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Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Oil for acne-prone skin

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

Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Oil

Average

  • AverageCombination 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 suitability for your combination skin as Cetyl Ethylhexanoate and Triethylhexanoin effectively dissolve makeup and impurities, while glycerin provides humectant action for hydration.
  • While it offers general cleansing benefits, it lacks specialized ingredients to effectively target your acne, blemishes, and breakouts, and could benefit from enhanced oil control for your oily areas.
  • The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the presence of soothing components like tocopheryl acetate.

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

★4.5Overall rating based on 1.0k+ reviews

Based on a very large amount of data, users with oily and acne-prone skin frequently praise this lightweight oil for dissolving stubborn waterproof makeup without clogging pores or leaving a greasy residue. While most find it non-stripping and gentle on sensitive skin, a small subset of users experienced blurred vision when removing eye makeup or minor breakouts after use.

Highlights

  • Dissolves stubborn makeup Mostly Mentioned
    • “Immediately dissolves even tenacious face makeup, oil and impurities.”
    • “Melts away waterproof mascara and long-wearing foundation effortlessly.”
    • “Removes all traces of lipstick, blush, and eye shadow with ease.”
    • “Takes off layers of sunscreen and baking powder without scrubbing.”
  • Rinses completely clean Often Mentioned
    • “Rinses off easily with water, leaving no residue behind.”
    • “Turns into a milky emulsion and washes away completely.”
    • “Leaves skin feeling super clean and not greasy at all.”
    • “No oily film left on the skin after rinsing.”
  • Gentle & non-drying Sometimes Noted
    • “Leaves my skin feeling soft, never tight or dry.”
    • “Super gentle on the skin, doesn't strip moisture.”
    • “Great for sensitive skin, causes no irritation or redness.”
    • “Feels hydrating compared to other harsh cleansers.”
  • Ideal for acne-prone skin Sometimes Noted
    • “Works very well with my oily acne-prone skin.”
    • “Does not clog pores or cause breakouts.”
    • “Non-comedogenic and lightweight, perfect for congestion-prone skin.”
    • “Helps clear up my skin by removing all impurities.”
  • Causes blurry vision Sometimes Noted
    • “Leaves a cloudy film over my eyes for a few minutes.”
    • “Makes my vision blurry if it gets into my eyes.”
    • “Stings slightly and causes temporary cloudiness.”
    • “Hard to keep out of eyes when removing mascara.”
  • Chemical/plastic scent Rarely Noted
    • “Has a faint chemical smell despite being fragrance-free.”
    • “Smells a bit like plastic or old oil.”
    • “Not a pleasant scent, though it fades quickly.”
    • “Smells synthetic compared to other oils.”
  • Packaging issues Rarely Noted
    • “Pump dispenses too much product at once.”
    • “Bottle leaks if not kept perfectly upright during travel.”
    • “The lock on the pump is finicky and hard to use.”
    • “Wish it came in a larger size for the price.”
  • Thin/watery consistency Rarely Noted
    • “Texture is very thin and runny compared to the balm.”
    • “Runs through fingers easily, leading to product waste.”
    • “Wish it was slightly thicker so it didn't drip as much.”
    • “Feels a bit too watery for a deep massage.”

Sources: lovi.care, clinique.com, sephora.sg, ulta.com, makeupalley.com, skinsort.com, and more

Questions and answers

How well does Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Oil work for acne-prone skin?

This cleansing oil works moderately well to dissolve makeup and impurities on acne-prone skin, but it lacks specialized ingredients to target blemishes and breakouts. An acne-prone skin type needs a cleanser with soothing plant extracts or hydrating ingredients that manage oil and target breakouts without causing irritation.

Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications, 2021Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

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

Glycerin helps provide hydration, while tocopheryl acetate offers soothing properties with a safe profile that is unlikely to cause irritation. Because it lacks specialized ingredients to target breakouts and oily areas, an acne-friendly cleanser of this type needs nourishing oils, soothing plant extracts, and ingredients that actively clear blemishes.

Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications, 2021Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

What does Cetyl Ethylhexanoate do for acne-prone skin?

Cetyl Ethylhexanoate helps soften the skin and lock in moisture, but for acne-prone skin, a product of this type needs to be non-clogging and lightweight to avoid triggering breakouts.

What does Triethylhexanoin do for acne-prone skin?

Triethylhexanoin helps condition the skin and gives a smooth feel without making your face feel greasy. It is generally safe to use, though acne-prone skin may need to watch for clogged pores from heavier ingredients in some products.

International Journal of Toxicology, 2023

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

This makeup remover goes in the evening routine before your cleanser, and also as a weekly first step before your cleanser. It safely dissolves makeup and impurities, but acne-prone skin needs products with specialized ingredients to target blemishes and provide better oil control.

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

You can use this makeup remover in your evening routine before your regular cleanser and your retinol treatment. It gently dissolves makeup without causing irritation, but this skin type also needs specialized ingredients to target breakouts and enhanced oil control.

How often should I use it?

You can use this makeup remover in the evening whenever you wear makeup or need to clear away impurities, as part of your normal nighttime routine. It is very gentle on the skin, but because it does not target breakouts or control oil well, acne-prone skin needs a product that includes targeted blemish-fighting ingredients and oil-balancing components.

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

This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts because it is free of harsh ingredients and contains soothing vitamin E acetate. However, since it lacks specialized ingredients to target blemishes and control oil, acne-prone skin needs a cleanser with blemish-fighting and oil-balancing components.

Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications, 2021

Is it 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

  • Dermatological products containing d-alpha tocopheryl acetate showed non-comedogenic potential with less than a 50% increase in microcomedones in 12 healthy male subjects compared to octyl palmitate.

    Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications, 2021

  • Topical application of an antioxidant serum containing 15% ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid, and 1% tocopherol prevented particulate matter-induced degradation of extracellular matrix components, inflammation, and oxidative stress in the skin of 15 female volunteers compared to untreated controls.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025

  • Topical application of an antioxidant mix containing 15% ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid, and 1% tocopherol prevented PM and UV-induced skin barrier perturbation, lipid peroxidation, inflammatory markers, MMP9 activation, and Type I collagen loss in 15 healthy females compared to untreated exposed skin.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

  • A topical antioxidant serum significantly reduced air pollution-induced skin pigmentation and proinflammatory gene expression ex vivo, and improved skin aging signs in 40 healthy adult females after 90 days of daily use.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022

  • 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

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

Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Triethylhexanoin, Peg-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, Polybutene, Peg-8 Diisostearate, Peg-12 Diisostearate, Ppg-15 Stearyl Ether, Water, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Glyceryl Laurate, Bht

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

How does it fit your skin?

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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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