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Olay Smoothing Daily Facial Cleanser for combination skin

Olay Smoothing Daily Facial Cleanser

Average

  • AverageCombination Skin Fit
  • AverageEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

Works for combination skin; other cleansers fit it better.

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 suitability for your combination skin, as niacinamide helps with seboregulation and glycerin provides hydration, but it lacks more potent ingredients for optimal results.
  • The cleansing agents decyl glucoside and lauryl glucoside effectively remove impurities, supporting your oily shine concerns.
  • The formulation is safe for your combination skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients.

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

★4.5Overall rating based on 600+ reviews

This cleanser is highly praised for its ability to hydrate and soften the skin, making it a favorite for those with dry, sensitive, or aging skin concerns. While it excels at daily cleansing and improving overall skin texture, some users find it less effective at removing heavy or waterproof makeup.

Highlights

  • Leaves skin soft Often Mentioned
    • “My skin feels soft and moisturized after washing.”
    • “Within 1 week, you'll reveal soft, smooth skin.”
    • “Face is soft and smooth after every use.”
  • Non-drying formula Often Mentioned
    • “Cleanses without leaving skin feeling tight or stripped.”
    • “Removes dirt, oil, and impurities without drying skin out.”
    • “Never taut or dry.”
  • Gentle on skin Sometimes Noted
    • “Did not irritate my sensitive skin.”
    • “Great for sensitive skin or combination skin.”
    • “Dermatologist tested formula make it approachable for most skin types.”
  • Improves skin texture Sometimes Noted
    • “Noticed an improvement in the clarity of my skin.”
    • “Smooths rough patches and refines texture.”
    • “My skin went from dull to brighter.”
  • Weak makeup removal Sometimes Noted
    • “Struggle with eye makeup.”
    • “Heavier or waterproof formulas might require a dedicated remover.”
    • “Not a powerhouse for heavy makeup removal.”
  • Minimal lather Rarely Noted
    • “This is not a foaming, big lathering cleanser.”
    • “It doesn't have much lather.”
    • “There's absolutely zero lather with this.”
  • Polarizing scent Rarely Noted
    • “If you don't like scents or are sensitive to scents you might want to think twice.”
    • “The cleanser has a noticeable floral scent.”

Sources: lovi.care, olay.com, walmart.com, youtube.com, skinsort.com, thingtesting.com, and more

Questions and answers

How well does Olay Smoothing Daily Facial Cleanser work for combination skin?

This cleanser works reasonably well for combination skin because niacinamide helps balance oil and glycerin provides hydration without irritation. However, a cleanser for this skin needs higher quality ingredients that safely manage oily shine and maintain moisture across both dry and oily areas.

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

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

Niacinamide, glycerin, and the gentle cleansers decyl glucoside and lauryl glucoside make this cleanser a good fit because they help control oil and keep your skin hydrated without irritation. To fit combination skin even better, a cleanser of this type needs additional barrier-repairing and balancing ingredients that address both oily and dry areas effectively.

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

What does Retinol do for combination skin?

Retinol helps smooth fine lines, even out skin tone, and improve firmness in combination skin. It works by encouraging faster skin renewal and boosting collagen, though it may occasionally cause mild dryness or scaling while your skin adjusts.

Archives of Dermatology, 2007The British Journal of Dermatology, 2019

What does Niacinamide do for combination skin?

Niacinamide helps balance oily areas by reducing excess shine and pore size while keeping dry patches hydrated and smooth. It also works to calm redness and even out skin tone, making it very suitable for combination skin.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

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

This cleanser fits in your morning and evening routine, used after a makeup remover at night. Combination skin benefits from a cleanser that pairs gentle foaming agents with hydrating ingredients like glycerin to clear away oil without drying you out.

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

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

You can use this cleanser with vitamin C by applying your vitamin C product after washing and drying your face. This cleanser gently washes away impurities while keeping your skin calm, making it a safe starting step for your routine.

How often should I use this cleanser?

You can use this cleanser daily as part of your morning and evening routine, since its gentle ingredients clean your skin safely without causing irritation. For combination skin, a cleanser of this type needs to balance hydration and oil control using ingredients like glycerin and niacinamide.

The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2020

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 has a safe formulation without harsh ingredients that irritate the skin. To get the best results for combination skin, a product of this type needs stronger ingredients that balance oil and deep hydration.

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

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

You can use this cleanser on your body and around the eyes, as its gentle ingredients are safe for delicate areas and reduce dryness. However, combination skin needs products with stronger oil-controlling ingredients and deeper hydration for the best results.

International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2014

Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol. Stearyl alcohol and cetyl alcohol are fatty alcohols, which soften the skin.

What the research says

  • Topical 0.4% retinol significantly increased epidermal thickness, dermal vascularity, and extracellular matrix production by stimulating keratinocyte proliferation, endothelial cell proliferation, and fibroblast activation in naturally aged human skin compared to vehicle.

    International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2017
  • Topical bakuchiol 0.5% applied twice daily compared with retinol 0.5% applied daily significantly decreased wrinkle surface area and hyperpigmentation with no statistical difference between the compounds in 44 patients over 12 weeks, while retinol users reported more facial skin scaling and stinging.

    The British Journal of Dermatology, 2019
  • Silicone particles encapsulating retinol increased its half-life by 9-fold and yielded 12-23% lower skin irritation in human subjects compared to Microsponge particles while maintaining biological activity.

    Journal of Controlled Release, 2018
  • Topical post-laser application of human adipocyte-derived mesenchymal stem cell media combined with niacinamide significantly improved wrinkle index, melanin index, patient satisfaction, and investigator esthetic improvement scores compared to vehicle cream in patients with aging skin.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021
  • Topical nicotinamide prevented solar-simulated UV-induced immunosuppression in healthy volunteers, and men experienced immunosuppression at solar-simulated UV doses three times lower than those required for women.

    The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2008
  • Topical 5% niacinamide applied twice daily for 12 weeks reduced fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmented spots, red blotchiness, and skin sallowness, and improved skin elasticity compared to vehicle control in 50 female white subjects with facial photoaging.

    Dermatologic Surgery, 2005
  • 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
  • Sodium trehalose sulfate decreased transepidermal water loss and increased stratum corneum water content in participants with low stratum corneum water content when applied for 4 weeks compared to placebo.

    Skin Research and Technology, 2024
  • Topical chloramphenicol-betamethasone combined with sodium hyaluronate/trehalose/carbomer gel compared to chloramphenicol-betamethasone alone reduced most subjective symptoms at 1 week but increased blurred vision at 4 weeks following strabismus surgery in 31 patients, with no significant differences in conjunctival inflammation between treatments.

    Journal of Ocular Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 2019
  • Topical treatment with Thealoz Duo significantly improved dry eye disease symptoms, tear break-up time, and restored tear lipid layer functionality by reducing inflammatory response proteins in moderate to severe dry eye patients over 56 days.

    Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2025

Why other cleansers fit combination skin better

Ingredients

Water, Isopropyl Palmitate, Glycerin, Trehalose, Petrolatum, Retinol, Niacinamide, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4 Peptide, Panthenol Vitamin B5, Tocopheryl Acetate, Dimethicone, Mineral Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Dimethiconol, Steareth-21, Steareth-2, Stearic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Disodium Edta, Acrylates C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Carbomer, Sodium Hydroxide, Decyl Glucoside, Lauryl Glucoside, 1.2-Hexanediol, 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.

How does it fit your skin?

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How does it fit your skin?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.