Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash for dry skin
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
Glycerin
Papain
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Shea Butter
Tocopherol Vitamin E
High
- AverageDry Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- HighSafety
A great choice for dry skin; a few cleansers fit it even better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dry skin: flakiness, tightness, dehydration, 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 exfoliation for your dry skin due to the presence of papain and protease, which provide enzymatic resurfacing to address flakiness.
- Glycerin and shea butter offer humectant and emollient actions, but the formula lacks sufficient occlusive ingredients for optimal hydration for dry skin.
- The product is safe for your dry skin as it contains no prohibited or harsh ingredients that would cause irritation.
How to apply
- Use this cleanser AM and PM every day to keep your skin clean. Start using it daily right away since your skin is not sensitive.
- Apply this cleanser as the very first step in your morning routine and right after your pre-cleanser in the evening. Follow with your toner and moisturizer afterwards.
- Gently massage a small amount of cleanser onto your face using soft circular motions. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water and pat dry with a clean towel.
- Apply this cleanser on slightly damp skin for a comfortable and refreshing wash. This helps maintain your skin's natural moisture while cleansing away dirt.
- Avoid getting the cleanser directly into your eyes to prevent any irritation. Do a simple patch test before your first use to ensure your skin likes it.
People Say
★4.8Overall rating based on 3.4k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, users consistently praise this enzyme-gel cleanser for its ability to gently exfoliate and refine skin texture without stripping moisture, making it a favorite for those with dull, uneven, or sensitive skin. Many reviewers report a visible improvement in radiance and smoothness, noting that it effectively addresses congestion and acne scarring while providing a luxurious, spa-like experience.
Highlights
Gentle exfoliation Mostly Mentioned
- “non-stripping formula”
- “gentle daily use”
- “no redness after”
- “great for sensitive skin”
Deep cleansing Often Mentioned
- “face feels super clean”
- “removes all grime”
- “clears out pores”
- “great second cleanse”
Radiant complexion Often Mentioned
- “instantly fresh glow”
- “removes dullness”
- “skin looks brighter”
- “restored my radiance”
Smoother skin texture Often Mentioned
- “skin feels baby-soft”
- “completely changed texture”
- “smooths uneven bumps”
- “refined my pores”
Expensive price point Often Mentioned
- “pricey for a wash”
- “expensive habit”
- “wish it was cheaper”
- “luxury price tag”
Luxurious scent Sometimes Noted
- “smells like a spa”
- “divine fresh scent”
- “relaxing aroma”
- “beautiful light fragrance”
Initial skin reaction Rarely Noted
- “slight tingling sensation”
- “caused minor breakout”
- “redness at first”
- “sting on active spots”
Lack of results Rarely Noted
- “didn't see difference”
- “just a normal wash”
- “expected more resurfacing”
- “no change in pores”
Packaging issues Rarely Noted
- “pump broke quickly”
- “dispenses too much”
- “hard to unlock”
- “leaky bottle”
Unpleasant scent Rarely Noted
- “smell is overpowering”
- “scent not for me”
- “too perfumed”
- “medicinal smell”
Sources: lovi.care, sephora.com, spacenk.com, lookfantastic.com, dermstore.com, elemis.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash a great fit for dry skin?
This cleanser is a great fit for your dry skin because it offers gentle enzymatic exfoliation using papain and protease to help clear away flakiness. Glycerin and shea butter help add moisture, while the formula remains safe and free of harsh ingredients that could cause irritation.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for dry skin?
Papain and protease help smooth dry skin by gently sweeping away flakiness, while glycerin and shea butter keep it soft. These ingredients make this cleanser a great fit because they gently lift dead skin cells without causing irritation.
What does Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate do for dry skin?
Sodium lauroyl sarcosinate is a cleansing ingredient that may strip away natural skin fats like ceramides, which can leave dry skin feeling even drier and more tight. Because cleansers with this ingredient can disrupt the skin barrier, dry skin needs gentle cleansers formulated with soothing moisturizers and skin-softening ingredients that protect moisture levels.
What does Glycerin do for dry skin?
Glycerin helps dry skin by drawing in moisture and keeping it locked in, which makes the skin feel much softer and smoother. It also supports your natural skin barrier to stop water from escaping easily. A product for dry skin needs extra ingredients like hyaluronic acid and soothing plant extracts to truly calm and hydrate dry patches.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017The British Journal of Dermatology, 2008
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for dry skin?
This cleanser goes in the morning and evening routine for dry skin before your hydrating toner and moisturizer. Using a gentle cleanser as part of a consistent daily routine helps improve visual dryness and overall skin comfort.
Can I use it with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cleanser with retinol, but apply your retinol afterward only after your skin has adjusted to the exfoliation. Because this wash provides gentle enzymatic resurfacing to help with flakiness, starting slowly helps prevent irritation on dry skin.
How often should I use this cleanser?
Start by using this cleanser once a week, as exfoliating formulas can be strong for dry skin. If your skin feels comfortable and you see good results, you may carefully use it more often.
Can it clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores, cause breakouts, or lead to purging for dry skin. It contains gentle cleansing ingredients and is formulated without harsh substances that typically trigger irritation or breakouts in dry skin.
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
You can use this cleanser on your body, but it is best to avoid the sensitive skin around the eyes due to the active enzymes. The formula is safe and unlikely to cause irritation, though dry skin on the body may still need an extra rich cream afterward to lock in moisture.
Is it fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (parfum). Lauryl alcohol, behenyl alcohol, and stearyl alcohol are fatty alcohols, which soften the skin.
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, 2017Sodium 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, 2024The 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, 2012Topical papain treatment may slightly decrease pain within 30 minutes in humans stung by Chrysaora chinensis compared to placebo.
Wilderness & Environmental Medicine, 2016A fixed combination of hydroxypinacolone retinoate, retinol glycospheres, and papain glycospheres in aqueous gel applied once daily for 12 weeks achieved a 41% mean reduction in GAGS score and a 40.8% mean reduction in total lesions, with 15.3% of patients experiencing mild to moderate local side effects, in 94 evaluable patients with comedonal-papular, mild to moderate acne of the face.
Giornale Italiano Di Dermatologia E Venereologia, 2015Reflux extraction of Carica papaya leaves yielded higher antioxidant capacity and superior in vitro wound-healing activities including fibroblast proliferation, cell migration, and collagen synthesis in human skin fibroblasts compared to ultrasonic-assisted extraction and agitation.
Molecules, 2020A combination cream of stimu-tex AS and saccharide isomerate reduced erythema, increased skin capacitance, and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to placebo in 20 subjects after fractional CO2 laser procedure without causing serious adverse events.
Lasers in Medical Science, 2025A skin barrier restoring cream with shea butter, silkflo, and vitamin E increased type I procollagen synthesis, enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity, decreased reactive oxygen species generation, and promoted hyaluronic acid production in H2O2-stimulated human keratinocyte cells compared to untreated cells.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2025Topical application of an antioxidant serum containing 15% ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid, and 1% tocopherol prevented particulate matter-induced degradation of extracellular matrix components, inflammation, and oxidative stress in the skin of 15 female volunteers compared to untreated controls.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025Dermatological products containing d-alpha tocopheryl acetate showed non-comedogenic potential with less than a 50% increase in microcomedones in 12 healthy male subjects compared to octyl palmitate.
Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications, 2021Topical application of an antioxidant mix containing 15% ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid, and 1% tocopherol prevented PM and UV-induced skin barrier perturbation, lipid peroxidation, inflammatory markers, MMP9 activation, and Type I collagen loss in 15 healthy females compared to untreated exposed skin.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
Ingredients
Water, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Acrylates Copolymer, Polysorbate 20, Coco-Glucoside, Glycol Distearate, Glyceryl Oleate, Sodium Lactate, Dicaprylyl Ether, Phenoxyethanol, Lauryl Alcohol, Parfum, Sodium Chloride, Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil, Xanthan Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Chlorphenesin, Citric Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, Papain, Disodium Edta, Galactoarabinan, Behenyl Alcohol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Shea Butter, Benzoic Acid, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Disodium Phosphate, Stearyl Alcohol, Protease, Subtilisin, Tocopheryl Acetate Vitamin E, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate, Tocopherol, Poria Cocos Extract, Extracted
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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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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