Good Molecules Hydrating Facial Cleansing Gel for combination skin
Glycerin
Rosa Damascena Flower Water
Propanediol
Sodium Cocoamphoacetate
Coco-Betaine
Average
- HighCombination Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
Works for combination skin; other cleansers fit it better.
- International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2024
- Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
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 and hydration for your combination skin, as glycerin and propanediol provide humectant benefits while sodium cocoamphoacetate and coco-betaine gently lift impurities.
- Rosa damascena flower water contributes soothing properties, addressing general hydration needs for your oily shine.
- The product is safe for your skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the presence of soothing components.
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
★4.7Overall rating based on 500+ reviewsUsers consistently praise this cleanser for being an affordable, gentle, and effective option that balances the skin without stripping its natural moisture. While it is widely celebrated by those with sensitive and combination skin for its soothing rosewater formula, a small minority of users with extremely dry skin found it slightly less hydrating than expected.
Highlights
Gentle & non-stripping Mostly Mentioned
- “leaves my face feeling clean without the drying”
- “didn't leave my face feeling tight”
- “non-stripping but yet a very effective cleanser”
Great value Often Mentioned
- “love how affordable the brand is”
- “great value which I mean we all can expect”
- “can't believe how good this product works and major points”
Effective lather Sometimes Noted
- “lather on this cleanser is impressive”
- “rinses off easily and leaves skin refreshed”
- “gently purifies skin of dirt, oil, and makeup”
Soothing for sensitive skin Sometimes Noted
- “I have VERY sensitive skin, but it doesn't make my skin feel like it's irritated”
- “soothed whenever I used this product”
- “no breakouts or irritation”
Not hydrating enough Rarely Noted
- “skin does feel like I need to go in with a moisturizer”
- “might be too simple for very dry skin”
- “felt a little dry after use”
Scent preferences Rarely Noted
- “mild soapy scent”
- “smell is weird... not off putting but not pleasant”
- “has a soapy feel”
Too basic Rarely Noted
- “simple skincare... if that's what you're looking for”
- “didn't notice a difference”
- “just a basic cleanser”
Sources: lovi.care, ulta.com, beautylish.com, target.com, walmart.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does the Good Molecules Hydrating Facial Cleansing Gel work for combination skin?
This cleanser works reasonably well for combination skin by offering moderate cleansing and hydration through ingredients like glycerin and propanediol. It is safe and unlikely to cause irritation, but a cleanser for this skin needs to balance oil production more effectively, maintain hydration for oily shine, and use high-quality ingredients that better address both oily and dry areas.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for combination skin?
Glycerin and propanediol make this cleanser a good fit because they help keep your skin hydrated while it is being washed. A cleanser for this skin type also needs ingredients that effectively balance oil production, maintain moisture in dry areas, and soothe without causing irritation.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2024Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
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
What does Rose Flower Water do for combination skin?
Rose Flower Water helps calm combination skin and keeps it feeling soft and smooth by soothing irritation and balancing the skin. It is unlikely to cause issues and may help keep the skin clear.
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for combination skin?
This cleanser goes in your morning and evening routine as the main cleansing step before applying toners, treatments, and moisturizers. Using a mild cleanser like this helps remove impurities while keeping your skin calm, but combination skin needs a cleanser that balances oil and provides deeper hydration with ingredients like hyaluronic acid.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cleanser with retinol by applying it as the first step in your routine before your retinol treatment. It is unlikely to cause irritation due to its gentle ingredients, but combination skin needs a cleanser that balances oil and provides deeper barrier-restoring hydration.
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 lifts impurities and provides moderate hydration while keeping your skin calm without any risk of irritation.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for combination skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores, cause breakouts, or lead to purging on combination skin. It features gentle cleansing agents and soothing rose water with no harsh ingredients that typically trigger irritation or breakouts. Combination skin generally benefits from a cleanser that balances hydration and oil control using lightweight hydrators like glycerin and propanediol.
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
You can use this cleanser on the body and around the eyes, as its gentle ingredients and mild cleansing safely suit thin skin without causing irritation. Cleansers for this skin need soothing ingredients and gentle cleansers that lift impurities while keeping moisture balanced.
Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 2002International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2024
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Topical application of 1,3-propanediol at various concentrations, alone or combined with butylene glycol and/or glycerol, increased skin hydration and reduced trans epidermal water loss in 30 healthy female subjects over an 8-hour period, with the 15% concentration and the addition of glycerol providing greater benefits.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2024A 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, 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, 2012Treatment with a rose extract activated newly identified skin olfactory receptors and prevented epinephrine-induced skin stress responses in epidermal keratinocytes and human skin explants, while clinically decreasing the appearance of under-eye dark circles in stressed women.
Molecules, 2020Rose petal extract improves stratum corneum moisture levels in humans by upregulating HAS2 expression via the GLK-MAP2K-MAPK signaling pathway.
BioFactors, 2023Rosa gallica petal extract (RPE) exerts skin whitening by attenuating tyrosinase activity and melanin accumulation and exhibits anti-wrinkle activity by suppressing MMP-1 levels in human cells.
Journal of Medicinal Food, 2020A mixture of propanediol, xylitol, and caprylic acid demonstrated in vitro antimicrobial activity against C. acnes and S. aureus, reduced 5-alpha reductase expression, and decreased skin oiliness, porphyrin, and inflammatory lesions in participants over 28 days.
Molecules, 2021Sustainable cosmetic products formulated with renewable PDO-based emulsifiers showed equivalent performance in sensory and moisturization evaluations compared to those formulated with petroleum-derived PEG-based emulsifiers.
Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2017The 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, Propanediol, Glycerin, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Coco-Betaine, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Dehydroxanthan Gum, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Citric Acid, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Caprylyl Glyceryl Ether, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Pineapple Fruit Extract
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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