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Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser for dry skin

Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser

High

  • HighDry Skin Fit
  • HighEffectiveness
  • ExcellentSafety

A great choice for dry skin; a few cleansers fit it even better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dry skin: flakiness, tightness, dehydration, 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

  • Highly suitable for your dry skin due to the presence of glycerin, which provides humectant action, and lauryl glucoside, which offers mild cleansing without stripping the skin's natural moisture.
  • The cleanser offers excellent pore-cleansing benefits with cocamidopropyl betaine and lauryl glucoside, while also providing general hydration that supports your dry or flaky skin.
  • The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation for your dry skin due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients and the presence of soothing ingredients like glycerin.

How to apply

  • Use this cleanser AM and PM every day to keep your skin clean. Start using it daily right away since your skin is not sensitive.
  • Apply this cleanser as the very first step in your morning routine and right after your pre-cleanser in the evening. Follow with your toner and moisturizer afterwards.
  • Gently massage a small amount of cleanser onto your face using soft circular motions. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water and pat dry with a clean towel.
  • Apply this cleanser on slightly damp skin for a comfortable and refreshing wash. This helps maintain your skin's natural moisture while cleansing away dirt.
  • Avoid getting the cleanser directly into your eyes to prevent any irritation. Do a simple patch test before your first use to ensure your skin likes it.

People Say

★4.4Overall rating based on 3.5k+ reviews

Most users appreciate the soft, moisturized feel post-wash. A small number of users reported experiencing irritation or a burning sensation, particularly with the foaming version.

Highlights

  • Gentle and non-stripping Mostly Mentioned
    • “leaves skin soft and balanced”
    • “doesn't dry out my sensitive skin”
    • “no tight feeling after washing”
    • “cleans without stripping moisture”
  • Fragrance-free formula Often Mentioned
    • “love that it has no scent”
    • “great for fragrance sensitivity”
    • “truly odorless”
    • “no strong perfume smell”
  • Good for sensitive skin Often Mentioned
    • “calms my acne prone skin”
    • “no irritation or redness”
  • Effective daily cleansing Sometimes Noted
    • “removes daily grime well”
    • “rinses clean without residue”
    • “good morning cleanser”
    • “keeps skin clear”
  • Poor makeup removal Sometimes Noted
    • “doesn't remove mascara”
    • “need a separate makeup remover”
    • “struggles with foundation”
    • “too gentle for heavy makeup”
  • Causes burning Rarely Noted
    • “stings my eyes badly”
    • “burned my face immediately”
    • “skin felt on fire”
    • “caused a chemical burn feeling”
  • Chemical smell Rarely Noted
    • “has a weird plastic smell”
    • “smells like chemicals”
    • “odd scent for fragrance-free”
    • “smells like glue”
  • Watery texture Rarely Noted
    • “formula is too runny”
    • “slips right off my hand”
    • “doesn't foam up enough”
    • “feels watered down”

Sources: lovi.care, amazon.com, walmart.com, target.com, ulta.com, neutrogena.com, and more

Questions and answers

What makes Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser a great fit for dry skin?

This cleanser is a great fit for your dry skin because it contains glycerin to bring in moisture and mild cleansers that wash away dirt without stripping away your natural oils. It helps keep your skin hydrated and is unlikely to cause irritation.

International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2014Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for dry skin?

Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser is a great fit for dry skin because it contains glycerin, which draws moisture into the skin, and lauryl glucoside, which gently cleanses without stripping away natural oils. These ingredients help keep your skin feeling soft and hydrated while avoiding irritation.

International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2014Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

What does Glycerin do for dry skin?

Glycerin helps dry skin by drawing in moisture and keeping it locked in, which makes the skin feel much softer and smoother. It also supports your natural skin barrier to stop water from escaping easily. A product for dry skin needs extra ingredients like hyaluronic acid and soothing plant extracts to truly calm and hydrate dry patches.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017The British Journal of Dermatology, 2008

What does Caprylyl Glycol do for dry skin?

Caprylyl glycol helps pull moisture into dry skin and holds it there so your face feels soft and smooth. It also has a very safe track record on skin and is unlikely to cause irritation.

Cutaneous and Ocular Toxicology, 2009

Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for dry skin?

Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser fits into both your morning and evening routine as the main cleansing step to wash your face gently without stripping natural moisture. Using a mild cleanser like this helps improve dryness and supports your skin barrier when followed by a good moisturizer.

The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2014

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

You can use this cleanser with retinol because its mild formula cleans without stripping your skin's natural moisture. Use it first in your routine to prep your skin before applying your retinol treatment.

International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2014Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

How often should I use this cleanser?

You can use this cleanser daily in both your morning and evening routines. Using a mild cleanser every day helps keep your skin clean while supporting your dry skin without stripping away natural moisture.

The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022

Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry skin?

This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores, cause breakouts, or lead to purging on dry skin because it uses mild cleansers that wash away impurities without stripping away your natural moisture. Its gentle formula is very well tolerated and lacks harsh ingredients that typically trigger irritation or breakouts.

International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2014

Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?

Yes, you can use this cleanser on your body and around the eyes because it is very gentle and safe for dry skin. Ingredients like glycerin help keep your skin hydrated while it cleans, and it is unlikely to cause irritation.

International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2014Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.

What the research says

  • Formulating sodium laureth sulphate with sodium laureth carboxylate and lauryl glucoside prevented significant decreases in cutaneous capacitance and reduced erythema and dryness in healthy volunteers compared to unsupplemented sodium laureth sulphate.

    International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2014
  • 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
  • Niacinamide/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, 2012
  • 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
  • Moisturizer containing 5% panthenol, madecassoside, and copper-zinc-manganese decreased adverse reactions and downtime after ablative fractional carbon dioxide laser resurfacing with comparable efficacy to 0.02% triamcinolone acetonide cream in 20 subjects.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019
  • Panthenyl triacetate (PTA) demonstrated skin de-acetylation into panthenol, stimulated energetic and synthesis metabolic pathways, and achieved a statistically significant improvement in wound healing after 72 hours compared to saline treatment in human volunteers, outperforming panthenol in long-lasting wound healing action.

    Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2012
  • A comprehensive topical regimen incorporating niacinamide, Pro-Xylane, and panthenol following PicoWay laser treatment decreased transepidermal water loss, increased hydration and skin elasticity, reduced wrinkles and redness, and improved skin tone in 88 Chinese females compared to a standard care control group.

    Lasers in Medical Science, 2026

Ingredients

Water, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Lauryl Glucoside, Potassium Acrylates Copolymer, Peg-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Disodium Lauroamphodiacetate, Sodium Cocoyl Sarcosinate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide

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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Prices checked 10 Oct – 3 Nov 2026

The Lovi Fit is the same in every country; only the stores and prices differ, and the ones here are for Canada.

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