Dermalogica UltraCalming Cleanser for acne-prone skin
Bisabolol
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract Oat Kernel Extract
Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract Lavender Flower Extract
GlycerinAverage
- AverageCombination Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- Low RiskSafety
Works for acne-prone skin; other cleansers fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with acne-prone skin: breakouts, blackheads, and post-acne marks. 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 suitability for your combination skin, as Glycerin and Panthenol provide humectant benefits, but it lacks sufficient ingredients for optimal oil control on your oily areas.
- The cleanser provides excellent cleansing for your acne-prone skin due to Cocamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate and Disodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate, and Bisabolol and Avena Sativa Kernel Extract offer general soothing, though targeted acne-fighting ingredients are absent.
- The product is generally safe for your combination skin, with a low risk of irritation from Willow Bark Extract.
How to apply
- Could be used as part of your AM and PM routine. Start using it 3 times a week and build up to daily use if your skin tolerates it.
- This cleanser is the first step in your morning routine and the second step after your pre-cleanser in the evening. Always follow up with a toner and moisturizer .
- Gently massage a small amount of the cleanser onto your face in circular motions. Avoid harsh rubbing to keep your skin calm.
- Apply the cleanser on slightly damp skin to help it work effectively against breakouts. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water .
- Avoid the immediate eye area and do a patch test before your first use to check for any sensitivity.
People Say
★4.6Overall rating based on 700+ reviewsWhile it excels at calming redness and soothing irritation, some users note it is too gentle to remove heavy makeup on its own and may require a double-cleanse routine.
Highlights
Extremely gentle Mostly Mentioned
- “leaves skin hydrated yet clean”
- “never feels stripped”
- “gentlest wash I've used”
Safe for reactive skin Often Mentioned
- “only one I don't react to”
- “saved my barrier”
- “no breakouts or rashes”
Soothes redness/irritation Often Mentioned
- “calms my red cheeks”
- “cools sensitized skin”
- “stopped the burning sensation”
Soft, non-foaming texture Sometimes Noted
- “glides on like lotion”
- “love the creamy feel”
- “doesn't foam or irritate”
High price point Sometimes Noted
- “way too expensive”
- “pricey for a cleanser”
- “wish it was cheaper”
Poor makeup removal Sometimes Noted
- “doesn't touch mascara”
- “need to double cleanse”
- “leaves residue behind”
Ineffective for acne Rarely Noted
- “didn't help my acne”
- “too gentle for oily skin”
- “pores felt clogged”
Packaging/Pump issues Rarely Noted
- “pump stopped working”
- “hard to get product out”
- “broken dispenser”
Sources: lovi.care, sephora.com, dermalogica.com, dermstore.com, lovelyskin.com, reddit.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Dermalogica UltraCalming Cleanser work for acne-prone skin?
Dermalogica UltraCalming Cleanser works reasonably well for acne-prone skin, providing thorough cleansing alongside soothing ingredients like bisabolol and oat extract that help calm the skin. However, it lacks targeted acne-fighting ingredients and oil control agents. A cleanser for this skin needs powerful blemish-fighting ingredients, gentle and safe cleansing agents, soothing extracts, and a balanced mix of hydrating components to maintain clear and balanced skin without irritation.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for acne-prone skin?
Cocamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate and Disodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate provide excellent cleansing, while Bisabolol and Avena Sativa Kernel Extract help soothe the skin. To work best for acne-prone skin, a cleanser of this type needs targeted acne-fighting ingredients alongside soothing agents, balanced hydration, and gentle cleansing agents that prevent over-drying while keeping the skin clear.
What does Bisabolol do for acne-prone skin?
Bisabolol is unlikely to treat acne directly, but it may help calm redness and soothe irritated skin. Acne-prone skin often needs ingredients that soothe inflammation and keep pores clear without feeling heavy.
What does Avena Sativa Kernel Extract do for acne-prone skin?
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract helps calm red, irritated skin and supports a healthy skin barrier without clogging pores. Because it has soothing and anti-inflammatory properties, it is unlikely to trigger breakouts and may ease the redness often left behind by acne.
Skin Pharmacology and Applied Skin Physiology, 2002Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2015
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?
This cleanser fits into both your morning and evening skincare routines. A cleanser of this type needs extra oil-controlling ingredients and targeted acne-fighting ingredients to work best for acne-prone skin.
Can I use it with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cleanser in your routine before applying retinol, as it has a safe profile with a low risk of irritation. A gentle cleanser like this helps prep your skin, but acne-prone skin needs a cleanser that includes targeted acne-fighting ingredients for the best results.
How often should I use this cleanser?
You can use this cleanser twice a day as part of your morning and evening routine. It gently cleans and calms your skin, though an acne-prone skin type needs a cleanser with targeted blemish-fighting ingredients for the best results.
Can it clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores or cause purging, but it may not improve breakouts since it lacks targeted acne-fighting ingredients. A cleanser for acne-prone skin needs active ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide to effectively clear blemishes and control oil.
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
This cleanser is unlikely to harm the thin skin around the eyes or on the body, though it is specially made for the face. A product of this type needs gentle cleansers and soothing ingredients for the delicate eye area and body skin.
Is it fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol, which soften the skin.
What the research says
Topical dexpanthenol acts as a moisturizer, improves stratum corneum hydration, accelerates wound healing and epidermal regeneration, reduces erythema, and improves symptoms of skin irritation compared to vehicle or no pretreatment.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002A new topical panthenol-containing emollient significantly improved transepidermal water loss reduction, stratum corneum hydration, and intercellular lipid lamellae length compared with control in healthy subjects without negatively impacting bacterial viability.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017Topically applied Avena sativa and Avena Rhealba oatmeal extracts significantly reduced skin irritation parameters including a* parameter increase and blood flow increase compared to vehicle in 12 healthy individuals subjected to the sodium lauryl sulfate irritation model.
Skin Pharmacology and Applied Skin Physiology, 2002A botanical face cleanser with hops and willow bark extract continuously reduced skin sebum levels without reactive seborrhea after treatment in 21 healthy volunteers compared to a sodium laureth sulfate cleanser, with neither cleanser causing skin irritation.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019Application of an alpha-bisabolol-containing cream produced a significant skin-lightening effect in pigmented skin compared to a vehicle control in the majority of female subjects after 8 weeks.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2010The combination of allantoin, bisabolol, D-panthenol and dipotassium glycyrrhizinate reduces UVB-induced PGE2, inflammatory cytokines, and mitochondrial superoxide in human epidermal keratinocytes.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2024A repair cream containing Rhealba oat plantlets extract, l-ALA-l-GLU dipeptide, and hyaluronic acid provided immediate relief and was judged by doctors as good or very good in 96.8% of cases for wound healing in 2,363 patients following dermatological acts.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2018Colloidal oat extracts diminished pro-inflammatory cytokines in vitro and colloidal oat lotion improved skin dryness, scaling, roughness, and itch intensity in healthy female subjects compared to baseline.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2015Colloidal oat increased the growth rate, metabolism, and lactic acid production of Staphylococcus epidermidis compared to Staphylococcus aureus in vitro, matching clinical increases in lactic acid on dry skin after 6 weeks of lotion use.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2021A 1-year clinical study on human facial skin demonstrated that Zingiber officinale (L.) Rose extract inhibits the UV-induced decrease in skin elasticity and prevents or improves wrinkle formation around the eye.
Archives of Dermatological Research, 2008Ginger extract transethosomal hydrogel improved skin permeability, sustained drug release, and exhibited significant inhibition of edema swelling along with reduced reactive oxygen species and prostaglandin E2 compared to free ginger extract hydrogel and ketoprofen gel in a rat-paw edema model.
International Journal of Nanomedicine, 2023Topical delivery of ginger extract-loaded nanoemulsions significantly reduced arthritic symptoms, paw edema inhibition by 27.7%, and inflammatory cytokines in RA-induced rats compared to the negative control.
Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2023Lavandula angustifolia leaf callus extract enhanced skin cell viability, reduced oxidative stress and melanin content, improved wound healing, and enhanced skin barrier function in human skin cells and clinical tests.
Free Radical Biology & Medicine, 2025Tea tree oil effectively treated acne while lavender and rosemary oils demonstrated anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties in derma cosmetic applications based on an evaluation of various essential oils.
Frontiers in Medicine, 2025A blend of Lavandula angustifolia flower extract and dipeptide-4 reduced oxidative and glycation markers, enhanced ATP, SOD, autophagy, and melatonin production, and improved tissue morphology in human skin models and fibroblasts.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2026A 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, 2001
Why other cleansers fit acne-prone skin better
Topical 5% tea tree oil gel significantly improved total acne lesions and acne severity index compared to placebo in 60 patients with mild to moderate acne vulgaris, showing 3.55 times and 5.75 times greater efficacy respectively.
Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology, 2007A 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, 2018Combined ascorbyl palmitate and sodium ascorbyl phosphate treatment significantly reduced facial sebum secretions in healthy female volunteers compared to a placebo control over 90 days.
Drug Research, 2017
Ingredients
Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Bisabolol, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Leuconostoc Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Glycerin, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract Oat Kernel Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract Raspberry Fruit Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract Lavender Flower Extract, Willow Bark Extract, Usnea Barbata Extract, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid, Lemon Fruit Extract, Fumaria Officinalis Stem Extract Flower Leaf, Fumaric Acid, Echinacea Purpurea Extract, Panthenol, Acrylates C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Cocamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, Disodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate, Cetrimonium Chloride, Aminomethyl Propanol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Disodium Edta
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
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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