Epionce Lytic Gel Cleanser for combination skin
Glycerin
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
Althaea Officinalis Root Extract Marshmallow Root Extract
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
Sodium Cocoamphoacetate
Average
- HighCombination Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
Works for combination skin; other cleansers fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with combination skin: an oily T-zone, enlarged pores, and dry cheeks. 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 combination skin, as Sodium Cocoamphoacetate and Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate effectively remove impurities while Willow Bark Extract provides mild exfoliation and pore-refining effects.
- Glycerin and Marshmallow Root Extract offer hydration and soothing benefits, complementing the cleansing action for your oily shine concerns.
- The product is safe for your combination skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the inclusion of soothing botanical extracts.
How to apply
- Use this cleanser AM and PM as part of your daily routine. Start 3×/week and build up to daily use if your skin tolerates it well.
- Apply this cleanser as the very first step in your morning routine and right after your pre-cleanser in the evening.
- Gently massage a small amount of cleanser onto your skin using circular motions. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water.
- For the best results , apply the cleanser directly onto slightly damp skin to help lift away excess oil.
- 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 combination skin?
Epionce Lytic Gel Cleanser works moderately well for combination skin, as it removes impurities and provides mild exfoliation while soothing the skin. However, cleansers that fit combination skin better need a more comprehensive formulation that balances hydration in dry areas while thoroughly managing oily shine without causing imbalance.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for combination skin?
Sodium Cocoamphoacetate and Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate help clean away dirt and oil, while willow bark extract provides gentle exfoliation. Glycerin and marshmallow root extract help keep the skin calm and hydrated without leaving it greasy.
What does Glycerin do for combination skin?
Glycerin helps keep combination skin soft and smooth by pulling moisture in and keeping it there. It improves hydration and supports your skin barrier, which is unlikely to cause irritation.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2008Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
What does Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate do for combination skin?
Sodium lauroyl sarcosinate in a facial cleanser helps clean combination skin, but it may leave dry areas feeling dry and increase skin dryness because it affects skin lipids and the microbiome. A product for this skin needs gentle, balanced cleansers that wash away oil without stripping moisture or disrupting the skin barrier.
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for combination skin?
This cleanser goes in your morning and evening routine as the first step to remove impurities, while a cleanser with balancing and gentle exfoliating ingredients like willow bark extract works best for combination skin.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cleanser in your routine before applying retinol, but combination skin often needs a cleanser that also provides deeper hydration and balancing ingredients to best support retinoid use.
How often should I use this cleanser?
You can use this cleanser daily in the morning and evening as part of your routine. It effectively removes impurities while helping keep your combination skin calm and balanced.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for combination skin?
Epionce Lytic Gel Cleanser is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for combination skin, as it uses gentle cleansers along with willow bark extract to clear impurities and refine pores without irritation. However, because combination skin often needs a more balanced approach, a cleanser for this skin type ideally includes ingredients that deeply hydrate dry areas while controlling oil without stripping moisture.
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
This cleanser works for your combination skin, but it only offers an average fit since other cleansers target your specific needs better. To properly care for combination skin, a product of this type needs gentle cleansers paired with balancing hydration and mild exfoliating ingredients to keep oily shine under control.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (limonene and linalool).
What the research says
A 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, 2019A 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, 2017The 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
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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PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
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Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
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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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