Sarah Chapman Ultimate Cleanse for acne-prone skin
Isopropyl Palmitate
Caprylic Capric Triglyceride
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Tocopheryl Acetate Vitamin E
Retinyl Palmitate Vitamin A
High
- AverageCombination Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
A great choice for acne-prone skin; a few pre-cleansers fit it even better.
- Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
- Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications, 2021
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 and hydration for your combination skin, with ingredients like Isopropyl Palmitate and Caprylic Capric Triglyceride effectively dissolving oil-based impurities, while Glycerin and Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil provide emollient and humectant actions.
- While the formula provides general cleansing and hydration, it lacks targeted ingredients to specifically address your acne, blemishes, and breakouts.
- The product is safe for your acne-prone skin, as it contains soothing ingredients like Ubiquinone and Tocopheryl Acetate and avoids harsh or prohibited substances.
How to apply
- Use this makeup remover PM as the first step of your evening routine to clear away dirt and oil. Start 3x/week and work up to daily use if your combination skin tolerates it well.
- Apply this makeup remover before cleansing and using the rest of your skin products. This ensures all makeup and impurities are fully washed away.
- Gently press a small amount of the makeup remover onto your face using a soft cotton pad. Avoid rubbing the skin too harshly to prevent irritation.
- Apply the makeup remover on dry skin to easily dissolve makeup and clear out blemishes. There is no need to dampen your face beforehand.
- Do a patch test before first use to ensure your skin reacts well. Avoid the delicate eye area while applying.
People Say
★4.8Overall rating based on 600+ reviewsThis balm-to-milk cleanser is highly regarded for its luxurious, spa-like experience, effectively dissolving stubborn makeup and waterproof mascara without drying out the skin. It is especially favored by those with dry, mature, and sensitive skin for its hydrating and soothing properties, leaving the complexion feeling plump. A notable drawback is the polarizing, potent essential oil fragrance.
Highlights
Spa-like scent Mostly Mentioned
- “smells like a spa”
- “heavenly scent”
- “relaxing evening ritual”
- “divine smell”
Effective makeup remover Often Mentioned
- “melts waterproof mascara”
- “removes all traces”
- “dissolves heavy makeup”
- “no scrubbing needed”
Hydrating and non-stripping Often Mentioned
- “leaves skin soft”
- “never feels tight”
- “nourishing for dry skin”
- “plump and bouncy”
High price point Often Mentioned
- “very expensive”
- “pricey for a cleanser”
- “luxury splurge”
- “wish it was cheaper”
Luxurious texture Sometimes Noted
- “buttery balm”
- “silky consistency”
- “glides on skin”
- “pleasure to massage”
Strong fragrance Sometimes Noted
- “scent is overpowering”
- “too much camphor”
- “smell is too strong”
- “fragrance lingers”
Opaque packaging Rarely Noted
- “can't see amount left”
- “runs out unexpectedly”
- “heavy bottle hides content”
- “hard to gauge usage”
Requires cloth removal Rarely Noted
- “needs a flannel”
- “leaves oily film”
- “residue if not wiped”
- “heavy for morning”
Sources: lovi.care, sarahchapman.com, spacenk.com, lookfantastic.com, cultbeauty.co.uk, qvcuk.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes Sarah Chapman Ultimate Cleanse a great fit for acne-prone skin?
Sarah Chapman Ultimate Cleanse is a great fit for acne-prone skin because it gently dissolves oil-based impurities while keeping the skin calm and soft. It contains soothing ingredients like Tocopheryl Acetate and Ubiquinone that are unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for acne-prone skin?
This cleanser is a safe fit for acne-prone skin because it contains soothing ingredients like Tocopheryl Acetate and Ubiquinone, while avoiding harsh or irritating substances. It also uses Caprylic Capric Triglyceride and Isopropyl Palmitate to dissolve oil-based impurities and Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil and Glycerin to keep the skin hydrated.
What does Isopropyl Palmitate do for acne-prone skin?
Isopropyl Palmitate may clog pores and is generally a poor fit for acne-prone skin because it tends to cause breakouts. A product for this type of skin needs to be non-clogging and lightweight to keep pores clear and calm.
What does Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride do for acne-prone skin?
Caprylic/capric triglyceride helps keep skin hydrated and balanced without feeling heavy. It is unlikely to cause breakouts when formulated properly, though acne-prone skin still needs lightweight, non-clogging ingredients that help control excess oil and soothe irritation.
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?
Sarah Chapman Ultimate Cleanse goes in the evening routine as a makeup remover before your main cleanser, and is also used at that same step in your weekly routine. It is safe for your skin with a good safety profile, though an acne-prone skin type also needs targeted blemish-fighting ingredients to properly manage breakouts.
Can I use it with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this makeup remover in the evening before your cleanser and retinol, as it is safe for your skin and contains soothing ingredients like Tocopheryl Acetate and Ubiquinone that help calm potential irritation. A product of this type needs barrier-strengthening ceramides and soothing agents to keep your skin calm while using strong acne treatments.
How often should I use it?
You can use Sarah Chapman Ultimate Cleanse in the evening as the first step of your routine to remove makeup, and also as part of your weekly routine. It is safe for your skin because it contains soothing ingredients and avoids harsh substances.
Can it clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?
Sarah Chapman Ultimate Cleanse is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts on your acne-prone skin because it contains soothing ingredients like Tocopheryl Acetate and avoids harsh substances. However, since the formula lacks targeted ingredients to address blemishes, acne-prone skin needs a product that includes acne-fighting components like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It contains fragrance (limonene and linalool) and drying alcohol (ethanol).
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, 2017Dermatological 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 treatment with coenzyme Q10 formulas replenishes Q10 levels in the skin surface and deeper epidermis, augments cellular energy metabolism, and reduces free radicals while increasing antioxidant capacity in stressed skin.
BioFactors, 2015Topical application of an emollient emulsion containing 15.0% caprylic/capric triglyceride doubled the amount of urocanic acid isomers and increased skin hydration with reduced transepidermal water loss in healthy subjects, though it did not prevent ultraviolet-induced urocanic acid isomerization.
Life, 2023Topical 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, 2025Topical 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, 2024A topical antioxidant serum significantly reduced air pollution-induced skin pigmentation and proinflammatory gene expression ex vivo, and improved skin aging signs in 40 healthy adult females after 90 days of daily use.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022Over-the-counter retinol products provided only weak evidence for a mild ameliorating effect on fine facial skin wrinkle lines in randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled trials, and major methodological flaws call the validity of positive results into question.
The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2021A cosmetic niacinamide/peptide/retinyl propionate regimen significantly improved periorbital wrinkle appearance relative to a 0.02% tretinoin regimen at 8 weeks with comparable benefits at 24 weeks, while demonstrating significantly better tolerability in 196 women.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2010A novel triple-active cosmetic formulation containing 4-hexylresorcinol, retinyl propionate, and niacinamide improved the visual appearance of photoageing similarly to 0.02% tretinoin and reversed a consensus gene signature associated with ageing in female adults while causing less skin irritation.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2024
Ingredients
Isopropyl Palmitate, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Peg-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Sorbitan Oleate, Peg-10 Laurate, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Ceteareth-6 Olivate, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Alba Cera Beeswax Cera, Decyl Glucoside, Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Water, Camphor Oil Bark, Eucalyptus Globulus Oil Leaf, Limonene, Bergamot Oil Fruit, Propylene Carbonate, Tribehenin, Ethanol, Ubiquinone, Tocopheryl Acetate, Juniperus Virginiana Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil Lavender Oil, Ceramide 2, Peg-10 Phytosterol, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Rosa Canina Oil Fruit, Lilium Candidum Bulb Extract, Glycerin, Retinyl Palmitate, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Linalool, Citrus Aurantium Amara Oil Twig Leaf, Lemon Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Amara Oil Flower, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil Mandarin Orange Peel Oil, Myrtus Communis Oil, Anthemis Nobilis Oil Flower, Myrocarpus Fastigiatus Oil, Mimosa Tenuiflora Bark Extract, Cananga Odorata Oil Flower, Jasmine Leaf Extract Flower, Rosa Damascena Oil Flower
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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