Pair Acne Creamy Foam
Pair Acne Creamy Foam
Product Description
Product overview
A medicated Japanese foaming cleanser by Lion designed for adult acne and problem skin. Powered by two registered active ingredients — Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate (anti-inflammatory) and O-Cymen-5-Ol/IPMP (antibacterial) — it lifts dirt, sebum and impurities from deep within pores while remaining gentle, hypoallergenic and non-stripping. Boosted with soy isoflavone extract, glycerin and Vitamin E for soft, calmer, hydrated skin.
Dual Active Defense
Two registered Japanese quasi-drug actives target inflammation and acne-causing bacteria at the same time.
Texture & feel
SENSORYDual Active Defense
Two registered Japanese quasi-drug actives target inflammation and acne-causing bacteria at the same time.
Micro-Bubble Lather
Whips into a dense, marshmallow-like foam that floats over skin and reaches deep into clogged pores.
Won't Strip Moisture
Glycerin, sorbitol and butylene glycol keep skin soft and hydrated — no tight, squeaky feeling after rinsing.
Soy + Vitamin Boost
Glycine Soja (soy) extract, Vitamin E and Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate condition and brighten dull skin.
Safety & compatibility
SAFEFree of retinoids, salicylic acid and hydroquinone. The actives (Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, IPMP) are not flagged as pregnancy concerns in cleansers.
Contains Myristic, Palmitic and Lauric Acid (C12–C16 fatty acids) which can feed Malassezia yeast. Not ideal if you struggle with fungal acne.
As a rinse-off cleanser, the comedogenic risk is minimal (1/5). Pore-clogging fatty acids wash off rather than sit on the skin.
Includes Parfum and paraben preservatives. Generally well tolerated, but those with very reactive skin may prefer a fragrance-free option.
As a wash-off cleanser, it pairs well with retinol, vitamin C, AHA, BHA and niacinamide applied after rinsing.
Lion markets the formula as hypoallergenic and dermatologically tested for sensitive, breakout-prone Japanese skin.
Ingredient breakdown
INGREDIENTSDipotassium Glycyrrhizate ~0.1–0.3%Proven
A potassium salt derived from licorice root, registered as an active anti-inflammatory ingredient in Japanese quasi-drug skincare. Soothes redness and calms angry, inflamed acne lesions.
- Source: Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) extract.
- Function: Anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, sebum-regulating, calming for sensitive and rosacea-prone skin.
- Bonus: Glabridin component has been studied for blocking UV-induced pigmentation.
O-Cymen-5-Ol (IPMP) ~0.1–0.3%Proven
Also known as Isopropyl Methylphenol, this is a registered antibacterial active in Japanese quasi-drug acne products. Targets Cutibacterium acnes (the bacteria behind inflamed pimples) without the dryness of benzoyl peroxide.
- Source: Synthetic phenolic preservative/antibacterial.
- Function: Kills acne-causing bacteria, helps prevent new breakouts forming.
- Use: The same active is featured in Lion's flagship Pair Acne Cream W spot treatment.
Myristic Acid + Palmitic Acid HighProven
The main cleansing duo in this foam — classic potassium-soap fatty acids that whip up a thick, dense, fluffy lather typical of Japanese facial washes.
- Source: Palm, coconut, nutmeg-derived plant fatty acids.
- Function: Foam-builders and surfactants when combined with Potassium Hydroxide (saponification).
- Note: Effective at deep cleansing but can be drying for extremely dry or barrier-compromised skin.
Glycerin + Sorbitol + Butylene Glycol SignificantProven
A trio of humectants placed high on the INCI list to counterbalance the deep-cleansing soap base. They draw water into the upper skin layers so the formula won't leave skin tight or stripped.
- Glycerin: Skin-identical humectant, comedogenicity 0, irritancy 0.
- Sorbitol: Sugar alcohol that retains moisture and softens texture.
- Butylene Glycol: Lightweight humectant and solvent that boosts ingredient delivery.
Glycine Soja (Soy) Extract + Tocopherol LowPromising
Soy isoflavones and natural Vitamin E provide antioxidant support. Soy extract has data on improving skin tone, brightness and elasticity; tocopherol protects skin from free-radical damage.
- Soy Extract: Rich in isoflavones (genistein, daidzein) — clinically shown to even tone with consistent use.
- Tocopherol: Pure Vitamin E — moisturizing, antioxidant and helps stabilize the formula.
- Limit: In a rinse-off cleanser, contact time is short, so benefits are mild rather than transformative.
19 ingredients
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, O-Cymen-5-Ol, Myristic Acid, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Coconut Oil Decyl Esters, Potassium Hydroxide, Palmitic Acid, N-Lauryl Diethanolamine, Sorbitol, PEG-150, Glycol Distearate, Parfum, EDTA, Butylene Glycol, Tocopherol, Magnesium Phosphate, Glycine Soja Extract, Sodium Paraben.
Where it fits in your routine
ROUTINEUse as your second cleanse in the evening (after an oil cleanser) and as a single morning cleanse. Pairs perfectly with Lion's own Pair Acne Cream W as the spot-treatment step.
How to use
HOW TO USEWet your face
Splash with lukewarm water — not hot, which can over-strip the skin barrier.
Dispense a pearl-sized amount
Squeeze about 1 cm of the creamy foam onto wet palms.
Whip into a rich lather
Add a little water and rub palms together (or use a foaming net) until you get dense, marshmallow-style foam.
Massage gently for 30–60 seconds
Apply to face in circular motions, focusing on the T-zone and breakout areas. Don't scrub.
Rinse thoroughly
Splash off with lukewarm water, pat dry, and follow with toner and your usual routine.
Who is it for?
WHOPerfect for you if:
- You have adult, hormonal or chin/jaw breakouts
- Your skin is oily, combination or normal
- You want acne care without harsh drying actives
- Your skin is sensitive or reactive to BPO and SA cleansers
- You enjoy the dense Japanese-style foam experience
- You want a hypoallergenic, dermatologically tested medicated wash
Consider alternatives if:
- You have fungal acne / Malassezia folliculitis
- You prefer 100% fragrance-free skincare
- You avoid parabens or PEGs by personal choice
- Your skin is very dry, mature or barrier-compromised
- You need a high-strength salicylic acid wash for cystic acne
- You have an allergy to soy or licorice extracts
Skin type compatibility
SKIN TYPESSoap-based foam controls excess sebum and unclogs pores without leaving any greasy residue.
Cleans the T-zone deeply while humectants protect the cheeks from over-drying.
Anti-inflammatory + antibacterial actives directly address the two main acne triggers.
Hypoallergenic and gentle, but contains fragrance — patch-test first if highly reactive.
Soap base may feel slightly stripping; follow with a richer moisturizer or use only at night.
Contains myristic, palmitic and lauric fatty acids — known feeders of Malassezia yeast.
Results timeline
8 WEEKS +Cleaner, calmer skin
Skin feels deeply cleaned but soft and bouncy — not tight or squeaky. Visible redness around active pimples may already begin to look slightly less angry.
85% notice immediatelyReduced shine & clogged pores
Less midday oil on the T-zone, fewer new tiny clogged bumps. Existing whiteheads start to surface and clear faster than usual.
72% notice improvementFewer fresh breakouts
The combination of antibacterial IPMP and anti-inflammatory licorice helps slow new pimple formation. Skin tone looks more even and calm overall.
64% see fewer breakoutsMaintenance & clarity
Skin texture feels smoother, post-acne marks fade more easily (when paired with sunscreen). This is when long-term users tend to repurchase.
58% repurchaseRatings by platform
7K+ REVIEWSPros & cons
BALANCEDPraised
- Two registered Japanese acne actives (anti-inflammatory + antibacterial)
- Dense, marshmallow-like foam with luxurious feel
- Cleanses thoroughly without that tight "stripped" sensation
- Hypoallergenic, gentle enough for daily long-term use
- A cult drugstore staple in Japan, widely trusted
- Affordable price point for a medicated cleanser
- Pairs well with the Pair Acne Cream W spot treatment
Criticized
- Not fungal-acne safe (fatty acids feed Malassezia)
- Contains added fragrance and parabens
- Smaller 80g tube compared to many 150g cleansers
- Slow, gradual results — not a fast-acting acne treatment
- Soap-base pH may be too high for very dry/sensitive types
- Limited international availability outside Asia
Budget-friendly alternatives (dupes)
DUPESSame J-beauty creamy-foam category, also features anti-acne actives and silk-protein moisture. A bit more affordable and more widely available worldwide.
Japanese pharmacy classic — gentler, fragrance-light foam with hyaluronic acid. Less acne-targeted but excellent for sensitive, breakout-prone skin.
Western alternative with 4% Benzoyl Peroxide — stronger but more drying. Includes ceramides for barrier support, but lacks the cushiony Japanese foam texture.
K-beauty alternative with 0.5% salicylic acid — exfoliating cleanse for blackheads. Different active mechanism but similar daily acne-care positioning.
Comparison with competitors
SIDE-BY-SIDEStorage & shelf life
12 MONTHS12 months after opening. Unopened shelf life is approximately 3 years from manufacture.
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures. Always close the cap securely after use.
Soft squeeze tube with screw cap. Hygienic — no contact with fingers in the product.
Yes — at 80 g the tube is well under TSA's 100 ml limit for carry-on liquids.
Frequently asked questions
FAQYes, generally considered safe. The formula is free of retinoids, salicylic acid, hydroquinone and high-dose chemical sunscreen filters. Its main actives — Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate (licorice-derived) and O-Cymen-5-Ol (IPMP) — are used in Japanese quasi-drug skincare and are not flagged as pregnancy concerns in rinse-off products. As always, please double-check with your OB/GYN if you have any specific sensitivities.
No — this is the formula's biggest limitation. It contains Myristic Acid, Palmitic Acid and Lauric Acid Diethanolamide, which are C12–C16 fatty acids known to feed the Malassezia yeast responsible for fungal acne. While these wash off (so risk is reduced compared to leave-on products), people with confirmed fungal acne should choose a fungal-acne-safe cleanser instead.
Yes, easily. Because this is a wash-off cleanser, it doesn't compete with any leave-on actives. Use it as your normal cleanse step — then layer your retinol, vitamin C, AHA or BHA serum on clean dry skin. The licorice-based active inside this foam may even help calm any retinol-related redness over time.
It performs best on oily, combination and acne-prone skin — especially adult hormonal/jaw breakouts. Sensitive skin generally tolerates it thanks to the hypoallergenic, anti-inflammatory profile. Very dry, mature or fungal-acne skin types are better served by a different cleanser.
Most users notice cleaner, calmer-feeling skin from day one. Visible reduction in shine, clogged pores and inflamed pimples typically appears within 1–2 weeks of consistent twice-daily use. Significant improvement in breakout frequency tends to show after 4–8 weeks. It's a slow-and-steady cleanser, not a single-night miracle.
It's your primary morning cleanser and your second-cleanse step in the evening (after an oil cleanser if you wear makeup or sunscreen). Follow with toner, treatment serums or spot products such as Pair Acne Cream W, then moisturizer and sunscreen during the day.
The comedogenic risk is very low (rated around 1 out of 5) for the simple reason that it's a rinse-off product. While a few of its ingredients (such as palmitic and myristic acid) have higher comedogenic ratings on their own, they wash off the skin within a minute and don't sit in pores like a leave-on cream would.
The Period After Opening (PAO) is 12 months. Unopened, the product keeps roughly 3 years from manufacture. Store the tube tightly closed, away from direct sunlight, heat and bathroom humidity to maintain freshness for the full 12 months.
Verdict: Lion's Pair Acne Creamy Foam is a quietly excellent J-beauty medicated cleanser that earns its cult status. It pairs two registered Japanese acne actives — anti-inflammatory licorice and antibacterial IPMP — inside a luxuriously dense soap-based foam that cleans deeply without leaving skin tight. The trade-offs are honest: it's not fungal-acne safe, contains light fragrance and parabens, and works as a slow-and-steady daily ally rather than a quick fix. For anyone with adult, hormonal or sensitive acne-prone skin who finds BPO and salicylic acid cleansers too harsh, this is one of the gentlest, most reliable medicated foams on the market.
Product Overview
Quick product notes are a great way to check if a product is free from commonly avoided ingredients by skincare enthusiasts. These preferences come about for different reasons depending on the ingredient such as personal experiences, sensitivities, health preferences & etc.
Just because a product is not free from a common preference does not mean it's a bad product! You can make a personal decision whether or not you want to use a product that contains these ingredients or not - click the labels of the preference to read more about them.
Quick Product Notes
Ever used a product that promised a certain effect but provided no results? It might not have contained any notable ingredients that could have been responsible for that promised effect. It doesn't matter what the marketing or packaging «promises» it can do, if it doesn't contain anything that can help - then the likelihood of it helping is low.
We help you identify key notable ingredients that have been shown to help with effects such as acne-fighting, brightening, UV-protection, wound healing & anti-aging to help you achieve your skincare goals smarter. Please note that different notable ingredients have varying levels of research behind them, some are extremely well proven yet some have mixed research in their efficacy.
Just because a product doesn't contain any notable ingredients doesn't mean it's bad. And a product with notable ingredients (or even many) doesn't necessarily guarantee the efficacy of the product performing these effects either. There are other factors such as ingredient quality, concentration and formulation that will ultimately determine this.
Be smart and use this as just a starting point for you to make more informed and smarter choices and compare it with reviews to see if the product is right for you
Notable Effects & Ingredients
Why are some products great for some people and horrible for others? Well everyone has different skin types and different reactions to the same ingredients.
We've identified a range of ingredients that are commonly regarded as potentially good or bad for those with Dry, Oily/Acne-Prone or Sensitive skin.
A product that contains good or bad ingredients for your skin type doesn't always flat out make the entire product good or bad for your skin. There are other factors such as ingredient quality, concentration and formulation that will ultimately determine your skins reaction.
One of the best ways to use this section is to troubleshoot products you've had bad experiences with in the past. Check if it contains any of the marked ingredients to point out suspect ingredients to avoid in the future!
Ingredients Related to Skin Types
Ingredient Safety Breakdown refers to the percentage % of ingredients in different risk categories as classified by EWG (Environment Working Group) if they are available. There are almost endless cosmetic ingredients and they are one of the few organisations globally that have assigned ratings to a lot of the more commonly used ingredients which is why we reference them.
EWG is seen by many to be more on the alarmist side in their assignment of health ratings resulting in rating ingredients as riskier than they actually are. We recommend using this a reference point rather than a strict guide of ingredient safety and to always do further research if into ingredients that you may find suspect.
Ingredient Safety Breakdown
Product ingredient list
| EWG | CIR | Ingredient Name & Cosmetic Functions | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Skin Conditioning, Humectant, Flavoring Agent
|
Redness
Irritation
Dark Spots
|
|
| 0 |
O-Cymen-5-Ol
Antimicrobial, Preservative
|
|
|
| 1 |
Myristic Acid
Perfuming, Fragrance, Emulsifying, Opacifying, Sufactant
|
|
|
| 2 |
Glycerin
Solvent, Perfuming, Fragrance, Humectant, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Hair Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Denaturant, Skin Conditioning
|
Promotes Wound Healing
Hydrating
|
|
| 1 |
Dipropylene Glycol
Fragrance, Solvent, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Masking, Viscosity Controlling
|
|








