Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser for dry sensitive skin
Glycerin
Caprylyl Glycol
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Lauryl Glucoside
Vitamin B5
High
- HighDry Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
A great choice for dry sensitive skin; a few cleansers fit it even better.
- Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
- International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2014
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
- Highly suitable for your dry, sensitive skin as glycerin and cocamidopropyl betaine provide effective cleansing and hydration without stripping natural moisture.
- The formula's gentle surfactants and humectants ensure a comfortable experience, addressing your dry or flaky skin concerns.
- This product is safe for your skin, featuring a formula free from harsh ingredients and enriched with soothing components.
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
★4.4Overall rating based on 3.5k+ reviewsMost users appreciate the soft, moisturized feel post-wash. A small number of users reported experiencing irritation or a burning sensation, particularly with the foaming version.
Highlights
Gentle and non-stripping Mostly Mentioned
- “leaves skin soft and balanced”
- “doesn't dry out my sensitive skin”
- “no tight feeling after washing”
- “cleans without stripping moisture”
Fragrance-free formula Often Mentioned
- “love that it has no scent”
- “great for fragrance sensitivity”
- “truly odorless”
- “no strong perfume smell”
Good for sensitive skin Often Mentioned
- “calms my acne prone skin”
- “no irritation or redness”
Effective daily cleansing Sometimes Noted
- “removes daily grime well”
- “rinses clean without residue”
- “good morning cleanser”
- “keeps skin clear”
Poor makeup removal Sometimes Noted
- “doesn't remove mascara”
- “need a separate makeup remover”
- “struggles with foundation”
- “too gentle for heavy makeup”
Causes burning Rarely Noted
- “stings my eyes badly”
- “burned my face immediately”
- “skin felt on fire”
- “caused a chemical burn feeling”
Chemical smell Rarely Noted
- “has a weird plastic smell”
- “smells like chemicals”
- “odd scent for fragrance-free”
- “smells like glue”
Watery texture Rarely Noted
- “formula is too runny”
- “slips right off my hand”
- “doesn't foam up enough”
- “feels watered down”
Sources: lovi.care, amazon.com, walmart.com, target.com, ulta.com, neutrogena.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser a great fit for dry sensitive skin?
Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser is a great fit because glycerin and cocamidopropyl betaine clean effectively while helping keep your skin hydrated and comfortable without stripping away its natural moisture. Its gentle ingredients and soothing formula are unlikely to irritate dry or flaky skin.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for dry sensitive skin?
Glycerin and cocamidopropyl betaine make this cleanser a great fit because they provide effective cleansing and hydration without stripping natural moisture. The formula's gentle surfactants and humectants help ensure a comfortable experience while addressing dry or flaky skin concerns.
What does Glycerin do for dry sensitive skin?
Glycerin helps dry sensitive skin by drawing moisture into the skin and keeping it there, making the skin soft and smooth. It is very gentle and unlikely to cause irritation while improving how well the skin holds onto water. This type of skin needs ingredients that boost hydration and repair the barrier without causing stinging.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017The British Journal of Dermatology, 2008
What does Caprylyl Glycol do for dry sensitive skin?
Caprylyl glycol helps keep dry, sensitive skin feeling soft and smooth by holding moisture in. It is very gentle, and tests show it is unlikely to cause skin irritation or allergic reactions.
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for dry sensitive skin?
This cleanser goes as the first step in your morning routine and follows your makeup remover in the evening. Using a mild cleanser like this helps improve dryness and keeps skin comfortable without stripping away natural moisture.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cleanser in your routine alongside retinol, applying it first to clean your skin gently before your retinol treatment. This cleanser helps wash away impurities while maintaining your skin's moisture, making it less likely that your skin will feel dry or irritated.
How often should I use this cleanser?
This cleanser is a great fit for your dry, sensitive skin and can be used daily in both your morning and evening routines. Its gentle cleansers and hydrators help wash away dirt while keeping your natural moisture intact and leaving your skin feeling comfortable.
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. Its gentle ingredients cleanse without leaving a heavy film that traps debris, and it helps keep skin calm and comfortable.
Cutaneous and Ocular Toxicology, 2009International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2014
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 effectively without taking away natural moisture. The formula is safe for delicate areas, providing a comfortable experience for dry and flaky skin.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
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, 2017Formulating sodium laureth sulphate with sodium laureth carboxylate and lauryl glucoside prevented significant decreases in cutaneous capacitance and reduced erythema and dryness in healthy volunteers compared to unsupplemented sodium laureth sulphate.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2014A preservative system containing 1,2-hexanediol and caprylyl glycol showed no delayed Type IV dermal sensitivity reactions in 200 subjects when tested as a 15% mixture in carbomer gel and in a cosmetic formulation.
Cutaneous and Ocular Toxicology, 2009A panthenol-enriched mask significantly decreased erythema and hyperpigmentation, increased sebum and stratum corneum moisture, and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to a saline dressing in 60 subjects undergoing facial laser treatment.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025The 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, 2001Niacinamide/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, 2012The 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, 2003Moisturizer 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, 2019Panthenyl triacetate (PTA) demonstrated skin de-acetylation into panthenol, stimulated energetic and synthesis metabolic pathways, and achieved a statistically significant improvement in wound healing after 72 hours compared to saline treatment in human volunteers, outperforming panthenol in long-lasting wound healing action.
Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2012A comprehensive topical regimen incorporating niacinamide, Pro-Xylane, and panthenol following PicoWay laser treatment decreased transepidermal water loss, increased hydration and skin elasticity, reduced wrinkles and redness, and improved skin tone in 88 Chinese females compared to a standard care control group.
Lasers in Medical Science, 2026
Ingredients
Water, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Lauryl Glucoside, Potassium Acrylates Copolymer, Peg-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Disodium Lauroamphodiacetate, Sodium Cocoyl Sarcosinate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide
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?
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