Bioderma Sébium Gel moussant for dry skin
Zinc Sulfate
Copper Sulfate
Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Lactic Acid
Fructooligosaccharides
Caution
- CautionDry Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- ConcerningSafety
A poor match for dry skin; the cleansers alongside fit it 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
- Offers moderate cleansing for oily and acne-prone skin due to the presence of sodium cocoamphoacetate and lactic acid in concentrations that help to gently cleanse pores and exfoliate.
- It also provides moderate exfoliation for dry or flaky skin, promoting cell turnover with lactic acid.
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
★4.5Overall rating based on 4.5k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this product is highly regarded for combination, oily, and acne-prone skin, with many users reporting effective sebum control and breakout reduction, leaving skin purified and matte. A significant number of users also find it gentle and non-stripping. However, a moderate number of users with sensitive or dry skin conditions mention that the formula can be drying or irritating.
Highlights
Cleanses effectively Mostly Mentioned
- “Probably the first cleanser that actually took all of my makeup off my face!!!”
- “Made my face feel fresh and clean.”
- “Loved how it took off my makeup without making me feel oily at all.”
- “I cleaned my face with the gel, and it took off the mascara!”
Controls oil Often Mentioned
- “My skin feels fresh, balanced and less greasy after each wash.”
- “Skin feels clean and matte right afterward, with shine visibly reduced.”
- “Removes excess oil effectively without being overly drying.”
- “It works well with combination skin... reduced my oiliness.”
Gentle and mild Often Mentioned
- “This cleanser is so gentle and mild on my sensitive skin.”
- “The gel is gentle on my skin and doesn't dry it.”
- “It did not strip my skin, no tight feeling after cleansing, no irritation, no redness.”
- “Loved my skin without making it feel dry and itchy.”
Clears acne Sometimes Noted
- “It removed my acne from my face.”
- “I noticed my black heads going away and reduction in pores.”
- “Very effective cleanser for my oily acne prone skin.”
- “Cumulative effect is clearer, less congested skin.”
Can be drying Sometimes Noted
- “It isn't a cleanser I can use every day... it can be very drying.”
- “It felt like it dried my face a little after I dried off.”
- “It's drying and harsh, but honestly I didn't use a proper moisturiser at the time.”
- “I tried to use it in daytime but it was drying.”
Unpleasant fragrance Sometimes Noted
- “Very unpleasant chemical smell. You definitely don't want this accidentally going into your mouth.”
- “I feel the scent is too strong for me.”
- “It smelled like chemicals to me.”
- “Smells like some chemical floor washing liquid with apple parfum.”
Causes irritation Rarely Noted
- “A lot of acne were showing after I started using this product.”
- “Awful for my skin barrier, now everything I use itches.”
- “Broke me out. Irritating. Strong scent.”
Sources: lovi.care, amazon.com, target.com, bioderma.us, dermstore.com, skinsort.com, and more
Questions and answers
Why does Lovi advise caution with Bioderma Sébium Gel moussant for dry skin?
Lovi advises caution because this cleanser is designed to gently clean and exfoliate oily and acne-prone skin, which can strip moisture from dry skin. A cleanser for dry skin needs deep hydration, barrier support, and soothing ingredients like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a poor fit for dry skin?
Sodium Laureth Sulfate makes this cleanser a poor fit for dry skin because it is strong enough to strip away natural oils and leave dry skin feeling tight and uncomfortable. A cleanser for dry skin needs hydrating and barrier-supporting ingredients like essential ceramides and sodium hyaluronate to maintain moisture.
What does Zinc Sulfate do for dry skin?
Zinc Sulfate helps calm dry skin by supporting its natural barrier and keeping it soft and smooth. This ingredient is unlikely to irritate dry skin and may help it hold onto moisture better.
What does Copper Sulfate do for dry skin?
Copper sulfate may help calm dry skin and keep it clean, but it is not a moisturizer. Because it can dry you out further, dry skin needs a gentle product with extra oils and hydrating ingredients to feel soft and smooth.
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for dry skin?
This cleanser goes into both your morning and evening routine as the first step after removing makeup at night. Because this type of cleanser is a poor match for dry skin, dry skin needs a very mild cleanser and a rich moisturizer to keep skin soft and comfortable.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
Using this cleanser with retinol requires caution on dry skin because it may cause extra dryness and irritation. A product of this type needs soothing, hydrating ingredients like ceramides to protect the skin barrier when used alongside strong treatments.
How often should I use this cleanser?
This cleanser is a poor match for dry skin because it is made for oily skin and may feel too strong, so you should use it cautiously or choose a mild cleanser and moisturizer instead. A mild cleanser helps improve visual dryness and keeps dry skin comfortable when paired with a good moisturizer.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts on dry skin, as it is made to gently cleanse pores and help remove dead skin cells. However, because it can be drying, a cleanser for dry skin needs extra hydrating ingredients like ceramides or hyaluronic acid to keep the skin soft and comfortable.
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
This cleanser is not ideal for dry skin around the eyes or on the body because it is formulated with strong cleansing agents and exfoliants that can strip moisture from delicate or dry areas. To care for dry skin in these areas, you should use a gentle, fragrance-free wash that adds moisture and protects the skin barrier using nourishing ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (parfum).
What the research says
Topical 10% zinc sulphate solution achieved an 85.7% full response rate in plane warts compared to 42.8% for 5% zinc sulphate and 10% for distilled water, while showing no significant efficacy in common warts.
Saudi Medical Journal, 2007Topical zinc sulfate augmentation significantly increased the cutaneous delayed hypersensitivity response to Candida antigen in subjects with normal plasma zinc concentrations compared to Aquaphor alone.
Acta Dermato-venereologica, 1985A hydrogel containing pomegranate rind extract and zinc sulphate delivered punicalagin and zinc across porcine epidermal, buccal, and vaginal membranes while achieving a 2.5 log reduction against HSV-1 and a 64% reduction in COX-2 expression in ex vivo skin.
European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2017A single application of a topical formulation containing copper sulfate pentahydrate and Hypericum perforatum effectively managed HSV-1 and HSV-2 lesions with lower odds of burning, stinging, acute pain, erythema, and vesiculation compared to topical 5% Acyclovir cream in adult patients.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2012Topical application of a 2% cream containing combined fruit extracts for 56 days significantly reduced wrinkle depth by 11.5%, length by 10.07%, and area by 29.55% in 21 female subjects compared to a placebo.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2015A dermocosmetic containing bakuchiol, Ginkgo biloba extract, and mannitol improves inflammatory lesions, Investigator Global Assessment, and seborrhea intensity when added to adapalene 0.1% gel in patients with acne vulgaris.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2015Topical application of Ginkgo biloba cream for two weeks reduced wrinkles and improved skin shape, texture, and tautness in human volunteers compared to baseline.
Drug Development and Industrial Pharmacy, 2023Application of a cream containing lactic acid 12% and pramoxine HCl 1% significantly improved skin dryness, hydration, and itch compared with a nontreated control in 24 women with a history of dry itchy skin.
Cutis, 2004Topical 12% ammonium lactate produced a significant sparing of epidermal and dermal atrophy induced by clobetasol propionate in human volunteers, without influencing the corticosteroid's bioavailability or antiinflammatory properties.
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 1992A lactic acid/ceramide lotion significantly improved skin moisturization and desquamation compared to no treatment in women with dry, rough skin on the anterior shins.
The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2020
Ingredients
Water, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Methylpropanediol, Disodium Edta, Mannitol, Xylitol, Rhamnose, Fructooligosaccharides, Zinc Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Peg-90 Glyceryl Isostearate, Lactic Acid, Laureth-2, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Chloride, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Parfum
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
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Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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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
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