Clarins Total Cleansing Oil for combination skin

Average
- AverageCombination Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for combination skin; other pre-cleansers fit it better.
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 suitability for your combination skin, as Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil and Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil provide emollient action that aids in dissolving impurities and makeup.
- While it offers general cleansing benefits like hydration and soothing with ingredients such as Tocopherol, it is not specifically targeted for your oily shine concerns.
- The product has a good safety profile with no risks of irritation for your combination skin due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.
How to apply
- Use this makeup remover PM as the first step of your evening routine to clear away excess oil.
- Apply this makeup remover before your regular cleanser to effectively break down heavy makeup and dirt.
- Gently wipe the makeup remover across your face using a soft cotton pad, avoiding harsh rubbing.
- Use the makeup remover on completely dry skin to help dissolve surface oils and impurities best.
- Avoid direct contact with the eyes while using this makeup remover.
People Say
★4.3Overall rating based on 1.4k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, users frequently praise this lightweight oil for its ability to emulsify into a milky texture that removes waterproof makeup without stripping moisture, leaving skin feeling soft and hydrated. Many appreciate the floral scent and the post-wash feel. A minority of users with oily or sensitive eyes report issues with blurry vision or find the fragrance overpowering.
Highlights
Gentle and non-drying Mostly Mentioned
- “skin feels supple”
- “doesn't strip skin”
- “good for sensitive skin”
Effective makeup remover Often Mentioned
- “melts everything away”
- “removes stubborn makeup”
- “no raccoon eyes”
Luxurious scent Sometimes Noted
- “smells amazing”
- “relaxing fragrance”
- “refreshing herbal scent”
Pleasant texture Sometimes Noted
- “emulsifies beautifully”
- “silky consistency”
- “no greasy residue”
Eye irritation Sometimes Noted
- “cloudy eyes”
- “stings eyes”
- “oil film on contacts”
High price Sometimes Noted
- “pricey for face wash”
- “expensive habit”
- “steep price point”
Little goes long way Rarely Noted
- “one pump is enough”
- “bottle lasts months”
- “economical usage”
Breakouts Rarely Noted
- “caused small bumps”
- “clogged my pores”
- “broke me out”
Strong fragrance Rarely Noted
- “smell is overwhelming”
- “too much perfume”
- “scent lingers”
Thin consistency Rarely Noted
- “very watery”
- “runs through fingers”
- “messy pump”
Sources: lovi.care, sephora.com, clarinsusa.com, boots.ie, influenster.com, ulta.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Clarins Total Cleansing Oil work for combination skin?
Clarins Total Cleansing Oil is an average fit for combination skin, as plant oils help dissolve makeup while Tocopherol hydrates and calms. Although it is safe and unlikely to cause irritation, it is not specifically targeted for oily shine. A product for this skin needs soothing plant oils and hydrating ingredients like squalane or hyaluronic acid that balance dry and oily areas.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for combination skin?
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil and Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil help this cleanser fit your combination skin by dissolving makeup and impurities while keeping the skin soft and smooth. To work even better for combination skin, a product of this type needs ingredients that provide balanced hydration and help manage oily shine without feeling heavy.
What does Alpine Golden Gentian Extract do for combination skin?
Alpine Golden Gentian Extract helps smooth the skin and calms redness in combination skin. Using it twice daily may make the skin softer and less rough within two weeks.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2023Molecules, 2020
What does Lemon Balm Extract do for combination skin?
Lemon Balm Extract helps balance combination skin by protecting against daily stress and keeping your face feeling smooth and calm. It may also improve overall hydration and firmness while calming any dry or oily areas.
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for combination skin?
This makeup remover goes in the evening routine before your regular cleanser, or as a weekly step before cleansing. It helps dissolve makeup and impurities using oils, but combination skin also needs products that specifically target oily shine.
Can I use it with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this makeup remover in the evening before your cleanser and retinol because it has a low chance of causing irritation. To help this skin stay balanced when using strong treatments, a combination skin routine also needs ingredients that target oily shine.
How often should I use it?
You can use this makeup remover in the evening as the first step of your routine to help dissolve makeup and impurities. It is safe for your combination skin without causing irritation, though a product of this type specifically targeting oily shine with balancing ingredients would fit your skin better.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for combination skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to cause irritation or breakouts on combination skin because it has a good safety profile without harsh ingredients, though it is not specifically targeted for oily shine. A product of this type for combination skin needs ingredients that help dissolve makeup while keeping oily areas balanced without clogging pores.
Is it fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (parfum).
What the research says
Emulgels containing Perilla frutescens seed oil, Moringa oleifera seed oil, and mixed seed oil microemulsions exhibit good stability, lack of cytotoxicity in PBMC, and no skin irritation or allergic reactions in human subjects.
Polymers, 2022Gentiana lutea extract increases lipid synthesis and triglyceride levels in human primary keratinocytes in vitro via p38 MAPK and PPARgamma signaling, and significantly increases skin lipid content in a proof-of-concept trial of 33 volunteers compared to placebo.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2017Topical application of Gentiana lutea extract reduced average roughness, relief of the upper eyelid skin, and redness of dark circles in 22 subjects after 14 days compared to placebo.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2023Topical 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, 2022Topical 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, 2025Aqueous standardized leaf extracts of Moringa oleifera showed the highest human dermal fibroblast and human keratinocyte proliferation and migration properties, leading to the development of an alginate-pectin film dressing with optimal physicochemical properties.
Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2018Topical administration of Moringa oleifera seed extract on excision wounds in male albino rabbits significantly increased the wound healing rate, elevated TGF-β1, VEGF, and Type I collagen relative expression, and reduced inflammatory markers like IL-1β and TNF-α compared to untreated and MEBO-treated groups.
Antioxidants, 2022Moringa oleifera leaf extracts provided significant UV protection with an SPF of 2 at 2% to 4% concentrations and showed no significant irritant potential in cosmetic formulations.
Molecules, 2018
Ingredients
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Sunflower Seed Oil, C9-12 Alkane, Peg-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil Apricot Kernel Oil, Water, Propanediol, Parfum, Tocopherol, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Sodium Citrate, Gentiana Lutea Extract, Citric Acid, Capsicum Annuum Fruit Extract, Maltodextrin, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract Rosemary Leaf Extract
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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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
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Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
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Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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