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Sulwhasoo Gentle Cleansing Foam for acne-prone skin

Sulwhasoo Gentle Cleansing Foam
  • Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate
  • Cocamidopropyl Betaine
  • Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Extract
  • Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract
  • Chestnut Shell Extract

High

  • HighCombination Skin Fit
  • HighEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

A great choice for acne-prone skin; a few cleansers fit it even 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 excellent cleansing for your combination skin, as potassium cocoyl glycinate and disodium cocoamphodiacetate effectively remove impurities and excess oil from pores. Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Extract and Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract provide humectant and antioxidant benefits, supporting overall skin health.
  • While it provides general cleansing, the formula lacks specialized ingredients like salicylic acid to directly target your acne, blemishes, and breakouts.
  • The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation for your acne-prone skin due to the absence of prohibited or 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

★4.7Overall rating based on 800+ reviews

Users with dry and sensitive skin frequently praise this cleanser for its gentle, hydrating, and non-stripping formula that leaves skin feeling soft and balanced. The luxurious herbal scent and rich lather are widely appreciated for a spa-like experience. Some users with oily skin, however, find the moisturizing finish less ideal for a squeaky-clean feel.

Highlights

  • Gentle and soothing Mostly Mentioned
    • “super gentle”
    • “no irritation”
    • “mild liquid cleansing foam”
    • “great for sensitive skin”
  • Hydrating and non-stripping Mostly Mentioned
    • “skin is moisturised all day”
    • “won't let my skin become dry”
    • “leaves skin feeling hydrated”
    • “no tightness after washing”
  • Luxurious texture Often Mentioned
    • “rich foamy lather”
    • “gel texture turns to foam”
    • “little goes a long way”
    • “silky and smooth”
    • “cushiony lather”
  • Pleasant herbal scent Often Mentioned
    • “smells really good”
    • “relaxing herbal scent”
    • “spa-like experience”
    • “ginseng scent”
    • “invigorates the senses”
  • High price point Often Mentioned
    • “expensive”
    • “pricey”
    • “give out $60”
    • “worth it but expensive”
    • “steep for a cleanser”
  • Effective cleansing Sometimes Noted
    • “removes impurities”
    • “pores feel cleaner”
    • “removes light makeup”
    • “skin feels refreshed”
    • “clarified finish”
  • Makeup removal limitations Sometimes Noted
    • “struggled with waterproof mascara”
    • “too gentle for heavy makeup”
    • “need double cleanse”
    • “left residue”
    • “better as morning cleanser”
  • Polarizing scent Rarely Noted
    • “too much fragrance”
    • “smell is strong”
    • “herbal smell is weird”
    • “fragrance broke me out”
    • “smells like medicine”
  • Rare irritation Rarely Noted
    • “broke me out badly”
    • “irritated my dry skin”
    • “burning sensation”
    • “caused redness”
    • “allergic reaction”
  • Residue or film Rarely Noted
    • “moist post-cleansing feel”
    • “slippery”
    • “feel not clean enough”
    • “mucus-like consistency”
    • “film left behind”

Sources: lovi.care, sephora.my, sephora.com.au, sephora.sg, influenster.com, yesstyle.com, and more

Questions and answers

What makes Sulwhasoo Gentle Cleansing Foam a great fit for acne-prone skin?

Sulwhasoo Gentle Cleansing Foam is a great fit because its gentle cleansers effectively remove impurities and excess oil from pores while botanical extracts provide soothing and antioxidant benefits. It has an excellent safety profile, with no harsh ingredients that might cause irritation or make breakouts worse.

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

Potassium cocoyl glycinate and disodium cocoamphodiacetate make this cleanser a good fit because they effectively remove impurities and excess oil from pores without causing irritation. Additionally, Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Extract and Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract support overall skin health.

What does Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate do for acne-prone skin?

Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate helps cleanse acne-prone skin gently without stripping away its natural moisture. It is a mild cleansing ingredient that is unlikely to cause irritation or dryness while washing away excess oil.

What does Cocamidopropyl Betaine do for acne-prone skin?

Cocamidopropyl Betaine helps gently clean acne-prone skin by removing dirt and oil without leaving it feeling stripped or dry. When formulated thoughtfully in a cleanser, it helps maintain skin comfort while supporting your daily routine.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2004

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 cleansing step, and it is also used in your weekly routine. It is very safe for acne-prone skin and is unlikely to cause irritation.

The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022

Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?

You can use this cleanser with retinol, applying it first to gently wash your face before putting on your retinol treatment. It is unlikely to cause irritation on your acne-prone skin because the formula avoids harsh ingredients and is very well tolerated.

How often should I use this cleanser?

You can use this cleanser twice a day as part of your morning and evening routine. It has a very safe formula that is unlikely to cause irritation on your acne-prone skin.

The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022

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 has a very safe formula with no harsh ingredients that trigger irritation. It effectively washes away excess oil from pores without causing trouble, though it does not contain specialized ingredients to directly target existing acne.

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

You can use this gentle cleanser safely on both your body and the thin skin around your eyes without irritation. Its mild cleansers effectively lift dirt and excess oil while maintaining high skin tolerance across different body areas.

Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 2002

Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (parfum, limonene, and linalool).

What the research says

  • The 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
  • Topical application of Citrus reticulata fruit extract provided instant relief from lactic acid-induced skin discomfort and increased skin tolerance by inhibiting TRPV1 activation and expression.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2023
  • Fermented Citrus unshiu peel extract inhibited MMP-1 expression and decreased SA-beta-gal positive cells by approximately 45% at 0.1% concentration in ultraviolet-A-irradiated human dermal fibroblasts compared to untreated irradiated cells.

    Phytotherapy Research, 2012
  • Topical application of a cosmetic cleanser containing Diospyros kaki folium, Polygonum cuspidatum, and Castanea crenata var. dulcis extracts reduced skin oil content by 77.3%, pore number by 24.83%, and pore size by 71.43% in healthy volunteers compared to a control cleanser.

    Biomedical Reports, 2015
  • A Castanea sativa spiny burs extract-loaded topical emulsion improved skin hydration, skin elasticity, and reduced periorbital wrinkles in 30 days in healthy human volunteers compared to placebo without altering skin barrier function, sebum, pH, or erythema.

    Pharmaceutics, 2021
  • An antioxidant surfactant-free topical formulation containing Castanea sativa leaf extract demonstrated stable physical and microbiological properties, a release rate of 610 ± 70 µgh(-0.5), and a significant in vivo moisturizing effect lasting at least 4 hours.

    Drug Development and Industrial Pharmacy, 2015

Ingredients

Water, Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Acrylates Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer, Peg-200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate, Sodium Chloride, Pentylene Glycol, 2-Hexanediol, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Caprylyl Capryl Glucoside, Peg-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Parfum, Isostearic Acid, Potassium Hydroxide, Butylene Glycol, Limonene, Disodium Edta, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Benzoate, Tetrasodium Edta, Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Extract, Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract, Chestnut Shell Extract, Linalool, Spirodela Polyrhiza Extract, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Dextrin, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract Raspberry Fruit Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Salicornia Herbacea Extract, Morus Alba Leaf Extract, Angelica Keiskei Extract, Citric Acid, Tocopherol

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.

How does it fit your skin?

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