Dr. Althea Amino Gel Cleanser for combination skin
Betula Platyphylla Japonica Juice
Glycerin
Low
- HighCombination Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- ConcerningSafety
A weak match for combination skin; the cleansers alongside 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 cocamidopropyl betaine and sodium cocoyl isethionate help clear pores, but it lacks specialized ingredients for optimal oil control on your oily areas.
- Glycerin provides humectant action suitable for combination skin, though the presence of citric acid poses a slight risk of irritation.
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
★4.7Overall rating based on 100+ reviewsBased on limited data, this gel-to-foam cleanser is highly regarded by users with sensitive, oily, and acne-prone skin for its effective yet gentle cleansing. It is frequently praised for leaving the skin feeling soft and hydrated without stripping its natural moisture barrier, and is noted for its soothing properties. Some users with specific dehydration concerns found it slightly drying, and a few mentioned it requires effort to lather.
Highlights
Gentle & non-stripping Mostly Mentioned
- “skin doesn't feel stripped”
- “very gentle on the skin”
- “leaves face soft”
Soothing for sensitive Often Mentioned
- “no breakouts at all”
- “calming cleanser”
- “good for redness”
Hydrating finish Sometimes Noted
- “feels hydrated”
- “moisturizing sensation”
- “leaves skin soft like baby”
Pleasant texture Sometimes Noted
- “foams up well”
- “feels like a cloud”
- “rich and creamy foam”
Lathering effort Rarely Noted
- “takes a little water and elbow grease”
- “needs to be lathered well”
Residue feeling Rarely Noted
- “left a moisturizing film”
- “husband didn't like the film”
Slightly drying Rarely Noted
- “drying on my hands and face”
- “mildly irritated my cheeks”
- “not perfect for surface dehydration”
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Questions and answers
Why is Dr. Althea Amino Gel Cleanser a weak match for combination skin?
This cleanser is a weak match for your combination skin because it lacks specialized ingredients to properly control oil in your shiny areas and carries a slight risk of irritation from citric acid. A cleanser of this type needs to balance oil production and maintain hydration safely without irritation, while including soothing or barrier-repairing ingredients to properly care for both oily and dry areas.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a poor fit for combination skin?
Citric acid makes this cleanser a weak match for combination skin because it poses a slight risk of irritation, and the formula lacks specialized ingredients for optimal oil control on oily areas. A cleanser of this type needs to safely balance oil production, maintain hydration, and include soothing ingredients to care for combination skin without causing irritation.
What does Water do for combination skin?
Water helps keep combination skin hydrated, though a product of this type needs additional barrier-protecting ingredients like ceramides or petrolatum to lock in that moisture and support overall skin health.
What does Birch Juice do for combination skin?
Birch juice is generally safe for combination skin, as it is a lightweight liquid that hydrates dry areas without making oily zones feel greasy. It helps keep the skin feeling soft and refreshed.
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for combination skin?
This cleanser fits into both your morning and evening routine as the first cleansing step, though it is a weak match for combination skin because it lacks specialized oil control ingredients. A cleanser for this skin needs targeted ingredients to help manage oil on your shiny areas while keeping your dry areas soft and comfortable.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cleanser with retinol, applying the cleanser first on damp skin, rinsing it off, and then following with your retinol treatment once your face is dry. However, this cleanser is a weak match for combination skin because it lacks targeted oil control ingredients and contains citric acid, which may cause irritation when paired with strong treatments. A cleanser for this skin needs oil-balancing ingredients and soothing components to keep oily zones clear while protecting against irritation.
How often should I use this cleanser?
You can use this cleanser daily in the morning and evening as part of your routine. This cleanser is a weak match for your combination skin because it clears pores but lacks specialized ingredients for optimal oil control on your oily areas.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for combination skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for combination skin, as its ingredients help clear pores and wash away buildup without heavy oils. However, because it lacks targeted oil control for oily areas and contains citric acid which may cause irritation, a cleanser for combination skin this way needs balancing ingredients to manage shine.
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
You can use this cleanser on your body, but you should avoid the thin skin around your eyes where irritation is more likely. A cleanser for this skin needs gentle, hydrating ingredients.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
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, 2017Betula alba bark extract and Empetrum nigrum fruit juice upregulated barrier genes, strengthened the skin barrier, and showed significantly better skin restructuring, hydration, and TEWL compared to placebo and 3% niacinamide.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2022The 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, 2012
Why other cleansers fit combination skin better
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, 2019
Ingredients
Water, Betula Platyphylla Japonica Juice, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sodium Chloride, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Disodium Edta
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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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
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Victoria Derkova, MS
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