🇩🇪Germany

Neutrogena deep clean for oily skin

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

Neutrogena deep clean

Average

  • HighOily Skin Fit
  • AverageEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

Works for oily skin; other cleansers fit it 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

  • Offers moderate cleansing for your oily skin, as salicylic acid helps exfoliate and decongest the pores while glycerin provides humectant action.
  • The formulation is highly suitable for oily skin due to salicylic acid's keratolytic properties, aiding in managing oiliness and acne.
  • The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation for your oily skin due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.

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

★4.3Overall rating based on 15.5k+ reviews

Based on a very large amount of data, this cleanser is highly effective at removing dirt, oil, and makeup, making it a popular choice for normal to oily and acne-prone skin types. However, a significant number of users with sensitive or dry skin report that it can be overly stripping, leading to dryness and irritation.

Highlights

  • Deeply cleanses skin Mostly Mentioned
    • “thoroughly removes dirt, oil and dead skin cells”
    • “cleans very well, even make up”
    • “leaves your skin feeling soft, clean and fresh”
    • “removes external impurities and opens up clogged pores”
  • Controls excess oil Often Mentioned
    • “keeps my skin relieved of all the greasiness”
    • “reduces oiliness on my face”
    • “keeps a check on greasiness”
    • “controls shine”
  • Dries out skin Often Mentioned
    • “my skin feels dry after using this”
    • “stretches my skin and make it deficient of moisture”
    • “can leave drier complexions feeling tight”
    • “made my face look dull due to extra dryness”
  • Prevents acne breakouts Sometimes Noted
    • “makes my skin safe from acnes”
    • “cleanses without irritation or breakouts”
    • “acne-fighting properties have proven effective in preventing breakouts”
    • “It didn't break me out”
  • Removes makeup effectively Sometimes Noted
    • “Removes makeup and oil completely”
    • “Removes my makeup well”
    • “cleans very well, even make up”
    • “Effective makeup removal”
  • Irritates sensitive skin Sometimes Noted
    • “experienced a burning sensation on sensitive areas”
    • “nose would often have red marks and feel irritated”
    • “harsh on my skin”
    • “fragrance, dyes, and stripping potential make it a poor fit”
  • Contains artificial ingredients Rarely Noted
    • “contains fragrance... plus Yellow 5 and Red 40 dyes”
    • “added fragrance and dyes may irritate”
    • “I don't like to smell too much fragrance”
    • “fragrance, dyes... make it a poor fit”

Sources: lovi.care, neutrogena.com, walmart.ca, citymarket.com, purplle.com, tryandreview.com, and more

Questions and answers

How well does Neutrogena Deep Clean work for oily skin?

Neutrogena Deep Clean works moderately well for oily skin because salicylic acid helps clear out pores and glycerin keeps the skin balanced. It is unlikely to cause irritation, but a cleanser for this skin type needs ingredients like niacinamide and ceramides to better manage oily shine and support skin health.

BioMed Research International, 2020Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for oily skin?

Salicylic acid and glycerin make this cleanser a good fit for oily skin because salicylic acid helps clear out pores and manage oiliness, while glycerin provides moisture without causing irritation. Oily skin of this type needs a cleanser that manages shine and supports skin health with ingredients like Niacinamide and Ceramides, and gentle cleansing agents that do not strip away natural moisture.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024BioMed Research International, 2020

What does Water do for oily skin?

Water helps keep oily skin hydrated without adding grease or clogging pores. Keeping oily skin properly hydrated may also help balance oil production and reduce unwanted shine.

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

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

This cleanser goes in the morning and evening routine for oily skin. Oily skin works best with cleansers containing salicylic acid to help clear out pores and manage oiliness.

BioMed Research International, 2020Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

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

You can use this cleanser with retinol, but to keep your skin from getting too dry or irritated, it helps to apply your retinol afterward and follow up with a gentle moisturizer. Oily skin works best with cleansers that clear out pores while keeping the skin calm and balanced with hydrating ingredients.

How often should I use this cleanser?

You can use this cleanser daily in your morning and evening routines. It helps manage oiliness and clear pores with salicylic acid while being unlikely to cause irritation.

BioMed Research International, 2020Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

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

This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for oily skin, as salicylic acid helps clear out pores and manage oiliness. However, because it can dry out skin, an oily skin type needs a gentle hydrator or oil-free moisturizer to keep skin soft and balanced.

BioMed Research International, 2020Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

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

You can use this cleanser on your body, but it is best to avoid the thin skin around your eyes. A cleanser for your oily skin needs ingredients like salicylic acid to help clear pores and manage oiliness without causing irritation.

Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 2002BioMed Research International, 2020

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, 2020

  • Twice 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, 2024

  • The 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, 2023

  • 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

  • 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

  • The cytotoxic effect of sodium lauryl sulphate on normal human keratinocytes was significantly decreased when combined with cocamidopropyl betaine, Tween 20, and Tween 80 at concentrations well below the critical micelle concentration.

    Skin Pharmacology and Applied Skin Physiology, 2003

Ingredients

Water, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Chloride, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium Edta, Dmdm Hydantoin

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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Prices checked 4 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?

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