Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash for combination skin
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
Glycerin
Papain
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Shea Butter
Tocopherol Vitamin E
Average
- HighCombination Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for combination skin; other cleansers fit it better.
- Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
- Giornale Italiano Di Dermatologia E Venereologia, 2015
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 cleansing benefits for your combination skin, as papain and protease provide enzymatic exfoliation to address oily shine. Glycerin also supports hydration, balancing the cleansing action for your skin type.
- The formula is generally safe for your combination skin, with no harsh ingredients that would typically cause irritation.
- While effective for general cleansing and exfoliation, the product's primary focus is not on targeting specific concerns beyond oily shine.
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
★4.8Overall 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
How well does Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash work for combination skin?
Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash works moderately well for combination skin by using enzymes to help clear away oily shine while glycerin supports hydration. A cleanser for this skin type needs ingredients that effectively balance oil production and maintain moisture in both oily and dry areas without causing irritation.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for combination skin?
Glycerin, papain, and protease make this cleanser a good fit for combination skin by balancing hydration and addressing oily shine through gentle exfoliation. Cleansers that fit this skin type best need ingredients that effectively balance oil production, maintain moisture in dry areas, soothe the skin, and repair the skin barrier without causing irritation.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Giornale Italiano Di Dermatologia E Venereologia, 2015
What does Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate do for combination skin?
Sodium lauroyl sarcosinate in a facial cleanser helps clean combination skin, but it may leave dry areas feeling dry and increase skin dryness because it affects skin lipids and the microbiome. A product for this skin needs gentle, balanced cleansers that wash away oil without stripping moisture or disrupting the skin barrier.
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
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for combination skin?
This cleanser fits in both your morning and evening routine, washing away oily shine while keeping your skin balanced. To truly thrive, combination skin needs a cleanser that blends gentle exfoliants like papain with hydrating ingredients such as glycerin.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cleanser in your routine alongside retinol, as it is generally safe and unlikely to cause irritation. Use the cleanser first to remove oil and impurities before applying your retinol treatment.
How often should I use this cleanser?
This cleanser works for your combination skin to help clear away oily shine with enzymes, but a product of this type for your skin needs extra balancing hydration and barrier-supporting ingredients to be a great fit.
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, as it contains no harsh ingredients that typically cause irritation. However, combination skin needs cleansers that target all its unique needs, such as balanced hydration and soothing ingredients, to feel its absolute best.
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
This cleanser works for general washing, but a product for the thin skin around the eyes needs a very gentle, fragrance-free formula that hydrates without stinging. For body skin, a product needs richer moisturizing ingredients to care for thicker areas.
Is this cleanser 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, 2017A 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, 2015Enzymatic hydrolysis of codfish skin using SM9913 extracellular protease yielded over 66% of collagen oligopeptide-rich hydrolysates with high bioactivity, including moisture-retention, antioxidant activity, and promotion of human dermal fibroblast cell viability, while proving to be nontoxic and nonirritating.
Scientific Reports, 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, 2016Reflux 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, 2020Carica papaya leaf extracts obtained via supercritical fluid and conventional methods demonstrated antioxidant and cytoprotective effects on skin fibroblasts against oxidative stress, driven by their respective lipophilic and hydrophilic constituents.
Molecules, 2021A 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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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
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Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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