Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser for sensitive skin

Glycerin
Caprylyl Glycol
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Lauryl Glucoside
Vitamin B5
Superior
- HighNormal Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
One of the best cleansers for sensitive skin.
- Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
- International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2014
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
- Excellent for your normal, sensitive skin as glycerin provides humectant action and cocamidopropyl betaine offers mild cleansing without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier, supporting overall skin health.
- The cleansing agents, cocamidopropyl betaine and lauryl glucoside, are present in concentrations that effectively cleanse pores, offering general skincare benefits like hydration and cleansing.
- The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation for your sensitive skin due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the presence of soothing ingredients like glycerin.
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
★4.4Overall rating based on 3.5k+ reviewsMost users appreciate the soft, moisturized feel post-wash. A small number of users reported experiencing irritation or a burning sensation, particularly with the foaming version.
Highlights
Gentle and non-stripping Mostly Mentioned
- “leaves skin soft and balanced”
- “doesn't dry out my sensitive skin”
- “no tight feeling after washing”
- “cleans without stripping moisture”
Fragrance-free formula Often Mentioned
- “love that it has no scent”
- “great for fragrance sensitivity”
- “truly odorless”
- “no strong perfume smell”
Good for sensitive skin Often Mentioned
- “calms my acne prone skin”
- “no irritation or redness”
Effective daily cleansing Sometimes Noted
- “removes daily grime well”
- “rinses clean without residue”
- “good morning cleanser”
- “keeps skin clear”
Poor makeup removal Sometimes Noted
- “doesn't remove mascara”
- “need a separate makeup remover”
- “struggles with foundation”
- “too gentle for heavy makeup”
Causes burning Rarely Noted
- “stings my eyes badly”
- “burned my face immediately”
- “skin felt on fire”
- “caused a chemical burn feeling”
Chemical smell Rarely Noted
- “has a weird plastic smell”
- “smells like chemicals”
- “odd scent for fragrance-free”
- “smells like glue”
Watery texture Rarely Noted
- “formula is too runny”
- “slips right off my hand”
- “doesn't foam up enough”
- “feels watered down”
Sources: lovi.care, amazon.com, walmart.com, target.com, ulta.com, neutrogena.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser one of the best fits for sensitive skin?
Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser is one of the best fits for sensitive skin because glycerin helps keep the skin hydrated while mild cleansing ingredients clean the face without stripping away its natural moisture. This gentle formula has a very safe profile with no harsh ingredients, making it unlikely to cause irritation.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for sensitive skin?
Glycerin and mild cleansing agents like cocamidopropyl betaine and lauryl glucoside make this cleanser a great fit because they clean pores without stripping your skin's natural moisture barrier. Glycerin adds hydration and helps protect sensitive skin, while the gentle formula has an excellent safety profile that avoids harsh ingredients which might cause irritation.
What does Glycerin do for sensitive skin?
Glycerin helps keep sensitive skin soft and deeply hydrated while supporting the skin barrier. It is unlikely to cause irritation and may protect against dryness and roughness.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2008Acta Dermato-venereologica, 1999
What does Caprylyl Glycol do for sensitive skin?
Caprylyl glycol helps keep your skin soft and smooth while safely preserving skincare products. It is unlikely to cause irritation or allergic reactions on sensitive skin.
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for sensitive skin?
This cleanser is used in both your morning and evening routines. It is applied after a makeup remover at night and before a soothing toner and moisturizer in either routine.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cleanser with retinol by washing your face with it first before applying your treatment, as it cleans without stripping your skin's natural moisture. This gentle wash is unlikely to cause irritation for your sensitive skin because it avoids harsh ingredients and includes soothing components like glycerin.
How often should I use this cleanser?
This cleanser is an excellent fit for your sensitive skin and is designed for daily use both morning and night. Its gentle ingredients cleanse pores effectively while protecting your natural moisture barrier without causing irritation.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2014
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for sensitive skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts on sensitive skin. Its gentle ingredients cleanse effectively while keeping your natural moisture barrier safe from harsh irritation.
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 mild ingredients and excellent safety profile are gentle enough for sensitive areas. Glycerin helps maintain moisture without stripping your skin, and the cleanser is unlikely to cause irritation.
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, 2017Formulating sodium laureth sulphate with sodium laureth carboxylate and lauryl glucoside prevented significant decreases in cutaneous capacitance and reduced erythema and dryness in healthy volunteers compared to unsupplemented sodium laureth sulphate.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2014The 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, 2012The 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, 2003Moisturizer containing 5% panthenol, madecassoside, and copper-zinc-manganese decreased adverse reactions and downtime after ablative fractional carbon dioxide laser resurfacing with comparable efficacy to 0.02% triamcinolone acetonide cream in 20 subjects.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019Panthenyl triacetate (PTA) demonstrated skin de-acetylation into panthenol, stimulated energetic and synthesis metabolic pathways, and achieved a statistically significant improvement in wound healing after 72 hours compared to saline treatment in human volunteers, outperforming panthenol in long-lasting wound healing action.
Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2012A comprehensive topical regimen incorporating niacinamide, Pro-Xylane, and panthenol following PicoWay laser treatment decreased transepidermal water loss, increased hydration and skin elasticity, reduced wrinkles and redness, and improved skin tone in 88 Chinese females compared to a standard care control group.
Lasers in Medical Science, 2026
Ingredients
Water, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Lauryl Glucoside, Potassium Acrylates Copolymer, Peg-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Disodium Lauroamphodiacetate, Sodium Cocoyl Sarcosinate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide
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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