SHANI DARDEN Cleansing Serum for combination skin
Sodium Hyaluronate
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract Oat Kernel Extract
Olea Europaea Leaf Extract Olive Leaf Extract
Cichorium Intybus Leaf Extract
GlycerinHigh
- HighCombination Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
A great choice for combination skin; a few cleansers fit it even better.
- Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
- Skin Pharmacology and Applied Skin Physiology, 2002
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with combination skin: an oily T-zone, enlarged pores, and dry cheeks. 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 combination skin as glycerin and sodium hyaluronate provide humectant action, balancing your skin's needs without causing dryness or excess oil.
- The cleansing agents C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate and Caprylyl Capryl Glucoside offer moderate cleansing and oil control, addressing your oily shine.
- The formula is safe for your combination skin, with oat kernel extract and olive leaf extract providing soothing benefits and no risk of irritation.
How to apply
- Use this cleanser AM and PM as part of your daily routine. Start 3×/week and build up to daily use if your skin tolerates it well.
- Apply this cleanser as the very first step in your morning routine and right after your pre-cleanser in the evening.
- Gently massage a small amount of cleanser onto your skin using circular motions. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water.
- For the best results , apply the cleanser directly onto slightly damp skin to help lift away excess oil.
- Avoid the immediate eye area and do a patch test before your first use to check for any sensitivity.
People Say
★4.6Overall rating based on 100+ reviewsBased on limited data, this serum-to-foam cleanser is highly rated for its ability to cleanse without stripping, leaving skin feeling plump and hydrated, particularly for those with normal, dry, and sensitive skin. Users appreciate its luxurious texture and gentle, soothing properties. Some users with oily skin or those who wear heavy makeup find it too gentle for effective standalone cleansing, often requiring a double cleanse.
Highlights
Non-stripping, hydrating Mostly Mentioned
- “doesn't leave a tight feeling”
- “skin is not at all dry”
- “leaves skin glowing”
- “hydrates and plumps”
Luxurious texture Often Mentioned
- “serum-like texture”
- “silky soft”
- “lathers up well”
- “glides on skin”
Gentle, soothing Sometimes Noted
- “so gentle and inoffensive”
- “no irritation”
- “calms redness”
- “good for sensitive skin”
Weak makeup removal Sometimes Noted
- “does little for makeup removal”
- “struggles with mascara”
- “need a second cleanse”
- “left residue”
Pleasant scent Rarely Noted
- “smells terrific”
- “light sweet floral scent”
- “clean smell”
- “not overpowering”
High price point Rarely Noted
- “paying for the name”
- “expensive for a cleanser”
- “wouldn't purchase again”
- “average for the price”
Not for oily Rarely Noted
- “not good for oily skin”
- “didn't feel clean enough”
- “average cleanser”
- “too gentle”
Packaging issues Rarely Noted
- “packaging is heavy”
- “not travel friendly”
- “pump issues”
- “hard to transport”
Sources: lovi.care, influenster.com, cultbeauty.co.uk, sephora.com, revolve.com, reddit.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes Shani Darden Cleansing Serum a great fit for combination skin?
Shani Darden Cleansing Serum is a great fit because glycerin and sodium hyaluronate balance your skin without causing dryness or excess oil. Its cleansing agents control oily shine, while oat kernel extract and olive leaf extract help calm the skin with no risk of irritation.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Skin Pharmacology and Applied Skin Physiology, 2002
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for combination skin?
Glycerin and sodium hyaluronate balance your skin by providing moisture without adding excess oil, while C14-16 olefin sulfonate and caprylyl capryl glucoside manage oily shine. Additionally, oat kernel extract and olive leaf extract help soothe your skin with little risk of irritation.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Skin Pharmacology and Applied Skin Physiology, 2002
What does Hyaluronic Acid do for combination skin?
Hyaluronic acid is a great fit for combination skin because it quenches dry areas with a boost of hydration while keeping oily zones balanced. Regular use helps smooth out fine lines and makes your skin feel soft and plump without causing irritation.
Dermatology and Therapy, 2021Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2011
What does Avena Sativa Kernel Extract do for combination skin?
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract helps calm and soothe combination skin while supporting moisture and skin barrier health. It is unlikely to cause irritation and may improve dry areas while keeping the skin balanced.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2016Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2015
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for combination skin?
This cleanser goes first in your morning routine, and after a makeup remover in your evening and weekly routines. It helps clean your skin and control oil without causing dryness, while oat kernel extract and olive leaf extract soothe your skin with no risk of irritation.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cleanser with retinol by using it before your retinol treatment in your evening routine. Using a gentle cleanser helps keep your skin calm and balanced while you use stronger treatments.
How often should I use this cleanser?
You can use this cleanser twice a day in your morning and evening routines. Using a gentle cleanser regularly helps maintain skin balance without causing dryness or excess oil.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for combination skin?
This cleanser is a great fit for combination skin and is unlikely to cause breakouts or clog pores. Ingredients like glycerin and sodium hyaluronate balance your skin without feeling heavy, while oat kernel extract helps soothe irritation.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Skin Pharmacology and Applied Skin Physiology, 2002
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
You can use this cleanser on your body, but you should use caution around the thin skin of your eyes. Glycerin and sodium hyaluronate help keep skin hydrated, while oat kernel extract and olive leaf extract help soothe irritation.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Skin Pharmacology and Applied Skin Physiology, 2002
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, 2017Topically applied Avena sativa and Avena Rhealba oatmeal extracts significantly reduced skin irritation parameters including a* parameter increase and blood flow increase compared to vehicle in 12 healthy individuals subjected to the sodium lauryl sulfate irritation model.
Skin Pharmacology and Applied Skin Physiology, 2002Colloidal oat extracts diminished pro-inflammatory cytokines in vitro and colloidal oat lotion improved skin dryness, scaling, roughness, and itch intensity in healthy female subjects compared to baseline.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2015A multiple W/O/W emulsion containing Rosmarinus officinalis L., Avena sativa L., and Linum usitatissimum L. extracts showed no irritant, phototoxic, inflammatory, or allergenic potential in human skin models and patch tests, establishing its safety as a cosmetic base.
Pharmaceutics, 2021Topical 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, 2011Topical 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, 2022Treatment 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, 2019A repair cream containing Rhealba oat plantlets extract, l-ALA-l-GLU dipeptide, and hyaluronic acid provided immediate relief and was judged by doctors as good or very good in 96.8% of cases for wound healing in 2,363 patients following dermatological acts.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2018Colloidal oat increased the growth rate, metabolism, and lactic acid production of Staphylococcus epidermidis compared to Staphylococcus aureus in vitro, matching clinical increases in lactic acid on dry skin after 6 weeks of lotion use.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2021A dermocosmetic product containing oat plantlet sap and Garcinia mangostana extract reduced retentional and inflammatory acne lesions by 21% and 35% respectively after 2 months in 54 subjects with mild-to-moderate acne.
Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2024Topical herbal treatments including lemon balm, olive leaf extract, propolis, and sage-rhubarb cream reduce pain, swelling, lesion size, and healing time in patients with herpes labialis compared with placebo or acyclovir.
Journal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine, 2025Topical oleuropein formulations reduced erythema, transepidermal water loss, and blood flow by approximately 22%, 35%, and 30% in healthy volunteers with UVB-induced erythema.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2008An oil-in-serum formulation containing olive extract standardized in hydroxytyrosol improved skin barrier function and significantly reduced hyperpigmentation in participants with post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation after 45 days of application.
AAPS PharmSciTech, 2026Cichorium intybus extract leads to smooth skin and positive excitement in treated subjects, evokes positive emotions in a person caressing them, and induces Staphylococcus epidermidis to secrete bioactive post-biotics that promote neurotransmitter release.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2026Spirulina, Palmaria palmata, Cichorium intybus, and Medicago sativa extracts alone or combined present no in vitro toxicity or irritant potential, and provoke no skin barrier alteration or irritation in twenty human subjects.
Cutaneous and Ocular Toxicology, 2019The 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, 2012
Ingredients
C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Peg-16 Macadamia Glycerides, Caprylyl Capryl Glucoside, Glycerin, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Propanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cichorium Intybus Leaf Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract Oat Kernel Extract, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract Olive Leaf Extract, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium Chloride, Xanthan Gum, Phenethyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Butylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Hexylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol
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.
-
Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
-
Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
-
Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
-
Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
-
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
-
Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
-
Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
-
Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
How does it fit your skin?
Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.