Clean It Zero Pore Clarifying Cleansing Balm for dry skin
Tri-Peel Acid
Shea Butter
Coconut Oil
Vitamin E
Average
- AverageDry Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- Low RiskSafety
Works for dry skin; other pre-cleansers fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dry skin: flakiness, tightness, dehydration, 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 exfoliation and cleansing for your dry skin due to Tri-Peel Acid, which helps to clear pores and remove makeup effectively.
- Glycerin and coconut oil provide some hydration and nourishment, but the formula lacks sufficient emollient and occlusive ingredients to fully address your dry or flaky skin concerns.
- The product is generally safe for your dry skin, though the Tri-Peel Acid may pose a slight risk of irritation.
How to apply
- Use this makeup remover in your PM routine every evening to gently clean your face. Always pair with a gentle cleanser afterward.
- Apply this makeup remover as a pre-cleanser step before using your regular cleanser and moisturizer.
- Gently wipe a small amount of makeup remover across your face using a soft cotton pad. Avoid any harsh rubbing on dry or flaky skin.
- Apply the makeup remover directly onto dry skin to easily dissolve makeup without stripping your natural moisture. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water.
- Avoid direct contact with your eyes and do a patch test before first use. Discontinue use if irritation occurs.
People Say
★4.7Overall rating based on 1.2k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this cleansing balm is highly effective at melting away waterproof makeup and clearing congested pores, leaving skin feeling cleansed and balanced without stripping moisture. While most users appreciate its texture and gentleness around the eyes, a moderate number find the medicinal scent off-putting, and a low number report experiencing breakouts or eye blurriness.
Highlights
Effective makeup removal Mostly Mentioned
- “melts waterproof mascara”
- “dissolves stubborn makeup”
- “removes heavy foundation”
- “cleanses sunscreen”
- “effortless removal”
Non-stripping finish Often Mentioned
- “leaves skin soft”
- “feels hydrated”
- “no tight feeling”
- “balances oil production”
- “refreshing finish”
Pore clarifying Often Mentioned
- “clears congested pores”
- “reduces blackheads”
- “smooths skin texture”
- “minimizes pore appearance”
- “removes sebaceous filaments”
Gentle on eyes Sometimes Noted
- “doesn't sting eyes”
- “removes eye makeup gently”
- “no irritation”
- “safe for lashes”
- “non-burning”
Pleasant texture Sometimes Noted
- “sherbet-like consistency”
- “melts into oil”
- “lightweight feel”
- “emulsifies easily”
- “glides smoothly”
Eye blurriness Sometimes Noted
- “causes foggy vision”
- “cloudy eyes”
- “film on eyes”
- “blurs vision temporarily”
- “oil in eyes”
Strong scent Sometimes Noted
- “medicinal tea tree smell”
- “chemical odor”
- “overpowering fragrance”
- “unpleasant scent”
- “smells like herbs”
Price vs. quantity Rarely Noted
- “expensive for size”
- “runs out quickly”
- “small jar”
- “pricey daily cleanser”
- “less product than expected”
Skin reactions Rarely Noted
- “caused breakouts”
- “tiny red bumps”
- “cystic acne”
- “clogged pores”
- “skin irritation”
Sources: lovi.care, iherb.com, ulta.com, sokoglam.com, hikoco.co.nz, skinsort.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Banila Co Pore Clarifying Cleansing Balm work for dry skin?
This cleansing balm works reasonably well for your dry skin by clearing pores and removing makeup with Tri-Peel Acid, while glycerin and coconut oil offer some hydration, though the Tri-Peel Acid may pose a slight risk of irritation. Because this is only an average fit, dry skin needs products with multiple types of hyaluronic acid and a rich blend of nourishing oils or heavy-duty smoothing and sealing ingredients that lock in moisture and soothe flakiness without any risk of irritation.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for dry skin?
Glycerin and coconut oil provide hydration and nourishment to help clear pores and remove makeup on dry skin. To truly keep dry skin soft and smooth, a cleanser of this type needs a rich blend of multiple hydrating ingredients, rich nourishing oils, and protective moisturizers.
What does Tri-Peel Acid do for dry skin?
Tri-Peel Acid helps smooth dry skin by gently clearing away flaky buildup. Because strong acids can sometimes cause irritation on dry skin, it works best when paired with a rich moisturizer to keep your face feeling soft and comfortable.
What does Shea Butter do for dry skin?
Shea butter helps dry skin feel soft and smooth by protecting the skin barrier and keeping moisture locked in. It is very safe for regular use and is unlikely to cause irritation when applied to dry or sensitive areas.
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for dry skin?
This makeup remover goes in your evening routine before your cleanser, while dry skin needs extra rich soothing creams and rich oils to lock in moisture and ease flaking.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this makeup remover in your evening routine before your cleanser, but because it exfoliates dry skin, the acid inside may cause mild irritation when paired with retinol. To properly care for dry skin, a product of this type needs richer smoothing ingredients and protective barriers to lock in moisture and prevent flaking.
How often should I use this cleanser?
You can use this makeup remover in your evening routine, but since it has exfoliating acids that may cause irritation on dry skin, start by using it just once a week. If your skin feels comfortable and handles it well, you can carefully use it more often.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry skin?
This cleanser may occasionally cause breakouts or irritation on dry skin due to its exfoliating ingredients and coconut oil, though it generally clears pores well. A product for this skin needs rich hydrating and softening ingredients to prevent clogged pores and flaking.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
A combination cream of stimu-tex AS and saccharide isomerate reduced erythema, increased skin capacitance, and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to placebo in 20 subjects after fractional CO2 laser procedure without causing serious adverse events.
Lasers in Medical Science, 2025A skin barrier restoring cream with shea butter, silkflo, and vitamin E increased type I procollagen synthesis, enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity, decreased reactive oxygen species generation, and promoted hyaluronic acid production in H2O2-stimulated human keratinocyte cells compared to untreated cells.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2025Overnight virgin coconut oil application provides a skin protective effect against damage and increased TEWL from frequent alcohol-based hand sanitizer usage in 60 volunteers, resulting in a 25% increase in perceived moisture content compared to the control group.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Topical application of an antioxidant serum containing 15% ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid, and 1% tocopherol prevented particulate matter-induced degradation of extracellular matrix components, inflammation, and oxidative stress in the skin of 15 female volunteers compared to untreated controls.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025Dermatological products containing d-alpha tocopheryl acetate showed non-comedogenic potential with less than a 50% increase in microcomedones in 12 healthy male subjects compared to octyl palmitate.
Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications, 2021Topical application of an antioxidant mix containing 15% ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid, and 1% tocopherol prevented PM and UV-induced skin barrier perturbation, lipid peroxidation, inflammatory markers, MMP9 activation, and Type I collagen loss in 15 healthy females compared to untreated exposed skin.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
Why other pre-cleansers fit dry 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
Ingredients
Tri-Peel Acid, Shea Butter, Coconut Oil, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Water, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Peg-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, Peg-10 Isostearate, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium Edta, Bht, Tocopherol
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.