Dermalogica Clear Start Breakout Clearing Foaming Wash for dry skin
Salicylic Acid
Melaleuca Alternifolia Tree Oil Leaf
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil Lavender Oil
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract Rhizome Licorice Root Extract RhizomeWarning
- WarningDry Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- RiskySafety
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 excellent cleansing for acne-prone skin due to salicylic acid and melaleuca alternifolia tree oil, which exfoliate and decongest pores, but this combination can strip natural oils and exacerbate dryness for your dry skin.
- While it provides moderate exfoliation for dry or flaky skin, the keratolytic and antimicrobial actions of these ingredients make it highly unsuitable for your dry skin type.
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
★4.7Overall rating based on 3.6k+ reviewsThis foaming wash is widely praised for effectively clearing hormonal and teenage acne on both the face and body without stripping the skin of moisture. While most users find it gentle and refreshing, a minority experience dryness or irritation, and some note a "purging" phase before seeing results. This summary is based on a very large amount of data and should definitely be taken into account.
Highlights
Clears acne Mostly Mentioned
- “helped keep oil under control”
- “3 pimples went away overnight”
- “cleared my hormonal acne”
- “great for teenage acne”
Gentle and non-drying Often Mentioned
- “doesn't strip my skin”
- “gentle enough for sensitive skin”
- “face feels clean not dry”
- “balanced cleanser”
Improves texture Sometimes Noted
- “brightened my skin”
- “skin looks healthier”
- “less oily throughout the day”
- “smooths texture”
Pleasant scent Sometimes Noted
- “smells nice and fresh”
- “love the scent”
- “smells like orange peel”
- “refreshing botanical smell”
Versatile for body Sometimes Noted
- “helped tremendously with body acne”
- “use on face, back, neck”
- “cleared my back breakouts”
- “great for chest acne”
Price point Sometimes Noted
- “pricey but worth it”
- “expensive for a face wash”
- “wish it was cheaper”
- “good but costly”
Can be drying Rarely Noted
- “makes your skin really dry”
- “left my face feeling tight”
- “too drying for me”
- “caused flaky skin”
Packaging issues Rarely Noted
- “do not travel with this it leaks”
- “bottle cap does not pop open”
- “packaging arrived damaged”
- “leaked in my bag”
Purging period Rarely Noted
- “skin may experience purging”
- “caused initial breakout”
- “had to wait for purge to end”
- “worse before better”
Skin irritation Rarely Noted
- “turning red around nose”
- “caused burning sensation”
- “irritated my sensitive skin”
- “skin became inflamed”
Sources: lovi.care, ulta.com, sephora.com, dermstore.com, lovelyskin.com, adorebeauty.com.au, and more
Questions and answers
Why does Lovi advise against Dermalogica Clear Start Breakout Clearing Foaming Wash for dry skin?
This cleanser can strip natural oils and make your dry skin even drier because its ingredients exfoliate and decongest pores. A cleanser for dry skin needs hydrating ingredients like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide to support the moisture barrier.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a poor fit for dry skin?
Salicylic acid and tea tree oil make this cleanser a poor fit because they strip natural oils and dry out dry skin. A cleanser for dry skin needs hydrating and soothing ingredients like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide to support the moisture barrier.
What does Salicylic Acid do for dry skin?
Salicylic acid is generally not a good fit for dry skin, as it is meant to clear out pores and remove dead skin rather than hydrate. Because dry skin needs soothing and moisture rather than exfoliation, a product for dry skin needs nourishing ingredients like urea to lock in moisture and keep the skin soft.
What does Tea Tree Oil do for dry skin?
Tea tree oil is not a good fit for dry skin because it can decrease oil levels and potentially cause irritation. Skincare products for dry skin need soothing and deeply hydrating ingredients like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and rich plant oils to restore moisture and keep the skin soft and smooth.
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for dry skin?
This cleanser is a poor match for dry skin because its salicylic acid and tea tree oil strip natural oils and worsen dryness. Dry skin needs a mild cleanser paired with a gentle moisturizer to protect the skin barrier and maintain hydration.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You should not use this cleanser on dry skin because its salicylic acid and tea tree oil strip natural oils and worsen dryness. A product of this type needs gentle, hydrating ingredients like ceramides and soothing plant extracts to clean the skin while protecting its barrier.
How often should I use this cleanser?
This cleanser is a poor match for dry skin because its salicylic acid and tea tree oil strip natural oils and make dryness worse. Dry skin needs a gentle, hydrating cleanser and a rich moisturizer to protect its moisture barrier.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts since it uses salicylic acid and tea tree oil to clear out pores, but it can strip natural oils and worsen dryness on dry skin. To properly care for dry skin, a cleanser needs gentle hydrating ingredients that clean without removing essential moisture.
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
This cleanser is generally too harsh for the very thin skin around the eyes, though it may be used on thicker areas of the body if you lack sensitivity there. Because dry skin easily loses moisture, a cleanser of this type needs gentle, hydrating ingredients and moisturizing oils to protect your skin barrier instead of stripping away natural oils.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
A moisturizer containing licochalcone A, 1,2-decanediol, L-carnitine, and salicylic acid significantly reduced noninflammatory, inflammatory, and total acne lesion counts compared to a vehicle control in Thai patients during a 12-week maintenance phase.
BioMed Research International, 2020Twice daily application of a multitargeted dermocosmetic cream provided comparable efficacy to benzoyl peroxide 5% gel in reducing inflammatory, non-inflammatory, and total lesions in 150 Caucasian subjects with mild-to-moderate acne over 56 days, while demonstrating superior skin tolerability.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024The use of a salicylic acid-based dermocosmetic significantly reduces the needed quantity of benzoyl peroxide without impacting efficacy in mild to moderate acne, and as maintenance post-benzoyl peroxide allows a significant reduction of acne relapse compared to vehicle.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023Cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen achieved a higher cure rate (39%) than salicylic acid (24%) and a wait-and-see approach (16%) for cutaneous warts at 13 weeks in primary care patients.
CMAJ, 2010Treatment with 2% supramolecular salicylic acid hydrogel resulted in a regression and markedly improvement rate of 51.01% compared to 43.10% for Adapaline gel in patients with mild to moderate facial acne vulgaris, showing no significant difference in efficacy.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Topical 5% benzoyl peroxide plus salicylic acid achieved the greatest lesion reduction at early 2 to 4 week time points compared to benzoyl peroxide, clindamycin, and combination benzoyl peroxide/clindamycin, while 5% benzoyl peroxide plus salicylic acid and combination benzoyl peroxide/clindamycin showed similar efficacy at 10 to 12 weeks in acne patients.
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2010A 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, 2018Tea tree oil nanoemulsion containing adapalene gel demonstrated significantly greater reductions in total, inflammatory, and non-inflammatory acne lesions as well as acne severity index compared to adapalene marketed gel in 100 patients with acne vulgaris over 12 weeks.
Archives of Dermatological Research, 2022Topical 5% tea tree oil gel significantly improved total acne lesions and acne severity index compared to placebo in 60 patients with mild to moderate acne vulgaris, showing 3.55 times and 5.75 times greater efficacy respectively.
Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology, 2007A 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, 2021Polysaccharide-based O/W emulsions incorporated with lavender essential oil applied to cellulosic support are non-irritating, provide softness and moisturizing effects, and are safe for topical patch applications.
International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2021Gellan gum hydrogel films co-encapsulating ofloxacin with tea tree or lavender oil achieved 98% wound contraction and completely healed epidermis in rats after ten days of treatment compared to baseline.
International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2021Topical application of lavender oil significantly promoted wound contraction, collagen synthesis, and fibroblast differentiation with up-regulation of TGF-beta in a rat model compared to control.
BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2016Combining 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, 2025
Ingredients
Salicylic Acid, Water, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Acrylates Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer, Polysorbate-20, Melaleuca Alternifolia Tree Oil Leaf, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil Lavender Oil, Oleanolic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Enantia Chlorantha Bark Extract, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Spiraea Ulmaria Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Porphyra Umbilicalis Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract Rhizome Licorice Root Extract Rhizome, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol
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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Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
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Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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