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NATURIUM Vitamin C Complex Cleanser for oily skin

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes

NATURIUM Vitamin C Complex Cleanser

Average

  • AverageOily Skin Fit
  • AverageEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

Works for oily skin; other cleansers fit it 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

  • Offers moderate cleansing for your oily skin due to sodium cocoyl glutamate and decyl glucoside, which effectively remove impurities, while glycerin and aloe barbadensis leaf juice provide general hydration that is supportive but not directly targeted at controlling oily shine.
  • Citric acid and phytic acid offer mild keratolytic action suitable for oily skin, but the formula lacks sufficient seboregulating ingredients for optimal control of oiliness.
  • The product is safe for your oily skin with no risks of irritation, as it avoids prohibited or harsh ingredients.

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

★4.2Overall rating based on 700+ reviews

This cleanser is praised for its ability to brighten and smooth skin texture using a blend of vitamin C, phytic acid, and fruit enzymes. It is best suited for normal, combination, and oily skin types, offering a refreshing cleanse that effectively removes impurities without being overly stripping, though it may be too drying for those with sensitive or dry skin.

Highlights

  • Brightens skin tone Often Mentioned
    • “Instantly brightens”
    • “reveals more luminous skin”
    • “tackles dark spots”
  • Smooths skin texture Often Mentioned
    • “Leaves skin smooth”
    • “gently exfoliates”
    • “removes dead skin cells”
  • Effective cleansing Sometimes Noted
    • “Dissolves oil and impurities”
    • “thorough cleanse”
    • “removes makeup”
  • Non-stripping formula Sometimes Noted
    • “Clean but not tight”
    • “doesn't feel stripped”
    • “gentle on my skin”
  • Limited makeup removal Sometimes Noted
    • “Not effective on lipstick”
    • “struggle with eyeliner”
    • “not for heavy makeup”
  • Unpleasant scent Sometimes Noted
    • “Weird smell”
    • “worst smell”
    • “odd aroma”
  • Drying for some Rarely Noted
    • “Not for me”
    • “not the most hydrating”
    • “makes face dry”
  • Potential irritation Rarely Noted
    • “Mild tingle”
    • “sensitive skin should test”
    • “can sting”

Sources: lovi.care, naturium.com, spacenk.com, dermapproved.com, ulta.com, purewow.com, and more

Questions and answers

How well does the Naturium Vitamin C Complex Cleanser work for oily skin?

This cleanser works moderately well for oily skin by washing away impurities while keeping skin comfortable and calm, though other products manage oily shine better. Oily skin of this type needs targeted oil-controlling ingredients to properly balance excess oil.

Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for oily skin?

Sodium cocoyl glutamate, decyl glucoside, citric acid, and phytic acid make this cleanser a moderate fit by removing impurities and providing mild exfoliating action. However, an oily skin type needs a cleanser with stronger oil-controlling and seboregulating ingredients for optimal shine management.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021

What does Vitamin C do for oily skin?

Vitamin C helps brighten skin tone and smooth texture while providing antioxidant protection that prevents sebum oxidation. For oily skin, this type of product typically needs to be paired with oil-controlling or pore-clearing ingredients like salicylic acid or plant extracts.

International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2005Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2023

What does Bromelain do for oily skin?

Bromelain is not typically used to treat oily skin, as it is an enzyme mainly known for breaking down dead tissue and helping with wounds. Oily skin generally needs ingredients that balance oil production and keep pores clear, such as plant extracts that regulate sebum.

Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for oily skin?

This cleanser fits in your morning and evening routine as a gentle way to wash away impurities without causing irritation. Oily skin works best with cleansers that also include targeted oil-controlling ingredients to properly manage shine.

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

You can use this cleanser with retinol, but oily skin needs a cleanser with stronger oil-controlling ingredients for optimal shine management. Apply this cleanser first in your routine to remove impurities before using your retinol treatment.

How often should I use this cleanser?

You can use this cleanser daily as part of your morning and evening routine, since it safely washes away impurities without irritating your skin. An oily skin type ultimately needs a cleanser with stronger ingredients that actively control excess shine and oiliness.

Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?

This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores, cause breakouts, or lead to purging on oily skin, as it has a safe formula that avoids harsh ingredients. However, because it lacks strong oil-controlling ingredients, oily skin generally needs a cleanser with targeted seboregulating ingredients to properly manage shine and prevent clogged pores.

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

You can safely use this cleanser on your body, but you should be cautious around the delicate eye area where skin is much thinner. A product of this type needs gentle, hydrating ingredients and a very mild formula to properly care for sensitive body and eye zones without causing irritation.

Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 2002

Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.

What the research says

  • A 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, 2017

  • Daily treatment with a facial serum containing multiple acids reduced post-inflammatory hyperchromia lesion grade and number by 29.4% at 56 days, and decreased skin oiliness by 30.7% at 7 days in Brazilian patients with acne vulgaris.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021

  • Topical application of 5% vitamin C cream significantly improved global clinical scores, increased skin microrelief density, and induced elastic tissue repair in photoaged skin compared to excipient control in healthy female volunteers.

    Experimental Dermatology, 2003

  • Ascorbic acid 2-glucoside gel significantly reduced gingival melanin pigmentation after 4 weeks compared to placebo in 73 subjects with symmetric pigmentation.

    Journal of Periodontology, 2009

  • Topical application of VC-IP cream twice daily for 8 weeks reduces periorbital wrinkles in female subjects compared to a placebo cream.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022

  • Oral bromelain slightly reduced pain compared to controls (mean difference -0.27) and topical bromelain reduced time to complete debridement by 6.89 days, with no major health risks reported.

    Nutrition and Health, 2023

  • An upcycled pineapple leaf fibre crosspolymer forms a physical barrier that protects against environmental aggressors while providing antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antipollution, UV protection, hydration, and hair benefits.

    International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2026

  • A coaxial electrospun core-shell nanofiber scaffold delivering bromelain and salvianolic acid B demonstrated sustained drug release, in vitro endothelial cell migration, increased capillary formation in an in ovo assay, and in vivo efficacy for skin regeneration and wound healing.

    Biomedical Materials, 2017

  • Topical papain treatment may slightly decrease pain within 30 minutes in humans stung by Chrysaora chinensis compared to placebo.

    Wilderness & Environmental Medicine, 2016

  • A 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, 2015

  • Reflux 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, 2020

  • L-ascorbic acid 10% plus phytic acid 2% serum significantly reduced the pigmentation index of solar lentigines compared to a vehicle control in 30 healthy subjects.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2011

  • Chemical peels using 35% glycolic acid, 20% salicylic-10% mandelic acid, and phytic acid reduce acne scores by 70.55%, 74.14%, and 69.7% respectively, and significantly decline the postacne hyperpigmentation index in Asian patients with mild to moderate acne.

    Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery, 2019

  • A topical facial emulsion containing 10% glycolic acid, 2% phytic acid, and a soothing complex significantly improved skin hyperpigmentation, texture, and tone homogeneity from week 4 through week 12 in American female volunteers with Fitzpatrick skin types II-VI.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021

  • A cream combining propolis, tea tree oil, and Aloe vera reduced erythema scars, acne severity index, and total lesion count better than erythromycin cream in sixty patients with mild to moderate acne vulgaris compared to placebo.

    Clinical Pharmacology, 2018

  • Topical aloe vera gel significantly accelerated split-thickness skin graft donor-site healing compared to placebo in 12 patients, but showed no significant difference in pain relief.

    Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2018

  • Topical application of Aloe vera cream reduced postoperative pain at rest and during defecation, accelerated wound healing at two weeks, and decreased analgesic requirements in patients after open hemorrhoidectomy compared to placebo.

    Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2010

Why other cleansers fit oily skin better

  • A botanical face cleanser with hops and willow bark extract continuously reduced skin sebum levels without reactive seborrhea after treatment in 21 healthy volunteers compared to a sodium laureth sulfate cleanser, with neither cleanser causing skin irritation.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019

  • Combined ascorbyl palmitate and sodium ascorbyl phosphate treatment significantly reduced facial sebum secretions in healthy female volunteers compared to a placebo control over 90 days.

    Drug Research, 2017

Ingredients

Water, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Glycerin, Citric Acid, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Decyl Glucoside, Xanthan Gum, Glucose, Phytic Acid, Bromelain, Papain, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Sodium Glycolate, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Water, Pineapple Fruit Extract, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Mangifera Indica Fruit Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Lecithin, Tocopherol, Astaxanthin Extract, Sucrose Stearate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Sunflower Seed Oil, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Sodium Chloride, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol

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.

  • Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Co-founder, Medical Director

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer

  • Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Co-founder, CEO and CTO

    PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex

  • Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Medical Board

    Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine

  • Aishani Shah, MD

    Aishani Shah, MD

    Medical Board

    Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD

  • Asya Zubkova, MS

    Asya Zubkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member

  • Hanna Kurets, MD

    Hanna Kurets, MD

    Medical Board, Medical Advisor

    Dermatology MD

  • Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Medical Board

    Dermatology and diagnostic consultant

  • Victoria Derkova, MS

    Victoria Derkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist

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How does it fit your skin?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.

QR code: get the Lovi app
Download on theApp Store Get it onGoogle Play