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Cleansers

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes · How the Fit score works

A thoughtful cleanser removes impurities and excess oil while respecting your skin's natural moisture barrier. It is used every morning and evening, and in the weekly routine. Formulations most often rely on glycerin to hydrate, hyaluronic acid to plump, and salicylic acid to reduce inflammatory, non-inflammatory, and total lesions.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022BioMed Research International, 2020

CeraVe cleansers

All CeraVe products

What to look for in a cleanser

From reviews of 25 popular cleansers.

What reviewers value

  • Gentle, non-stripping cleansers Mostly Mentioned
    • “doesn't leave face tight — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “The only thing my reactive skin tolerates. — Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser”
    • “leaves my skin feeling fresh but still hydrated, not tight — La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser”
  • Hydrating and soothing formulas Often Mentioned
    • “No breakouts since switching to this. — Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser”
    • “keeps my face feeling hydrated, calm, and balanced — Dieux Skin”
    • “Skin feels soft — CeraVe Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser”
  • Effective daily cleansing and makeup removal Often Mentioned
    • “Melts makeup off — CeraVe Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser”
    • “removes oil well — Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser”
    • “removes all makeup — La Roche-Posay TOLERIANE PURIFYING FOAMING CLEANSER”
  • Acne and oil control performance Often Mentioned
    • “dialed back oiliness — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
    • “difference in my skin's texture is noticeable — CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser”
    • “clears acne blemishes — La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Gel Cleanser”
  • Pleasant textures and rich lathers Sometimes Noted
    • “Nice rich lather — CeraVe Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser”
    • “Foams up into a dense cloud — ROUND LAB 1025 Dokdo Cleanser”
    • “foams nicely — La Roche-Posay TOLERIANE PURIFYING FOAMING CLEANSER”
  • Skin barrier restoration and smoothing Sometimes Noted
    • “Skin felt softer after one use — Cetaphil Gentle Exfoliating SA Cleanser”
    • “healed my damaged barrier — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “helps skin retain essential moisture — La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser”

Common complaints

  • Leaves skin feeling dry or tight Often Mentioned
    • “left my face tight — COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser”
    • “left my face tight — La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel”
    • “Skin feels very tight — Medicube Zero Foam Cleanser”
  • Struggles with makeup removal Sometimes Noted
    • “doesn't take off mascara — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “Doesn't take off mascara at all. — Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser”
    • “Struggles to get my waterproof mascara off completely. — The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser”
  • Unpleasant scents or chemical smells Sometimes Noted
    • “smells like chemicals — COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser”
    • “smells like masking fragrance — Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser”
    • “Smells like pennies and burps — Dieux Skin”
  • Poor lather or residue issues Sometimes Noted
    • “does not lather much — La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser”
    • “This is water-based, not a real oil cleanser. — CeraVe Hydrating Foaming Oil Cleanser”
    • “feels like washing with conditioner — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
  • Causes breakouts or purging Sometimes Noted
    • “broke out with tiny red dots where it was applied — Dieux Skin”
    • “caused closed comedones — Anua Heartleaf Quercetin Pore Deep Cleansing Foam”
    • “gave me closed comedones — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
  • Stings the eyes and causes irritation Rarely Noted
    • “burns my damaged skin — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “stung my eyes — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
    • “makes my skin sting/burn — La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser”

Cetaphil cleansers

All Cetaphil products

La Roche-Posay cleansers

All La Roche-Posay products

Neutrogena cleansers

All Neutrogena products

Dermalogica cleansers

All Dermalogica products

Paula's Choice cleansers

All Paula's Choice products

Shiseido cleansers

All Shiseido products

All cleansers

See all 321 cleansers

Research behind cleanser ingredients

Behind these picks

Lovi picks every product by its fit score, calculated 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.

  • Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Co-founder, Medical Director

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer

  • Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Co-founder, CEO and CTO

    PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex

  • Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Medical Board

    Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine

  • Aishani Shah, MD

    Aishani Shah, MD

    Medical Board

    Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD

  • Asya Zubkova, MS

    Asya Zubkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member

  • Hanna Kurets, MD

    Hanna Kurets, MD

    Medical Board, Medical Advisor

    Dermatology MD

  • Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Medical Board

    Dermatology and diagnostic consultant

  • Victoria Derkova, MS

    Victoria Derkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist

How does it fit your skin?

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