EltaMD Foaming Facial Cleanser for oily acne-prone skin
Bromelain
Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate
Sodium Cocoyl Apple Amino Acids
Capryloyl Glycine
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Average
- AverageOily Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for oily acne-prone skin; other cleansers fit it 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 suitability for your oily skin due to the presence of bromelain with keratolytic action, but lacks sufficient seboregulating ingredients for optimal results.
- It provides excellent cleansing benefits for your oily skin with sodium cocoyl glycinate and bromelain for effective pore decongestion and exfoliation, though it lacks specialized ingredients like salicylic acid to effectively target acne, blemishes, and breakouts.
- The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation for your oily skin due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.
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
★4.6Overall rating based on 10.2k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this enzyme-based cleanser is highly regarded for its self-foaming technology that effectively cleans pores without stripping moisture, making it suitable for sensitive, acne-prone, and post-procedure skin. Most users appreciate the soft, clean finish and reduced inflammation. However, some users report issues with the pump dispenser and a few find the formula slightly drying.
Highlights
Gentle on sensitive skin Mostly Mentioned
- “Perfect for my sensitive post-laser skin”
- “Gentle enough for morning and night”
Effective deep clean Often Mentioned
- “Removes all my makeup in one go”
- “Pores look smaller and cleaner”
- “Face feels squeaky clean but soft”
Safe for problem skin Often Mentioned
- “Helped clear my hormonal acne”
- “Dermatologist recommended after microneedling”
- “Doesn't cause breakouts”
Pump dispenser issues Often Mentioned
- “Pump stopped working halfway through”
- “Have to unscrew the top to use it”
- “Dispenser gets clogged constantly”
Unique foaming action Sometimes Noted
- “Love how it bubbles up on its own”
- “The thick foam feels luxurious”
- “Tickles slightly but cleans deep”
Counterfeit product concerns Sometimes Noted
- “Product was watery and smelled wrong”
- “Fake bottle compared to my last one”
- “Seal was broken, consistency off”
Expensive price point Sometimes Noted
- “Great product but too pricey”
- “Wish it was cheaper for the size”
- “Expensive for a cleanser”
Can be drying Rarely Noted
- “Left my skin feeling stripped”
- “Too drying for winter use”
- “Made my face feel tight”
Sources: lovi.care, amazon.com, dermstore.com, lovelyskin.com, walmart.com, edcskincare.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does EltaMD Foaming Facial Cleanser work for oily acne-prone skin?
EltaMD Foaming Facial Cleanser works moderately well for oily acne-prone skin by offering good pore decongestion and exfoliation, but it lacks enough oil-controlling ingredients and salicylic acid to effectively target acne and breakouts. To work best for this skin type, a cleanser needs soothing and effective ingredients like niacinamide and ceramides, probiotics, or glycerin, which balance oil production, soothe the skin, and maintain clarity without causing excess dryness or irritation.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for oily acne-prone skin?
Bromelain and sodium cocoyl glycinate make this cleanser a good fit for oily skin by helping to clear out pores and gently exfoliating. However, this skin type needs a cleanser with ingredients like salicylic acid, niacinamide, or ceramides to properly manage breakouts and balance oil production.
What does Bromelain do for oily acne-prone skin?
Bromelain helps calm swelling and clears away dead layers that can clog pores, making it useful for oily, acne-prone skin. Because individual results vary, this type of skin needs ingredients that control oil and soothe irritation to stay clear and smooth.
What does Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate do for oily acne-prone skin?
Sodium cocoyl glycinate is a gentle cleanser ingredient that helps wash away excess oil and dirt without stripping your skin. It is unlikely to cause irritation or dryness, making it a good choice to keep oily, acne-prone skin clean and calm.
Where does it go in a skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin?
This cleanser goes in the morning and evening routine steps. It is unlikely to irritate your oily skin, but a product of this type needs extra oil-controlling and breakout-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid to work best for acne.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
Yes, you can use this cleanser with retinol, applying it first to clean your skin before you put on your retinol treatment. It is unlikely to cause irritation because it has very gentle ingredients, but oily acne-prone skin often needs a cleanser with ingredients like salicylic acid and oil-controlling elements to properly target breakouts.
How often should I use it?
You can use this cleanser daily in the morning and evening as part of your routine. This product type works for your oily skin, though an option with salicylic acid and extra oil-balancing ingredients is needed for optimal acne control.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily acne-prone skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts because it has an excellent safety profile without harsh ingredients, but it does not treat blemishes since it lacks specialized ingredients like salicylic acid. A product for oily acne-prone skin needs strong pore-clearing and oil-balancing ingredients for optimal results.
Can I use it around the eyes or on my body?
You can use this cleanser on your body, but you should avoid the thin skin around your eyes where irritation is more likely. A cleanser of this type for the eye area needs gentle, hydrating ingredients.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Oral bromelain slightly reduced pain compared to controls (mean difference -0.27) and topical bromelain reduced time to complete debridement by 6.89 days, with no major health risks reported.
Nutrition and Health, 2023An upcycled pineapple leaf fibre crosspolymer forms a physical barrier that protects against environmental aggressors while providing antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antipollution, UV protection, hydration, and hair benefits.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2026A coaxial electrospun core-shell nanofiber scaffold delivering bromelain and salvianolic acid B demonstrated sustained drug release, in vitro endothelial cell migration, increased capillary formation in an in ovo assay, and in vivo efficacy for skin regeneration and wound healing.
Biomedical Materials, 2017A soap-free cleansing lotion containing cetyl alcohol and sodium cocoyl apple amino acids reduced skin surface impurities and improved skin hydration, barrier function, and skin tone in 27 healthy adult subjects over 30 days.
Cureus, 2025Topical application of a formulation containing capryloyl glycine 4% significantly decreased hair density, median hair length, and terminal hair density on the forearms compared to placebo in female patients with hypertrichosis after 120 days.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021
Why other cleansers fit oily acne-prone skin better
A 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, 2024Topical 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, 2021A botanical face cleanser with hops and willow bark extract continuously reduced skin sebum levels without reactive seborrhea after treatment in 21 healthy volunteers compared to a sodium laureth sulfate cleanser, with neither cleanser causing skin irritation.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019
Ingredients
Water, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Acrylates Copolymer, Sodium Cocoyl Apple Amino Acids, Methyl Perfluoroisobutyl Ether, Magnesium Silicate, Methyl Perfluorobutyl Ether, Bromelain, Peg Ppg-14 4 Dimethicone, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Isononyl Isononanoate, Ethylhexyl Isononanoate, Sodium Cocamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hydroxide, Capryloyl Glycine, Undecylenoyl Glycine, Sodium Bisulfite
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
How does it fit your skin?
Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.