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Paula's Choice Perfectly Balanced Foaming Cleanser for dry skin

Paula's Choice Perfectly Balanced Foaming Cleanser

High

  • HighDry Skin Fit
  • HighEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

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 as sodium hyaluronate and glycerin provide excellent hydration, while ceramides and phytosphingosine support your skin barrier function.
  • The cleansing agents, sodium lauroamphoacetate and sodium cocoyl isethionate, effectively remove impurities without stripping essential moisture.
  • This formula is safe for your dry skin, containing no harsh or irritating ingredients.

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

★4.6Overall rating based on 4.7k+ reviews

Based on a very large amount of data, users with oily, combination, and sensitive skin frequently praise this cleanser for its ability to effectively remove dirt and makeup without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier. Many reviewers note that it balances oil production and leaves the face feeling soft and refreshed, though a small minority experienced dryness or disliked the scent.

Highlights

  • Gentle and non-drying Mostly Mentioned
    • “Cleanses without stripping”
    • “Gentle and non-drying cleanser”
    • “Does not strip away the natural moisture”
    • “Leaves skin soft and hydrated”
  • Effective cleansing Often Mentioned
    • “Removes almost all of my makeup”
    • “Skin felt so clean after cleansing”
    • “Cleanses the skin from makeup and impurities so well”
    • “Takes my makeup off easily”
  • Balances oily skin Sometimes Noted
    • “Noticeably less oily”
    • “Helps clear my skin”
    • “Relieves my skin of feeling oily”
    • “Great for oily acne prone skin”
  • Pleasant texture Sometimes Noted
    • “Foams up beautifully into a silky froth”
    • “Creamy and lightly foaming”
    • “Feels like I am washing my face with clouds”
    • “Smooth foam cleanser”
  • Safe for sensitive skin Sometimes Noted
    • “No irritation or purging effect”
    • “Soothes redness and irritation”
    • “Best cleanser I've ever used [for sensitive skin]”
    • “Gentle enough for daily use”
  • Can be drying Rarely Noted
    • “Went a little dry”
    • “Need to moisturize after drying off”
    • “Skin feel tight after I rinse”
  • Caused breakouts Rarely Noted
    • “Causes breakouts”
    • “Making my acne worse”
    • “Break me out in a rash”
  • Ineffective on heavy makeup Rarely Noted
    • “Heavy makeup is not washed enough”
    • “Still need a Clarisonic”
    • “Used 2 times [to remove makeup]”
  • Price point Rarely Noted
    • “A bit pricy for the amount”
    • “Wasting money”
  • Unpleasant scent Rarely Noted
    • “Smelled like an unwashed towel”
    • “Bad smell”
    • “Strange smell”

Sources: lovi.care, amazon.com, paulaschoice.com, dermstore.com, sephora.com, theskyshine.com, and more

Questions and answers

What makes Paula's Choice Perfectly Balanced Foaming Cleanser a great fit for dry skin?

This cleanser is a great fit for your dry skin because sodium hyaluronate and glycerin draw in moisture, while ceramides and phytosphingosine help protect your skin barrier. Its gentle cleansing agents wash away dirt without taking away essential hydration.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2002

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

This cleanser is a great fit for dry skin because sodium hyaluronate and glycerin draw in deep moisture, while ceramides and phytosphingosine help repair and strengthen the skin barrier. It also uses gentle cleansing agents that lift away dirt without stripping away your skin's essential natural oils.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2002

What does Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate do for dry skin?

Sodium cocoyl isethionate helps wash dry skin gently without stripping its natural moisture because its larger molecular size prevents it from irritating the skin barrier. This makes it suitable for everyday cleansing to keep dry skin feeling comfortable rather than tight or stripped.

Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2007Dermatologic Therapy, 2004

What do Ceramides do for dry skin?

Ceramides help strengthen your skin barrier and lock in moisture to keep dry skin feeling soft and smooth. By restoring essential lipids, they may also reduce water loss and soothe irritation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2022Dermatologic Therapy, 2019

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

This cleanser fits into both your morning and evening routines as the first or second step, helping wash away impurities without stripping your skin's essential moisture. Using a mild cleanser like this as part of a consistent daily routine helps improve overall dry skin.

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 in your routine before applying retinol, as its gentle ingredients wash away impurities without stripping essential moisture. Using a barrier-supporting formula helps keep your skin calm and is unlikely to cause irritation when paired with active treatments like retinol.

Cutis, 2006Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2002

How often should I use this cleanser?

You can use this cleanser twice a day as part of your morning and evening routine, because its gentle ingredients wash away dirt without stripping your dry skin of essential moisture. A consistent daily routine with a mild cleanser helps improve visual dryness and overall comfort.

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 or cause breakouts for dry skin since it contains gentle cleansing agents and soothing ingredients that wash away impurities without stripping your skin. It is very safe for dry skin and rarely causes any issues.

Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2007

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

Yes, you can use this cleanser on your body and the thin skin around your eyes because its gentle ingredients wash away dirt without stripping essential moisture. It helps keep your skin soft and comfortable by supporting your skin barrier and providing deep hydration.

Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 2002Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

Is this cleanser 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

  • 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
  • Topical application of an emulsion containing a complete mixture of ceramides III, IIIB, VI, phytosphingosine, cholesterol, and linoleic acid significantly accelerated barrier recovery after SLS damage and improved skin hydration after acetone treatment in human volunteers compared to an emulsion containing only two types of ceramides.

    Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2002
  • Sodium cocoyl isethionate micelles are too large to penetrate stratum corneum aqueous pores, resulting in significant steric hindrance that prevents skin barrier perturbation and explains its skin mildness.

    Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2007
  • Topical application of 0.1% hyaluronic acid formulations of different molecular weights led to significant improvements in skin hydration and elasticity, with low-molecular-weight formulations also significantly reducing wrinkle depth in seventy-six female subjects compared to a vehicle control.

    Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2011
  • Topical application of hyaluronic acid in conjunction with free gingival graft significantly reduced donor site postoperative pain until day 7 compared to normal saline, with no significant differences in graft dimensions or patient satisfaction.

    Clinical Oral Investigations, 2022
  • Treatment with a hyaluronic acid-containing mouth rinse or topical gel led to significant lesion reduction, pain relief, and normalization of lesion color in adult patients with minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis, with the gel formulation showing an earlier healing onset at 3 days.

    BMC Oral Health, 2019
  • 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
  • A 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, 2018
  • Topical aloe vera gel significantly accelerated split-thickness skin graft donor-site healing compared to placebo in 12 patients, but showed no significant difference in pain relief.

    Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2018
  • Topical application of Aloe vera cream reduced postoperative pain at rest and during defecation, accelerated wound healing at two weeks, and decreased analgesic requirements in patients after open hemorrhoidectomy compared to placebo.

    Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2010

Ingredients

Water, Sodium Lauroamphoacetate, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Stearic Acid, Glycerin, Glycol Distearate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Sunflower Seed Oil, Acrylates Copolymer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ceramide Np, Ceramide Ap, Ceramide Eop, Phytosphingosine, Sphingolipids, Lecithin, Arginine, Cholesterol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Disodium Edta, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Hexylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol

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 14 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.

How does it fit your skin?

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