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Colorescience Barrier Pro 1-Step Cleanser for acne-prone skin

Colorescience Barrier Pro 1-Step Cleanser

Superior

  • HighCombination Skin Fit
  • HighEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

One of the best cleansers for acne-prone skin.

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

  • Excellent for your combination skin, this cleanser effectively addresses acne, blemishes, and breakouts with Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate and Cocamidopropyl Betaine to deeply cleanse pores, while Glycerin and Lactobacillus Ferment support barrier repair and hydration.
  • Grapefruit Fruit Extract and Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract further contribute to skin health and a smoother complexion.
  • The formula is safe for your acne-prone skin, containing no harsh or prohibited ingredients that could 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

★4.8Overall rating based on 800+ reviews

This cleanser is highly praised for its ability to effectively remove mineral sunscreen and makeup in a single step without stripping the skin’s natural moisture barrier. It is frequently recommended for individuals with sensitive, acne-prone, or mature skin who seek a gentle, hydrating, and non-irritating cleansing experience.

Highlights

  • Effective removal Mostly Mentioned
    • “Removes all makeup in one step”
    • “Takes off mineral sunscreen easily”
    • “No need for double cleansing”
  • Gentle on skin Often Mentioned
    • “Doesn't leave skin feeling stripped”
    • “Very gentle but effective”
    • “Perfect for my sensitive skin”
  • Hydrating feel Sometimes Noted
    • “Leaves skin feeling soft and refreshed”
    • “Doesn't leave me feeling tight”
    • “Skin feels hydrated and replenished”
  • Minimal product Sometimes Noted
    • “A little goes a long way”
    • “Only need a drop”
    • “Lasts a long time”
  • Ingredient sensitivity Rarely Noted
    • “Had a reaction to the grapefruit oil”
    • “Sensitive to citrus ingredients”
    • “Caused a minor breakout”
  • Price concerns Rarely Noted
    • “Wouldn't pay full price”
    • “Expensive for a cleanser”
    • “Nothing special for the cost”
  • Slightly drying Rarely Noted
    • “Can feel slightly drying”
    • “Left my skin feeling tight”
    • “Not as moisturizing as expected”

Sources: lovi.care, colorescience.com, dermstore.com, lovelyskin.com, reddit.com, dermstreet.com, and more

Questions and answers

What makes Colorescience Barrier Pro 1-Step Cleanser one of the best fits for acne-prone skin?

This cleanser is one of the best fits for acne-prone skin because it deeply cleanses pores with mild ingredients while keeping your skin calm and hydrated. It uses glycerin and probiotic ferment to support your moisture barrier, and contains no harsh elements that may cause irritation.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

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

Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate and Cocamidopropyl Betaine deeply cleanse pores to help manage breakouts on acne-prone skin, while Glycerin and Lactobacillus Ferment support barrier repair and hydration. Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract and Grapefruit Fruit Extract further contribute to overall skin health and a smoother complexion without causing irritation.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

What does Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate do for acne-prone skin?

Sodium lauroyl sarcosinate cleanses the skin, but it may decrease ceramides and alter skin lipids which can leave acne-prone skin dry or compromised. Products for acne-prone skin need gentle cleansers with mild surfactants and moisturizing ingredients that maintain the skin barrier while managing oil.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Dermatologic Therapy, 2004

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

This cleanser fits into your morning and evening routine as the first cleansing step to deeply clean pores while keeping your skin calm and hydrated. A consistent daily routine with a gentle cleanser helps improve overall skin health and reduces breakouts.

The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022

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

You can use this cleanser with retinol by washing your face with it before applying your retinol treatment. This cleanser deeply cleanses pores while supporting skin barrier repair and hydration, which is unlikely to cause irritation.

Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023

How often should I use it?

This cleanser is an excellent fit for your acne-prone skin because it deeply cleanses pores while keeping your skin calm and hydrated. You can safely use it every morning and evening as part of your daily routine.

The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022

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

This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for acne-prone skin because it contains no harsh or prohibited ingredients that could cause irritation. Its gentle cleansing and hydrating ingredients help deeply clean pores while keeping your skin calm and balanced.

Can I use it around the eyes or on my body?

You can use this cleanser on your body, but the thin skin around your eyes may need a gentler touch. Since the skin on your body is much thicker than the delicate eyelid area, it handles deep cleansing formulas more easily.

Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 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
  • Nanoemulsions containing 1% Opuntia ficus-indica extract demonstrated suitable stability and successfully increased the water content of the stratum corneum for 5 hours after forearm application.

    Molecules, 2015
  • Opuntia ficus-indica extract activated AHR-NRF2 signaling, inhibited reactive oxygen species generation, and upregulated filaggrin and loricrin expression in human keratinocytes.

    Journal of Medicinal Food, 2015
  • Topical application of a naringenin-containing formulation protected hairless mice from ultraviolet B-induced skin damage by inhibiting edema, cytokine production, superoxide anion, and lipid hydroperoxides while maintaining antioxidant enzymes and glutathione levels.

    PloS One, 2016
  • Sodium lauroyl sarcosinate in facial cleanser decreased prokaryotic microbial alpha diversity, altered prokaryotic microbiome structure, increased phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylcholine, and decreased ceramides on facial skin.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
  • Coacervates formed from mixed micelles of sodium lauroylsarcosinate and cocamidopropyl betaine with cationic guar gum exhibited a dense porous structure with high viscoelastic modulus under strong electrostatic interactions, and a looser mesh structure with lower viscoelasticity and enhanced skin adsorption under weakened interactions.

    Soft Matter, 2024
  • 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
  • Probiotic-derived lotion successfully reduced inflammatory acne lesion counts and erythema index comparably to 2.5% benzoyl peroxide in patients with mild-to-moderate acne vulgaris, while causing fewer side effects.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022
  • Topical application of Lactobacillus plantarum-GMNL6 enhanced collagen synthesis and SPTSSA gene expression while reducing melanin synthesis, Staphylococcus aureus biofilm, and Cutibacterium acnes proliferation, leading to clinical improvements in skin moisture, color, spots, wrinkles, UV spots, and porphyrins in human volunteers.

    International Journal of Medical Sciences, 2021
  • Lactobacillus plantarum extracellular vesicles modulated extracellular matrix related gene expression in vitro and suppressed wrinkle formation and pigmentation in clinical trials.

    Current Issues in Molecular Biology, 2022
  • Topical application of an aqueous gel containing 0.1% w/w naringenin demonstrated in vitro safety, significantly reduced UV-induced stratum corneum lipid peroxidation, and showed in vivo anti-inflammatory efficacy against methyl nicotinate-induced inflammation in human participants compared to a blank gel and untreated area, while chlorogenic acid, apigenin, and kaempferol displayed pro-oxidant profiles.

    Frontiers in Chemistry, 2024
  • Encapsulating naringenin, nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA), and kaempferol into nanostructured lipid carriers provided prolonged release, stability, and antioxidant protection against oxidative stress in human keratinocytes, with an NDGA and kaempferol mixture showing synergistic antioxidant effects.

    Pharmaceutics, 2021
  • Naringenin prevented UV-B radiation-induced mitochondrial fragmentation, oxidative stress, and inflammation in human dermal fibroblasts and Balb/c mice.

    Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology. B, Biology, 2024

Ingredients

Water, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Glycerin, Methyl Glucose Caprate, Caprylate, Sodium Chloride, Cocamidopropylamine Oxide, Glycereth-18 Ethylhexanoate, Propanediol, Glycereth-18, Lactobacillus Ferment, Sorbeth-230 Tetraoleate, Decyl Glucoside, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Citric Acid, Sorbitan Laurate, Grapefruit Fruit Extract, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol

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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