Cetaphil PRO DermaControl Oil Removing Foam Wash for oily skin
Glycerin
Zinc Coceth Sulfate
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Zinc Gluconate
Peg-200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate
High
- SuperiorOily Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
A great choice for oily skin; a few cleansers fit it even 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
- Excellent suitability for your oily skin is provided by zinc gluconate and dipotassium glycyrrhizate, which effectively regulate sebum and reduce inflammation. Glycerin and zinc coceth sulfate work in tandem to cleanse pores and maintain skin hydration, offering excellent cleansing benefits.
- The formula is safe for your oily skin, as it contains soothing dipotassium glycyrrhizate and avoids harsh ingredients.
- This product offers moderate benefits for oily shine by utilizing zinc gluconate and dipotassium glycyrrhizate for their oil-controlling and soothing properties.
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
★4.6Overall rating based on 8.2k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, users with oily and acne-prone skin widely praise this cleanser for its ability to effectively remove excess sebum and control shine without stripping the moisture barrier, often describing it as a "holy grail" for sensitive, combination skin. While the majority report a gentle, non-irritating experience that leaves skin feeling matte and balanced, a notable minority experiences sensitivity to the fragrance or a burning sensation upon application.
Highlights
Effective oil control Often Mentioned
- “keeps my face matte for hours”
- “significantly reduced my midday shine”
- “removes grease without leaving residue”
- “best oil control wash I've tried”
Gentle and non-stripping Often Mentioned
- “cleans deep but doesn't leave skin tight”
- “gentle enough for my sensitive skin”
- “doesn't make my face feel dry or squeaky”
- “leaves skin feeling soft and balanced”
Helps clear acne Sometimes Noted
- “noticed fewer breakouts after two weeks”
- “keeps my hormonal acne at bay”
- “helped clear up my forehead bumps”
- “great maintenance wash for acne-prone skin”
Pleasant foam texture Sometimes Noted
- “love the light, airy foam”
- “one pump covers the whole face”
- “lathers well and rinses easily”
- “foam feels luxurious and soft”
Strong fragrance Sometimes Noted
- “scent is overpowering and lingers”
- “smells too like cheap perfume”
- “fragrance irritated my sensitive nose”
- “wish they made an unscented version”
Burning sensation Rarely Noted
- “burned my face immediately upon applying”
- “stung my eyes and cheeks bad”
- “caused redness and heat sensation”
- “felt like a chemical burn”
Can be drying Rarely Noted
- “left dry patches around my mouth”
- “too drying for winter use”
- “made my skin feel tight and flaky”
- “stripped my skin too much”
Pump issues Rarely Noted
- “pump gets stuck often”
- “dispenser broke halfway through bottle”
- “hard to get the last bit out”
Sources: lovi.care, iherb.com, ulta.com, walmart.com, influenster.com, well.ca, and more
Questions and answers
What makes Cetaphil PRO DermaControl Oil Removing Foam Wash a great fit for oily skin?
This cleanser is a great fit for oily skin because zinc gluconate and dipotassium glycyrrhizate help control excess oil and calm irritation. Glycerin and zinc coceth sulfate also help clean pores deeply while keeping the skin hydrated.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2023Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for oily skin?
Zinc gluconate and dipotassium glycyrrhizate make this cleanser a great fit for your oily skin because they help control oil and calm inflammation. Glycerin and zinc coceth sulfate also work together to clean out your pores while keeping your skin hydrated.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2023Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026
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 Zinc Coceth Sulfate do for oily skin?
Zinc coceth sulfate cleanses excess oil and impurities from oily skin, but this specific ingredient is not evaluated in the referenced studies.
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for oily skin?
This cleanser is used as the first step in the morning and as the second step in the evening after removing makeup. It cleanses pores and helps control oily shine without drying out the skin.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2023
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cleanser in your routine before applying retinol. It is gentle on oily skin, and using it first helps clear away excess oil while keeping the skin calm and hydrated for your treatment steps.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2012
How often should I use this cleanser?
This cleanser is a great fit for your oily skin, making it safe to use daily in both your morning and evening routines. Ingredients like glycerin and zinc coceth sulfate help cleanse pores and maintain hydration without stripping your skin.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2023
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?
This cleanser is a great fit and is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for oily skin, as it contains zinc gluconate and glycerin to help clean out pores and keep the skin balanced. It has a very low likelihood of causing irritation, though a few reviewers have occasionally reported a slight burning sensation or dryness.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2023Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
This cleanser is a great fit for your oily skin because zinc gluconate and dipotassium glycyrrhizate help control extra oil and calm irritation while glycerin and zinc coceth sulfate cleanse pores and keep skin hydrated. Because the skin around the eyes is exceptionally thin, this formula is unlikely to irritate it when used carefully. On the body, its gentle cleansing and soothing ingredients help manage oil and keep skin comfortable.
Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 2002Acta Biomaterialia, 2022
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Dipotassium glycyrrhizinate-loaded hydroxypropyl chitosan and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) hydrogels applied to wounds in a mouse full-thickness skin defect model resulted in rapid wound closure, efficient tissue remolding, collagen deposition, and decreased inflammation compared to commercial Tegaderm film and 3M dressing controls.
Acta Biomaterialia, 2022Daily use of a deep cleansing gel containing salicylic acid 2%, zinc gluconate 0.2% and lipohydroxy acid 0.05% significantly reduced total lesion count by 56.3% after 84 days in 35 subjects with mild to moderate truncal acne.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2023A dermocosmetic cream containing Punica granatum Pericarp extract, Salicylic acid, Niacinamide, Zinc gluconate, and Aqua Posae Filiformis significantly decreased inflammatory, non-inflammatory, and total lesion counts in subjects with mild to moderate acne compared to untreated hemi-faces after 15 days.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026A 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, 2001Combining 755 nm alexandrite laser with topical licorice gel significantly reduces terminal hair counts compared to alexandrite laser with placebo in women with idiopathic hirsutism.
Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2015Licochalcone A activated Nrf2 signaling, elevated cytoprotective enzymes, increased the reduced-to-oxidized glutathione ratio, and decreased reactive oxygen species in human fibroblasts and neutrophils, while a LicA-rich licorice extract lowered UVA-induced oxidative processes in vivo.
Experimental Dermatology, 2015Bioactive glycyrrhizic acid and oxymatrine ionic liquid self-assembled nanomicelles significantly promoted the transdermal permeation, subcutaneous retention, and anti-photoaging efficacy of palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 in cellular and animal models compared to unformulated peptide.
Advanced Science, 2025Different strains of Propionibacterium acnes modulate cutaneous innate immunity with varying pro-inflammatory potentials, with P. acnes type III showing the highest and P. avidum the weakest, and zinc gluconate down-regulates the expression of most induced immune markers.
Experimental Dermatology, 2013Zinc gluconate induced alpha2, alpha3, alphaV, and alpha6 integrins, copper gluconate induced alpha2, alpha6, and beta1, and manganese gluconate induced most studied integrins in cultured keratinocytes.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 1999
Ingredients
Water, Zinc Coceth Sulfate, Glycerin, Peg-75, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Zinc Gluconate, Peg-200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate, Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Peg-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Sodium Benzoate, Masking, Disodium Edta
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?
Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.