Sulwhasoo Gentle Cleansing Oil for acne-prone skin
Camellia Japonica Seed Oil
Coconut Oil
Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil Apricot Kernel Oil
Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Extract
Squalane
Average
- AverageCombination Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
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 moderate suitability for your combination skin, as squalane and caprylic capric triglyceride provide emollient action, though it lacks sufficient ingredients for optimal oil control.
- The cleansing oils like coconut oil and squalane effectively dissolve makeup and impurities, offering general cleansing and hydration benefits that are supportive but not targeted for your acne, blemishes, and breakouts.
- The formula is safe for your acne-prone skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the presence of soothing apricot kernel oil and camellia japonica seed oil.
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
★4.8Overall rating based on 800+ reviewsUsers with dry to combination skin frequently praise this oil for effectively dissolving makeup and sunscreen without stripping moisture, noting a pleasant, spa-like herbal scent. A moderate number of reviewers mention eye irritation and blurry vision, while a low number of users with acne-prone skin reported breakouts.
Highlights
Effective makeup removal Mostly Mentioned
- “melts waterproof mascara”
- “removes stubborn sunscreen”
- “dissolves heavy foundation”
- “cleans pores deeply”
Non-stripping, hydrating Mostly Mentioned
- “skin feels soft”
- “never dry or tight”
- “leaves face moisturized”
- “gentle on sensitive skin”
Elegant texture Sometimes Noted
- “glides over skin”
- “emulsifies instantly”
- “rinses clean without residue”
- “lightweight consistency”
Luxurious herbal scent Sometimes Noted
- “smells like a spa”
- “relaxing hanbang scent”
- “lovely ginseng fragrance”
- “earthy and calming”
Eye irritation Sometimes Noted
- “stings my eyes”
- “causes blurry vision”
- “burns if it gets in eyes”
- “cloudy eyes after rinsing”
High price point Sometimes Noted
- “very expensive”
- “pricey for a cleanser”
- “hard to justify cost”
- “luxury splurge”
Potential breakouts Rarely Noted
- “caused cystic acne”
- “clogged my pores”
- “broke me out”
- “caused whiteheads”
Strong fragrance Rarely Noted
- “scent is too strong”
- “overpowering herbal smell”
- “smells like medicine”
- “fragrance lingers”
Sources: lovi.care, sephora.com, nordstrom.com, influenster.com, reddit.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Sulwhasoo Gentle Cleansing Oil work for acne-prone skin?
This cleansing oil works moderately well for acne-prone skin, as it dissolves makeup safely without harsh ingredients, but it lacks targeted components for blemishes and oil control. A product of this type needs soothing plant extracts and nourishing oils that calm breakouts and balance oily and dry areas without triggering irritation.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for acne-prone skin?
Apricot kernel oil and camellia japonica seed oil help soothe your acne-prone skin without causing irritation. To be a better fit for this skin, a makeup remover needs nourishing plant extracts that specifically target blemishes and breakouts while keeping your skin calm.
What does Camellia Seed Oil do for acne-prone skin?
Camellia seed oil helps calm acne-prone skin by reducing irritation and inflammation without clogging pores. Because this oil is generally lightweight and safe for skin, it is unlikely to cause breakouts while helping to keep your skin feeling soft and balanced.
What does Coconut Oil do for acne-prone skin?
Coconut oil is generally not a good match for acne-prone skin because it is heavy and may clog pores, leading to breakouts. Acne-prone skin needs lightweight, non-clogging hydrators and ingredients that help balance oil without trapping dirt.
Where does it go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?
It goes in the evening routine as the first step before your cleanser, or as part of your weekly routine. This product works safely for your skin with soothing oils like apricot kernel and camellia japonica seed oil, though an acne-prone skin type needs a product with targeted oil control 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, followed by your retinol treatment and moisturizer. It is unlikely to cause irritation on acne-prone skin, though this skin type needs targeted blemish-fighting ingredients and oil control for an ideal fit.
How often should I use it?
Sulwhasoo Gentle Cleansing Oil works well as an evening makeup remover for your acne-prone skin. It is unlikely to irritate your skin because of soothing apricot kernel oil and camellia japonica seed oil, though this type of product needs ingredients to help control excess oil for the best fit.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to cause severe irritation, but it may cause potential breakouts for acne-prone skin because it lacks targeted oil control ingredients and includes coconut oil. Acne-prone skin needs products with specialized ingredients that help control oil and target blemishes without feeling heavy.
Is it fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (parfum, limonene, and linalool).
What the research says
Topical application of an emollient emulsion containing 15.0% caprylic/capric triglyceride doubled the amount of urocanic acid isomers and increased skin hydration with reduced transepidermal water loss in healthy subjects, though it did not prevent ultraviolet-induced urocanic acid isomerization.
Life, 2023Camellia japonica oil activated the human COL1A2 promoter, induced type I procollagen synthesis, inhibited matrix metalloproteinase-1 activity, and reduced trans-epidermal water loss without inducing adverse reactions in human skin.
Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2007Liquid crystalline emulsions formulated with camellia seed oil and four different surfactant combinations reduced transepidermal water loss and increased skin hydration without causing skin irritation, with the formulation containing Lecinol S-10 and Tween 80 demonstrating the best clinical results.
Scientific Reports, 2023Overnight virgin coconut oil application provides a skin protective effect against damage and increased TEWL from frequent alcohol-based hand sanitizer usage in 60 volunteers, resulting in a 25% increase in perceived moisture content compared to the control group.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Squalane 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, 2025
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
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Isopropyl Palmitate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Peg-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, Peg-8 Isostearate, Coconut Oil, Dextrin Palmitate, Parfum, Limonene, Glyceryl Behenate Eicosadioate, Coco-Caprylate Caprate, Squalane, Linalool, Water, Butylene Glycol, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil Apricot Kernel Oil, Pinus Koraiensis Seed Oil, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Extract, Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract, Chestnut Shell Extract, Spirodela Polyrhiza Extract, Prunus Mume Seed Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Seed Extract, Tangerine Peel Extract
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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