Clarins Total Cleansing Oil for dry sensitive skin
Alpine Golden Gentian Extract
Melissa Officinalis Extract
Sunflower Seed Oil
Apricot Kernel Oil
Moringa Oleifera Seed ExtractHigh
- AverageDry Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- HighSafety
A great choice for dry sensitive skin; a few pre-cleansers fit it even better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dry sensitive skin: flakiness, tightness, redness, fine lines, and wrinkles. 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 your dry skin as Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil and Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil provide emollient action, but it lacks sufficient humectants for optimal hydration.
- While it effectively removes makeup and impurities, the formula does not contain specialized ingredients to target your dry or flaky skin concerns.
- The product is safe for your dry and sensitive skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients.
How to apply
- Use your makeup remover PM as the first step of your evening routine. Start 3×/week daily use if your dry skin tolerates it well.
- Apply this makeup remover before your regular cleanser, toner, and moisturizer. It prepares your face for a thorough double-cleansing routine.
- Gently press a small amount onto your skin using a soft cotton pad. Avoid rubbing to protect your sensitive and flaky skin.
- Apply the makeup remover on completely dry skin to ensure better tolerance and comfort. This prevents any extra irritation for reactive skin types.
- Avoid the sensitive eye area and do a patch test before your very first use to prevent irritation.
People Say
★4.3Overall rating based on 1.4k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, users frequently praise this lightweight oil for its ability to emulsify into a milky texture that removes waterproof makeup without stripping moisture, leaving skin feeling soft and hydrated. Many appreciate the floral scent and the post-wash feel. A minority of users with oily or sensitive eyes report issues with blurry vision or find the fragrance overpowering.
Highlights
Gentle and non-drying Mostly Mentioned
- “skin feels supple”
- “doesn't strip skin”
- “good for sensitive skin”
Effective makeup remover Often Mentioned
- “melts everything away”
- “removes stubborn makeup”
- “no raccoon eyes”
Luxurious scent Sometimes Noted
- “smells amazing”
- “relaxing fragrance”
- “refreshing herbal scent”
Pleasant texture Sometimes Noted
- “emulsifies beautifully”
- “silky consistency”
- “no greasy residue”
Eye irritation Sometimes Noted
- “cloudy eyes”
- “stings eyes”
- “oil film on contacts”
High price Sometimes Noted
- “pricey for face wash”
- “expensive habit”
- “steep price point”
Little goes long way Rarely Noted
- “one pump is enough”
- “bottle lasts months”
- “economical usage”
Breakouts Rarely Noted
- “caused small bumps”
- “clogged my pores”
- “broke me out”
Strong fragrance Rarely Noted
- “smell is overwhelming”
- “too much perfume”
- “scent lingers”
Thin consistency Rarely Noted
- “very watery”
- “runs through fingers”
- “messy pump”
Sources: lovi.care, sephora.com, clarinsusa.com, boots.ie, influenster.com, ulta.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes Clarins Total Cleansing Oil a great fit for dry sensitive skin?
Clarins Total Cleansing Oil is a great fit because it removes makeup gently while sunflower seed oil and apricot kernel oil soften dry skin without causing irritation. Because it lacks extra moisture-binding ingredients, this type of product works best for dry skin when paired with a hydrating cream.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for dry sensitive skin?
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil and Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil make this cleanser a good fit because they soften dry skin and keep it smooth without causing irritation. Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract and Melissa Officinalis Extract further help keep your skin calm and safe while you wash.
What does Alpine Golden Gentian Extract do for dry sensitive skin?
Alpine Golden Gentian Extract helps dry sensitive skin by boosting natural ceramide production to strengthen your skin barrier. This extra support keeps moisture locked in so your skin feels much softer and calmer.
What does Lemon Balm Extract do for dry sensitive skin?
Lemon balm extract helps soothe dry sensitive skin by reducing dryness and calming irritation while enhancing the skin barrier function. It also helps lock in moisture to keep your skin feeling soft and smooth.
Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2020International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2022
Where does it go in a skincare routine for dry sensitive skin?
Clarins Total Cleansing Oil goes in the evening routine as a makeup remover before cleansing your skin. It is safe for your dry and sensitive skin and is unlikely to cause irritation.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this makeup remover in the evening before your cleanser when using retinol, as it has a safe profile that is unlikely to irritate dry and sensitive skin. Follow it with your cleanser, then apply your retinol and a rich moisturizer.
How often should I use it?
Use this makeup remover in the evening as the first step of your routine when you wear makeup. It is safe for your sensitive skin and is unlikely to cause irritation.
Can it clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry sensitive skin?
Clarins Total Cleansing Oil is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts on dry sensitive skin, as its plant oils help wash away makeup gently without harsh ingredients. Moringa Seed Oil and Sunflower Seed Oil in the formula are well tolerated by the skin barrier and do not cause irritation.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (parfum).
What the research says
Gentiana lutea extract increases lipid synthesis and triglyceride levels in human primary keratinocytes in vitro via p38 MAPK and PPARgamma signaling, and significantly increases skin lipid content in a proof-of-concept trial of 33 volunteers compared to placebo.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2017Topical application of Gentiana lutea extract reduced average roughness, relief of the upper eyelid skin, and redness of dark circles in 22 subjects after 14 days compared to placebo.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2023Topical application of a cream containing the NHE1 activator rosmarinic acid decreased skin surface pH and transepidermal water loss while increasing skin hydration in 50-60-year-old adult females compared to vehicle cream and no treatment.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2022Topical treatment with a lemon balm leaf extract formulation reduced eye-corner wrinkles in 20 healthy women compared to placebo by promoting Endo180 production and inhibiting the decline in collagen levels.
Photodermatology, Photoimmunology & Photomedicine, 2025Incorporating rosmarinic acid into sunscreens enhanced the in vivo SPF of octocrylene by over 157% and reduced lipid peroxidation in the human stratum corneum.
Antioxidants, 2025Aqueous standardized leaf extracts of Moringa oleifera showed the highest human dermal fibroblast and human keratinocyte proliferation and migration properties, leading to the development of an alginate-pectin film dressing with optimal physicochemical properties.
Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2018Topical administration of Moringa oleifera seed extract on excision wounds in male albino rabbits significantly increased the wound healing rate, elevated TGF-β1, VEGF, and Type I collagen relative expression, and reduced inflammatory markers like IL-1β and TNF-α compared to untreated and MEBO-treated groups.
Antioxidants, 2022Moringa oleifera leaf extracts provided significant UV protection with an SPF of 2 at 2% to 4% concentrations and showed no significant irritant potential in cosmetic formulations.
Molecules, 2018
Ingredients
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Sunflower Seed Oil, C9-12 Alkane, Peg-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil Apricot Kernel Oil, Water, Propanediol, Parfum, Tocopherol, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Sodium Citrate, Gentiana Lutea Extract, Citric Acid, Capsicum Annuum Fruit Extract, Maltodextrin, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract Rosemary Leaf Extract
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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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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Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Dermatology MD
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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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