Clinique all about clean for dry sensitive skin
Sodium Laureth Sulfate
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Warning
- LowDry Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- RiskySafety
A poor match for dry sensitive skin; the cleansers alongside fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dry sensitive skin: flakiness, tightness, redness, 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 and sensitive skin, as Sodium Laureth Sulfate and Cocamidopropyl Betaine remove impurities but may strip natural oils, potentially exacerbating dryness.
- The formula lacks emollient ingredients to support your dry skin barrier, and while it offers some exfoliation, the cleansing agents can be too harsh.
How to apply
- Use your cleanser AM and PM every day to keep your face fresh. Start slowly once a day if your dry skin feels sensitive at first.
- Apply your cleanser first thing in your routine before any toner or moisturizer. Follow the usual steps for your AM or PM daily routine.
- Gently massage the cleanser onto your face using soft circular motions. Avoid harsh rubbing to protect your dry skin.
- Apply the cleanser to slightly damp skin to help it clean gently without stripping moisture. This method is very safe for sensitive and dry skin types.
- Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water and avoid the delicate eye area. Always do a patch test before using the product for the first time.
People Say
★4.5Overall rating based on 8.8k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this dermatologist-developed cleanser line is a long-time staple for users with varying skin types, praised for effectively removing dirt and oil while maintaining the skin's moisture balance. While the majority of users with sensitive or combination skin find it gentle and non-irritating, a subset of reviewers experience dryness or a tight feeling after use.
Highlights
Effective cleansing Often Mentioned
- “squeaky clean”
- “removes everything”
- “face feels fresh”
Gentle and non-stripping Often Mentioned
- “doesn't dry out”
- “gentle on skin”
- “soft lather”
Fragrance-free Sometimes Noted
- “no scent”
- “good for sensitive skin”
- “allergy tested”
Great value Sometimes Noted
- “lasts forever”
- “little goes a long way”
- “good investment”
Skin type options Sometimes Noted
- “perfect for oily t-zone”
- “great for dry skin”
- “balances combination skin”
Can be drying Sometimes Noted
- “leaves face tight”
- “too drying”
- “stripped my skin”
Caused breakouts Rarely Noted
- “caused bumps”
- “broke me out”
- “skin reaction”
Packaging issues Rarely Noted
- “pump broke”
- “hard to dispense”
- “wasteful bottle design”
Residue left Rarely Noted
- “hard to rinse”
- “filmy feeling”
- “residue on skin”
Struggles with makeup Rarely Noted
- “didn't remove mascara”
- “need double cleanse”
- “makeup remains”
Sources: lovi.care, sephora.com, ulta.com, clinique.com, amazon.com, boots.com, and more
Questions and answers
Why does Lovi advise against Clinique All About Clean for dry sensitive skin?
This cleanser is a poor match for your dry and sensitive skin because its cleansing agents may strip natural oils and exacerbate dryness. It lacks the hydrating and barrier-repairing ingredients, such as ceramides and hyaluronic acid, that a gentle cleanser for this skin type needs.
International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 2026International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 1999
Which ingredients make this cleanser a poor fit for dry sensitive skin?
Sodium Laureth Sulfate and Cocamidopropyl Betaine make this cleanser a poor fit because they may strip natural oils and exacerbate dryness on your dry sensitive skin. A cleanser for this skin needs hydrating and barrier-repairing ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid to maintain moisture and protect the skin barrier.
International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 2026International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 1999
What does Water do for dry sensitive skin?
Hard water increases soap deposits and dryness, making dry sensitive skin more prone to irritation and flare-ups. A product of this type needs gentle cleansers and soothing ingredients to calm the skin and protect its moisture barrier against hard water minerals.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2018Clinical and Experimental Allergy, 2021
What does Sodium Laureth Sulfate do for dry sensitive skin?
Sodium laureth sulfate is likely to cause irritation, increase water loss, and dry out sensitive skin. This cleanser ingredient strips away natural moisture and disrupts the skin barrier, which can leave dry skin feeling even more tight, rough, and uncomfortable. Cleansers for dry sensitive skin need mild ingredients that protect skin proteins and lipids, maintain a balanced pH, and include moisturizing agents.
Food and Chemical Toxicology, 2001International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 1999
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for dry sensitive skin?
This cleanser is not a good fit for dry sensitive skin because its cleansing agents may strip natural oils and worsen dryness. A cleanser for this skin type needs mild cleansing agents and added moisturizing ingredients to support the skin barrier.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 2026
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
This cleanser is a poor match for your dry and sensitive skin because its strong cleansing agents strip natural oils and may worsen dryness and irritation. A cleanser for this skin needs gentle cleansing agents and rich, soothing oils or barrier-supporting ingredients like ceramides to keep it soft and comfortable.
International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 2026International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 1999
How often should I use this cleanser?
This cleanser is a poor match for dry and sensitive skin because its strong cleansing agents strip natural oils and may make dryness worse. This type of skin needs a gentle cleanser with hydrating and soothing ingredients to protect the skin barrier.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 2026
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry sensitive skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts on dry sensitive skin, as its ingredients do not typically block pores. However, it may leave your skin feeling dry and tight because its cleansing agents can strip away natural oils.
International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 2026International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 1999
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
This cleanser is a poor match for dry and sensitive skin because its strong cleansing agents remove natural oils and may make dryness worse. A cleanser for this skin needs gentle cleansing agents and rich, soothing ingredients to keep the skin barrier soft and protected.
International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 2026International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 1999
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Treatment with sodium lauryl ether sulfate emulsion increased transepidermal water loss and skin surface pH while reducing stratum corneum hydration and natural moisturizing factor content compared to diacyl phospholipid emulsions and controls, irrespective of UVA irradiation, in eight healthy volunteers.
International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 2026Skin irritation potential of surfactant mixtures in 13 human subjects was dose dependent, with the highest irritation observed in formulations containing sodium laureth sulfate, lauryl glucoside, and cocamide DEA together.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 1999Squamometry successfully detected subclinical skin surface alterations and discriminated between the irritating effects of sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate on human skin using an open assay model.
Food and Chemical Toxicology, 2001Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) treatment decreases lipid membrane chain conformational order and stiffness leading to increased water sorption and diffusivity, whereas sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES) treatment increases lipid membrane conformational order and stiffness with increased water sorption capacity driven by its hygroscopic nature.
Langmuir, 2014The 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
Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Chloride, Glycerin, Sucrose, Hyaluronic Acid, Caffeine, Disodium Edta, Phenoxyethanol
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
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