Neutrogena Fresh Foaming Cleanser for combination skin
Glycerin
Ammonium Laureth Sulfate
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Lauryl Glucoside
Decyl Glucoside
Average
- HighCombination Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- Low RiskSafety
Works for combination skin; other cleansers 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
- Suitable for combination skin, this cleanser utilizes glycerin and decyl glucoside to provide hydration and mild cleansing, though it offers limited benefits for your oily shine concerns.
- The formula contains cocamidopropyl betaine for effective impurity removal, which is generally well-tolerated by combination skin.
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
★4.5Overall rating based on 3.2k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this 2-in-1 cleanser is highly regarded by users with normal to oily skin for its effective makeup removal and one-step cleansing without eye irritation. Some users with dry or sensitive skin report that the formula can be drying, leaving their skin feeling tight and stripped, and a small number of users experienced breakouts or disliked the scent.
Highlights
Effective makeup removal Mostly Mentioned
- “removes waterproof mascara”
- “takes off foundation”
- “cleans in one step”
- “melts away makeup”
Gentle on eyes Often Mentioned
- “doesn't sting eyes”
- “safe for contacts”
- “no eye irritation”
- “gentle on lashes”
Fresh clean scent Sometimes Noted
- “smells very fresh”
- “mild pleasant fragrance”
- “clean soap smell”
- “scent not overpowering”
Pleasant foaming texture Sometimes Noted
- “foams up nicely”
- “creamy rich lather”
- “rinses completely clean”
- “little goes long way”
Drying and stripping Sometimes Noted
- “leaves face tight”
- “skin felt stripped”
- “too drying daily”
- “dry patches appeared”
Caused breakouts Rarely Noted
- “caused cystic acne”
- “broke me out”
- “pimples appeared overnight”
- “clogged my pores”
Ineffective on waterproof Rarely Noted
- “didn't remove mascara”
- “raccoon eyes left”
- “needed second cleanse”
- “struggled with eyeliner”
Scent dislike Rarely Noted
- “smells like chemicals”
- “strong perfume smell”
- “scent is overpowering”
- “smells like dish soap”
Sources: lovi.care, walmart.com, target.com, influenster.com, hometesterclub.com, kroger.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Neutrogena Fresh Foaming Cleanser work for combination skin?
Neutrogena Fresh Foaming Cleanser works okay for combination skin because glycerin and mild cleansers wash away dirt while keeping dry areas soft, but it offers limited help for oily shine. A cleanser for this skin needs ingredients that clean well without irritation, hydrate dry zones, and actively manage oily shine.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for combination skin?
Glycerin and decyl glucoside make this cleanser a fit for combination skin by providing mild cleansing and hydration. To truly master combination skin, cleansers need ingredients that actively manage oily shine and support the moisture barrier without causing irritation.
What does Glycerin do for combination skin?
Glycerin helps keep combination skin soft and smooth by pulling moisture in and keeping it there. It improves hydration and supports your skin barrier, which is unlikely to cause irritation.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2008Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
What does Ammonium Laureth Sulfate do for combination skin?
Ammonium laureth sulfate cleanses combination skin by removing excess oil and impurities, but it may cause dryness if used too often. This type of cleanser works best when formulated to be nonirritating and is gently rinsed off to keep skin comfortable.
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for combination skin?
This cleanser goes in the morning and evening routine for combination skin. To properly care for combination skin, this type of product needs hydrating ingredients and mild cleansers that remove impurities without adding heavy oils.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cleanser with retinol, applying it before your retinol treatment as part of your routine. This cleanser utilizes glycerin and decyl glucoside to provide hydration and mild cleansing while removing impurities, though a product for this skin needs stronger oil-balancing benefits to properly manage your oily shine concerns.
How often should I use this cleanser?
Neutrogena Fresh Foaming Cleanser works well for daily cleansing, though it has limited benefits for oily shine. Combination skin needs cleansers with oil-balancing and pore-clearing ingredients to better manage shine while maintaining hydration.
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, though some users may experience dryness. A cleanser for this skin needs gentle cleansers and hydrating ingredients to wash away dirt without stripping natural moisture.
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
You can use this cleanser on your body, but you should take care around the eyes because the skin there is much thinner and more sensitive. A cleanser for this skin needs gentle cleansers and extra hydration to avoid irritation and dryness.
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, 2017The 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, 2012The cytotoxic effect of sodium lauryl sulphate on normal human keratinocytes was significantly decreased when combined with cocamidopropyl betaine, Tween 20, and Tween 80 at concentrations well below the critical micelle concentration.
Skin Pharmacology and Applied Skin Physiology, 2003Formulating sodium laureth sulphate with sodium laureth carboxylate and lauryl glucoside prevented significant decreases in cutaneous capacitance and reduced erythema and dryness in healthy volunteers compared to unsupplemented sodium laureth sulphate.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2014
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, 2019Combined ascorbyl palmitate and sodium ascorbyl phosphate treatment significantly reduced facial sebum secretions in healthy female volunteers compared to a placebo control over 90 days.
Drug Research, 2017
Ingredients
Water, Glycerin, Lauryl Glucoside, Decyl Glucoside, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Cocamide Mea, Glycereth-7, Ammonium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Cocoyl Sarcosinate, Peg-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Glycol Stearate, Dmdm Hydantoin, Tetrasodium Edta, Citric Acid
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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Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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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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