Sulwhasoo Gentle Cleansing Foam for oily acne-prone skin
Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Extract
Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract
Chestnut Shell Extract
High
- HighOily Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- HighSafety
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
- Highly suitable for your oily skin, this cleanser effectively removes impurities with potassium cocoyl glycinate and disodium cocoamphodiacetate, preventing pore congestion. While it offers excellent cleansing, it lacks specialized ingredients like salicylic acid or niacinamide to directly target your acne and blemishes.
- The formulation is safe for your skin, as it contains no harsh or prohibited ingredients that could cause irritation.
- This product provides a thorough cleanse without stripping your oily skin, ensuring a comfortable feel after use.
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
★4.7Overall rating based on 800+ reviewsUsers 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 oily acne-prone skin?
This cleanser is a great fit because it effectively washes away impurities to prevent clogged pores without stripping your oily skin of moisture. It has a very safe formula that is unlikely to cause irritation, though it lacks targeted acne ingredients like salicylic acid or niacinamide.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for oily acne-prone skin?
Potassium cocoyl glycinate and disodium cocoamphodiacetate make this cleanser a great fit by effectively removing impurities to help prevent pore congestion without stripping your skin. It also has a very safe formula that is unlikely to cause irritation.
What does Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate do for oily acne-prone skin?
Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate helps clean oily, acne-prone skin gently by removing excess oil without leaving it feeling stripped or dry. A cleanser with this type of mild ingredient needs to clear pores effectively while keeping the skin barrier calm and comfortable.
Dermatologic Therapy, 2004Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2019
What does Cocamidopropyl Betaine do for oily acne-prone skin?
Cocamidopropyl betaine is a cleansing ingredient that helps wash away dirt and excess oil from oily, acne-prone skin, though it may occasionally cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in some people. This type of skin needs gentle cleansers and oil-reducing ingredients that clear pores while keeping the skin barrier healthy and calm.
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin?
This cleanser is used both morning and evening as the first step of washing your face, and it is also included in your weekly routine. It gently removes impurities without stripping your skin and has a safe 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 using the cleanser first on your oily skin and applying your retinol afterward. This cleanser gives a thorough wash without stripping your skin, helping keep your routine comfortable while you use retinol.
How often should I use this cleanser?
You can use this cleanser twice a day as part of your morning and evening routine. It provides a thorough cleanse without stripping your oily skin, helping prevent pore congestion while maintaining a comfortable feel.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily acne-prone skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores because it effectively removes impurities with gentle surfactants that prevent pore buildup without stripping your oily skin. While it gives a thorough clean, it lacks specialized breakout-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid to directly target your acne.
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
You can use this cleanser on your body, but you should use caution around the eyes because the skin there is much thinner and more sensitive. The gentle surfactants used in this formulation help provide a comfortable wash without causing irritation.
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, 2003Topical 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, 2023Fermented 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, 2012Topical 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, 2015A 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, 2021An 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.
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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?
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