🇬🇧United Kingdom

Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser for acne-prone skin

Average

  • HighCombination 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

  • Offers moderate benefits for your acne and blemishes, as glycerin and panthenol provide general hydration and barrier support without directly targeting breakouts.
  • This cleanser is highly suitable for your combination skin, with ingredients like allantoin and panthenol maintaining hydration without exacerbating oiliness.
  • The formula is safe for your skin, as it lacks harsh ingredients and includes soothing components like allantoin and panthenol.

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

★4.2Overall rating based on 5.2k+ reviews

Based on a very large amount of data, this cleanser is widely polarized between long-time fans who consider it a "holy grail" for its gentle, non-stripping jelly texture and users who are disappointed by the recent reformulation. While it remains a favorite for those with dry or sensitive skin looking for a mild morning wash, many recent reviews cite irritation, breakouts, and poor makeup removal compared to the original formula.

Highlights

  • Gentle & non-stripping Mostly Mentioned
    • “skin never felt stripped or dry”
    • “leaves face squeaky clean but not dry”
    • “conditioning ingredients leave skin soft”
  • Effective morning cleanse Often Mentioned
    • “perfect for waking up skin”
    • “great mild AM cleanser”
    • “use it as a second cleanse”
  • Unique texture Often Mentioned
    • “balmy texture just melted into my skin”
    • “jelly phase dissolves oil”
    • “feels undeniably decadent”
  • Reformulation issues Often Mentioned
    • “new formula is terrible”
    • “broken me out completely”
  • Pleasant scent Sometimes Noted
    • “scent is light and airy”
    • “smells like juicy roses”
    • “nice subtle fragrance”
  • Eye irritation Sometimes Noted
    • “makes my sensitive eyes sting”
    • “burned my skin”
    • “irritatingly fragranced”
  • Poor makeup removal Sometimes Noted
    • “doesn't remove lash slick mascara”
    • “smeared it around”
    • “struggles with eye makeup”
  • Packaging flaws Rarely Noted
    • “pump is fiddly”
    • “tiny pump”
    • “annoying when using with wet hands”

Sources: lovi.care, glossier.com, sephora.co.uk, influenster.com, reddit.com, livethatglow.com, and more

Questions and answers

How well does Milky Jelly Cleanser work for acne-prone skin?

Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser works moderately well for acne-prone skin because glycerin and panthenol provide general hydration and barrier support without directly targeting breakouts. A cleanser of this type needs to be exceptionally safe with no risk of irritation, effectively address acne and blemishes with a gentle yet powerful formulation of soothing ingredients, and perform its cleansing function excellently.

The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002

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

Glycerin and panthenol make this cleanser work for acne-prone skin by providing general hydration and barrier support. To fit this skin even better, a cleanser of this type needs beneficial ingredients that directly target breakouts and blemishes while keeping the skin calm and safe from irritation.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017

What does Rose Flower Water do for acne-prone skin?

Rose Flower Water helps calm red or irritated skin and may fight breakout-causing bacteria. It is generally well tolerated and unlikely to cause irritation when used in everyday skincare routines.

Biological & Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 2017Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

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

Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?

This cleanser goes as the first step in your morning routine and the second step in your evening routine after a makeup remover. A cleanser for acne-prone skin needs soothing ingredients like allantoin and panthenol, alongside blemish-fighting actives that directly target breakouts.

Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?

You can use this cleanser with retinol by applying the cleanser first on damp skin, rinsing thoroughly, and then following with your retinol treatment once your face is dry. Using a gentle cleanser like this helps keep your skin calm and supports the skin barrier while you use retinol, reducing the likelihood of dryness or irritation.

Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023Cutis, 2006

How often should I use this cleanser?

You can use this cleanser twice a day as part of your morning and evening routine. A mild daily cleanser helps keep skin clean and hydrated without causing irritation.

The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022

Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?

This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores or cause purging, but it only offers moderate benefits for breakouts since its ingredients mainly provide general hydration and barrier support. An acne-prone skin type needs a cleanser with targeted ingredients that actively clear pores and reduce blemishes.

The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?

You can use this cleanser on your body and around the eyes because it has a gentle formula with soothing ingredients like allantoin and panthenol that are safe for delicate areas. To best care for thin skin like the eyelids, a product of this type needs extra barrier support and deep hydration from specialized ingredients.

The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002

Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.

What the research says

  • A new topical panthenol-containing emollient significantly improved transepidermal water loss reduction, stratum corneum hydration, and intercellular lipid lamellae length compared with control in healthy subjects without negatively impacting bacterial viability.

    The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017
  • Topical dexpanthenol acts as a moisturizer, improves stratum corneum hydration, accelerates wound healing and epidermal regeneration, reduces erythema, and improves symptoms of skin irritation compared to vehicle or no pretreatment.

    American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002
  • 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, 2017
  • A panthenol-enriched mask significantly decreased erythema and hyperpigmentation, increased sebum and stratum corneum moisture, and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to a saline dressing in 60 subjects undergoing facial laser treatment.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025
  • Topical gel containing chitosan, 0.2% chlorhexidine, allantoin and dexpanthenol did not improve postoperative comfort regarding swelling and pain, but improved the wound's aesthetic appearance following impacted lower third molar extraction compared to no gel.

    Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral Y Cirugia Bucal, 2016
  • Treatment with a rose extract activated newly identified skin olfactory receptors and prevented epinephrine-induced skin stress responses in epidermal keratinocytes and human skin explants, while clinically decreasing the appearance of under-eye dark circles in stressed women.

    Molecules, 2020
  • Rose petal extract improves stratum corneum moisture levels in humans by upregulating HAS2 expression via the GLK-MAP2K-MAPK signaling pathway.

    BioFactors, 2023
  • Rosa gallica petal extract (RPE) exerts skin whitening by attenuating tyrosinase activity and melanin accumulation and exhibits anti-wrinkle activity by suppressing MMP-1 levels in human cells.

    Journal of Medicinal Food, 2020
  • The 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, 2020
  • Ten 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, 2001
  • Niacinamide/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, 2012
  • Topical application of 0.1% hyaluronic acid formulations of different molecular weights led to significant improvements in skin hydration and elasticity, with low-molecular-weight formulations also significantly reducing wrinkle depth in seventy-six female subjects compared to a vehicle control.

    Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2011
  • Topical application of hyaluronic acid in conjunction with free gingival graft significantly reduced donor site postoperative pain until day 7 compared to normal saline, with no significant differences in graft dimensions or patient satisfaction.

    Clinical Oral Investigations, 2022
  • Treatment with a hyaluronic acid-containing mouth rinse or topical gel led to significant lesion reduction, pain relief, and normalization of lesion color in adult patients with minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis, with the gel formulation showing an earlier healing onset at 3 days.

    BMC Oral Health, 2019
  • A topical gel containing chitosan, chlorhexidine, allantoin, and dexpanthenol significantly reduced postoperative pain, trismus, swelling, and analgesic consumption, while improving wound healing after third molar surgery compared to a placebo.

    Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral Y Cirugia Bucal, 2020
  • An overnight patch containing Allium cepa extract and allantoin safely promotes scar healing after dermatologic surgery, resulting in significantly greater reductions in observer- and patient-assessed POSAS scores compared to no treatment.

    Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 2018
  • Prophylactic application of a topical scar gel containing Allium cepae extract, allantoin, and heparin significantly improves patient-assessed scar color, stiffness, and irregularity compared to no treatment in women following a cesarean section.

    Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2014
  • Moisturizer 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, 2019
  • Topical dexpanthenol formulated in lipophilic vehicles improved stratum corneum hydration and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to vehicle control in humans.

    Arzneimittel-Forschung, 2000
  • Hyaluronic acid, hyaluronic acid plus dexpanthenol, and isotonic saline nasal sprays all significantly improved dry nose symptoms over four weeks in 240 patients, with hyaluronic acid plus dexpanthenol providing superior nasal moisturisation compared to the other two.

    Auris, Nasus, Larynx, 2020

Why other cleansers fit acne-prone skin better

Ingredients

Water, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Peg-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Propanediol, Isohexadecane, Poloxamer 184, Acrylamide Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Xylitylglucoside, Betaine, Allantoin, Glycerin, Panthenol, Symphytum Officinale Root Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Anhydroxylitol, Polysorbate 80, Xylitol, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Isopropyl Myristate, Benzoic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, 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.

How does it fit your skin?

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