Simple Hydrating Cleansing Oil for acne-prone skin
Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Isopropyl Palmitate
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Retinyl Palmitate
Tocopheryl AcetateHigh
- AverageCombination Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
A great choice for acne-prone skin; a few pre-cleansers fit it even 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 moderate benefits for your acne, blemishes, and breakouts as Retinyl Palmitate supports skin renewal, while Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil and Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil provide emollient action suitable for combination skin.
- The formula aids in dissolving makeup and impurities, though it lacks sufficient ingredients for optimal oil control on your combination skin.
- The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation for your acne-prone skin due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the presence of soothing tocopheryl acetate.
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
★4.4Overall rating based on 300+ reviewsThis grapeseed-oil based cleanser is widely praised by users with sensitive and acne-prone skin for its gentle, non-stripping formula that effectively dissolves makeup without causing irritation. While most users find it leaves skin soft and hydrated, a minority report issues with a lingering oily residue or an unpleasant "cooking oil" scent.
Highlights
Effective makeup removal Mostly Mentioned
- “Melted away foundation and my base”
- “Removes EVERYTHING with massaging”
- “Dissolves long wear lipstick”
Gentle on sensitive skin Mostly Mentioned
- “Doesn't sting eyes or break me out”
- “Perfect for sensitive skin”
- “No irritation or breakouts”
Non-stripping, hydrating Often Mentioned
- “Skin feels beautifully soft”
- “Instantly hydrated”
- “No tight feeling”
Great value Sometimes Noted
- “Cheapest and best oil cleanser”
- “Bottle lasts ages”
- “Great option at this price point”
Oily residue Sometimes Noted
- “Leaves a weird grimy residue”
- “Hard to rinse off completely”
- “Leaves a thin oil film”
Breakouts Rarely Noted
- “Caused texture on my cheeks”
- “Broke me out horribly”
- “Clogged my pores”
Packaging issues Rarely Noted
- “Would prefer a pump”
- “Messy when pouring out”
- “Leaky cap”
Unpleasant scent Rarely Noted
- “Smells like chip fat”
- “Noticed a cooking oil-like smell”
- “Smell is really off putting”
Sources: lovi.care, boots.com, superdrug.com, reddit.com, simpleskincare.com, pickyskincare.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes Simple Hydrating Cleansing Oil a great fit for acne-prone skin?
Simple Hydrating Cleansing Oil is a great fit for acne-prone skin because it dissolves makeup and impurities while supporting skin renewal with retinyl palmitate. Grape seed and sunflower oils provide gentle softening benefits, and the formula has an excellent safety profile with soothing tocopheryl acetate that helps prevent irritation.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for acne-prone skin?
This cleanser is a good fit for acne-prone skin because retinyl palmitate helps support skin renewal, grape seed oil and sunflower seed oil soften combination skin, and vitamin E keeps the formula gentle without causing irritation. It is unlikely to trigger breakouts, thanks to its safe ingredients and the absence of harsh components.
What does Grapeseed Oil do for acne-prone skin?
Grapeseed oil helps soothe acne-prone skin and calm redness without clogging pores, making it a light and gentle option for daily use. It is unlikely to cause irritation and may help protect against skin damage while keeping oily or blemish-prone areas balanced.
What does Isopropyl Palmitate do for acne-prone skin?
Isopropyl Palmitate may clog pores and is generally a poor fit for acne-prone skin because it tends to cause breakouts. A product for this type of skin needs to be non-clogging and lightweight to keep pores clear and calm.
Where does it go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?
Simple Hydrating Cleansing Oil goes in the evening routine as a makeup remover before cleansing your skin. It has an excellent safety profile with no irritation risks for acne-prone skin due to soothing tocopheryl acetate and the absence of harsh ingredients.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this makeup remover in your evening routine before your cleanser when using retinol. It has an excellent safety profile with soothing ingredients that are unlikely to cause irritation on acne-prone skin.
How often should I use it?
You can use this makeup remover in your evening routine and during your weekly routine as a first step to dissolve makeup and impurities on your acne-prone skin. It is unlikely to cause irritation due to its gentle ingredients, and its vitamin A helps support skin renewal over time.
Can it clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?
Simple Hydrating Cleansing Oil is a great fit for acne-prone skin and is unlikely to cause irritation because it leaves out harsh ingredients and includes soothing tocopheryl acetate. While reviewers sometimes mention a low chance of breakouts, the formula helps dissolve makeup cleanly while supporting skin renewal with retinyl palmitate.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Retinyl palmitate ethosomal hydrogel reduced non-inflammatory and total acne lesion counts significantly better than marketed tretinoin while improving tolerability with minimal skin irritation in patients with acne vulgaris.
International Journal of Nanomedicine, 2021Dermatological 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, 2021Grapeseed 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, 2024Over-the-counter retinol products provided only weak evidence for a mild ameliorating effect on fine facial skin wrinkle lines in randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled trials, and major methodological flaws call the validity of positive results into question.
The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2021A cosmetic niacinamide/peptide/retinyl propionate regimen significantly improved periorbital wrinkle appearance relative to a 0.02% tretinoin regimen at 8 weeks with comparable benefits at 24 weeks, while demonstrating significantly better tolerability in 196 women.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2010A novel triple-active cosmetic formulation containing 4-hexylresorcinol, retinyl propionate, and niacinamide improved the visual appearance of photoageing similarly to 0.02% tretinoin and reversed a consensus gene signature associated with ageing in female adults while causing less skin irritation.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2024Topical 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, 2022
Ingredients
Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Isopropyl Palmitate, Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate, Phenoxyethanol, Bht, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Isopropyl Myristate, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate
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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