Farmacy Green Clean for acne-prone skin
Carica Papaya Extract
Sunflower Oil
Echinacea Purpurea Root Extract
Squalane
Grape Seed OilAverage
- AverageCombination Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for acne-prone skin; other pre-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 excellent makeup removal for your combination skin, as cleansing agents like Cetyl Ethylhexanoate and Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil effectively dissolve impurities without causing irritation.
- The formula provides moderate benefits for your acne, blemishes, and breakouts due to sunflower seed oil and grape seed oil, though it lacks sufficient ingredients for optimal oil control.
- The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation for your combination skin due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.
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
★4.6Overall rating based on 15.0k+ reviewsThis cleansing balm is widely praised for its sorbet-like texture that effortlessly melts away stubborn waterproof makeup without stripping the skin's natural moisture. Based on a very large amount of data, it is generally celebrated as safe for sensitive and acne-prone skin due to its clean ingredients, though a minority of users experience eye irritation or breakouts linked to its essential oils.
Highlights
Effortless Makeup Removal Mostly Mentioned
- “melts waterproof mascara instantly”
- “dissolves long-wear foundation”
- “removes everything without scrubbing”
- “takes off stage makeup easily”
Non-Stripping & Hydrating Often Mentioned
- “leaves skin feeling soft”
- “face feels hydrated not tight”
- “doesn't strip natural oils”
- “skin feels plump after rinsing”
Pleasant Sensory Experience Often Mentioned
- “smells like a spa”
- “love the lime/citrus scent”
- “texture is like sorbet”
- “feels luxurious on the skin”
Gentle on Sensitive Skin Sometimes Noted
- “no redness after use”
- “gentle enough for daily use”
- “didn't irritate my reactive skin”
Rinses Cleanly Sometimes Noted
- “emulsifies into a milk”
- “leaves no greasy residue”
- “washes off completely with water”
- “no film left behind”
Eye irritation Sometimes Noted
- “caused blurry vision”
- “cloudy film over eyes”
- “stings if it gets in eyes”
- “irritated my contacts”
Price/Value Sometimes Noted
- “too expensive for the amount”
- “jar runs out quickly”
- “pricey for a cleanser”
- “wish it was cheaper”
Breakouts/Reactions Rarely Noted
- “caused cystic acne”
- “broke me out in tiny bumps”
- “clogged my pores”
Residue Issues Rarely Noted
- “left a waxy film”
- “hard to wash off completely”
- “felt greasy afterwards”
- “needed a second cleanse to remove”
Strong Fragrance Rarely Noted
- “scent is too overpowering”
- “essential oils irritated my skin”
- “smell is too strong for face”
- “prefer fragrance-free”
Sources: lovi.care, sephora.com, ulta.com, amazon.com, farmacybeauty.com, reddit.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does FARMACY Green Clean Makeup Meltaway Cleansing Balm work for acne-prone skin?
This makeup remover works reasonably well for acne-prone skin, though other products fit it better because they manage oil and blemishes more effectively. An ideal product of this type needs targeted ingredients that control oil and soothe breakouts while keeping the skin calm and clear.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2015International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2010
Which ingredients make this cleansing balm a good fit for acne-prone skin?
Sunflower seed oil and grape seed oil in this cleansing balm help soothe breakouts, while papaya extract and squalane support skin health without causing irritation. Makeup removers that fit acne-prone skin best need targeted oil-control ingredients and soothing plant extracts to manage blemishes while keeping the skin balanced.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2015International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2010
What does Papaya Extract do for acne-prone skin?
Papaya extract helps clear acne-prone skin by gently removing dead surface cells and calming inflammation. Clinical studies show that treatments containing this ingredient can significantly reduce acne lesions with a low likelihood of irritation.
Giornale Italiano Di Dermatologia E Venereologia, 2015International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2023
What does Sunflower Oil do for acne-prone skin?
Sunflower oil helps protect the skin barrier and improves hydration without causing redness, making it a good choice for keeping sensitive or acne-prone skin comfortable. However, because it does not actively target breakouts, acne-prone skin also needs ingredients that clear pores and calm redness.
Where does it go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?
This makeup remover goes in the evening routine before your cleanser, and also as the first step of your weekly routine. It is very safe and unlikely to cause irritation, though acne-prone skin needs additional oil-controlling ingredients for optimal blemish care.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this makeup remover in your evening routine before your cleanser and treatment, as it effectively dissolves impurities without causing irritation. Acne-prone skin needs a product of this type to include targeted ingredients for optimal oil control.
How often should I use it?
You can use this makeup remover in the evening as the first step of your routine to clear away makeup and impurities without irritating your skin. While it works reasonably well for acne-prone skin, this skin type needs extra oil-controlling ingredients for optimal results.
Can this cleansing balm clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?
This cleansing balm is unlikely to cause severe irritation, but it may lead to breakouts for acne-prone skin because it lacks sufficient ingredients for optimal oil control. To properly manage oil and breakouts, this skin type needs targeted ingredients like salicylic acid and clay.
Is it fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Topical application of a water-in-oil emulsion containing 2% Muscat hamburg grape seed extract significantly improved melanin, elasticity, and sebum content compared to a placebo in human volunteers over 8 weeks, with no reported skin hypersensitivity.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2015Application of Echinacea purpurea cream and gel increased skin hydration up to 10.6 AU and 11.4 AU and decreased wrinkles by 9.47% and 14.92% without causing skin irritation in 10 healthy volunteers over 1 month.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2010A fixed combination of hydroxypinacolone retinoate, retinol glycospheres, and papain glycospheres in aqueous gel applied once daily for 12 weeks achieved a 41% mean reduction in GAGS score and a 40.8% mean reduction in total lesions, with 15.3% of patients experiencing mild to moderate local side effects, in 94 evaluable patients with comedonal-papular, mild to moderate acne of the face.
Giornale Italiano Di Dermatologia E Venereologia, 2015Topical papain treatment may slightly decrease pain within 30 minutes in humans stung by Chrysaora chinensis compared to placebo.
Wilderness & Environmental Medicine, 2016Reflux extraction of Carica papaya leaves yielded higher antioxidant capacity and superior in vitro wound-healing activities including fibroblast proliferation, cell migration, and collagen synthesis in human skin fibroblasts compared to ultrasonic-assisted extraction and agitation.
Molecules, 2020Carica papaya leaf extracts obtained via supercritical fluid and conventional methods demonstrated antioxidant and cytoprotective effects on skin fibroblasts against oxidative stress, driven by their respective lipophilic and hydrophilic constituents.
Molecules, 2021A new skincare formulation from Echinacea purpurea completely blocked the 40-60% reduction in skin nerve endings caused by UVA and UVB exposure in ex vivo human skin samples.
Cell Proliferation, 2012Topical application of Echinacea pallida root extract and its constituent echinacoside showed good anti-inflammatory and wound healing properties compared to E. purpurea and control in rats.
Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2002A standardized preparation of Echinacea purpurea killed Propionibacterium acnes and completely reversed bacterial-induced pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion in cell culture models.
Phytotherapy Research, 2011Squalane at 0.005-0.015% counteracts UVA-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and collagen metabolism inhibition while stimulating fibroblast migration in human dermal fibroblasts.
Molecules, 2025Plant-derived squalane protected human dermal fibroblasts against UVA-induced damage by counteracting ROS formation, suppressing apoptosis-related proteins p53, caspase-3, caspase-9, and PARP, and restoring the pro-survival p-Akt/mTOR pathway.
Antioxidants, 2025Grapeseed oil-loaded dermocosmetic nanoemulgel applied on the cheeks of healthy volunteers significantly reduced skin melanin, erythema, sebum production, and pores while increasing moisture and elasticity compared to a placebo.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022Topical treatment with cranberry oil and grape oil improved wound healing in rats, with cranberry oil showing an 88.1% wound area reduction and grape oil showing 84.6% compared to 74.1% in controls and 78.4% in the mupirocin standard group on day 13.
Phytotherapy Research, 2011An ionic liquid-based grapeseed oil emulsion increased transdermal penetration by 4.63-fold and improved skin hydration, firmness, elasticity, and facial wrinkles after 28 days of continuous use compared to ordinary emulsion.
Pharmaceuticals, 2024
Why other pre-cleansers fit acne-prone skin better
Co-delivery of paeonol and madecassoside via nanoemulsions improved transdermal delivery, promoted barrier repair proteins, inhibited inflammatory cytokine secretion in cellular and 3D models, and reduced transepidermal water loss and acne in human facial skin compared to free components.
Molecules, 2023
Ingredients
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Tridecyl Stearate, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Peg-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, Dipentaerythrityl Hexacaprylate Hexacaprate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Polyglyceryl-6 Isostearate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Sunflower Seed Oil, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil Grape Seed Oil, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Echinacea Purpurea Root Extract, Jojoba Esters, Squalane
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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