SkinCeuticals Simply Clean Gel for sensitive skin

Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate
Coco-Betaine
Glycerin
Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Average
- SuperiorNormal Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
Works for sensitive skin; other cleansers fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with sensitive skin: redness, stinging, and reactions to new products. 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 for your normal skin, as Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate and Coco-Betaine effectively remove impurities while Glycerin and Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract provide hydration and soothing benefits.
- While the formula is generally supportive for sensitive skin, the inclusion of Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil may offer only limited benefits for your specific concerns of redness and irritation.
- The product is safe for your sensitive skin, featuring soothing ingredients like Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract and Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract with no harsh or prohibited substances.
How to apply
- Use your cleanser in the AM and PM routines every day. Start using it daily since your sensitive skin needs gentle care.
- Apply this first in your morning and evening skincare routine before toner and moisturizer. This clears away dirt without upsetting your skin.
- Gently massage a small amount onto your face using soft circles. Avoid any rough rubbing to keep redness away.
- Apply the cleanser on slightly damp skin to help it wash away impurities softly. Clean skin feels fresh and comfortable afterwards.
- Avoid getting the cleanser in your eyes and do a quick patch test before first use. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water.
People Say
★4.7Overall rating based on 700+ reviewsIdeally suited for oily and combination skin types, this gel cleanser is widely praised for its ability to deeply purify pores and remove makeup without causing excessive dryness. Users frequently report improved skin texture and fewer acne breakouts, though individuals with drier or more sensitive skin occasionally find the exfoliating formula slightly stripping.
Highlights
Effective Deep Cleansing Mostly Mentioned
- “removes excess oil”
- “thoroughly cleanses skin”
- “face feels fresh”
Improves Skin Texture Often Mentioned
- “smooths rough skin”
- “refines pore appearance”
- “gentle enzymatic exfoliation”
Controls Acne Breakouts Sometimes Noted
- “clears hormonal acne”
- “prevents new blemishes”
- “keeps skin clear”
High Product Efficiency Sometimes Noted
- “lathers very well”
- “little goes long way”
- “bottle lasts months”
Removes Makeup Well Sometimes Noted
- “dissolves waterproof makeup”
- “takes off daily grime”
- “no residue left”
High Price Point Sometimes Noted
- “expensive for cleanser”
- “pricey daily wash”
- “cost prohibits repurchase”
Drying Effect Rarely Noted
- “skin feels tight”
- “strips natural oils”
- “too harsh for dry skin”
Packaging Issues Rarely Noted
- “pump mechanism breaks”
- “bottle leaks during travel”
- “hard to dispense”
Skin Irritation Rarely Noted
- “caused burning sensation”
- “stinging on application”
- “redness after use”
Unpleasant Scent Rarely Noted
- “medicinal smell”
- “chemical odor”
- “scent is off-putting”
Sources: lovi.care, lovelyskin.com, skinceuticals.ca, bluemercury.com, walmart.com, dermstore.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does SkinCeuticals Simply Clean work for sensitive skin?
SkinCeuticals Simply Clean Gel is an average fit for sensitive skin because its citrus peel oil may offer limited benefits for redness and irritation. A cleanser for this skin needs barrier-repairing ingredients and soothing agents like Niacinamide and Ceramide-3 to calm redness without stripping moisture.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for sensitive skin?
Glycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, and Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract make this cleanser a good fit because they help hydrate and soothe sensitive skin. However, cleansers that fit sensitive skin best need effective soothing and barrier-repairing ingredients like Niacinamide and Ceramide-3, along with no allergens, to calm redness and irritation without any risk of irritation.
What does Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate do for sensitive skin?
Sodium cocoyl glycinate is a gentle cleanser that helps wash away dirt without leaving dry or irritated skin behind. It is generally well-tolerated by sensitive skin because it is very mild and unlikely to cause redness or discomfort.
What does Coco-Betaine do for sensitive skin?
Coco-betaine is a cleanser that is generally gentle on skin, though some people with sensitive skin may experience irritation or allergic reactions from related compounds like amidoamine. A product of this type needs to use milder cleansers like sodium cocoyl glutamate or sodium lauroyl oat amino acids to keep sensitive skin calm and soft.
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for sensitive skin?
This cleanser fits in both your morning and evening routines as the first or second step to wash away impurities. A cleanser of this type for sensitive skin needs gentle cleansing ingredients along with calming plant extracts to keep skin comfortable without causing irritation.
Can I use it with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cleanser with retinol, applying the cleanser first on damp skin, rinsing thoroughly, and then following with your retinol treatment once your skin is completely dry. This helps wash away impurities while preparing your skin for active treatments, though sensitive skin needs a gentle cleanser that focuses heavily on soothing ingredients like chamomile and aloe while avoiding any citrus oils that may trigger redness or irritation.
How often should I use this cleanser?
You can use this cleanser daily in the morning and evening as part of your routine. While it washes away impurities and includes soothing ingredients, sensitive skin with redness needs a cleanser free of citrus peel oil and other potential irritants.
Can it clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for sensitive skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for sensitive skin, as it contains gentle cleansing agents and soothing ingredients like aloe and chamomile that help keep skin calm. A cleanser for this skin needs to avoid heavy oils and fragrances while focusing on mild cleansing and hydrating ingredients like glycerin.
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
You can use this cleanser on your body, but it is best to avoid the very thin skin around the eyes to prevent irritation. To care for delicate areas safely, a cleanser of this type needs ultra-gentle, fragrance-free ingredients and extra soothing plant extracts.
Is it fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (limonene).
What the research says
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, 2018The 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, 2003A 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, 2001Daily treatment with a facial serum containing multiple acids reduced post-inflammatory hyperchromia lesion grade and number by 29.4% at 56 days, and decreased skin oiliness by 30.7% at 7 days in Brazilian patients with acne vulgaris.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021A novel composition containing salicylic acid, capryloyl salicylic acid, HEPES, glycolic acid, citric acid, and dioic acid showed similar tolerance and efficacy compared with clindamycin 1% and benzoyl peroxide 5% gel in subjects with acne vulgaris.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2013A novel D-limonene and Gelucire 44/12 based microemulsion formulated with Labrasol and Labrafil M 1944 CS showed high stability, optical transparency, nanometric globule size, and a safe in vivo skin profile on mice ear skin.
Advanced Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 2021
Ingredients
Water, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Coco-Betaine, Glycerin, Acrylates Copolymer, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Chloride, Propylene Glycol, Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium Edta, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Limonene, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract Matricaria Flower Extract, Citric Acid
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
How does it fit your skin?
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