Dr. Althea Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm for oily skin
Caprylic Capric Triglyceride
Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil
Madecassoside- Centella Asiatica Extract
Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil Grape Seed Oil
Average
- AverageOily Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for oily skin; other pre-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 suitability for oily skin as Cetyl Ethylhexanoate and Caprylic Capric Triglyceride effectively cleanse without harshness, though Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil and Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil do not specifically target oily shine.
- Centella Asiatica Extract and Madecassoside provide antioxidant benefits and soothing properties, which are beneficial for maintaining skin health.
- The product is safe for your oily skin, with no risk of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the inclusion of soothing components.
How to apply
- Use this makeup remover PM as the first step of your evening routine. Start 3×/week and increase to daily use if your skin tolerates it well.
- Apply this makeup remover before your regular cleanser and toner. It prepares your skin by melting away excess oil and makeup.
- Gently press a small amount onto your dry skin using your fingertips. Massage softly and avoid harsh rubbing to protect your pores.
- Apply this product on dry skin to effectively break down heavy makeup and surface oil. Massage it gently before washing it off with water.
- Avoid the sensitive eye area during application. Do a patch test before your first use to ensure your skin feels comfortable.
People Say
★4.7Overall rating based on 600+ reviewsThis cleansing balm is highly recommended for sensitive and acne-prone skin, with users frequently praising its hygienic grinding dispenser and gentle, moisturizing formula that leaves skin soft. The innovative packaging and smooth texture are also commonly highlighted positive aspects. A significant number of users find the 50ml size runs out quickly and note that it may require extra effort to remove heavy waterproof makeup.
Highlights
Hygienic packaging Mostly Mentioned
- “Innovative dial mechanism”
- “sanitary dispensing”
- “no dipping fingers”
- “mess-free”
Gentle formula Often Mentioned
- “Soothes sensitive skin”
- “no tight feeling”
- “safe for acne-prone areas”
- “moisturizing finish”
Smooth texture Often Mentioned
- “Melts instantly”
- “spreads easily”
- “non-greasy feel”
- “emulsifies quickly”
Small quantity Often Mentioned
- “Runs out fast”
- “only 50ml”
- “expensive for size”
- “wish for larger version”
Effective daily cleansing Sometimes Noted
- “Removes sunscreen well”
- “dissolves foundation”
- “clears pores”
- “leaves no residue”
Packaging design Sometimes Noted
- “Hard to see remaining amount”
- “difficult to empty completely”
- “plastic waste concerns”
Weak on waterproof Sometimes Noted
- “Struggles with waterproof mascara”
- “requires scrubbing”
- “needs separate eye remover”
Eye irritation Rarely Noted
- “Clouds vision temporarily”
- “film on eyes”
- “slight stinging for some”
Sources: lovi.care, oliveyoung.com, stylekorean.com, olivekollection.com, iherb.com, stylevana.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does the Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm work for oily skin?
This cleansing balm works reasonably well for oily skin by cleansing effectively without harshness and soothing the skin with centella extracts, though it does not target oily shine. An ideal makeup remover for oily skin needs oil-controlling ingredients to manage excess oil and keep pores clear.
Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016Molecules, 2023
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for oily skin?
Centella asiatica extract and madecassoside make this cleanser a good fit for oily skin by helping soothe the skin and calm irritation. However, oily skin needs oil-controlling ingredients to manage shine.
Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016Molecules, 2023
What does Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride do for oily skin?
Caprylic/capric triglyceride helps oily skin by increasing moisture and reducing water loss without feeling heavy. This ingredient keeps skin soft and smooth while supporting its natural barrier.
What does Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil do for oily skin?
Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil helps calm and protect oily skin by balancing moisture and reducing redness without feeling heavy. Because an average or poor fit for oily skin requires lightweight, non-greasy hydration and anti-inflammatory properties, this type of product needs plant oils and herbal extracts that soothe the skin and keep pores clear.
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for oily skin?
This makeup remover goes in the evening routine before your regular cleanser, or as a weekly step when wearing makeup or sunscreen. It gently cleanses without harshness and includes soothing ingredients that calm the skin, though oily skin tends to do better with products that specifically target excess shine.
Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016Molecules, 2023
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this makeup remover in the evening before your cleanser as the first step of your routine, and then follow with your retinol treatment and moisturizer. It is unlikely to irritate your skin because it includes soothing plant extracts, but oily skin needs a product with ingredients that specifically target oily shine.
How often should I use this cleanser?
You can use this makeup remover in the evening as part of your routine. It is safe for your skin with a low risk of irritation, though oily skin needs ingredients that specifically target shine.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts on oily skin, as it has a safe profile with soothing ingredients like centella asiatica extract and madecassoside that help calm the skin. However, because it contains oils that do not specifically target oily shine, oily skin often benefits more from a cleanser featuring lightweight and clarifying ingredients that help balance excess oil.
Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016Molecules, 2023
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Tea seed oil makeup remover successfully removed foundation and eyeliner without causing skin irritation in 20 human volunteers, with the 60% formulation showing superior foundation removal compared to other formulations and an olive oil benchmark.
Annales Pharmaceutiques Francaises, 2017Cosmetic formulations containing 5% Centella asiatica extract showed the best efficacy in improving skin moisture and decreasing transepidermal water loss, while also exhibiting antiinflammatory properties in 25 volunteers compared to baseline measurements.
Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016Topical application of 0.05% w/w ECa 233 gel reduced erythema index by 0.03 U and improved early crusting and general wound appearance compared to placebo in thirty individuals undergoing facial laser resurfacing.
Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2020Co-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, 2023Topical 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, 2023Tea seed oil loaded nanostructured lipid carriers prepared with a combination of surfactants (NLC-C) showed significantly greater nontoxicity and hair growth-stimulating effects on human follicle dermal papilla cells compared to intact oil, while improving the sensory and diffusion properties of the hair serum.
Pharmaceutics, 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, 2017Moisturizer containing 5% panthenol, madecassoside, and copper-zinc-manganese decreased adverse reactions and downtime after ablative fractional carbon dioxide laser resurfacing with comparable efficacy to 0.02% triamcinolone acetonide cream in 20 subjects.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019Topical treatment with 5% vitamin C and 0.1% madecassoside significantly improved clinical scores for wrinkles, suppleness, firmness, roughness, and skin hydration, along with functional and structural remodeling of the elastic fiber network in 20 female volunteers with photoaged skin after 6 months compared to baseline.
Experimental Dermatology, 2008Grapeseed 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, 2024
Ingredients
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Peg-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, Synthetic Wax, Peg-10 Isostearate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil Grape Seed Oil, Madecassoside, Centella Asiatica Extract, Asiaticoside, Water, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin
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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