🇬🇧United Kingdom

Augustinus Bader The Cleansing Balm for oily acne-prone skin

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

Augustinus Bader The Cleansing Balm

Average

  • AverageOily Skin Fit
  • AverageEffectiveness
  • ExcellentSafety

Works for oily acne-prone skin; other pre-cleansers fit it 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

  • Offers moderate cleansing for your oily skin, with Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil and Coconut Oil effectively dissolving makeup and impurities, though these oils may exacerbate oiliness and potentially lead to breakouts.
  • While Glycerin provides general hydration, the formula lacks targeted ingredients to address your specific concerns of acne, blemishes, and breakouts.
  • The product is safe for your skin, as it contains soothing ingredients like Bisabolol and Tocopherol and avoids harsh or prohibited substances.

How to apply

  • Use this makeup remover PM as the first step of your evening routine to clear away impurities. Start by using it 3×/week before working up to daily use if your skin tolerates it well.
  • Apply this makeup remover before your regular cleanser and toner. Follow it with your usual cleansing steps to ensure all residue is thoroughly washed away.
  • Gently press a small amount of the makeup remover onto your face using soft cotton pads. Avoid harsh rubbing to prevent irritating your blemishes and active breakouts.
  • Apply the makeup remover on completely dry skin to effectively break down excess oil and makeup. Clean away thoroughly before moving on to the next skincare steps .
  • Do a patch test before your first use to ensure your skin reacts well. Avoid getting the product directly into your eyes .

People Say

★4.4Overall rating based on 1.1k+ reviews

Based on a very large amount of data, users describe this balm as a luxurious, spa-like treatment that effectively melts away makeup while leaving dry or mature skin feeling exceptionally soft, hydrated, and plump rather than stripped. A minority of users find the heavy glass packaging cumbersome and note that the rich formula can leave a film if not removed thoroughly with the included muslin cloth, making it less ideal for those preferring a quick rinse-off cleanser.

Highlights

  • Deeply hydrating Mostly Mentioned
    • “skin feels balanced and hydrated”
    • “leaves skin peachy clean and conditioned”
    • “nourishes and hydrates for soothed skin”
    • “never felt stripped.”
  • Luxurious texture Often Mentioned
    • “decadent and buttery texture”
    • “melts into the skin effortlessly”
    • “feels like a luxurious treat”
    • “texture is true heaven.”
  • High price point Often Mentioned
    • “not worth the money”
    • “definitely on the pricier end”
    • “can't justify the price”
    • “expensive for a cleanser.”
  • Effective makeup removal Sometimes Noted
    • “mascara and liquid liner literally melted off”
    • “removes every trace of the day”
    • “dissolves stubborn makeup”
    • “effortlessly removes makeup.”
  • Gentle and fragrance-free Sometimes Noted
    • “fragrance-free and suitable for all skin types”
    • “very gentle yet cleanses everything”
    • “odorless formula”
    • “calms as it cleanses.”
  • Requires cloth removal Sometimes Noted
    • “leaves a white residue until I use the cloth”
    • “requires a second step to remove”
    • “didn't fully wash off with warm water”
    • “high-maintenance for me.”
  • Eye irritation Rarely Noted
    • “fogs my eyes”
    • “cloudy vision after use”
    • “irritated my eyes slightly”
    • “struggled with eye makeup removal.”
  • Heavy packaging Rarely Noted
    • “packaging is way too big”
    • “heavy glass jar”
    • “digging finger into a pot”
    • “not travel friendly.”

Sources: lovi.care, cultbeauty.com, sephora.co.uk, lovelyskin.com, beautytheshop.com, augustinusbader.com, and more

Questions and answers

How well does Augustinus Bader The Cleansing Balm work for oily acne-prone skin?

Augustinus Bader The Cleansing Balm provides moderate cleansing for oily acne-prone skin, but the heavy oils in the formula may add to oiliness and lead to breakouts. A makeup remover for this skin type needs lighter hydrating ingredients and targeted components that help control oil and minimize breakouts without clogging pores.

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

Bisabolol and tocopherol help soothe your oily skin and keep it safe from irritation, while squalane and natural oils gently dissolve makeup and impurities. To truly work well for this skin type, a cleanser of this type needs lightweight hydrators like hyaluronic acid and targeted ingredients that help control oil and breakouts without clogging pores.

What does Tfc8 do for oily acne-prone skin?

Tfc8 is unlikely to benefit oily acne-prone skin because its rich, heavy formulas tend to trap oil and clog pores. Skin of this type needs lightweight, oil-free hydrators with salicylic acid or niacinamide to clear breakouts and keep the surface smooth.

What does Squalane do for oily acne-prone skin?

Squalane may help keep oily skin soft and smooth, but oxidized squalene can trigger inflammation in acne-prone skin. Because of this, oily acne-prone skin needs lightweight, non-greasy ingredients that balance moisture without clogging pores.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2006

Where does it go in a skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin?

It goes in the evening routine as the first step before your cleanser to remove makeup. Oily acne-prone skin needs a makeup remover that clears impurities without heavy oils that may worsen breakouts, alongside targeted ingredients to help control blemishes.

Can I use it with retinol, and in what order?

You can use this makeup remover in the evening before your cleanser and retinol treatment. Oily acne-prone skin needs a makeup remover that is oil-free or non-comedogenic and includes targeted acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid or niacinamide to help clear blemishes and prevent breakouts.

How often should I use this cleanser?

You can use this makeup remover in the evening to dissolve makeup and impurities on your oily acne-prone skin, though its rich oils may increase oiliness and breakouts. To care for this skin type properly, a product of this type needs lightweight ingredients that clear blemishes and balance oil without clogging pores.

Can it clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily acne-prone skin?

Yes, it may exacerbate oiliness and potentially lead to breakouts for oily acne-prone skin because the heavy oils in the formula can clog pores. To properly care for this skin type, a product needs lightweight, non-clogging ingredients that help control excess oil and target blemishes without causing congestion.

Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.

What the research says

  • Squalane at 0.005-0.015% counteracts UVA-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and collagen metabolism inhibition while stimulating fibroblast migration in human dermal fibroblasts.

    Molecules, 2025

  • Plant-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

  • Overnight 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, 2021

  • Topical cream containing saffron extract and avocado oil improved wrinkle grading, reduced nasolabial fold area and volume, and increased skin elasticity in twenty healthy volunteers over 12 weeks without allergic reactions.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020

  • Topical treatment with SSFAO 50% or avocado oil increased wound contraction, reepithelialization, collagen density, and tensile strength while showing anti-inflammatory activity compared to petroleum jelly in rats.

    Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2013

Why other pre-cleansers fit oily acne-prone skin better

Ingredients

Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Sunflower Seed Oil, Coconut Oil, Polyglyceryl-4 Oleate, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil Grape Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Wax Seed Sunflower Wax Seed, Persea Gratissima Oil Avocado Oil, Squalane, C10-18 Triglycerides, Phytosterols, Bisabolol, Hydrogenated Oil, Olea Europaea Oil Fruit Olive Oil Fruit, Glyceryl Stearate, Sorbitan Oleate, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glycerin, Water, Lecithin Soybean, Pentylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Xanthan Gum, Butylene Glycol, Arginine, Phenylalanine, Glycine, Lysine, Sisymbrium Irio Seed Oil, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Hydroxide, Oligopeptide-4, Oligopeptide-177

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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Prices checked 10 Oct 2026

The Lovi Fit is the same in every country; only the stores and prices differ, and the ones here are for the United Kingdom.

How does it fit your skin?

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

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