ZO Skin Health Gentle Cleanser for combination skin
Sodium Lauroyl Oat Amino Acids
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Glycerin
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract
High
- HighCombination Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
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, 2003
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
- Offers moderate cleansing benefits for your combination skin, as Sodium Laureth Sulfate and Cocamidopropyl Betaine effectively decongest, though they are not specialized for targeting oily shine.
- Sodium Lauroyl Oat Amino Acids and Glycerin provide mild cleansing and hydration, supporting your combination skin type without stripping.
- The formulation is safe for your combination skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.
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
★4.7Overall rating based on 900+ reviewsThis cleanser is highly rated for its ability to deeply cleanse pores and remove makeup without stripping the skin's natural moisture. It is often recommended for all skin types, including sensitive and post-procedure skin, leaving it feeling refreshed, soft, and hydrated. Some users find it to be expensive, and there are concerns about counterfeit products being sold online. A small number of users with very sensitive skin reported mild irritation due to fragrance or dye, and a few found it too drying.
Highlights
Effective makeup removal Mostly Mentioned
- “Removes mascara and eye make-up”
- “Gets the make-up off”
- “Cleanses impurities for refreshed-feeling skin”
- “Takes off all the makeup including eye makeup.”
Non-stripping, hydrating Often Mentioned
- “Did not irritate her skin”
- “Never leaves the skin tight”
- “Leaves skin feeling soft and refreshed”
- “Doesn't strip essential moisture.”
Pleasant sensory experience Sometimes Noted
- “Love the clean feel”
- “Fresh smelling”
- “Luxurious lather”
- “Silky gel formulation”
- “Subtle grapefruit scent.”
Versatile for skin types Sometimes Noted
- “Ideal for all skin types”
- “Great for sensitive skin”
- “Helps prevent congestion”
- “Safe for post-procedure skin.”
High price point Sometimes Noted
- “On the pricier side”
- “Cost is high”
- “Expensive for a face wash”
- “Investment skincare.”
Risk of counterfeits Sometimes Noted
- “This online product must be an imitation”
- “Consistency is completely different”
- “Fake product on Amazon”
- “Seal was broken.”
Drying for some Rarely Noted
- “Left my skin dry”
- “Felt a bit tight after use”
- “Not hydrating enough for very dry skin.”
Fragrance/dye sensitivity Rarely Noted
- “Has both a fragrance and a dye”
- “Avoid if allergic to fragrance”
- “Blue dye unnecessary”
- “Caused slight tingling.”
Sources: lovi.care, zoskinhealth.com, influenster.com, amazon.com, youtube.com, facedr.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes ZO Gentle Cleanser a great fit for combination skin?
ZO Skin Health Gentle Cleanser is a great fit because it offers moderate cleansing with ingredients like Sodium Laureth Sulfate and Cocamidopropyl Betaine to decongest the skin. Glycerin and Sodium Lauroyl Oat Amino Acids add mild cleansing and hydration to support combination skin without stripping, while the gentle formulation carries no risk of irritation.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for combination skin?
Sodium Lauroyl Oat Amino Acids and glycerin make this cleanser a great fit by providing mild cleansing and hydration that supports combination skin without stripping. Sodium Laureth Sulfate and cocamidopropyl betaine also effectively decongest the skin, while the formula is completely safe with no risk of irritation.
What do Sodium Lauroyl Oat Amino Acids do for combination skin?
Sodium Lauroyl Oat Amino Acids help gently cleanse combination skin without stripping essential moisture or disrupting the skin barrier. Because it is a very mild cleanser ingredient, it effectively removes dirt and excess oil while leaving your skin feeling soft and comfortable.
Dermatologic Therapy, 2004International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 1984
What does Cocamidopropyl Betaine do for combination skin?
Cocamidopropyl Betaine helps clean combination skin without stripping natural moisture, making it a gentle option for daily use. It is widely used in cleansers to lift away excess oil while keeping dry areas comfortable.
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for combination skin?
This cleanser is used as the first step of your morning routine and follows a makeup remover in your evening routine. It washes away impurities with ingredients like sodium lauroyl oat amino acids and glycerin that support your combination skin without stripping.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cleanser with retinol by washing your face with it before applying your retinol product. It helps clear away dirt while keeping your skin hydrated and comfortable without adding harsh irritation.
How often should I use this cleanser?
You can use this cleanser twice a day as part of your morning and evening routine. It is gentle enough for daily use and helps keep your combination skin clean without stripping away moisture.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for combination skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores, cause breakouts, or lead to purging on combination skin. Its cleansing ingredients effectively wash away daily buildup without stripping moisture, and the formula has a safe profile with no harsh elements that typically trigger irritation.
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
Yes, you can use this cleanser on your body and around the eyes, as its gentle ingredients like sodium lauroyl oat amino acids have a great safety profile with no irritation risks.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (parfum, limonene, and linalool).
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, 2017The 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, 2003The 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 green tea extract significantly improved clinical symptoms, tear breakup times, and meibomian gland health compared to standard treatment in patients with dry eye and Meibomian Gland Dysfunction.
Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research, 2017Topical low-dose green tea extract reduces UVB-induced p53 expression and apoptosis in human skin keratinocytes compared to placebo.
Experimental Dermatology, 2009An anti-acne hydrogel containing Aloe barbadensis, Garcinia mangostana, and Camellia sinensis extracts showed superior antiacne and antiblotch activities compared to 1% clindamycin gel in sixty subjects with mild-moderate acne.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019Topical steroid withdrawal is driven by excess mitochondrial NAD+ metabolism that can be successfully targeted using complex I-inhibiting interventions such as metformin and berberine.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2025Topical steroid withdrawal presents as a distinct dermatopathology characterized by burning, flushing, thermodysregulation, and elevated mitochondrial NAD+ oxidation, which can be improved by targeting complex I with metformin or berberine.
MedRxiv, 2024Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose hydrogel formulations of berberine chloride-loaded escinosomes increased skin residence time and transdermal permeability while maintaining high safety and biocompatibility without skin irritation.
International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2020
Ingredients
Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Lauroyl Oat Amino Acids, Glycerin, Pterocarpus Soyauxii Extract Wood, Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract, Hordeum Distichon Barley Extrait Dorge À Deux Rangs Extract, Spiraea Ulmaria Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Artemisia Vulgaris Extract, Plantago Lanceolata Leaf Extract, Crithmum Maritimum Extract, Parfum, Limonene, Linalool, Sodium Chloride, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Blue 1 Ci 42090, Red 33 Ci 17200
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?
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