COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser for dry skin
Salicylic Acid
Glycerin
Oil Tree Leaf
Willow Water Bark
Butylene Glycol
Warning
- CautionDry Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- ConcerningSafety
A poor match for dry skin; the cleansers alongside 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
- Extremely low suitability for your dry skin due to the presence of salicylic acid and melaleuca alternifolia tree oil, which can be overly drying and stripping for dehydrated complexions.
- While the formula offers excellent cleansing with glycerin for exfoliation and hydration, the potential for dryness outweighs these benefits for your skin type.
How to apply
- Use this cleanser AM and PM every day to keep your skin clean. Start using it daily right away since your skin is not sensitive.
- Apply this cleanser as the very first step in your morning routine and right after your pre-cleanser in the evening. Follow with your toner and moisturizer afterwards.
- Gently massage a small amount of cleanser onto your face using soft circular motions. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water and pat dry with a clean towel.
- Apply this cleanser on slightly damp skin for a comfortable and refreshing wash. This helps maintain your skin's natural moisture while cleansing away dirt.
- Avoid getting the cleanser directly into your eyes to prevent any irritation. Do a simple patch test before your first use to ensure your skin likes it.
People Say
★4.6Overall rating based on 13.0k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this creamy foaming cleanser is highly recommended for oily and acne-prone skin, effectively deep cleaning pores and reducing breakouts. Users with dry or sensitive skin, however, frequently find it to be drying or stripping, suggesting it is best suited as a targeted treatment rather than a daily hydrating cleanser.
Highlights
Clears acne Mostly Mentioned
- “helped to improve my acne after only 2 weeks”
- “prevents spots and black heads”
- “shorten the life of some of my breakouts”
- “dried down my acne”
Controls oil Often Mentioned
- “whisking away that excess shine”
- “ideal for oily skin”
- “removes excess oil without making face entirely dry”
- “keeps oil production balanced”
Deep cleansing Often Mentioned
- “removes every trace of oil”
- “squeaky clean feeling”
- “gets rid of all the dirt and sebum”
- “skin feels thoroughly clean”
Drying or stripping Often Mentioned
- “leaves skin feeling tight”
- “stripped of moisture”
- “felt quite a bit of dryness”
- “skin did feel more drier/tighter than usual”
Creamy lather Sometimes Noted
- “creamy and makes a nice, thick lather”
- “foams up quickly”
- “rich and creamy”
- “creates a really nice lather”
Gentle exfoliation Sometimes Noted
- “gently exfoliate and remove impurities”
- “skin feels so soft and smooth”
- “buff away dead skin cells”
- “refines pores”
Eye irritation Sometimes Noted
- “stings really bad if it accidentally gets in the eyes”
- “will sting if gets into eyes”
- “can't use it to clean the skin around the eyes”
High pH Rarely Noted
- “pH is 9”
- “high pH”
- “squeaky feeling implies high pH”
- “stripping away your skin's natural moisture barrier”
Medicinal scent Rarely Noted
- “smells of herbs and earth”
- “medicinal smell”
- “smells like tea tree”
- “subtle citrus fragrance”
Skin irritation Rarely Noted
- “minor irritation”
- “redness appearing after use”
- “broke me out”
- “burning after using it”
Sources: lovi.care, yesstyle.com, nykaa.com, iherb.com, gopicky.com, skinsort.com, and more
Questions and answers
Why does Lovi advise against COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser for dry skin?
This cleanser is a poor match for dry skin because salicylic acid and oil tree leaf can be overly drying and stripping. A product of this type needs essential ceramides, hyaluronic acid, or niacinamide to provide deep hydration and protect the skin barrier.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a poor fit for dry skin?
Salicylic acid and melaleuca alternifolia tree oil make this cleanser a poor fit because they can be overly drying and stripping for dry skin. A cleanser for this skin type needs hydrating and barrier-repairing ingredients like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, or glycerin to maintain moisture and protect the skin barrier.
What does Salicylic Acid do for dry skin?
Salicylic acid is generally not a good fit for dry skin, as it is meant to clear out pores and remove dead skin rather than hydrate. Because dry skin needs soothing and moisture rather than exfoliation, a product for dry skin needs nourishing ingredients like urea to lock in moisture and keep the skin soft.
What does Glycerin do for dry skin?
Glycerin helps dry skin by drawing in moisture and keeping it locked in, which makes the skin feel much softer and smoother. It also supports your natural skin barrier to stop water from escaping easily. A product for dry skin needs extra ingredients like hyaluronic acid and soothing plant extracts to truly calm and hydrate dry patches.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017The British Journal of Dermatology, 2008
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for dry skin?
This cleanser is a poor match for dry skin because salicylic acid and tea tree oil may be overly drying and stripping. Dry skin needs a mild cleanser paired with plenty of hydrating ingredients and rich moisturizers to protect its moisture barrier.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
It is best to avoid using this cleanser on dry skin, because salicylic acid and tea tree oil may be overly drying and stripping. Dry skin needs a gentle, hydrating cleanser with ceramides and glycerin to protect the skin barrier while washing.
How often should I use this cleanser?
This cleanser is a poor match for dry skin because salicylic acid and tea tree oil may be overly drying and stripping. Dry complexions need a gentle cleanser with hydrating ingredients like glycerin to keep the skin comfortable.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry skin?
This cleanser is a poor match for dry skin because ingredients like salicylic acid and tea tree oil may be too drying and stripping, making it likely to worsen flaky or dehydrated complexions rather than cause typical breakouts. A cleanser for dry skin needs gentle, hydrating ingredients like glycerin to keep the skin soft and protect its natural barrier.
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
You should avoid using this cleanser around the eyes and body because its salicylic acid and tea tree oil may be too harsh and drying for these sensitive areas. A product of this type needs gentle cleansers with extra glycerin and soothing hydration ingredients to keep dry skin comfortable.
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, 2017Cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen achieved a higher cure rate (39%) than salicylic acid (24%) and a wait-and-see approach (16%) for cutaneous warts at 13 weeks in primary care patients.
CMAJ, 2010A 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, 2020Treatment with 2% supramolecular salicylic acid hydrogel resulted in a regression and markedly improvement rate of 51.01% compared to 43.10% for Adapaline gel in patients with mild to moderate facial acne vulgaris, showing no significant difference in efficacy.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024The 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, 2012Topical 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, 2026A botanical face cleanser with hops and willow bark extract continuously reduced skin sebum levels without reactive seborrhea after treatment in 21 healthy volunteers compared to a sodium laureth sulfate cleanser, with neither cleanser causing skin irritation.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019Bioactive lipid nanocarriers co-loaded with willow bark or ivy leaf extracts and UV-filters provided pronounced UVA photoprotection up to an SPF-equivalent value of 13 and a maximum in vivo skin hydration effect of 97% when prepared with pomegranate oil.
Nanomaterials, 2022A topical serum containing 0.5% salicin applied twice daily reduced visible signs of skin aging, including wrinkles and tactile roughness, in 30 female subjects over 12 weeks compared to baseline.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2010
Ingredients
Water, Glycerin, Myristic Acid, Stearic Acid, Potassium Hydroxide, Lauric Acid, Butylene Glycol, Glycol Distearate, Polysorbate 80, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Salicylic Acid, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Peg-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sodium Chloride, Melaleuca Alternifolia Tree Oil Leaf, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Willow Bark Water Bark, Saccharomyces Ferment, Cryptomeria Japonica Leaf Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Leaf Extract, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethyl Hexanediol, Citric Acid, Disodium Edta
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
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