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Image Skincare Vital C Hydrating Facial Cleanser for combination skin

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

Image Skincare Vital C Hydrating Facial Cleanser

Average

  • AverageCombination Skin Fit
  • AverageEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

Works for combination skin; other 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 Glycerin and Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate provide hydration and antioxidant benefits, though it doesn't fully address your oily shine concerns.
  • The cleansing action from decyl glucoside and coco-caprylate caprate is effective for removing impurities without stripping, supporting general skin health.
  • The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the inclusion of soothing components like Glycerin and Tocopherol.

How to apply

  • Use this cleanser AM and PM as part of your daily routine. Start 3×/week and build up to daily use if your skin tolerates it well.
  • Apply this cleanser as the very first step in your morning routine and right after your pre-cleanser in the evening.
  • Gently massage a small amount of cleanser onto your skin using circular motions. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water.
  • For the best results , apply the cleanser directly onto slightly damp skin to help lift away excess oil.
  • Avoid the immediate eye area and do a patch test before your first use to check for any sensitivity.

People Say

★4.7Overall rating based on 200+ reviews

While the potent citrus scent and lotion-like texture are favorites for most, some users with oily skin or those who prefer a sudsy lather may find it leaves a residue or fails to feel "clean" enough.

Highlights

  • Deeply hydrating Mostly Mentioned
    • “Non-drying formula”
    • “leaves skin soft”
    • “moisturizing texture”
    • “good for winter dryness”
  • Gentle on sensitive skin Often Mentioned
    • “no irritation”
    • “calms redness”
    • “great for post-peel”
  • Invigorating citrus scent Often Mentioned
    • “Smells like oranges”
    • “fresh citrus aroma”
    • “spa-like fragrance”
    • “delicious orange smell”
  • Creamy texture Sometimes Noted
    • “Feels like lotion”
    • “silky consistency”
    • “spreads easily”
    • “luxurious feel”
  • Effective makeup removal Sometimes Noted
    • “Melts away makeup”
    • “removes impurities”
    • “cleanses well”
    • “good for double cleanse”
  • Does not lather Sometimes Noted
    • “No suds”
    • “feels like cold cream”
    • “doesn't foam up”
    • “weird texture for cleanser”
  • High price point Sometimes Noted
    • “Expensive for cleanser”
    • “pricey”
    • “cost is high”
    • “not budget-friendly”
  • Packaging pump issues Sometimes Noted
    • “Pump stops working”
    • “hard to get product out”
    • “heavy bottle design”
    • “broken dispenser”
  • Caused breakouts Rarely Noted
    • “Caused cystic acne”
    • “skin broke out”
    • “not for oily skin”
    • “clogged pores”
  • Leaves residue Rarely Noted
    • “Feels filmy”
    • “leaves oily coating”
    • “skin feels heavy”
    • “sticky after rinsing”

Sources: lovi.care, walmart.com, lovelyskin.com, dermstore.com, imageskincare.com, womensblogtalk.com, and more

Questions and answers

How well does Image Skincare Vital C Hydrating Facial Cleanser work for combination skin?

This cleanser offers moderate suitability for your combination skin because glycerin and vitamin C provide hydration and antioxidants, though it does not fully address your oily shine. It is unlikely to cause irritation and cleans effectively without stripping. A cleanser for combination skin needs ingredients that safely balance oil production and maintain hydration for oily shine while addressing both dry and oily areas.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

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

Glycerin and sodium ascorbyl phosphate make this cleanser a good fit because they provide hydration and antioxidant benefits. A cleanser for combination skin needs to balance oil production and maintain hydration for oily shine while remaining exceptionally safe and irritation-free.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

What does Vitamin C do for combination skin?

Vitamin C helps brighten dull areas and smooth out uneven texture on combination skin while protecting against daily environmental stress. It may also help keep pores clear and skin firm by supporting collagen production, though drier spots may need an added moisturizer to stay comfortable.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2023

What does Glycerin do for combination skin?

Glycerin helps keep combination skin soft and smooth by pulling moisture in and keeping it there. It improves hydration and supports your skin barrier, which is unlikely to cause irritation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2008Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

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

This cleanser goes in your morning and evening routine, used after a makeup remover at night. It removes impurities without stripping your skin, but a cleanser for combination skin also needs ingredients that help balance oily shine.

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

You can use this cleanser in the same routine as retinol, applying the cleanser first to clean your skin before using your retinol treatment. A cleanser for combination skin needs ingredients like niacinamide or clay to help control oily shine while keeping the skin balanced.

How often should I use this cleanser?

This cleanser works fine for your combination skin, though it doesn't fully address your oily shine concerns. Combination skin needs a cleanser that washes away impurities while balancing oil and adding light hydration with ingredients like glycerin and gentle cleansing agents.

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

This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts on combination skin, as it has a very safe formula with soothing ingredients like glycerin and vitamin E. To properly handle your oily shine alongside cleansing, this skin type needs oil-balancing ingredients like niacinamide or salicylic acid.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

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

Yes, you can use this cleanser on the body and around the eyes, as its gentle ingredients clean effectively without irritation. Combination skin of this type needs cleansers with balancing ingredients and oil-control benefits to fully manage oily shine.

Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (limonene and eugenol). 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, 2017

  • A topical serum containing vitamin C, vitamin E, and raspberry leaf cell culture extract improved skin color, elasticity, radiance, smoothness, scaliness, and wrinkles compared to the untreated contralateral side in fifty female volunteers.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020

  • Topical application of 5% vitamin C cream significantly improved global clinical scores, increased skin microrelief density, and induced elastic tissue repair in photoaged skin compared to excipient control in healthy female volunteers.

    Experimental Dermatology, 2003

  • Ascorbic acid 2-glucoside gel significantly reduced gingival melanin pigmentation after 4 weeks compared to placebo in 73 subjects with symmetric pigmentation.

    Journal of Periodontology, 2009

  • Topical application of VC-IP cream twice daily for 8 weeks reduces periorbital wrinkles in female subjects compared to a placebo cream.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022

  • The 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, 2020

  • Ten 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, 2001

  • Niacinamide/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, 2012

  • Over-the-counter retinol products provided only weak evidence for a mild ameliorating effect on fine facial skin wrinkle lines in randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled trials, and major methodological flaws call the validity of positive results into question.

    The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2021

  • A cosmetic niacinamide/peptide/retinyl propionate regimen significantly improved periorbital wrinkle appearance relative to a 0.02% tretinoin regimen at 8 weeks with comparable benefits at 24 weeks, while demonstrating significantly better tolerability in 196 women.

    The British Journal of Dermatology, 2010

  • A novel triple-active cosmetic formulation containing 4-hexylresorcinol, retinyl propionate, and niacinamide improved the visual appearance of photoageing similarly to 0.02% tretinoin and reversed a consensus gene signature associated with ageing in female adults while causing less skin irritation.

    International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2024

  • Topical application of an antioxidant serum containing 15% ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid, and 1% tocopherol prevented particulate matter-induced degradation of extracellular matrix components, inflammation, and oxidative stress in the skin of 15 female volunteers compared to untreated controls.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025

  • Dermatological products containing d-alpha tocopheryl acetate showed non-comedogenic potential with less than a 50% increase in microcomedones in 12 healthy male subjects compared to octyl palmitate.

    Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications, 2021

  • Topical application of an antioxidant mix containing 15% ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid, and 1% tocopherol prevented PM and UV-induced skin barrier perturbation, lipid peroxidation, inflammatory markers, MMP9 activation, and Type I collagen loss in 15 healthy females compared to untreated exposed skin.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

  • Topical CE Ferulic plus resveratrol BE serum following ablative fractional CO2 laser treatment reduced erythema index (308.9 vs. 325.3), shortened complete scabbing detachment time (6.0 vs. 6.5 days), decreased melanin index (-7.4% vs. +0.2%), and improved skin hydration compared to normal saline in 51 Chinese patients.

    Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2024

  • Resveratrol cream improved skin hydration and tightening compared to cream without resveratrol in a group of probands.

    Acta Biochimica Polonica, 2019

  • Topical application of a water-in-oil emulsion containing 2% Muscat hamburg grape seed extract significantly improved melanin, elasticity, and sebum content compared to a placebo in human volunteers over 8 weeks, with no reported skin hypersensitivity.

    International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2015

Why other cleansers fit combination skin better

Ingredients

Water, Isododecane, Cetearyl Olivate, Cetyl Alcohol, Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprylate Dicaprate, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Sorbitan Olivate, Limonene, Stearic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, Peg-100 Stearate, Coco-Caprylate Caprate, Decyl Glucoside, Glycereth-26, C10-16 Alkyl Glucoside, Glycerin, Xanthan Gum, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Clove Oil Leaf, Retinyl Palmitate, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Butylene Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Yeast Polysaccharides, Sodium Hydroxide, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract Grape Seed Extract, Alchemilla Vulgaris Extract, Saponaria Officinalis Root Extract Leaf, Pentylene Glycol, Tromethamine, Superoxide Dismutase, Phenoxyethanol, Eugenol

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