Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash for oily acne-prone skin
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
Glycerin
Papain
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Shea Butter
Tocopherol Vitamin E
High
- HighOily Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
A great choice for oily acne-prone skin; a few cleansers fit it even better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily acne-prone skin: shine, breakouts, blemishes, and enlarged pores. 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 exfoliation for your oily skin and acne concerns due to the presence of papain and protease, which provide enzymatic exfoliation to aid in shedding dead skin cells and clearing pores.
- This formulation is highly suitable for oily skin, as the keratolytic action of papain and protease promotes the shedding of corneocytes, helping to manage oiliness and breakouts.
- The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation for your oily skin due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the inclusion of soothing agents like papain, protease, and subtilisin.
How to apply
- Use this cleanser as part of your AM and PM routine. Start using it daily to help clear your breakouts.
- Apply this cleanser as the first step in the morning and right after your pre-cleanser in the evening. Follow it with your toner and moisturizer.
- Gently massage a small amount of the cleanser onto your face using circular motions. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water and pat dry.
- Apply the cleanser on slightly damp skin to help clean deeply and remove excess oil. This works best for oily skin types.
- Avoid the sensitive eye area during application. Do a patch test before your first use.
People Say
★4.8Overall rating based on 3.4k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, users consistently praise this enzyme-gel cleanser for its ability to gently exfoliate and refine skin texture without stripping moisture, making it a favorite for those with dull, uneven, or sensitive skin. Many reviewers report a visible improvement in radiance and smoothness, noting that it effectively addresses congestion and acne scarring while providing a luxurious, spa-like experience.
Highlights
Gentle exfoliation Mostly Mentioned
- “non-stripping formula”
- “gentle daily use”
- “no redness after”
- “great for sensitive skin”
Deep cleansing Often Mentioned
- “face feels super clean”
- “removes all grime”
- “clears out pores”
- “great second cleanse”
Radiant complexion Often Mentioned
- “instantly fresh glow”
- “removes dullness”
- “skin looks brighter”
- “restored my radiance”
Smoother skin texture Often Mentioned
- “skin feels baby-soft”
- “completely changed texture”
- “smooths uneven bumps”
- “refined my pores”
Expensive price point Often Mentioned
- “pricey for a wash”
- “expensive habit”
- “wish it was cheaper”
- “luxury price tag”
Luxurious scent Sometimes Noted
- “smells like a spa”
- “divine fresh scent”
- “relaxing aroma”
- “beautiful light fragrance”
Initial skin reaction Rarely Noted
- “slight tingling sensation”
- “caused minor breakout”
- “redness at first”
- “sting on active spots”
Lack of results Rarely Noted
- “didn't see difference”
- “just a normal wash”
- “expected more resurfacing”
- “no change in pores”
Packaging issues Rarely Noted
- “pump broke quickly”
- “dispenses too much”
- “hard to unlock”
- “leaky bottle”
Unpleasant scent Rarely Noted
- “smell is overpowering”
- “scent not for me”
- “too perfumed”
- “medicinal smell”
Sources: lovi.care, sephora.com, spacenk.com, lookfantastic.com, dermstore.com, elemis.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash a great fit for oily acne-prone skin?
This cleanser is a great fit because it offers moderate exfoliation with papain and protease to help clear pores and manage oiliness and breakouts on your skin. Its safe formula is unlikely to cause irritation while keeping your skin calm.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for oily acne-prone skin?
Papain and protease make this cleanser a great fit because their gentle exfoliating action helps clear dead skin cells from pores and manage breakouts on oily skin. These ingredients are very safe and unlikely to cause irritation.
What does Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate do for oily acne-prone skin?
Sodium lauroyl sarcosinate is a cleansing ingredient that helps wash away excess oil, but it may decrease ceramides and alter the skin microbiome on oily, acne-prone skin. Because of this, an oily, acne-prone skin cleanser needs gentle surfactants and moisturizing ingredients that clean the skin without weakening its barrier or stripping away healthy lipids.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Dermatologic Therapy, 2004
What does Glycerin do for oily acne-prone skin?
Glycerin helps keep oily acne-prone skin hydrated without feeling heavy. It draws moisture into the skin while supporting the skin barrier so it stays soft and balanced.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2008Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin?
This cleanser goes as the first step of your morning and evening routines. It helps clear pores and manage oiliness for your oily, acne-prone skin, with an excellent safety profile that is unlikely to cause irritation.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
Yes, you can use this cleanser with retinol by applying the cleanser first and following with your retinol treatment. This cleanser is a great fit for your oily skin and helps clear pores without irritation, making it a suitable prep step before applying active treatments like retinol.
How often should I use this cleanser?
You can use this cleanser daily in the morning and evening as part of your routine. It provides gentle enzymatic exfoliation that helps clear pores and manage oiliness without causing irritation.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily acne-prone skin?
This cleanser is a great fit and is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for your oily, acne-prone skin. Its gentle enzymes help clear dead skin cells and manage oiliness without the risk of irritation, though any new exfoliating product may occasionally cause an initial adjustment period.
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. Body skin is thicker and can handle active cleansers well, whereas the eye area is very delicate and prone to irritation.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (parfum). Lauryl alcohol, behenyl alcohol, and stearyl alcohol are fatty alcohols, which soften the skin.
What the research says
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, 2024Coacervates 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, 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, 2001Topical papain treatment may slightly decrease pain within 30 minutes in humans stung by Chrysaora chinensis compared to placebo.
Wilderness & Environmental Medicine, 2016A fixed combination of hydroxypinacolone retinoate, retinol glycospheres, and papain glycospheres in aqueous gel applied once daily for 12 weeks achieved a 41% mean reduction in GAGS score and a 40.8% mean reduction in total lesions, with 15.3% of patients experiencing mild to moderate local side effects, in 94 evaluable patients with comedonal-papular, mild to moderate acne of the face.
Giornale Italiano Di Dermatologia E Venereologia, 2015Reflux extraction of Carica papaya leaves yielded higher antioxidant capacity and superior in vitro wound-healing activities including fibroblast proliferation, cell migration, and collagen synthesis in human skin fibroblasts compared to ultrasonic-assisted extraction and agitation.
Molecules, 2020A combination cream of stimu-tex AS and saccharide isomerate reduced erythema, increased skin capacitance, and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to placebo in 20 subjects after fractional CO2 laser procedure without causing serious adverse events.
Lasers in Medical Science, 2025A skin barrier restoring cream with shea butter, silkflo, and vitamin E increased type I procollagen synthesis, enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity, decreased reactive oxygen species generation, and promoted hyaluronic acid production in H2O2-stimulated human keratinocyte cells compared to untreated cells.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2025Topical 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, 2025Dermatological 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, 2021Topical 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
Ingredients
Water, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Acrylates Copolymer, Polysorbate 20, Coco-Glucoside, Glycol Distearate, Glyceryl Oleate, Sodium Lactate, Dicaprylyl Ether, Phenoxyethanol, Lauryl Alcohol, Parfum, Sodium Chloride, Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil, Xanthan Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Chlorphenesin, Citric Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, Papain, Disodium Edta, Galactoarabinan, Behenyl Alcohol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Shea Butter, Benzoic Acid, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Disodium Phosphate, Stearyl Alcohol, Protease, Subtilisin, Tocopheryl Acetate Vitamin E, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate, Tocopherol, Poria Cocos Extract, Extracted
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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