SkinCeuticals Gentle Cleanser for dry sensitive skin
Allantoin
Glycerin
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
Cetyl Alcohol
Glycolic Acid
Average
- AverageDry Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- ConcerningSafety
Works for dry sensitive skin; other cleansers fit it better.
- Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
- Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral Y Cirugia Bucal, 2016
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
- Offers moderate cleansing and gentle exfoliation with capryl capramidopropyl betaine and glycolic acid, which is generally suitable for dry skin due to glycerin's humectant action, but may not fully address dryness due to a lack of emollient ingredients.
- The presence of glycolic acid, while beneficial for exfoliation, poses a risk of worsening dry or flaky skin by providing moderate exfoliation that is not fully counteracted by the product's emollient properties.
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
★4.6Overall rating based on 1000+ reviewsThis creamy, non-foaming cleanser is highly recommended for dry, sensitive, or reactive skin, effectively cleansing without stripping moisture. It is frequently noted as ideal for post-procedure care and calming irritated skin, though a moderate number of users mention it may not fully remove heavy or waterproof makeup.
Highlights
Extremely gentle Mostly Mentioned
- “doesn't dry out skin”
- “leaves face soft”
- “skin feels moisturized”
- “no tight feeling”
Ideal for sensitive skin Often Mentioned
- “great for sensitive skin”
- “calms redness”
- “soothing after peels”
- “doesn't cause breakouts”
Pleasant texture Sometimes Noted
- “creamy texture”
- “light orange scent”
- “smells like fresh citrus”
- “melts into skin”
Safe post-procedure Sometimes Noted
- “used after laser treatment”
- “safe after chemical peels”
- “good for traumatized skin”
High price point Sometimes Noted
- “expensive for a cleanser”
- “wish it was cheaper”
- “pricey but worth it”
Struggles with makeup Sometimes Noted
- “doesn't remove waterproof eyeliner”
- “need a separate eye remover”
- “leaves mascara residue”
Eye irritation Rarely Noted
- “stings my eyes”
- “burns if it gets in eyes”
- “irritates eye area”
Packaging issues Rarely Noted
- “pours out too fast”
- “hard to control amount”
- “waste product due to runny texture”
Sources: lovi.care, lovelyskin.com, dermstore.com, walmart.com, bestderm.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does SkinCeuticals Gentle Cleanser work for dry sensitive skin?
SkinCeuticals Gentle Cleanser works for dry sensitive skin, though it may not fully address dryness because it lacks rich softening ingredients to lock in moisture and counteract the exfoliating acid. A cleanser for this skin type needs extra hydrating ingredients and barrier-repairing elements like ceramides and hyaluronic acid to maintain moisture and protect the skin barrier.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for dry sensitive skin?
Glycerin helps keep your dry skin hydrated by drawing in moisture, and allantoin calms it. However, because it lacks rich softening ingredients to fully lock in that moisture, cleansers for this skin type need a rich blend of hydrating ingredients, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid to maintain moisture and protect the skin barrier.
What does Allantoin do for dry sensitive skin?
Allantoin helps calm dry sensitive skin by soothing irritation and supporting skin barrier recovery. It is unlikely to cause adverse effects and may improve overall hydration and comfort.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2026
What does Glycerin do for dry sensitive skin?
Glycerin helps dry sensitive skin by drawing moisture into the skin and keeping it there, making the skin soft and smooth. It is very gentle and unlikely to cause irritation while improving how well the skin holds onto water. This type of skin needs ingredients that boost hydration and repair the barrier without causing stinging.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017The British Journal of Dermatology, 2008
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for dry sensitive skin?
This cleanser goes in your morning and evening routine, but because it contains exfoliating acid and lacks rich nourishing oils, dry sensitive skin needs it paired with rich moisturizing creams and soothing ingredients to stay smooth and comfortable.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
This cleanser works for your dry sensitive skin, though other products fit it better because it lacks rich softening ingredients to fully counteract exfoliation. When using it with retinol, apply the cleanser first to clean your skin, and follow with plenty of rich moisturizers to prevent dryness.
How often should I use this cleanser?
You can use this cleanser daily, though it is an average fit for dry sensitive skin because it lacks richer softening and smoothing ingredients to fully comfort dry areas.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry sensitive skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for dry sensitive skin, but the glycolic acid it contains may occasionally cause mild peeling if your skin is very flaky. A cleanser for this skin needs rich softening ingredients to keep it smooth and comfortable.
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
You can use this cleanser on the body and around the eyes, though the skin there is much thinner and may be more easily irritated by the exfoliating ingredients. A cleanser for this skin needs rich softening and smoothing ingredients to keep it comfortable and protected from dryness.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (limonene). Cetyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol, which soften the skin.
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 gel containing chitosan, 0.2% chlorhexidine, allantoin and dexpanthenol did not improve postoperative comfort regarding swelling and pain, but improved the wound's aesthetic appearance following impacted lower third molar extraction compared to no gel.
Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral Y Cirugia Bucal, 2016A topical gel containing chitosan, chlorhexidine, allantoin, and dexpanthenol significantly reduced postoperative pain, trismus, swelling, and analgesic consumption, while improving wound healing after third molar surgery compared to a placebo.
Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral Y Cirugia Bucal, 2020An overnight patch containing Allium cepa extract and allantoin safely promotes scar healing after dermatologic surgery, resulting in significantly greater reductions in observer- and patient-assessed POSAS scores compared to no treatment.
Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 2018The 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, 2012A soap-free cleansing lotion containing cetyl alcohol and sodium cocoyl apple amino acids reduced skin surface impurities and improved skin hydration, barrier function, and skin tone in 27 healthy adult subjects over 30 days.
Cureus, 2025Repeated short-contact 70% glycolic acid peels provided superior results in atrophic acne scars compared to daily low-strength glycolic acid cream or placebo in 58 women over 24 weeks.
International Journal of Dermatology, 2000Serial glycolic acid peels combined with a modified Kligman formula significantly reduced facial PIH severity in Indian patients compared to the modified Kligman formula alone.
Dermatologic Surgery, 2017
Why other cleansers fit dry sensitive skin better
Phytosphingosine increased filaggrin metabolism and skin hydration in human skin by stimulating filaggrin biosynthesis and degradation leading to natural moisturizing factor formation.
Archives of Dermatological Research, 2017A cream containing panthenol, prebiotics, and probiotic lysate improved facial sensitive skin symptoms and skin barrier function in 110 participants over 28 days.
Skin Research and Technology, 2024A panthenol-enriched mask improved skin hydration, regulated sebum, and reduced redness and TEWL across dry sensitive, oily sensitive, and oily acne skin subgroups with excellent tolerance and no adverse reactions.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
Ingredients
Water, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Glycerin, Propanediol, Cetyl Alcohol, Methyl Gluceth-20, Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprate, Peg-100 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Phenoxyethanol, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Orange Peel Oil Oil, Limonene, Acrylates C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Capryl Capramidopropyl Betaine, Caprylyl Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Allantoin, Sodium Hydroxide, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Disodium Edta, Polyquaternium-39, Sodium Chloride, Peg-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Trideceth-6, Glycolic Acid, Sodium Benzoate
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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