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Paula's Choice Hydrating Gel-To-Cream Cleanser for acne-prone skin

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

Paula's Choice Hydrating Gel-To-Cream Cleanser

Average

  • AverageCombination 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 cleansing for your combination skin, as sodium cocoyl glycinate and cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine effectively remove impurities without stripping the skin. Glycerin and lactic acid provide mild hydration and exfoliation, though targeted ingredients for blemishes are lacking.
  • The presence of aloe barbadensis leaf juice and camellia sinensis leaf extract offers soothing benefits, which is beneficial for your acne-prone skin.
  • The formula is safe for your skin, containing no harsh ingredients and including soothing agents like aloe barbadensis leaf juice and camellia sinensis leaf extract.

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 200+ reviews

Users find this cleanser effectively removes makeup and impurities while maintaining skin's moisture, making it suitable for sensitive and combination skin. The gel-to-cream texture is generally well-received for leaving skin soft and refreshed. Some users report issues with the packaging being difficult to dispense and occasional mild irritation around the eyes.

Highlights

  • Gentle and non-drying Mostly Mentioned
    • “Does not dry skin”
    • “Leaves skin feeling soft and refreshed”
    • “Never strips or dries”
  • Effective cleansing Often Mentioned
    • “Melts off make up”
    • “Lifts away dirt and excess oil”
    • “Removes makeup including mascara well”
  • Fragrance-free formula Sometimes Noted
    • “It has no scent”
    • “Great for sensitive skin”
    • “Fragrance free”
  • Pleasant texture Sometimes Noted
    • “Silky cleanser”
    • “Rich, creamy foam”
    • “Refreshing gel texture”
  • Difficult packaging Sometimes Noted
    • “Packaging is a bit inconvenient”
    • “Hard to squeeze out”
    • “Container isn't very pliable”
  • Expensive product Rarely Noted
    • “Pricey for a cleanser”
    • “Small bottle for the cost”
    • “Good but expensive”
  • Eye irritation Rarely Noted
    • “Irritating for sensitive eyes”
    • “Stung my eyes”
    • “Avoid the eye area”
  • Hard to rinse Rarely Noted
    • “Takes a lot of rinsing”
    • “Film left behind”
    • “Hard to wash off”

Sources: lovi.care, paulaschoice.com, dermstore.com, cultbeauty.co.uk, spacenk.com, skinsort.com, and more

Questions and answers

How well does Paula's Choice Hydrating Gel-To-Cream Cleanser work for acne-prone skin?

This cleanser works moderately well for your acne-prone skin, gently washing away impurities while soothing your skin with aloe and green tea. However, it lacks targeted ingredients for blemishes, so an acne-prone skin type needs a product with a gentle yet powerful formulation of soothing ingredients to effectively address acne and breakouts while maintaining skin balance.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019Clinical Pharmacology, 2018

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

Aloe barbadensis leaf juice and camellia sinensis leaf extract make this cleanser a good fit because they offer soothing benefits for acne-prone skin. To work best for this skin, a cleanser of this type needs targeted ingredients that actively address blemishes and breakouts while maintaining skin balance and safety without irritation.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019Clinical Pharmacology, 2018

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

What does Aloe Vera Leaf Juice do for acne-prone skin?

Aloe Vera Leaf Juice helps calm acne-prone skin and may reduce redness, bumps, and spots when used consistently. Studies show it helps clear breakouts and keeps skin smooth by fighting blemish-causing factors.

Clinical Pharmacology, 2018The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2014

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

This cleanser goes in your morning and evening routine as the first step after makeup removal. To work best for acne-prone skin, a cleanser of this type needs targeted blemish-fighting ingredients and gentle exfoliants.

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 is safe for your skin and helps soothe it with ingredients like aloe barbadensis leaf juice and camellia sinensis leaf extract, though an acne-prone skin routine needs targeted blemish-fighting ingredients alongside a gentle wash.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019Clinical Pharmacology, 2018

How often should I use this cleanser?

You can use this cleanser twice a day as part of your morning and evening routine. It gently removes impurities without stripping your skin, though an acne-prone skin type needs a cleanser with targeted blemish-fighting ingredients for better results.

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 contains no harsh ingredients and includes soothing aloe and green tea extract. However, because it lacks targeted blemish-fighting ingredients, acne-prone skin often needs a cleanser that adds dedicated acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019Clinical Pharmacology, 2018

Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?

You can use this gentle cleanser on your body and around the eyes, as it cleans without stripping and has a safe profile with soothing ingredients. Products of this type for acne-prone skin need targeted blemish-fighting ingredients along with mild cleansers, hydrators, and soothing plant extracts.

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

  • An anti-acne hydrogel containing Aloe barbadensis, Garcinia mangostana, and Camellia sinensis extracts showed superior antiacne and antiblotch activities compared to 1% clindamycin gel in sixty subjects with mild-moderate acne.

    Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019

  • A 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, 2018

  • Topical low-dose green tea extract reduces UVB-induced p53 expression and apoptosis in human skin keratinocytes compared to placebo.

    Experimental Dermatology, 2009

  • 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

  • Topical 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, 2018

  • Topical 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, 2010

  • Formulations 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, 2006

  • Topical green tea extract significantly improved clinical symptoms, tear breakup times, and meibomian gland health compared to standard treatment in patients with dry eye and Meibomian Gland Dysfunction.

    Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research, 2017

  • Topical application of green tea extract encapsulated chitosan microparticles improved skin elasticity, melanin index, and facial wrinkles compared to a placebo in female volunteers without causing skin irritation.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022

  • A moisturizing cream containing 2% l-carnitine and 5% EGCG significantly reduced sebum levels and improved skin hydration in ninety subjects with seborrhea over 4 weeks, showing greater anti-sebum efficacy in the combination group compared to the l-carnitine group alone.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2023

  • Combining 755 nm alexandrite laser with topical licorice gel significantly reduces terminal hair counts compared to alexandrite laser with placebo in women with idiopathic hirsutism.

    Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2015

  • Licochalcone A activated Nrf2 signaling, elevated cytoprotective enzymes, increased the reduced-to-oxidized glutathione ratio, and decreased reactive oxygen species in human fibroblasts and neutrophils, while a LicA-rich licorice extract lowered UVA-induced oxidative processes in vivo.

    Experimental Dermatology, 2015

  • Bioactive glycyrrhizic acid and oxymatrine ionic liquid self-assembled nanomicelles significantly promoted the transdermal permeation, subcutaneous retention, and anti-photoaging efficacy of palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 in cellular and animal models compared to unformulated peptide.

    Advanced Science, 2025

  • Application of a cream containing lactic acid 12% and pramoxine HCl 1% significantly improved skin dryness, hydration, and itch compared with a nontreated control in 24 women with a history of dry itchy skin.

    Cutis, 2004

  • Topical 12% ammonium lactate produced a significant sparing of epidermal and dermal atrophy induced by clobetasol propionate in human volunteers, without influencing the corticosteroid's bioavailability or antiinflammatory properties.

    Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 1992

  • A lactic acid/ceramide lotion significantly improved skin moisturization and desquamation compared to no treatment in women with dry, rough skin on the anterior shins.

    The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2020

Why other cleansers fit acne-prone skin better

Ingredients

Water, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium Lauroamphoacetate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycerin, Sorbeth-230 Tetraoleate, Decyl Glucoside, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Chloride, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Lauric Acid, Lactic Acid, Sodium Lauroyl Oat Amino Acids, Sorbitan Laurate, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Disodium Edta, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract Licorice Root Extract, Linoleic Acid, Glycine, Alanine, Serine, Valine, Isoleucine, Proline, Threonine, Cocoyl Proline, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Pca, Sodium Lactate, Arginine, Glycine Soja Soybean Sterols, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Pca, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Lactoperoxidase, Glucose Oxidase, Aspartic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin

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
Download on theApp Store Get it onGoogle Play