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SkinMedica Facial Cleanser for oily skin

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes

SkinMedica Facial Cleanser

Average

  • AverageOily Skin Fit
  • AverageEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

Works for oily skin; other cleansers fit it better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily skin: shine, enlarged pores, blackheads, and blemishes. 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 oily skin as Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate and Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine effectively cleanse pores, though it lacks specialized ingredients to fully manage oily shine.
  • Glycerin and Panthenol provide humectant action to support your oily skin, but additional ingredients for enhanced oil control would be beneficial.
  • The safety profile is good, with no risks of irritation for your oily skin due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.

How to apply

  • Use your cleanser AM and PM every day to keep your skin fresh. Always make sure to follow with a good SPF in the morning.
  • Apply your cleanser as the first step in the morning or the second step in the evening before your toner.
  • Gently massage a small amount onto your face using circular motions, then rinse well with water .
  • You can apply this cleanser safely on damp skin for a refreshing and easy wash.
  • Avoid getting the product directly into your eyes and stop use if irritation occurs.

People Say

★4.7Overall rating based on 500+ reviews

This cleanser is highly regarded for its gentle, hydrating, and effective cleansing properties, particularly by users with sensitive, dry, and post-procedure skin. Most users find it leaves their skin soft and calm, with many reporting improvements in texture and clarity. A significant number of reviews mention its high price point as a drawback.

Highlights

  • Gentle and hydrating Mostly Mentioned
    • “leaves skin soft”
    • “never overstripped”
    • “soothing for sensitive skin”
    • “doesn't dry me out”
  • Effective daily cleanse Often Mentioned
    • “removes all makeup”
    • “skin feels super clean”
    • “removes dirt well”
    • “great everyday cleanser”
  • High price point Often Mentioned
    • “expensive for a wash”
    • “pricey”
    • “hard to justify cost”
    • “not sure it's worth it”
  • Good value Sometimes Noted
    • “a little goes a long way”
    • “bottle lasts months”
    • “only need a dime size”
    • “foams up well”
  • Improves skin Sometimes Noted
    • “skin looks fresh”
    • “pores look smaller”
    • “helps with acne”
    • “smooths texture”
  • Makeup removal Rarely Noted
    • “need double cleanse”
    • “doesn't remove mascara”
    • “struggles with waterproof makeup”
    • “need separate remover”
  • Packaging issues Rarely Noted
    • “pump gets stuck”
    • “pump broke”
    • “hard to dispense”
    • “leaky bottle”
  • Scent concerns Rarely Noted
    • “smell is medicinal”
    • “scent is okay”
    • “wish it was unscented”
    • “strong fragrance”

Sources: lovi.care, lovelyskin.com, dermstore.com, influenster.com, target.com, and more

Questions and answers

How well does SkinMedica Facial Cleanser work for oily skin?

SkinMedica Facial Cleanser works reasonably well for oily skin by cleaning pores safely without causing irritation, though it lacks specialized ingredients to fully manage oily shine. A product of this type needs ingredients like Niacinamide, ceramides, salicylic acid, or probiotics to better control oil and support oily skin.

American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017

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

Glycerin and panthenol make this cleanser a good fit for oily skin by providing hydration, while cleansing agents clean out pores without causing irritation. Oily skin of this type needs cleansers with ingredients like niacinamide, ceramides, salicylic acid, or probiotics to better manage shine and support skin health.

American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002

What does Glycerin do for oily skin?

Glycerin helps keep oily skin hydrated without feeling heavy and supports the skin barrier. Because this product is a weak fit for your skin, an ideal product of this type needs lightweight hydrators and ingredients that balance oil while protecting the skin.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2008International Journal of Toxicology, 2019

What does Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract do for oily skin?

Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract is unlikely to clog pores and helps calm oily skin without feeling heavy. It absorbs well and adds lightweight moisture to keep your skin balanced and smooth.

Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi = Zhongguo Zhongyao Zazhi = China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica, 2007

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

This cleanser goes in your morning and evening routine, before your toner and moisturizer. It cleanses pores well, but oily skin also needs ingredients for enhanced oil control.

Can I use it with retinol, and in what order?

You can use this cleanser with retinol as part of your routine, typically applying the cleanser first before your retinol treatment. It is unlikely to irritate oily skin because it avoids harsh ingredients, but this skin type also benefits from specialized oil-controlling ingredients for the best results.

How often should I use it?

You can use this cleanser morning and evening as part of your daily routine. It is very gentle on your skin and is unlikely to cause irritation.

American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017

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

SkinMedica Facial Cleanser is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for oily skin, as it has a good safety profile with no harsh ingredients. However, it lacks specialized ingredients to fully manage oily shine, so this skin type also needs ingredients for enhanced oil control.

Can I use it around the eyes or on my body?

You can use this cleanser on the body and around the eyes since it is gentle and has a good safety profile. Because oily skin needs specialized ingredients to fully manage shine and oil control, body and eye routines for this skin type benefit from added ingredients that target excess oil and balance moisture.

Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (parfum).

What the research says

  • Topical dexpanthenol acts as a moisturizer, improves stratum corneum hydration, accelerates wound healing and epidermal regeneration, reduces erythema, and improves symptoms of skin irritation compared to vehicle or no pretreatment.

    American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002

  • A new topical panthenol-containing emollient significantly improved transepidermal water loss reduction, stratum corneum hydration, and intercellular lipid lamellae length compared with control in healthy subjects without negatively impacting bacterial viability.

    The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017

  • Volatile oil from tender branches of Camellia oleifera showed no acute skin toxicity, irritation, or hypersensitivity in rats while providing more powerful skin penetration enhancement for nitrendipine, baicalin, and nimesulide compared to azone in mouse skin in vitro.

    Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi = Zhongguo Zhongyao Zazhi = China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica, 2007

  • 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

  • Topical green tea extract significantly improved clinical symptoms, tear breakup times, and meibomian gland health compared to standard treatment in patients with dry eye and Meibomian Gland Dysfunction.

    Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research, 2017

  • Topical low-dose green tea extract reduces UVB-induced p53 expression and apoptosis in human skin keratinocytes compared to placebo.

    Experimental Dermatology, 2009

  • An anti-acne hydrogel containing Aloe barbadensis, Garcinia mangostana, and Camellia sinensis extracts showed superior antiacne and antiblotch activities compared to 1% clindamycin gel in sixty subjects with mild-moderate acne.

    Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019

  • 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

  • Topical dexpanthenol formulated in lipophilic vehicles improved stratum corneum hydration and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to vehicle control in humans.

    Arzneimittel-Forschung, 2000

  • Hyaluronic acid, hyaluronic acid plus dexpanthenol, and isotonic saline nasal sprays all significantly improved dry nose symptoms over four weeks in 240 patients, with hyaluronic acid plus dexpanthenol providing superior nasal moisturisation compared to the other two.

    Auris, Nasus, Larynx, 2020

Why other cleansers fit oily skin better

  • A botanical face cleanser with hops and willow bark extract continuously reduced skin sebum levels without reactive seborrhea after treatment in 21 healthy volunteers compared to a sodium laureth sulfate cleanser, with neither cleanser causing skin irritation.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019

  • Topical application of Lactobacillus plantarum-GMNL6 enhanced collagen synthesis and SPTSSA gene expression while reducing melanin synthesis, Staphylococcus aureus biofilm, and Cutibacterium acnes proliferation, leading to clinical improvements in skin moisture, color, spots, wrinkles, UV spots, and porphyrins in human volunteers.

    International Journal of Medical Sciences, 2021

Ingredients

Water, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Peg-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Glycerin, Panthenol, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Peg-6 Caprylic Capric Glycerides, Disodium Edta, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Parfum, Blue 1 Ci 42090, Ci 47005

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.

  • Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Co-founder, Medical Director

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer

  • Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Co-founder, CEO and CTO

    PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex

  • Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Medical Board

    Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine

  • Aishani Shah, MD

    Aishani Shah, MD

    Medical Board

    Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD

  • Asya Zubkova, MS

    Asya Zubkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member

  • Hanna Kurets, MD

    Hanna Kurets, MD

    Medical Board, Medical Advisor

    Dermatology MD

  • Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Medical Board

    Dermatology and diagnostic consultant

  • Victoria Derkova, MS

    Victoria Derkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist

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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.

QR code: get the Lovi app
Download on theApp Store Get it onGoogle Play