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Olay Smoothing Daily Facial Cleanser for oily acne-prone skin

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

Olay Smoothing Daily Facial Cleanser

Average

  • AverageOily Skin Fit
  • AverageEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

Works for oily acne-prone skin; other cleansers fit it better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily acne-prone skin: shine, breakouts, blemishes, and enlarged pores. 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 oily skin, as niacinamide helps regulate sebum, but the inclusion of petrolatum and mineral oil may not be ideal for your acne concerns due to their potential to clog pores.
  • The cleanser provides excellent pore cleansing with decyl glucoside and lauryl glucoside, though it lacks more potent ingredients for optimal results on oily skin.
  • The product is safe for your oily skin, with no risks of irritation from harsh ingredients.

How to apply

  • Use this cleanser as part of your AM and PM routine. Start using it daily to help clear your breakouts.
  • Apply this cleanser as the first step in the morning and right after your pre-cleanser in the evening. Follow it with your toner and moisturizer.
  • Gently massage a small amount of the cleanser onto your face using circular motions. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water and pat dry.
  • Apply the cleanser on slightly damp skin to help clean deeply and remove excess oil. This works best for oily skin types.
  • Avoid the sensitive eye area during application. Do a patch test before your first use.

People Say

★4.5Overall rating based on 600+ reviews

This cleanser is highly praised for its ability to hydrate and soften the skin, making it a favorite for those with dry, sensitive, or aging skin concerns. While it excels at daily cleansing and improving overall skin texture, some users find it less effective at removing heavy or waterproof makeup.

Highlights

  • Leaves skin soft Often Mentioned
    • “My skin feels soft and moisturized after washing.”
    • “Within 1 week, you'll reveal soft, smooth skin.”
    • “Face is soft and smooth after every use.”
  • Non-drying formula Often Mentioned
    • “Cleanses without leaving skin feeling tight or stripped.”
    • “Removes dirt, oil, and impurities without drying skin out.”
    • “Never taut or dry.”
  • Gentle on skin Sometimes Noted
    • “Did not irritate my sensitive skin.”
    • “Great for sensitive skin or combination skin.”
    • “Dermatologist tested formula make it approachable for most skin types.”
  • Improves skin texture Sometimes Noted
    • “Noticed an improvement in the clarity of my skin.”
    • “Smooths rough patches and refines texture.”
    • “My skin went from dull to brighter.”
  • Weak makeup removal Sometimes Noted
    • “Struggle with eye makeup.”
    • “Heavier or waterproof formulas might require a dedicated remover.”
    • “Not a powerhouse for heavy makeup removal.”
  • Minimal lather Rarely Noted
    • “This is not a foaming, big lathering cleanser.”
    • “It doesn't have much lather.”
    • “There's absolutely zero lather with this.”
  • Polarizing scent Rarely Noted
    • “If you don't like scents or are sensitive to scents you might want to think twice.”
    • “The cleanser has a noticeable floral scent.”

Sources: lovi.care, olay.com, walmart.com, youtube.com, skinsort.com, thingtesting.com, and more

Questions and answers

How well does Olay Smoothing Daily Facial Cleanser work for oily acne-prone skin?

Olay Smoothing Daily Facial Cleanser works moderately well for oily acne-prone skin, as niacinamide helps control oil, but ingredients like petrolatum may clog pores. It cleanses well with gentle cleansers, though cleansers of this type for this skin need soothing and effective ingredients like niacinamide and salicylic acid to balance oil and maintain clarity without irritation.

International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2014

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

This cleanser works for your oily skin because niacinamide helps balance oil and gentle cleansers wash away dirt without causing irritation. However, because it contains petrolatum and mineral oil, it may clog pores and is not an ideal fit for acne. Oily acne-prone skin needs a cleanser with ingredients like ceramides, salicylic acid, or probiotics to help clear breakouts and manage oil.

International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2014

What does Retinol do for oily acne-prone skin?

Retinol helps oily acne-prone skin by clearing up breakouts and smoothing the skin, though it may occasionally cause some mild scaling or stinging. This ingredient works by addressing the root causes of acne, making it a reliable choice for keeping pores clear and skin smooth.

American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2019Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2018

What does Niacinamide do for oily acne-prone skin?

Niacinamide helps balance oil production, calms redness, and is unlikely to irritate oily, acne-prone skin while improving blemishes. Clinical tests show it reduces excess oil and helps clear up both inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne breakouts.

Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, 2006Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

Where does it go in a skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin?

This cleanser goes in the morning and evening routine before toners and moisturizers. A product for this skin needs ingredients that keep pores clear without heavy petrolatum or mineral oil.

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

You can use this cleanser with vitamin C by applying your vitamin C serum after cleansing on dry skin. This cleanser washes away dirt nicely, but oily acne-prone skin typically benefits more from lightweight gels with salicylic acid or glycolic acid to keep pores clear.

How often should I use it?

You can use this cleanser daily in the morning and evening as part of your routine. While it offers moderate suitability for your skin, oily acne-prone skin often needs products that control oil without heavy ingredients like mineral oil or petrolatum.

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

Yes, this cleanser may clog pores and cause breakouts on oily acne-prone skin because it contains petrolatum and mineral oil. Cleansers for this skin type need ingredients that gently clear pores without heavy oils that can trap oil and dirt.

Can I use it around the eyes or on my body?

You can use this cleanser on your body, but you should avoid applying it directly on the very thin skin around your eyes. Mild cleansers formulated with gentle cleansers like lauryl glucoside help keep skin clean and comfortable without causing dryness or irritation.

Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 2002International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2014

Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol. Stearyl alcohol and cetyl alcohol are fatty alcohols, which soften the skin.

What the research says

  • Topical 0.4% retinol significantly increased epidermal thickness, dermal vascularity, and extracellular matrix production by stimulating keratinocyte proliferation, endothelial cell proliferation, and fibroblast activation in naturally aged human skin compared to vehicle.

    International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2017

  • Topical bakuchiol 0.5% applied twice daily compared with retinol 0.5% applied daily significantly decreased wrinkle surface area and hyperpigmentation with no statistical difference between the compounds in 44 patients over 12 weeks, while retinol users reported more facial skin scaling and stinging.

    The British Journal of Dermatology, 2019

  • Silicone particles encapsulating retinol increased its half-life by 9-fold and yielded 12-23% lower skin irritation in human subjects compared to Microsponge particles while maintaining biological activity.

    Journal of Controlled Release, 2018

  • Topical post-laser application of human adipocyte-derived mesenchymal stem cell media combined with niacinamide significantly improved wrinkle index, melanin index, patient satisfaction, and investigator esthetic improvement scores compared to vehicle cream in patients with aging skin.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021

  • Topical nicotinamide prevented solar-simulated UV-induced immunosuppression in healthy volunteers, and men experienced immunosuppression at solar-simulated UV doses three times lower than those required for women.

    The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2008

  • Topical 5% niacinamide applied twice daily for 12 weeks reduced fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmented spots, red blotchiness, and skin sallowness, and improved skin elasticity compared to vehicle control in 50 female white subjects with facial photoaging.

    Dermatologic Surgery, 2005

  • 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

  • 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

  • Sodium trehalose sulfate decreased transepidermal water loss and increased stratum corneum water content in participants with low stratum corneum water content when applied for 4 weeks compared to placebo.

    Skin Research and Technology, 2024

  • Topical chloramphenicol-betamethasone combined with sodium hyaluronate/trehalose/carbomer gel compared to chloramphenicol-betamethasone alone reduced most subjective symptoms at 1 week but increased blurred vision at 4 weeks following strabismus surgery in 31 patients, with no significant differences in conjunctival inflammation between treatments.

    Journal of Ocular Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 2019

  • Topical treatment with Thealoz Duo significantly improved dry eye disease symptoms, tear break-up time, and restored tear lipid layer functionality by reducing inflammatory response proteins in moderate to severe dry eye patients over 56 days.

    Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2025

Why other cleansers fit oily acne-prone skin better

  • Topical application of Lactobacillus plantarum-GMNL6 enhanced collagen synthesis and SPTSSA gene expression while reducing melanin synthesis, Staphylococcus aureus biofilm, and Cutibacterium acnes proliferation, leading to clinical improvements in skin moisture, color, spots, wrinkles, UV spots, and porphyrins in human volunteers.

    International Journal of Medical Sciences, 2021

  • 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

Ingredients

Water, Isopropyl Palmitate, Glycerin, Trehalose, Petrolatum, Retinol, Niacinamide, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4 Peptide, Panthenol Vitamin B5, Tocopheryl Acetate, Dimethicone, Mineral Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Dimethiconol, Steareth-21, Steareth-2, Stearic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Disodium Edta, Acrylates C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Carbomer, Sodium Hydroxide, Decyl Glucoside, Lauryl Glucoside, 1.2-Hexanediol, Phenoxyethanol

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

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