Drunk Elephant Beste No. 9 Jelly Cleanser for acne-prone skin
Cantaloupe Extract
Glycerin
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
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 benefits for your combination skin, as Glycerin and Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract provide hydration and soothing effects, while cocamidopropyl betaine and coco-glucoside effectively cleanse pores. The formula lacks targeted ingredients to address your specific concerns of acne, blemishes, and breakouts.
- The cleansing agents are well-suited for combination skin, helping to manage oil without over-drying.
- The product is safe for your acne-prone skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients.
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
★4.5Overall rating based on 8.8k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this gel cleanser is widely praised by users with oily, combination, and sensitive skin for its ability to remove dirt and oil without causing irritation or breakouts. Users with dry or dehydrated skin frequently report that the formula feels stripping and leaves their face feeling tight after use, suggesting it may be better suited for balancing oilier complexions.
Highlights
Effective daily cleansing Often Mentioned
- “Removes surface oil, dirt, and daily grime well; leaves skin feeling "squeaky clean" and refreshed.”
Gentle and non-irritating Often Mentioned
- “Suitable for sensitive and acne-prone skin; does not cause redness or breakouts for most users.”
Drying for dry skin Often Mentioned
- “Leaves skin feeling tight, stripped, or flaky; requires immediate moisturizing after use.”
Fragrance-free formula Sometimes Noted
- “Appreciated by those sensitive to scents; no strong chemical or artificial smell.”
Pleasant gel texture Sometimes Noted
- “Lathers well into a soft foam; a little product goes a long way.”
Struggles with makeup Sometimes Noted
- “Often fails to remove waterproof mascara or heavy foundation completely; requires a second cleanse.”
Eye irritation Rarely Noted
- “Causes stinging or burning if it accidentally gets into the eyes.”
Packaging design flaws Rarely Noted
- “The twist-cap mechanism can leak, get messy, or dispense too much product at once.”
Sources: lovi.care, sephora.com, ulta.com, boots.com, spacenk.com, drunkelephant.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Drunk Elephant Beste No. 9 Jelly Cleanser work for acne-prone skin?
Drunk Elephant Beste No. 9 Jelly Cleanser works moderately well for acne-prone skin because it cleans pores and manages oil without over-drying, though it lacks targeted ingredients for breakouts. Cleansers that fit this skin better need a gentle yet powerful formulation with soothing ingredients that directly address acne and blemishes while safely balancing moisture.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Clinical Pharmacology, 2018
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for acne-prone skin?
Glycerin and aloe barbadensis leaf extract help make this cleanser a decent fit by providing hydration and soothing effects while cleansing pores. To work best for acne-prone skin, this type of product also needs targeted ingredients that actively address blemishes and breakouts.
What does Cantaloupe Extract do for acne-prone skin?
Cantaloupe Extract is not directly shown to clear acne, but its antioxidant properties may help calm stressed skin and protect against UV damage. Skincare for acne-prone skin typically needs soothing ingredients and gentle hydrators to keep the skin clear and comfortable.
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 fits into both your morning and evening routines as the first or second cleansing step. An average fit for acne-prone skin, this cleanser needs targeted ingredients to address blemishes and breakouts along with mild cleansing agents and soothing hydration.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cleanser with retinol by applying the cleanser first on damp skin, rinsing thoroughly, and following with your retinol treatment once your face is dry. This cleanser is safe and unlikely to cause irritation, but to truly clear breakouts, an acne-prone skin routine needs targeted 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. It is safe for your skin with no risks of irritation, though acne-prone skin needs a cleanser with targeted ingredients to help with blemishes and breakouts.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?
This cleanser is safe for your acne-prone skin and is unlikely to cause irritation, clogging, or purging. However, because it lacks targeted ingredients for breakouts, acne-prone skin needs a cleanser that includes blemish-clearing actives and soothing botanicals.
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
Yes, you can use this cleanser on your body, but you should take care around the thin skin of your eyes. It is safe for acne-prone skin with no irritation risks, though an acne-prone skin type needs targeted blemish-fighting ingredients.
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, 2017A 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, 2018The 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, 2001Niacinamide/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, 2012Topical aloe vera gel significantly accelerated split-thickness skin graft donor-site healing compared to placebo in 12 patients, but showed no significant difference in pain relief.
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2018Topical application of Aloe vera cream reduced postoperative pain at rest and during defecation, accelerated wound healing at two weeks, and decreased analgesic requirements in patients after open hemorrhoidectomy compared to placebo.
Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2010Formulations containing 0.10%, 0.25%, and 0.50% freeze-dried Aloe vera extract increased stratum corneum water content compared with the vehicle in 20 female subjects, while transepidermal water loss was not modified.
Skin Research and Technology, 2006The 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
Why other cleansers fit acne-prone skin better
Topical 5% tea tree oil gel significantly improved total acne lesions and acne severity index compared to placebo in 60 patients with mild to moderate acne vulgaris, showing 3.55 times and 5.75 times greater efficacy respectively.
Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology, 2007A 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, 2018A novel emulsion containing niacinamide, lens esculenta seed extract, and white willow bark extract effectively improved acne, blackheads, and conspicuous facial pores in 30 subjects with oily skin.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
Ingredients
Water, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Coco-Glucoside, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium Methyl Oleoyl Taurate, Propanediol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Glycolipids, Linoleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Lauryl Glucoside, Cucumis Melo Cantalupensis Fruit Extract, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Tocopherol, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Chloride, Polylysine
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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