Sulwhasoo Gentle Cleansing Foam for oily 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 skin; a few cleansers fit it even better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily skin: shine, enlarged pores, blackheads, and blemishes. 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 oily skin, this cleanser effectively manages oily shine with potassium cocoyl glycinate and disodium cocoamphodiacetate, which provide thorough pore cleansing and mild degreasing without over-drying.
- Coix lacryma-jobi ma-yuen seed extract and citrus unshiu peel extract offer additional soothing benefits, complementing the cleansing action for your oily skin.
- The formula is safe for your skin, as it contains no harsh or prohibited ingredients and is unlikely to cause irritation.
How to apply
- Use your cleanser AM and PM every day to keep your skin fresh. Always make sure to follow with a good SPF in the morning.
- Apply your cleanser as the first step in the morning or the second step in the evening before your toner.
- Gently massage a small amount onto your face using circular motions, then rinse well with water .
- You can apply this cleanser safely on damp skin for a refreshing and easy wash.
- Avoid getting the product directly into your eyes and stop use if irritation occurs.
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 skin?
This cleanser is a great fit because it manages oily shine with potassium cocoyl glycinate and disodium cocoamphodiacetate, which give a thorough pore clean and mild degreasing without drying out your skin. It also includes seed and peel extracts that soothe your skin, and it is unlikely to cause irritation.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for oily skin?
This cleanser manages oily shine with potassium cocoyl glycinate and disodium cocoamphodiacetate, which clean deep into pores and mildly remove excess oil without leaving skin too dry. Coix lacryma-jobi ma-yuen seed extract and citrus unshiu peel extract also help soothe your oily skin.
What does Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate do for oily skin?
Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate helps clean oily skin gently while leaving it soft and smooth without feeling stripped. This mild ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation, making it comfortable for daily cleansing.
What does Cocamidopropyl Betaine do for oily skin?
Cocamidopropyl betaine is a cleansing ingredient that helps wash away excess oil and dirt from oily skin. While it is generally safe for use in wash-off products, it is unlikely to change oil production and may cause mild skin irritation in some people.
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for oily skin?
This cleanser is used in both your morning and evening routines. In the morning, use it as your first step before applying a hydrating toner, moisturizer, and SPF. In the evening, use it as your second step after a makeup remover, followed by a cleansing toner, treatment, and moisturizer.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cleanser in the same routine as retinol, applying it first to clean your skin before your retinol treatment. This cleanser is a great fit for oily skin because it manages shiny oil and cleans pores thoroughly without making your skin too dry. The formula is safe and unlikely to cause irritation.
How often should I use this cleanser?
You can use this cleanser twice a day as part of your morning and evening routine. It thoroughly cleans pores and manages oily shine without over-drying, and it is unlikely to cause irritation.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for oily skin because it provides thorough pore cleansing without over-drying, and it is safe and well tolerated. It has no harsh ingredients that typically cause irritation or breakouts.
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
This cleanser is safe to use on the body, but the skin around the eyes is much thinner and more delicate than most body areas and requires extra care. It is unlikely to cause irritation when used properly, though you should avoid getting it directly into your eyes.
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.
-
Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
-
Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
-
Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
-
Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
-
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
-
Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
-
Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
-
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.