🇩🇪Germany

e.l.f. Holy Hydration! Daily Cleanser for dry sensitive skin

e.l.f. Holy Hydration! Daily Cleanser

High

  • HighDry Skin Fit
  • HighEffectiveness
  • ExcellentSafety

A great choice for dry sensitive skin; a few cleansers fit it even better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dry sensitive skin: flakiness, tightness, redness, 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

  • This cleanser is highly suitable for your dry and sensitive skin, as decyl glucoside and cocamidopropyl betaine effectively cleanse without stripping, while glycerin and sodium hyaluronate provide essential hydration and ceramides support barrier repair.
  • The inclusion of peptides further aids in skin conditioning, complementing the humectant and emollient properties for overall skin comfort.
  • The product is safe for your skin, featuring a gentle formulation free from harsh irritants and enriched with soothing agents.

How to apply

  • Use your cleanser AM and PM every day to keep your face fresh. Start slowly once a day if your dry skin feels sensitive at first.
  • Apply your cleanser first thing in your routine before any toner or moisturizer. Follow the usual steps for your AM or PM daily routine.
  • Gently massage the cleanser onto your face using soft circular motions. Avoid harsh rubbing to protect your dry skin.
  • Apply the cleanser to slightly damp skin to help it clean gently without stripping moisture. This method is very safe for sensitive and dry skin types.
  • Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water and avoid the delicate eye area. Always do a patch test before using the product for the first time.

People Say

★4.7Overall rating based on 900+ reviews

This gel-based cleanser is highly praised for its gentle, non-stripping formula that effectively removes makeup while leaving skin feeling soft and hydrated. While many users with sensitive skin find it suitable due to ingredients like hyaluronic acid and ceramides, a small number report experiencing stinging or disliking the distinct fragrance.

Highlights

  • Hydrating and softening Mostly Mentioned
    • “Leaves skin feeling hydrated, soft and comfortable”
    • “Makes my skin so soft and hydrated”
    • “Skin feels smooth and has a beautiful glow”
  • Gentle and non-stripping Often Mentioned
    • “Never stripped my skin or made it feel tight”
    • “Feels super gentle, takes off leftover makeup”
    • “Cleans without over drying your skin”
  • Great value Often Mentioned
    • “Simple, affordable, and great for everyday use”
    • “Great product without costing a fortune”
  • Effective makeup remover Sometimes Noted
    • “Effective at taking off all my makeup”
    • “Removes makeup so well”
    • “Does an amazing job of removing my (even waterproof) makeup”
  • Good for sensitive skin Sometimes Noted
    • “Great for sensitive skin”
    • “Works well for my sensitive and combination skin”
    • “It didn't sting my skin which quite a lot of cleansers do”
  • Strong scent Sometimes Noted
    • “Smells exactly like hair dye”
    • “Fragrance is rather strong”
    • “Scent is pretty overwhelming”
  • Irritation reported Rarely Noted
    • “Sometimes it stings right here or here”
    • “Experienced dryness and itching”
    • “Caused burning for sensitive skin”
  • Not hydrating enough Rarely Noted
    • “Experienced dryness”
    • “Left skin feeling tight”
    • “Not as rich as expected”
  • Packaging issues Rarely Noted
    • “Package design is a point of frustration”
    • “Hard to get product out”
    • “Tube packing is decent since I prefer pump bottles”

Sources: lovi.care, walmart.com, influenster.com, target.com, ulta.com, reddit.com, and more

Questions and answers

What makes e.l.f. Holy Hydration! Daily Cleanser a great fit for dry sensitive skin?

This cleanser is a great fit because decyl glucoside and cocamidopropyl betaine clean your face without stripping moisture, while glycerin and sodium hyaluronate draw in hydration and ceramides help repair your skin barrier. The gentle formula also includes peptides to keep your skin soft and comfortable.

Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for dry sensitive skin?

Decyl glucoside and cocamidopropyl betaine clean your skin without stripping away moisture, while glycerin and sodium hyaluronate bring in essential hydration. Ceramides help repair the skin barrier, and peptides condition the skin to keep it comfortable.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

What does Hyaluronic Acid do for dry sensitive skin?

Hyaluronic acid is a great fit for dry, sensitive skin because it brings a large boost in hydration, making the skin feel soft and smooth while improving barrier function. It helps calm tightness and dryness, and is unlikely to cause irritation.

Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2011Dermatology and Therapy, 2021

What do Ceramides do for dry sensitive skin?

Ceramides help strengthen dry, sensitive skin by locking in moisture and repairing the outer barrier, which makes skin feel softer and less irritated. This type of care helps prevent dryness and keeps skin calm and comfortable.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2022Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025

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

This cleanser fits into both your morning and evening routines as the first step after removing makeup in the evening. It gently cleans without stripping your skin while providing essential hydration and supporting barrier repair.

The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022

Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?

Yes, you can use this cleanser with retinol, using it before your retinol step to gently wash your face without stripping moisture. Using cleansers with ceramides and hydrating ingredients helps support your skin barrier and is unlikely to cause irritation when paired with active treatments.

Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023

How often should I use this cleanser?

You can use this cleanser daily in the morning and evening as part of your routine. Using a gentle cleanser helps clean your skin without stripping away essential moisture.

The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022

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

This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for dry sensitive skin because it uses gentle cleansers that wash away dirt without leaving heavy residues. It also features a soothing, lightweight formula that respects your skin barrier and keeps irritation low.

Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?

Yes, you can use this cleanser on your body and around the eyes because its gentle ingredients clean without stripping natural moisture. It is unlikely to irritate because it features soothing agents and ceramides that support barrier repair while you wash.

Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

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

What the research says

  • 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
  • A multi-modal methodology combining MALDI-MSI, in vivo RCM, echography, and histology revealed age-related decreases in extracellular matrix and epidermal-dermal junction proteins and undulation depth, while a blend of palmitoyl oligopeptide and palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 improved subepidermal low-echogenic band thickness, density, and extracellular matrix structure compared to placebo.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2015
  • Topical application of 0.1% hyaluronic acid formulations of different molecular weights led to significant improvements in skin hydration and elasticity, with low-molecular-weight formulations also significantly reducing wrinkle depth in seventy-six female subjects compared to a vehicle control.

    Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2011
  • Topical application of hyaluronic acid in conjunction with free gingival graft significantly reduced donor site postoperative pain until day 7 compared to normal saline, with no significant differences in graft dimensions or patient satisfaction.

    Clinical Oral Investigations, 2022
  • Treatment with a hyaluronic acid-containing mouth rinse or topical gel led to significant lesion reduction, pain relief, and normalization of lesion color in adult patients with minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis, with the gel formulation showing an earlier healing onset at 3 days.

    BMC Oral Health, 2019
  • Chronomodulated daytime application of baicalin and nighttime application of palmitoyl tripeptide-1 synergistically improved skin luminance by 16.29%, nasolabial fold depth by -36.35%, and firmness by 24.35% in 30 female participants.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026
  • Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, acetyl hexapeptide-8, palmitoyl tripeptide-1, and palmitoyl tetrapeptide-10 significantly increased type III collagen levels in human dermal fibroblasts following UV exposure, with their combination demonstrating a greater effect in vitro and enhancing type I, III, and IV collagen levels in ex vivo skin tissues compared to individual components.

    International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2026
  • 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
  • Niacinamide/glycerin body moisturizers provided better rapid and prolonged improvement of cosmetic xerosis through functional improvement of stratum corneum barrier function compared to no treatment and conventional moisturizers in female subjects.

    Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2012

Ingredients

Water, Decyl Glucoside, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycerin, Sodium Chloride, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Ceramide Np, Ceramide Ap, Ceramide Eop, Sodium Hyaluronate, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Propanediol, Xanthan Gum, Acrylates Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer, Hydroxyacetophenone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Disodium Edta, Citric Acid, Tromethamine, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Carbomer, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Polysorbate 20

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.

How does it fit your skin?

Scan your face, then any product.

Buy online

Prices checked 6 Nov 2026

The Lovi Fit is the same in every country; only the stores and prices differ, and the ones here are for Germany.

How does it fit your skin?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.