Neutrogena Fresh Foaming Cleanser for dry skin
Glycerin
Ammonium Laureth Sulfate
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Lauryl Glucoside
Decyl Glucoside
Low
- AverageDry Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
A weak match for dry skin; the cleansers alongside fit it better.
- Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016
- International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2024
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 cleansing for your dry skin due to lauryl glucoside and decyl glucoside effectively removing impurities, while glycerin provides supportive hydration.
- The formula contains glycerin for humectant action, but it lacks sufficient emollient or occlusive ingredients for optimal hydration of dry skin.
- The product is safe for your dry skin as it contains no prohibited or harsh ingredients that could 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
★4.5Overall 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
Why is Neutrogena Fresh Foaming Cleanser a weak match for dry skin?
This cleanser is a weak match because it lacks the rich, softening ingredients and skin-protecting sealants that dry skin needs to hold onto moisture. A cleanser for dry skin needs extra hydrating agents and soothing extracts to clean effectively without stripping away natural moisture.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a poor fit for dry skin?
This cleanser is a weak match for dry skin because it lacks sufficient softening and sealing ingredients to lock in moisture, even though it contains glycerin for hydration. A cleanser for dry skin needs rich moisturizing and soothing ingredients to thoroughly hydrate and cleanse without stripping natural moisture.
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
What does Ammonium Laureth Sulfate do for dry skin?
Ammonium Laureth Sulfate is a cleanser that may dry out dry skin and disrupt its natural barrier, leading to irritation. Products for dry skin need gentle, hydrating ingredients and nourishing oils to keep skin soft and smooth without stripping away essential moisture.
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 1994Toxicology in Vitro, 2009
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for dry skin?
This cleanser is used as the first step in the morning and the second step in the evening after your makeup remover. While it cleanses safely without harsh ingredients, dry skin needs a cleanser that also provides rich softening and sealing ingredients to keep the skin comfortable.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cleanser in your routine, but a cleanser for dry skin needs extra softening and barrier-protecting ingredients like ceramides and rich oils to prevent dryness from retinol.
How often should I use this cleanser?
You can use this cleanser daily, but because it lacks rich moisturizing ingredients, dry skin needs a rich moisturizing cream or lotion right after washing to stay soft and smooth.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for dry skin, as its formula contains no heavy ingredients that typically trap oil or block pores. Reviewers rarely mention breakouts, though some do report that the cleanser leaves skin feeling dry.
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
You can use this cleanser on your body and around the eyes since it is safe and unlikely to cause irritation. However, a cleanser for dry skin needs extra rich, softening, and sealing ingredients to keep the skin comfortable.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Formulating 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, 2014A 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, 2003
Why other cleansers fit dry skin better
Cosmetic formulations containing 5% Centella asiatica extract showed the best efficacy in improving skin moisture and decreasing transepidermal water loss, while also exhibiting antiinflammatory properties in 25 volunteers compared to baseline measurements.
Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016Transgenic cucumber expressing poly-γ-glutamic acid synthesis genes increased water content by 6-14%, reduced water loss by 11-12%, decreased facial wrinkles and roughness by 19.58% and 24.97%, decreased skin melanin by 5.27%, and improved facial elasticity in human skin and zebrafish compared to controls.
International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2024Camellia japonica oil activated the human COL1A2 promoter, induced type I procollagen synthesis, inhibited matrix metalloproteinase-1 activity, and reduced trans-epidermal water loss without inducing adverse reactions in human skin.
Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2007
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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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
How does it fit your skin?
Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.