Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel for dry sensitive skin
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil Lavender Oil
Quillaja Saponaria Bark Extract
Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
High
- HighDry Skin Fit
- SuperiorEffectiveness
- HighSafety
A great choice for dry sensitive skin; a few cleansers fit it even better.
- Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
- International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2022
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 and sensitive skin as glycerin and Quillaja Saponaria Bark Extract provide excellent hydration and gentle cleansing, effectively decongesting pores without stripping moisture.
- The absence of harsh surfactants ensures a gentle experience, making it a great choice for maintaining your skin's natural moisture barrier.
- This formula is safe for your skin, containing no ingredients that pose an irritation risk.
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
★4.8Overall rating based on 1.2k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this gel cleanser is highly recommended for sensitive, combination, and acne-prone skin, effectively removing impurities without stripping the skin. Users frequently report a calm, soft, and smooth complexion with reduced redness and improved texture over time. The product is also noted for its longevity and value, though some find it pricey and occasionally experience issues with the pump design or scent.
Highlights
Gentle & Non-stripping Mostly Mentioned
- “doesn't strip skin”
- “no tightness after washing”
- “moisture barrier stays intact”
- “skin feels soft not raw”
Effective Cleansing Often Mentioned
- “removes all makeup”
- “face feels squeaky clean”
- “removes impurities well”
- “great second cleanse”
High Price Often Mentioned
- “very pricey”
- “expensive for a face wash”
- “hard on the wallet”
- “luxury price tag”
Longevity & Value Sometimes Noted
- “little goes a long way”
- “bottle lasts 8-12 months”
- “tiny amount lathers well”
- “worth the investment”
Soothing & Calming Sometimes Noted
- “calms my redness”
- “soothing on sensitive skin”
- “lavender feels therapeutic”
Pump Design Issues Sometimes Noted
- “pump dispenses too much”
- “wastes product”
- “hard to control amount”
- “pump shoots out gel”
Improves Texture Rarely Noted
- “removed texture”
- “pores look smaller”
- “skin looks smoother”
- “cleared up spots”
Breakouts/Reactions Rarely Noted
- “gave me acne”
- “caused breakouts”
- “reaction to essential oils”
- “irritated my skin”
Not Hydrating Enough Rarely Noted
- “felt a bit dry”
- “left dry patches”
- “not for very dry skin”
- “needed heavy moisturizer after”
Scent Dislike Rarely Noted
- “smell is too strong”
- “don't like the lavender”
- “scent is overpowering”
- “medicinal smell”
Sources: lovi.care, sephora.co.uk, dermstore.com, dermalogica.com, productreview.com.au, ulta.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel a great fit for dry sensitive skin?
Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel is a great fit for dry sensitive skin because glycerin and Quillaja Saponaria Bark Extract provide excellent hydration and gentle cleansing without stripping moisture. The absence of harsh surfactants helps maintain your skin's natural moisture barrier and is unlikely to cause irritation.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for dry sensitive skin?
Glycerin and Quillaja Saponaria Bark Extract make this cleanser a great fit for your dry sensitive skin because they provide deep hydration and gentle cleansing without stripping away natural moisture. This gentle formula helps maintain your skin barrier safely while effectively decongesting pores.
What does Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate do for dry sensitive skin?
Sodium lauroyl sarcosinate is a cleansing ingredient that may strip natural oils and decrease important moisturizing lipids on the face, making it a poor fit for dry sensitive skin. A cleanser for this skin type needs mild surfactants that have diminished interactions with skin proteins and lipids, combined with moisturizing agents to protect the skin barrier and prevent dryness.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Dermatologic Therapy, 2004
What does Lavender Oil do for dry sensitive skin?
Lavender oil helps calm dry sensitive skin by improving hydration and supporting the skin barrier while reducing redness and irritation. Because lavender can occasionally cause allergic reactions in some people, it is a good idea to patch test first.
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for dry sensitive skin?
This cleanser goes in your morning routine before a soothing toner and moisturizing spf, and in your evening routine after a makeup remover and before a soothing toner. Using a mild cleanser like this helps maintain your skin's natural moisture barrier without stripping away hydration.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cleanser with retinol by cleansing your skin with it before applying your retinol treatment. It gently cleans pores and hydrates without stripping moisture, helping to maintain your skin barrier while you use retinol.
How often should I use this cleanser?
You can use this cleanser daily both morning and night as part of your routine. Using a gentle cleanser regularly helps maintain your skin's natural moisture barrier while keeping it clean.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry sensitive skin?
This cleanser is a great fit for your dry sensitive skin because glycerin and Quillaja Saponaria Bark Extract hydrate while cleaning pores without stripping your moisture. Reviewers rarely report breakouts or reactions, and the formula avoids harsh surfactants and irritation risks to keep your skin calm and smooth.
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
Yes, you can use this cleanser around the eyes and on your body because its gentle formula and lack of harsh surfactants make it safe and non-irritating for delicate and thin skin areas. It helps maintain your skin's natural moisture barrier while effectively cleansing.
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, 2017Topical application of a cream containing the NHE1 activator rosmarinic acid decreased skin surface pH and transepidermal water loss while increasing skin hydration in 50-60-year-old adult females compared to vehicle cream and no treatment.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2022Sodium lauroyl sarcosinate in facial cleanser decreased prokaryotic microbial alpha diversity, altered prokaryotic microbiome structure, increased phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylcholine, and decreased ceramides on facial skin.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Coacervates formed from mixed micelles of sodium lauroylsarcosinate and cocamidopropyl betaine with cationic guar gum exhibited a dense porous structure with high viscoelastic modulus under strong electrostatic interactions, and a looser mesh structure with lower viscoelasticity and enhanced skin adsorption under weakened interactions.
Soft Matter, 2024Polysaccharide-based O/W emulsions incorporated with lavender essential oil applied to cellulosic support are non-irritating, provide softness and moisturizing effects, and are safe for topical patch applications.
International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2021Gellan gum hydrogel films co-encapsulating ofloxacin with tea tree or lavender oil achieved 98% wound contraction and completely healed epidermis in rats after ten days of treatment compared to baseline.
International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2021Topical application of lavender oil significantly promoted wound contraction, collagen synthesis, and fibroblast differentiation with up-regulation of TGF-beta in a rat model compared to control.
BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2016Topical treatment with a lemon balm leaf extract formulation reduced eye-corner wrinkles in 20 healthy women compared to placebo by promoting Endo180 production and inhibiting the decline in collagen levels.
Photodermatology, Photoimmunology & Photomedicine, 2025Incorporating rosmarinic acid into sunscreens enhanced the in vivo SPF of octocrylene by over 157% and reduced lipid peroxidation in the human stratum corneum.
Antioxidants, 2025RA-BSP-PVA@PLA nanofibers promoted wound healing in rat dorsal skin wound models by inducing wound tissue growth, facilitating the proliferation and transformation of early wound macrophages, and down-regulating MPO+ expression.
International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2023The 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, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Quillaja Saponaria Bark Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil Lavender Oil, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Lemon Peel Oil, Bergamot Oil Fruit, Cymbopogon Winterianus Herb Oil, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Coco-Betaine, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Capryloyl Glycine, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Methylpropanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Ppg-5-Ceteth-20, Sodium Hydroxide, 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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