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Dr. Sam's Flawless Cleanser for oily skin

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes

Dr. Sam's Flawless Cleanser

Average

  • AverageOily Skin Fit
  • AverageEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

Works for oily skin; other cleansers fit it better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily skin: shine, enlarged pores, blackheads, and blemishes. 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 for your oily skin, as Peg-7 glyceryl cocoate and poloxamer 188 help dissolve impurities without stripping the skin, but it lacks targeted ingredients for oil control.
  • Polysorbate 20 provides additional cleansing benefits suitable for oily skin, though stronger seboregulating ingredients would enhance its effectiveness for managing oily shine.
  • The product is safe for your skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh or prohibited ingredients.

How to apply

  • Use your cleanser AM and PM every day to keep your skin fresh. Always make sure to follow with a good SPF in the morning.
  • Apply your cleanser as the first step in the morning or the second step in the evening before your toner.
  • Gently massage a small amount onto your face using circular motions, then rinse well with water .
  • You can apply this cleanser safely on damp skin for a refreshing and easy wash.
  • Avoid getting the product directly into your eyes and stop use if irritation occurs.

People Say

★4.5Overall rating based on 2.5k+ reviews

Most users appreciate that it leaves the skin feeling soft and hydrated. A significant portion of users find the non-foaming texture satisfying, though some users prefer a cleanser that lathers. It is also noted that the cleanser may struggle with waterproof eye makeup and can cause eye stinging for some.

Highlights

  • Gentle and non-stripping Mostly Mentioned
    • “leaves my skin soft and hydrated”
    • “never feels stripped or dry”
    • “skin feels calm after washing”
  • Effective makeup removal Often Mentioned
    • “melts away my SPF”
    • “removes all my foundation”
    • “cleanses thoroughly in one step”
    • “great for the one-minute massage”
  • Fragrance-free formula Often Mentioned
    • “zero irritation or stinging”
    • “great for fragrance sensitivity”
    • “simple, clean ingredients”
  • Luxurious jelly texture Sometimes Noted
    • “lovely thick gel texture”
    • “glides over the skin”
    • “feels like a spa treatment”
    • “luxurious and smooth application”
  • Does not foam Sometimes Noted
    • “miss the squeaky clean feeling”
    • “feels a bit slimy”
    • “hard to get used to no foam”
    • “feels like washing with lotion”
  • Eye makeup struggle Sometimes Noted
    • “stings my eyes badly”
    • “doesn't remove waterproof mascara”
    • “need a separate eye makeup remover”
    • “cloudy vision after using”
  • Price point Rarely Noted
    • “pricey for a face wash”
    • “expensive with shipping”
    • “good but not budget friendly”
    • “wish it was cheaper”
  • Skin reactions Rarely Noted
    • “caused closed comedones”
    • “gave me small bumps”
    • “skin didn't agree with it”
    • “caused redness after use”

Sources: lovi.care, sephora.co.uk, drsambunting.com, reddit.com, skinsort.com, mywomenstuff.com, and more

Questions and answers

How well does Dr. Sam's Flawless Cleanser work for oily skin?

Dr. Sam's Flawless Cleanser works moderately well for oily skin by dissolving impurities without stripping, but it lacks targeted ingredients for oil control. Oily skin needs cleansers that actively manage oiliness and maintain a clear complexion while being gentle.

Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for oily skin?

Peg-7 glyceryl cocoate, poloxamer 188, and polysorbate 20 help dissolve impurities without stripping your skin. However, oily skin needs targeted ingredients for oil control and stronger seboregulating properties to best manage oily shine.

What does Allantoin do for oily skin?

Allantoin helps calm oily skin and keeps it feeling soft and smooth by supporting skin healing and keeping irritation low. This ingredient works well for skin that gets easily bothered, helping it stay comfortable and balanced.

Acta Cirurgica Brasileira, 2010

What does Aloe Vera do for oily skin?

Aloe vera helps calm oily skin while keeping it comfortable and protected. It is unlikely to feel heavy, and it provides soothing and skin-protective properties that support a clear, smooth look.

Phytomedicine, 2019

Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for oily skin?

This cleanser goes in your morning and evening routine, gently washing away impurities without stripping your skin. To better manage oily shine, an oily skin routine also needs targeted ingredients for oil control.

Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?

You can use this cleanser with retinol safely because it lacks harsh ingredients that could cause irritation. Wash your face with it before applying your retinol treatment to gently remove impurities without stripping your skin.

How often should I use this cleanser?

You can use this cleanser twice a day in your morning and evening routine to wash away impurities. It provides moderate cleansing for oily skin, but an ideal product for this skin type needs targeted ingredients for oil control and stronger seboregulating ingredients to manage oily shine.

Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?

This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for oily skin, as it contains no harsh or prohibited ingredients that trigger irritation. However, because it lacks targeted oil control ingredients, a cleanser for this skin type still needs stronger shine-regulating components to fully manage excess oil.

Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?

You can use this cleanser on the thin skin around your eyes and on your body because its gentle formula is safe and unlikely to cause irritation. The skin around the eyes is very thin compared to most body areas, but this mild cleanser washes away impurities without harming delicate zones.

Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 2002

Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.

What the research says

Why other cleansers fit oily skin better

  • A botanical face cleanser with hops and willow bark extract continuously reduced skin sebum levels without reactive seborrhea after treatment in 21 healthy volunteers compared to a sodium laureth sulfate cleanser, with neither cleanser causing skin irritation.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019

  • Combined ascorbyl palmitate and sodium ascorbyl phosphate treatment significantly reduced facial sebum secretions in healthy female volunteers compared to a placebo control over 90 days.

    Drug Research, 2017

Ingredients

Allantoin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Powder, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Vp Copolymer, Bht, Citric Acid, Disodium Edta, Peg-6 Caprylic Capric Glycerides, Peg-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Phenoxyethanol, Poloxamer 188, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Water

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.

  • 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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How does it fit your skin?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.

QR code: get the Lovi app
Download on theApp Store Get it onGoogle Play