Paula's Choice Perfectly Balanced Foaming Cleanser for sensitive skin
Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate
Ceramide Np
Sodium Hyaluronate
Glycerin
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
High
- HighNormal Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- HighSafety
A great choice for sensitive skin; a few cleansers fit it even better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with sensitive skin: redness, stinging, and reactions to new products. 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 normal skin, this cleanser effectively addresses redness and irritation with sodium hyaluronate and aloe barbadensis leaf extract to hydrate and soothe. Sodium lauroamphoacetate and sodium cocoyl isethionate ensure thorough pore cleansing without compromising your skin's sensitivity.
- Ceramides and cholesterol further support your skin's natural barrier function, enhancing overall skin health and resilience.
- The formula is safe for your normal skin with sensitivity, as it lacks harsh or prohibited ingredients that could cause irritation.
How to apply
- Use your cleanser in the AM and PM routines every day. Start using it daily since your sensitive skin needs gentle care.
- Apply this first in your morning and evening skincare routine before toner and moisturizer. This clears away dirt without upsetting your skin.
- Gently massage a small amount onto your face using soft circles. Avoid any rough rubbing to keep redness away.
- Apply the cleanser on slightly damp skin to help it wash away impurities softly. Clean skin feels fresh and comfortable afterwards.
- Avoid getting the cleanser in your eyes and do a quick patch test before first use. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water.
People Say
★4.6Overall rating based on 4.7k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, users with oily, combination, and sensitive skin frequently praise this cleanser for its ability to effectively remove dirt and makeup without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier. Many reviewers note that it balances oil production and leaves the face feeling soft and refreshed, though a small minority experienced dryness or disliked the scent.
Highlights
Gentle and non-drying Mostly Mentioned
- “Cleanses without stripping”
- “Gentle and non-drying cleanser”
- “Does not strip away the natural moisture”
- “Leaves skin soft and hydrated”
Effective cleansing Often Mentioned
- “Removes almost all of my makeup”
- “Skin felt so clean after cleansing”
- “Cleanses the skin from makeup and impurities so well”
- “Takes my makeup off easily”
Balances oily skin Sometimes Noted
- “Noticeably less oily”
- “Helps clear my skin”
- “Relieves my skin of feeling oily”
- “Great for oily acne prone skin”
Pleasant texture Sometimes Noted
- “Foams up beautifully into a silky froth”
- “Creamy and lightly foaming”
- “Feels like I am washing my face with clouds”
- “Smooth foam cleanser”
Safe for sensitive skin Sometimes Noted
- “No irritation or purging effect”
- “Soothes redness and irritation”
- “Best cleanser I've ever used [for sensitive skin]”
- “Gentle enough for daily use”
Can be drying Rarely Noted
- “Went a little dry”
- “Need to moisturize after drying off”
- “Skin feel tight after I rinse”
Caused breakouts Rarely Noted
- “Causes breakouts”
- “Making my acne worse”
- “Break me out in a rash”
Ineffective on heavy makeup Rarely Noted
- “Heavy makeup is not washed enough”
- “Still need a Clarisonic”
- “Used 2 times [to remove makeup]”
Price point Rarely Noted
- “A bit pricy for the amount”
- “Wasting money”
Unpleasant scent Rarely Noted
- “Smelled like an unwashed towel”
- “Bad smell”
- “Strange smell”
Sources: lovi.care, amazon.com, paulaschoice.com, dermstore.com, sephora.com, theskyshine.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes Paula's Choice Perfectly Balanced Foaming Cleanser a great fit for sensitive skin?
This cleanser cleans pores thoroughly without bothering your skin because it uses gentle cleansers that do not penetrate deeply. It also helps calm redness and keeps your skin comfortable using aloe vera and sodium hyaluronate, while ceramides support your skin barrier.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for sensitive skin?
Sodium cocoyl isethionate and sodium lauroamphoacetate thoroughly clean pores without upsetting your skin, while sodium hyaluronate and aloe barbadensis leaf extract help hydrate and soothe redness and irritation. Ceramides and cholesterol further support your skin's natural barrier to keep it healthy and strong.
What does Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate do for sensitive skin?
Sodium cocoyl isethionate helps cleanse sensitive skin without causing dryness or irritation. Its large molecules are unable to slip past the skin barrier, which makes it very gentle and unlikely to cause discomfort.
Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2007Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2018
What do Ceramides do for sensitive skin?
Ceramides help calm sensitive skin by strengthening the protective barrier, which may reduce discomfort and sensitivity over time. This type of product works best when it contains properly dissolved ceramides combined with soothing ingredients to support the skin without causing irritation.
Archives of Dermatological Research, 2018Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2026
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for sensitive skin?
This cleanser fits in both your morning and evening skincare routines, serving as your primary step to clean pores without irritating sensitive skin. Using a mild cleanser daily helps improve overall skin comfort and supports your natural skin barrier.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2007
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
Yes, you can use this cleanser with retinol, using it as the first step to clean your skin before applying your retinol treatment. Gentle cleansers with ceramides and soothing ingredients like aloe are unlikely to cause irritation and help support your skin barrier while using stronger treatments.
How often should I use this cleanser?
This cleanser is a great fit for sensitive skin and can be used daily in both your morning and evening routines. Gentle ingredients like sodium cocoyl isethionate and aloe barbandensis leaf extract help clean pores thoroughly and soothe redness without irritating your skin.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2007
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for sensitive skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for sensitive skin because it uses gentle cleansers that clean deeply without irritating or disrupting the skin barrier. Reviewers rarely report breakouts from this formula, making it a safe choice for keeping your skin calm and clear.
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
This cleanser is a great fit because gentle ingredients like sodium cocoyl isethionate and sodium lauroamphoacetate thoroughly clean pores without upsetting sensitive skin. Aloe barbadensis leaf extract and sodium hyaluronate help calm and hydrate delicate areas like the skin around the eyes.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol, which soften the skin.
What the research says
A cream combining propolis, tea tree oil, and Aloe vera reduced erythema scars, acne severity index, and total lesion count better than erythromycin cream in sixty patients with mild to moderate acne vulgaris compared to placebo.
Clinical Pharmacology, 2018Sodium cocoyl isethionate micelles are too large to penetrate stratum corneum aqueous pores, resulting in significant steric hindrance that prevents skin barrier perturbation and explains its skin mildness.
Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2007Topical 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 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, 2017The 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, 2001Topical aloe vera gel significantly accelerated split-thickness skin graft donor-site healing compared to placebo in 12 patients, but showed no significant difference in pain relief.
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2018Topical application of Aloe vera cream reduced postoperative pain at rest and during defecation, accelerated wound healing at two weeks, and decreased analgesic requirements in patients after open hemorrhoidectomy compared to placebo.
Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2010Formulations containing 0.10%, 0.25%, and 0.50% freeze-dried Aloe vera extract increased stratum corneum water content compared with the vehicle in 20 female subjects, while transepidermal water loss was not modified.
Skin Research and Technology, 2006
Ingredients
Water, Sodium Lauroamphoacetate, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Stearic Acid, Glycerin, Glycol Distearate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Sunflower Seed Oil, Acrylates Copolymer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ceramide Np, Ceramide Ap, Ceramide Eop, Phytosphingosine, Sphingolipids, Lecithin, Arginine, Cholesterol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Disodium Edta, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Hexylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, 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.
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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?
Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.