Medicube Red Foam Cleanser for oily acne-prone skin
Salicylic Acid
Sophora Angustifolia Root Extract
Tocopheryl Acetate Vitamin E
Glycerin
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
High
- HighOily Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
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
- High suitability for your oily skin is provided by salicylic acid and Sophora Angustifolia Root Extract, which help decongest pores and potentially regulate sebum production.
- Glycerin and Tocopheryl Acetate Vitamin E offer general cleansing benefits and soothing effects, contributing to a comfortable experience.
- The product is safe for your skin, with no identified risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the inclusion of beneficial components.
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
★4.8Overall rating based on 500+ reviewsUsers with oily, acne-prone, and sensitive skin highly rate this cleanser for its deep pore cleansing and sebum control. Most users report clearer skin and reduced breakouts, though some find it slightly drying if their skin barrier is compromised or not sufficiently oily.
Highlights
Deep cleansing Mostly Mentioned
- “Removes every trace of oil”
- “Skin felt squeaky clean”
- “Washed away excess oil completely”
Effective acne control Often Mentioned
- “Reduces pimples and clears skin”
- “Prevents new ones from appearing”
- “Complexion became more stable”
Gentle on sensitive Often Mentioned
- “Did not cause any irritation”
- “Gentle enough for sensitive skin”
- “Calms irritated skin beautifully”
Rich lather Sometimes Noted
- “Produces a reasonably soft lather”
- “Thick creamy white texture”
- “Bubbles up easily”
Drying or stripping Sometimes Noted
- “Skin feels quite dry after washing”
- “Felt too tight”
- “Strips off all the oil”
Difficult to rinse Rarely Noted
- “Takes time to wash off completely”
- “Residue would harden”
- “Felt a film left behind”
Medicinal scent Rarely Noted
- “Smell is medicinal”
- “Scent is strong”
- “Not a fan of the smell”
Packaging issues Rarely Noted
- “Residue would harden around the pump”
- “Pump nozzle clogging”
Sources: lovi.care, medicube.us, medicube.my, yesstyle.com, stylekorean.com, gopicky.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes Medicube Red Foam a great fit for oily acne-prone skin?
Medicube Red Foam Cleanser is a great fit because salicylic acid and Sophora Angustifolia Root Extract help clear out pores and manage excess oil on your skin. Glycerin and Tocopheryl Acetate Vitamin E also bring soothing effects to keep your face comfortable while cleansing.
BioMed Research International, 2020Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications, 2021
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for oily acne-prone skin?
Salicylic acid and Sophora Angustifolia Root Extract make this cleanser a great fit by helping to clear out pores and keep oil levels balanced. Glycerin and Vitamin E also add soothing effects to keep your skin comfortable.
BioMed Research International, 2020Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
What does Salicylic Acid do for oily acne-prone skin?
Salicylic acid helps clear breakouts and keeps oily skin balanced by reducing oil levels and calming inflammation. It is well suited for oily, acne-prone skin because it targets pimples while helping keep the skin hydrated and protected.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025Experimental Dermatology, 2019
What does Sophora Root Extract do for oily acne-prone skin?
Sophora root extract helps calm redness and manage breakouts on oily, acne-prone skin. When paired with azelaic acid, it also helps fight blemish-causing bacteria while keeping your skin comfortable.
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin?
This cleanser fits into both your morning and evening routine as the main cleansing step. It helps clear pores and manage oil while keeping your skin comfortable, and it is unlikely to cause irritation.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022BioMed Research International, 2020
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cleanser with retinol by applying the cleanser first to clean your skin, and following with your retinol treatment afterwards. This routine helps clear out pores while keeping your skin comfortable, as the salicylic acid works alongside gentle ingredients to minimize irritation.
BioMed Research International, 2020Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
How often should I use this cleanser?
You can use this cleanser twice a day as part of your morning and evening routine for oily acne-prone skin. It contains salicylic acid and soothing ingredients that help keep pores clear and maintain comfort without causing irritation.
BioMed Research International, 2020Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily acne-prone skin?
This cleanser is a great fit for oily acne-prone skin because salicylic acid and Sophora Angustifolia Root Extract help clear out pores and may help control oil. Vitamin E adds a soothing effect and is unlikely to clog pores.
BioMed Research International, 2020Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications, 2021
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
This cleanser is intended for facial use and may be too strong for the very thin skin around the eyes, though it can be used on body skin like the back where skin is thicker. When using it on oily skin, it helps clear out pores and manage oil without causing irritation.
Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 2002BioMed Research International, 2020
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
A moisturizer containing licochalcone A, 1,2-decanediol, L-carnitine, and salicylic acid significantly reduced noninflammatory, inflammatory, and total acne lesion counts compared to a vehicle control in Thai patients during a 12-week maintenance phase.
BioMed Research International, 2020Twice daily application of a multitargeted dermocosmetic cream provided comparable efficacy to benzoyl peroxide 5% gel in reducing inflammatory, non-inflammatory, and total lesions in 150 Caucasian subjects with mild-to-moderate acne over 56 days, while demonstrating superior skin tolerability.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024The use of a salicylic acid-based dermocosmetic significantly reduces the needed quantity of benzoyl peroxide without impacting efficacy in mild to moderate acne, and as maintenance post-benzoyl peroxide allows a significant reduction of acne relapse compared to vehicle.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023Dermatological 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, 2021Combining azelaic acid and matrine in dissolving microneedles at a 1:1 molar ratio achieved higher skin permeability, synergistic antibacterial rates above 95%, and no skin irritation compared to commercially available azelaic acid gel.
European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2021Cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen achieved a higher cure rate (39%) than salicylic acid (24%) and a wait-and-see approach (16%) for cutaneous warts at 13 weeks in primary care patients.
CMAJ, 2010Treatment with 2% supramolecular salicylic acid hydrogel resulted in a regression and markedly improvement rate of 51.01% compared to 43.10% for Adapaline gel in patients with mild to moderate facial acne vulgaris, showing no significant difference in efficacy.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Topical 5% benzoyl peroxide plus salicylic acid achieved the greatest lesion reduction at early 2 to 4 week time points compared to benzoyl peroxide, clindamycin, and combination benzoyl peroxide/clindamycin, while 5% benzoyl peroxide plus salicylic acid and combination benzoyl peroxide/clindamycin showed similar efficacy at 10 to 12 weeks in acne patients.
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2010Co-amorphous salt of ursodeoxycholic acid and matrine incorporated into dissolving microneedles enhanced aqueous solubility, skin permeation, growth-inhibitory effects against Cutibacterium acnes, and anti-inflammatory activity compared to single-component groups and topical gel in a murine acne model.
International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 2026Topical 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, 2022A 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, 2017The emollient V0034CR significantly reduced TEWL compared to vehicle and vehicle plus glycerol, and significantly increased corneometry scores compared to vehicle and vehicle plus petrolatum in healthy volunteers with dry skin, demonstrating combined barrier function improvement from petrolatum and hydration improvement from glycerol.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Ten days of treatment with a cream containing 20% glycerin significantly increased skin hydration measured by corneometer values in 17 healthy volunteers compared to a placebo cream, but showed no influence on transepidermal water loss or skin sensitivity to an irritating surfactant.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2001The 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
Ingredients
Sophora Angustifolia Root Extract, Glycol Distearate, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Disodium Edta, Lauric Acid, Magnesium Nitrate, Magnesium Chloride, Myristic Acid, Sodium Chloride, Stearic Acid, Water, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Salicylic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate Vitamin E, Potassium Hydroxide, Peg-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Peg-8 Beeswax, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Bht, Methylisothiazolinone, Cocamide Dea
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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