Epionce Lytic Gel Cleanser for acne-prone skin
Glycerin
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
Althaea Officinalis Root Extract Marshmallow Root Extract
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
Sodium Cocoamphoacetate
Average
- SuperiorCombination Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
Works for acne-prone skin; other 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
- This cleanser offers moderate cleansing for your combination skin, with Willow Bark Extract and Glycerin providing keratolytic and humectant actions respectively, though it lacks specialized ingredients to directly target acne.
- The formula is generally safe for your acne-prone skin, as Marshmallow Root Extract and Lavender Flower Extract help soothe without harsh irritants.
- It provides basic cleansing benefits suitable for combination skin, but its effectiveness for your primary concern of acne, blemishes, and breakouts is limited due to the absence of targeted acne-fighting ingredients.
How to apply
- Could be used as part of your AM and PM routine. Start using it 3 times a week and build up to daily use if your skin tolerates it.
- This cleanser is the first step in your morning routine and the second step after your pre-cleanser in the evening. Always follow up with a toner and moisturizer .
- Gently massage a small amount of the cleanser onto your face in circular motions. Avoid harsh rubbing to keep your skin calm.
- Apply the cleanser on slightly damp skin to help it work effectively against breakouts. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water .
- Avoid the immediate eye area and do a patch test before your first use to check for any sensitivity.
People Say
★4.9Overall rating based on 800+ reviewsThis cleanser is highly regarded for oily, acne-prone, and congested skin, effectively calming inflammation and clearing breakouts without compromising the skin's moisture barrier. The cooling menthol sensation is a popular feature, though some users with sensitive eyes or a dislike for strong scents find it polarizing.
Highlights
Clears acne Mostly Mentioned
- “Helped keep acne at bay”
- “Saved my skin from breakouts”
- “Clears blemishes and controls oil”
- “Reduces blackheads and texture”
Deep clean, not stripping Often Mentioned
- “Clean but not drying”
- “Removes makeup without tightness”
- “Does not irritate sensitive skin”
- “Leaves skin soft, not stripped”
Refreshing sensation Often Mentioned
- “Love the cooling, tingling sensation”
- “Feels amazing and refreshing”
- “Menthol gives a crisp clean feeling”
- “Wake-up call for my skin”
Product lasts long Sometimes Noted
- “Bottle lasts forever”
- “A little goes a long way”
- “Lasted me more than 6 months”
Menthol scent strong Sometimes Noted
- “Menthol is too overwhelming”
- “Stings my eyes if not careful”
- “Smell is too strong for me”
- “Don't care for the cooling effect”
High price point Rarely Noted
- “It is expensive”
- “Pricey but worth it”
- “Wish it was cheaper”
Not for dry skin Rarely Noted
- “Too strong for dry skin”
- “Can be drying in winter”
- “Caused slight irritation initially”
Sources: lovi.care, lovelyskin.com, dermstore.com, epionce.com, reddit.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Epionce Lytic Gel Cleanser work for acne-prone skin?
This cleanser works moderately well for your acne-prone skin, as it cleans without harsh irritation but lacks the specialized ingredients needed to directly target breakouts. A cleanser for this skin needs powerful blemish-fighting ingredients, soothing agents, and gentle cleansing agents that clear acne without over-drying.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for acne-prone skin?
This cleanser works for your acne-prone skin because willow bark extract gently clears pores while glycerin helps keep your skin soft and hydrated. Marshmallow root extract and lavender flower extract also help soothe your skin and are unlikely to cause irritation. To give an even better fit for this skin type, a cleanser of this type needs targeted ingredients that actively fight blemishes and breakouts while keeping the skin balanced and comfortable.
What does Glycerin do for acne-prone skin?
Glycerin helps keep acne-prone skin hydrated and calm without clogging pores or feeling heavy. It supports the skin barrier so it stays soft and smooth while handling everyday treatments.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2008International Journal of Toxicology, 2019
What does Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate do for acne-prone skin?
Sodium lauroyl sarcosinate cleanses the skin, but it may decrease ceramides and alter skin lipids which can leave acne-prone skin dry or compromised. Products for acne-prone skin need gentle cleansers with mild surfactants and moisturizing ingredients that maintain the skin barrier while managing oil.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Dermatologic Therapy, 2004
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?
This cleanser fits into your morning routine and your evening routine before your other products. To properly manage acne-prone skin, this type of cleanser works best when paired with targeted ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide to clear breakouts.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cleanser in your routine before applying retinol, as it provides basic cleansing while soothing ingredients help calm your skin. However, since this cleanser lacks targeted acne-fighting ingredients, acne-prone skin needs a cleanser with specialized active ingredients to effectively clear breakouts.
How often should I use this cleanser?
You can use this cleanser twice a day as part of your morning and evening routine. A consistent daily cleansing routine with a mild cleanser helps improve skin condition while keeping it clean and comfortable.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?
This cleanser is generally safe for your acne-prone skin and helps soothe it without harsh irritants, though it lacks specialized ingredients to directly target blemishes. A cleanser for this skin needs dedicated acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide to effectively manage breakouts.
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
You can use this cleanser on your body, but you should be careful using it around the eyes because it contains menthol and citrus extracts that may sting sensitive areas. When used on the body, a cleanser of this type needs to effectively wash away dirt and sweat while keeping skin comfortable and soft.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (limonene and linalool).
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, 2017A 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, 2019The emollient V0034CR significantly reduced TEWL compared to vehicle and vehicle plus glycerol, and significantly increased corneometry scores compared to vehicle and vehicle plus petrolatum in healthy volunteers with dry skin, demonstrating combined barrier function improvement from petrolatum and hydration improvement from glycerol.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Ten days of treatment with a cream containing 20% glycerin significantly increased skin hydration measured by corneometer values in 17 healthy volunteers compared to a placebo cream, but showed no influence on transepidermal water loss or skin sensitivity to an irritating surfactant.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2001Niacinamide/glycerin body moisturizers provided better rapid and prolonged improvement of cosmetic xerosis through functional improvement of stratum corneum barrier function compared to no treatment and conventional moisturizers in female subjects.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2012Sodium lauroyl sarcosinate in facial cleanser decreased prokaryotic microbial alpha diversity, altered prokaryotic microbiome structure, increased phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylcholine, and decreased ceramides on facial skin.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Coacervates formed from mixed micelles of sodium lauroylsarcosinate and cocamidopropyl betaine with cationic guar gum exhibited a dense porous structure with high viscoelastic modulus under strong electrostatic interactions, and a looser mesh structure with lower viscoelasticity and enhanced skin adsorption under weakened interactions.
Soft Matter, 2024
Why other cleansers fit acne-prone skin better
Topical 5% tea tree oil gel significantly improved total acne lesions and acne severity index compared to placebo in 60 patients with mild to moderate acne vulgaris, showing 3.55 times and 5.75 times greater efficacy respectively.
Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology, 2007A 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
Ingredients
Water, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Glycerin, Lauryl Glucoside, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Sodium Lauryl Glucose Carboxylate, Acrylates C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Althaea Officinalis Root Extract Marshmallow Root Extract, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Coco-Glucoside, Disodium Edta, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glyceryl Oleate, Hexylene Glycol, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract Lavender Flower Extract, Limonene, Linalool, Menthol, Phenoxyethanol, Phoenix Dactylifera Fruit Extract, Willow Bark Extract, Sodium Hydroxide
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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