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Erborian Black Cleansing Oil for dry sensitive skin

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

Erborian Black Cleansing Oil

Average

  • AverageDry Skin Fit
  • AverageEffectiveness
  • ExcellentSafety

Works for dry sensitive skin; other pre-cleansers fit it 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

  • Offers moderate suitability for your dry skin as glycerin and betaine provide humectant action, while Centella Asiatica Extract and Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract offer soothing benefits for your sensitivity.
  • The presence of charcoal powder aids in cleansing pores, which is beneficial for general skin health, but the formula lacks sufficient emollient ingredients like Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil to fully address your dryness.
  • The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the inclusion of soothing components.

How to apply

  • Use your makeup remover PM as the first step of your evening routine. Start 3×/week daily use if your dry skin tolerates it well.
  • Apply this makeup remover before your regular cleanser, toner, and moisturizer. It prepares your face for a thorough double-cleansing routine.
  • Gently press a small amount onto your skin using a soft cotton pad. Avoid rubbing to protect your sensitive and flaky skin.
  • Apply the makeup remover on completely dry skin to ensure better tolerance and comfort. This prevents any extra irritation for reactive skin types.
  • Avoid the sensitive eye area and do a patch test before your very first use to prevent irritation.

People Say

★4.2Overall rating based on 100+ reviews

Based on limited data, this charcoal-infused cleansing oil is generally praised by users with oily or combination skin for its purifying properties and ability to dissolve stubborn makeup without leaving a greasy residue. A significant minority of users report that the formula can be irritating to the eyes and has a thinner, more watery consistency than traditional oils, which some find difficult to work with.

Highlights

  • Effective makeup removal Often Mentioned
    • “Dissolves stubborn waterproof makeup”
    • “removes everything in one go”
    • “melts away foundation instantly”
  • Purifying, non-greasy Often Mentioned
    • “Leaves skin squeaky clean”
    • “no greasy film left”
    • “pores look smaller and cleaner”
  • Good for oily skin Sometimes Noted
    • “Great for my oily skin”
    • “helps with excess sebum”
    • “doesn't clog my pores”
  • Pleasant texture Sometimes Noted
    • “Silky texture”
    • “transforms into light emulsion”
    • “rinses off very easily”
  • Eye irritation Sometimes Noted
    • “Stings my eyes badly”
    • “leaves a blurry film”
    • “irritated my eyes for hours”
  • Strong scent Rarely Noted
    • “Strong piney smell”
    • “scent is too intense”
    • “smells like men's cologne”
  • Watery consistency Rarely Noted
    • “Too runny to apply”
    • “feels like liquid soap”
    • “turns into a paste, not oil”

Sources: lovi.care, influenster.com, lookfantastic.com, bellanoirbeauty.com, beautyqueenuk.co.uk, walmart.com, and more

Questions and answers

How well does Erborian Black Cleansing Oil work for dry sensitive skin?

This cleansing oil works moderately well for dry sensitive skin, as it cleanses pores while soothing and calming sensitivity without causing irritation. However, it lacks enough rich moisturizing oils to fully address dry skin, which needs plenty of deep hydration and nourishing emollients to keep skin soft and smooth.

Skin Research and Technology, 2003Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016

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

Glycerin and betaine help hold moisture in the skin, while centella asiatica extract and chamomile flower extract calm sensitivity. A makeup remover for dry sensitive skin needs rich hydrating ingredients and nourishing oils to fully address dryness.

Skin Research and Technology, 2003Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016

What does Activated Charcoal do for dry sensitive skin?

Activated charcoal helps draw out impurities and excess oil from the skin. However, for dry sensitive skin, it can sometimes be too stripping, so this skin type needs gentle cleansers paired with ingredients that rebuild moisture and calm irritation.

What does Centella Asiatica Extract do for dry sensitive skin?

Centella asiatica extract helps calm dry sensitive skin by reducing irritation and improving moisture while protecting the skin barrier. Clinical studies show that regular use noticeably decreases redness and discomfort while keeping the skin soft and hydrated.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016

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

This makeup remover goes in the evening routine before your cleanser, or as a weekly step before cleansing. To properly care for dry skin, a product of this type needs rich smoothing and softening ingredients to keep your skin comfortable and hydrated.

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

You can use this makeup remover in your routine, but dry skin needs a product that includes plenty of rich, softening ingredients to properly protect against dryness.

How often should I use this cleanser?

This makeup remover works for your dry sensitive skin in your evening routine and weekly routine. It is unlikely to cause irritation due to soothing ingredients like Centella Asiatica Extract and Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, but this skin type needs extra nourishing oils to fully address dryness.

Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016Skin Research and Technology, 2003

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

This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores, cause breakouts, or trigger purging on your dry sensitive skin. Its safety profile is very good with no harsh ingredients, though a cleanser for this skin needs more softening and smoothing oils to fully care for dryness.

Skin Research and Technology, 2003

Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.

What the research says

  • Cosmetic formulations containing 5% Centella asiatica extract showed the best efficacy in improving skin moisture and decreasing transepidermal water loss, while also exhibiting antiinflammatory properties in 25 volunteers compared to baseline measurements.

    Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016

  • Soaps containing betaine caused the least skin irritation compared to other tested soaps in twenty-eight healthy subjects, though irritation did not decrease with increasing concentrations of betaine.

    Skin Research and Technology, 2003

  • A combination of Aloe barbadensis leaf extract and trimethylglycine in a 1:1 mass ratio synergistically increased aquaporin 3 expression by up to 380% in keratinocytes and safely improved skin hydration in healthy volunteers.

    Molecules, 2024

  • Soap-and-water wash and superactive charcoal paste applied topically at various times after T-2 toxin exposure effectively reduced skin lesion severity in swine compared to untreated controls.

    Fundamental and Applied Toxicology, 1989

  • Topical application of 0.05% w/w ECa 233 gel reduced erythema index by 0.03 U and improved early crusting and general wound appearance compared to placebo in thirty individuals undergoing facial laser resurfacing.

    Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2020

  • 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

  • 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

  • Combining 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, 2015

  • Licochalcone 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, 2015

  • Bioactive 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

  • 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

  • Motor baicalin encapsulated in bio-vesicles enhanced water solubility, stability, transdermal penetration, antioxidant activity, and clinical skin antiaging efficacy compared to liposome baicalin and baicalin raw material.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025

  • A nighttime topical antioxidant containing resveratrol, baicalin, and vitamin E significantly improved fine lines, wrinkles, firmness, elasticity, laxity, hyperpigmentation, radiance, roughness, and dermal thickness in subjects with mild to moderately photodamaged skin over 12 weeks.

    Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2014

  • Glycyrrhizin micellar nanocarriers significantly improved topical penetration and follicular accumulation of baicalin in porcine skin, enhanced human dermal papilla cell proliferation, and promoted hair recovery through Wnt/β-catenin pathway activation and upregulation of VEGF, α-MSH, and IL-10.

    International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 2022

Why other pre-cleansers fit dry sensitive skin better

  • Camellia japonica oil activated the human COL1A2 promoter, induced type I procollagen synthesis, inhibited matrix metalloproteinase-1 activity, and reduced trans-epidermal water loss without inducing adverse reactions in human skin.

    Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2007

  • Topical formulation containing beeswax-based nanoparticles decreased transepidermal water loss and increased stratum corneum water content after 28 days of treatment.

    AAPS PharmSciTech, 2017

Ingredients

Water, Glycerin, Coco-Betaine, Sodium Cocoyl Amino Acids, Lauric Acid, Acrylates Copolymer, Betaine, Butylene Glycol, Charcoal Powder, Centella Asiatica Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract Licorice Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Rosaminus Officinalis Leaf Extract Rosemary Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract Matricaria Flower Extract, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Potassium Hydroxide, Sodium Chloride, Polyquaternium-7, Hexylene Glycol, Hydroxypropyl Phosphate Starch, Phenoxyethanol, Ppg-26-Buteth-26, Disodium Edta, Tetrasodium Edta, Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Benzoate, Capric Acid, Myristic Acid

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?

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