the ordered intercellular lipid lamellar structure in hairless mouse stratum corneum, and immersion in a ceramide 3, cholesterol, and stearic acid mixture successfully reorganizes this ordered lamellar structure.
Biophysical Chemistry, 2001Partially purified paeoniflorin protected human keratinocytes and mouse skin from UV-induced DNA damage and reduced facial wrinkles in human volunteers.
Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2006Paeonia suffruticosa callus extract downregulated inflammatory factors, alleviated DNA damage, and increased total collagen content in in vitro and in vivo evaluations.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2025Topical application of Paeonia lactiflora root extract and paeoniflorin significantly decreases melanin content by 23% to 30% in reconstructed pigmented human epidermis compared to vehicle control.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2016
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, 2023A panthenol-enriched mask improved skin hydration, regulated sebum, and reduced redness and TEWL across dry sensitive, oily sensitive, and oily acne skin subgroups with excellent tolerance and no adverse reactions.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
Ingredients
Water, Stearic Acid, Peg-8, Myristic Acid, Glycerin, Potassium Hydroxide, Butylene Glycol, Lauric Acid, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Sorbitol, Beeswax Cera Alba Cire Dabeille Cera, Sodium Lauryl Glycol Carboxylate, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Parfum, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Disodium Edta, Menthol, Rice Germ Oil, Talc, Ethylcellulose, Linalool, Geraniol, Citronellol, Sodium Metabisulfite, Acrylates Copolymer, Ultramarines, Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract, Silica, Betaine, Silk Powder Serica Poudre De Soie Powder, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Tetrasodium Edta, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Benzoic Acid, Tocopherol
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
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