🇦🇪United Arab Emirates

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Exfoliating Cleanser for combination skin

High

  • HighCombination Skin Fit
  • HighEffectiveness
  • ExcellentSafety

A great choice for combination skin; a few cleansers fit it even 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 exfoliation for your combination skin, as glycolic acid and lactic acid provide mild chemical exfoliation to address oily shine.
  • The presence of hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid ensures your skin remains hydrated and soothed during the cleansing process.
  • This formula is safe for your combination skin, containing no harsh ingredients and including soothing agents to prevent 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

★4.3Overall rating based on 1.5k+ reviews

Based on a very large amount of data, this cleanser is frequently praised for its gentle exfoliation, leaving skin feeling soft and refreshed, particularly for those with combination and dry skin. A moderate number of users report it causes dryness or tightness, and a low number of users with sensitive skin experienced irritation or breakouts, suggesting the exfoliating agents and fragrance may be too potent for reactive skin types.

Highlights

  • Gentle exfoliation Mostly Mentioned
    • “The exfoliating particles are a perfect size- not too large or small, and not too abrasive.”
    • “It truly exfoliates the skin but it does so gently.”
    • “Has just enough exfoliation without being too harsh and it goes a long way.”
    • “Gentle enough for me to use every day.”
  • Refreshing feel Often Mentioned
    • “My face looks so bright, fresh and clean when I am finished.”
    • “Feels so clean and fresh.”
    • “The gel texture feels super refreshing.”
    • “Leaves no residue and my skin is free from large pores.”
  • Softens texture Often Mentioned
    • “My skin feels smooth and looks so healthy!”
    • “Leaves my skin feeling soft, fresh and glowing.”
    • “Gets rid of all the roughness and my skin is smooth.”
    • “Instantly soft, supple, and refreshed skin.”
  • Pleasant scent Sometimes Noted
    • “Has a very pleasant, light and fresh scent that I love.”
    • “Smells fine and feels fine.”
    • “Light fresh scent : Has a non-overpowering fragrance.”
    • “The scent is a fresher aquatic scent that was pleasant.”
  • Causes dryness Sometimes Noted
    • “It'll also leave you feeling a little tight and dry after using.”
    • “Made my skin pretty tight after using it.”
    • “It's not hydrating, it's just really drying.”
    • “My lips feel dry and cracked.”
  • Ineffective/gentle Rarely Noted
    • “Do not give it any help or you over-exfoliate!”
    • “Formula doesn't break down as easily as I would like.”
    • “Nothing unique or special... same cookie cutter exfoliating cleanser.”
  • Irritation/breakouts Rarely Noted
    • “After 3 uses I got a horrible breakout of tiny pimples.”
    • “It's almost like an irritated rash.”
    • “Damaged my skin... beware.”
    • “My eyes would be burning and scratching and irritated.”
  • Strong fragrance Rarely Noted
    • “The fragrance is a little loud... people with sensitive skin have to be careful.”
    • “Contains a good deal of fragrance... quite strong.”
    • “Family member that cannot handle most of any kind of smell.”

Sources: lovi.care, walmart.com, neutrogena.com, ulta.com, target.com, hometesterclub.com, and more

Questions and answers

What makes Neutrogena Hydro Boost Exfoliating Cleanser a great fit for combination skin?

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Exfoliating Cleanser is a great fit because it uses glycolic acid and lactic acid to gently smooth away oily shine while keeping combination skin feeling calm and soft. Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid and glycerin help maintain moisture during cleansing, and the formula is unlikely to cause irritation.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for combination skin?

Glycolic acid and lactic acid make this cleanser a great fit by providing mild exfoliation to address oily shine on combination skin, while hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid helps keep your skin hydrated and soothed. This gentle formula is safe and unlikely to cause irritation.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

What does Hyaluronic Acid do for combination skin?

Hyaluronic acid is a great fit for combination skin because it quenches dry areas with a boost of hydration while keeping oily zones balanced. Regular use helps smooth out fine lines and makes your skin feel soft and plump without causing irritation.

Dermatology and Therapy, 2021Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2011

What does Glycolic Acid do for combination skin?

Glycolic acid helps smooth and brighten combination skin by gently loosening dead surface cells to speed up skin renewal. This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation when used properly, but it needs a reliable sunscreen during the day since it makes skin more sensitive to the sun.

Acta Dermato-venereologica, 1995Archives of Dermatological Research, 1997

Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for combination skin?

This cleanser is used in both your morning and evening skincare routines. It goes right after makeup removal in the evening, helping keep your skin clean and balanced without feeling dry.

Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?

You can use this cleanser with retinol by applying the cleanser first on your combination skin and following with your retinol treatment later in your routine. Because this formula contains exfoliating acids, using it alongside retinol may increase sensitivity, so monitor your skin and scale back if you notice dryness or irritation.

Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2012

How often should I use this cleanser?

This cleanser is a great fit for your combination skin and can be used daily as part of your morning and evening routine. It gently handles oily shine with mild chemical exfoliants while keeping your skin hydrated and calm.

Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for combination skin?

This cleanser is unlikely to cause breakouts or clog pores on combination skin, as it has a low risk of irritation and breakouts according to reviewer feedback. Its gentle exfoliating acids and hydrating ingredients help keep your skin clear and balanced without feeling stripped.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?

You can use this cleanser on your body, but you should avoid applying it directly to the thin skin around your eyes. Body skin is much thicker than the delicate eye area and can better handle the exfoliating acids in this formula.

Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 2002

Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.

What the research says

  • Profhilo treatment led to significant improvements in superficial skin hydration and transepidermal water loss over time in Chinese females, while demonstrating good product tolerability.

    Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 2026
  • Profhilo gel combined with Dysport Botox significantly improved skin hydration, skin thickness, and GAIS scores compared to Dysport Botox injection alone in 19 participants seeking neck rejuvenation.

    Dermatologic Therapy, 2022
  • 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, 2017
  • Topical application of 0.1% hyaluronic acid formulations of different molecular weights led to significant improvements in skin hydration and elasticity, with low-molecular-weight formulations also significantly reducing wrinkle depth in seventy-six female subjects compared to a vehicle control.

    Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2011
  • Topical application of hyaluronic acid in conjunction with free gingival graft significantly reduced donor site postoperative pain until day 7 compared to normal saline, with no significant differences in graft dimensions or patient satisfaction.

    Clinical Oral Investigations, 2022
  • Treatment with a hyaluronic acid-containing mouth rinse or topical gel led to significant lesion reduction, pain relief, and normalization of lesion color in adult patients with minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis, with the gel formulation showing an earlier healing onset at 3 days.

    BMC Oral Health, 2019
  • Repeated short-contact 70% glycolic acid peels provided superior results in atrophic acne scars compared to daily low-strength glycolic acid cream or placebo in 58 women over 24 weeks.

    International Journal of Dermatology, 2000
  • Serial glycolic acid peels combined with a modified Kligman formula significantly reduced facial PIH severity in Indian patients compared to the modified Kligman formula alone.

    Dermatologic Surgery, 2017
  • Application of a cream containing lactic acid 12% and pramoxine HCl 1% significantly improved skin dryness, hydration, and itch compared with a nontreated control in 24 women with a history of dry itchy skin.

    Cutis, 2004
  • Topical 12% ammonium lactate produced a significant sparing of epidermal and dermal atrophy induced by clobetasol propionate in human volunteers, without influencing the corticosteroid's bioavailability or antiinflammatory properties.

    Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 1992
  • A lactic acid/ceramide lotion significantly improved skin moisturization and desquamation compared to no treatment in women with dry, rough skin on the anterior shins.

    The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2020
  • Topical papain treatment may slightly decrease pain within 30 minutes in humans stung by Chrysaora chinensis compared to placebo.

    Wilderness & Environmental Medicine, 2016
  • A 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, 2015
  • Reflux 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, 2020
  • The 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, 2020
  • Ten 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, 2001
  • Niacinamide/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

Ingredients

Water, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Glycerin, Sodium Hydrolyzed Potato Dodecenylsuccinate Starch, Acrylates Crosspolymer-4, Cellulose, Polysorbate 20, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium Edta, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic 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.

How does it fit your skin?

Scan your face, then any product.

Buy online

Prices checked 4 Nov 2026

The Lovi Fit is the same in every country; only the stores and prices differ, and the ones here are for the United Arab Emirates.

How does it fit your skin?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.