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Thayers pH Balancing Daily Cleanser for oily acne-prone skin

High

  • HighOily Skin Fit
  • AverageEffectiveness
  • ExcellentSafety

A great choice for oily acne-prone skin; a few cleansers fit it even better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily acne-prone skin: shine, breakouts, blemishes, and enlarged pores. 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 acne, blemishes, and breakouts due to salicylic acid, which helps unclog pores and reduce inflammation, while aloe barbadensis leaf juice and sodium hyaluronate provide hydration suitable for your oily skin.
  • The formula is highly suitable for oily skin, with citric acid aiding in pH modulation and salicylic acid offering keratolytic action for pore decongestion.
  • The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation for your oily skin due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the presence of soothing components.

How to apply

  • Use this cleanser as part of your AM and PM routine. Start using it daily to help clear your breakouts.
  • Apply this cleanser as the first step in the morning and right after your pre-cleanser in the evening. Follow it with your toner and moisturizer.
  • Gently massage a small amount of the cleanser onto your face using circular motions. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water and pat dry.
  • Apply the cleanser on slightly damp skin to help clean deeply and remove excess oil. This works best for oily skin types.
  • Avoid the sensitive eye area during application. Do a patch test before your first use.

People Say

★4.6Overall rating based on 500+ reviews

Users consistently praise this cleanser for its gentle, non-stripping formula that effectively cleanses while maintaining moisture, making it a favorite for those with sensitive or dry skin. While it excels as a daily face wash for removing dirt and oil, some users note it struggles to remove heavy makeup on its own and may require a double cleanse.

Highlights

  • Great for sensitive skin Mostly Mentioned
    • “perfect for sensitive skin”
    • “no irritation”
    • “calms your skin”
  • Gentle & non-stripping Often Mentioned
    • “leaves skin feeling soft still”
    • “doesn't strip my skin”
    • “gentle yet effective”
  • Clean ingredients Sometimes Noted
    • “96% natural origin”
    • “love the aloe vera”
    • “fragrance-free”
  • Hydrating formula Sometimes Noted
    • “deeply hydrating”
    • “face feels refreshed”
    • “leaves skin moisturized”
  • Poor makeup removal Sometimes Noted
    • “doesn't remove heavy makeup”
    • “need to double cleanse”
    • “makeup residue left”
  • Pump clogging Sometimes Noted
    • “spout gets clogged”
    • “dried soap in pump”
    • “pump gets stuck”
  • Low lather Rarely Noted
    • “doesn't foam up much”
    • “wish it lathered more”
    • “more of a jelly texture”
  • Natural scent Rarely Noted
    • “smells like grass”
    • “weird natural smell”
    • “scent is off-putting”

Sources: lovi.care, thayers.com, ulta.com, target.com, walmart.com, iherb.com, and more

Questions and answers

What makes Thayers pH Balancing Daily Cleanser a great fit for oily acne-prone skin?

This cleanser is a great fit because salicylic acid gently clears out clogged pores and calms breakouts, while aloe and sodium hyaluronate keep your skin comfortably hydrated without feeling heavy. It is very gentle on oily skin and is unlikely to cause irritation.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Clinical Pharmacology, 2018

Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for oily acne-prone skin?

Salicylic acid makes this cleanser a great fit because it helps unclog pores and reduce breakouts, while aloe and sodium hyaluronate provide lightweight hydration for oily skin. The formula is very safe and unlikely to cause irritation.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

What does Aloe Vera do for oily acne-prone skin?

Aloe vera helps calm oily, acne-prone skin by reducing redness, bumps, and breakouts while keeping the skin smooth. This plant-based ingredient also supports clearer skin and helps improve overall skin texture.

Clinical Pharmacology, 2018Frontiers in Medicine, 2021

What does Hyaluronic Acid do for oily acne-prone skin?

Hyaluronic acid helps calm oily acne-prone skin by reducing sebum production and lipid synthesis in sebaceous glands. It also supports skin barrier function and improves hydration while helping deliver treatments without causing irritation.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2017Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022

Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin?

This cleanser goes in both your morning and evening routines as the first cleansing step, and it is also used in weekly routines before exfoliating steps and masks. Salicylic acid helps clear out pores and soothe breakouts while aloe and sodium hyaluronate keep oily skin feeling hydrated.

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

You can use this cleanser with retinol by using the cleanser first and following it with your retinol treatment. This cleanser helps keep pores clear and calm, while keeping your skin comfortable when using active treatments.

How often should I use this cleanser?

This cleanser is a great fit for your oily acne-prone skin and can be used daily in both your morning and evening routines. It helps clear pores and calm breakouts with salicylic acid while keeping your skin hydrated and comfortable.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily acne-prone skin?

This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts because it features salicylic acid to clear out pores and aloe to soothe oily skin. It also has an excellent safety profile with gentle ingredients that prevent irritation.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

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 directly around your eyes to prevent irritation. The formula is a great fit for oily acne-prone skin because it unclogs pores and reduces breakouts while keeping your skin calm and hydrated.

Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 2002

Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

It has no fragrance and contains drying alcohol (alcohol).

What the research says

  • Twice daily application of a multitargeted dermocosmetic cream provided comparable efficacy to benzoyl peroxide 5% gel in reducing inflammatory, non-inflammatory, and total lesions in 150 Caucasian subjects with mild-to-moderate acne over 56 days, while demonstrating superior skin tolerability.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
  • The use of a salicylic acid-based dermocosmetic significantly reduces the needed quantity of benzoyl peroxide without impacting efficacy in mild to moderate acne, and as maintenance post-benzoyl peroxide allows a significant reduction of acne relapse compared to vehicle.

    Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023
  • A moisturizer containing licochalcone A, 1,2-decanediol, L-carnitine, and salicylic acid significantly reduced noninflammatory, inflammatory, and total acne lesion counts compared to a vehicle control in Thai patients during a 12-week maintenance phase.

    BioMed Research International, 2020
  • Daily treatment with a facial serum containing multiple acids reduced post-inflammatory hyperchromia lesion grade and number by 29.4% at 56 days, and decreased skin oiliness by 30.7% at 7 days in Brazilian patients with acne vulgaris.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021
  • A cream combining propolis, tea tree oil, and Aloe vera reduced erythema scars, acne severity index, and total lesion count better than erythromycin cream in sixty patients with mild to moderate acne vulgaris compared to placebo.

    Clinical Pharmacology, 2018
  • Topical aloe vera gel significantly accelerated split-thickness skin graft donor-site healing compared to placebo in 12 patients, but showed no significant difference in pain relief.

    Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2018
  • Topical application of Aloe vera cream reduced postoperative pain at rest and during defecation, accelerated wound healing at two weeks, and decreased analgesic requirements in patients after open hemorrhoidectomy compared to placebo.

    Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2010
  • Formulations containing 0.10%, 0.25%, and 0.50% freeze-dried Aloe vera extract increased stratum corneum water content compared with the vehicle in 20 female subjects, while transepidermal water loss was not modified.

    Skin Research and Technology, 2006
  • 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
  • Cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen achieved a higher cure rate (39%) than salicylic acid (24%) and a wait-and-see approach (16%) for cutaneous warts at 13 weeks in primary care patients.

    CMAJ, 2010
  • Treatment with 2% supramolecular salicylic acid hydrogel resulted in a regression and markedly improvement rate of 51.01% compared to 43.10% for Adapaline gel in patients with mild to moderate facial acne vulgaris, showing no significant difference in efficacy.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
  • Topical 5% benzoyl peroxide plus salicylic acid achieved the greatest lesion reduction at early 2 to 4 week time points compared to benzoyl peroxide, clindamycin, and combination benzoyl peroxide/clindamycin, while 5% benzoyl peroxide plus salicylic acid and combination benzoyl peroxide/clindamycin showed similar efficacy at 10 to 12 weeks in acne patients.

    Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2010
  • 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
  • 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
  • The 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

Ingredients

Alcohol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Water, Caprylyl Capryl Glucoside, Citric Acid, Coco-Betaine, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Glycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Propanediol, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Phytate, Xanthan Gum

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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