Paula's Choice CALM Ultra-Gentle Cleanser for mature skin
Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate
Glycerin
Caprylic Capric Triglyceride
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Hydroxyacetophenone
Average
- AverageNormal Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for mature skin; other cleansers fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with mature skin: fine lines, wrinkles, and loss of firmness. 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 normal skin, as glycerin and caprylic capric triglyceride provide humectant and emollient actions respectively, supporting general skin hydration without targeting your specific concerns of wrinkles and fine lines.
- The cleansing agents, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate and Cocamidopropyl Betaine, effectively cleanse pores without stripping the skin, which is beneficial for maintaining your skin's balance.
- The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation for your normal skin due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.
How to apply
- Use your cleanser as part of both your AM and PM routine. Start using it daily since your skin is normal and not sensitive.
- Apply this first in your routine before using your toner, moisturizer, and SPF.
- Gently massage the cleanser onto your face using circular motions, then rinse well with water. Avoid rubbing your skin too hard.
- Apply the cleanser directly onto slightly damp skin for the best fresh feeling. Make sure your face is clean of heavy makeup first.
- Avoid the sensitive eye area while washing. Do a quick patch test before your very first use to be safe.
People Say
★4.3Overall rating based on 100+ reviewsA notable portion of reviewers find it too gentle for removing heavy makeup or sunscreen on its own, often requiring a double cleanse, and some dislike the texture of the reformulated version.
Highlights
Extremely gentle Mostly Mentioned
- “leaves skin soft and comfortable”
- “doesn't dry out skin”
- “feels like moisturizer”
- “perfect for sensitive skin”
Calms redness Often Mentioned
- “redness was considerably better”
- “skin is so calm”
Poor makeup removal Often Mentioned
- “doesn't remove stubborn mascara”
- “needs double cleanse”
- “struggles with heavy makeup”
- “not deep cleaning enough”
Pleasant texture Sometimes Noted
- “creamy gel texture”
- “silky-smooth finish”
- “cushiony cleanser”
- “glides on easily”
Repairs skin barrier Sometimes Noted
- “repaired my skin barrier”
- “stopped the flaking”
- “no stinging or burning”
- “great for damaged barrier”
Odd texture/clumping Sometimes Noted
- “clumps at the opening”
- “congeals into jelly”
- “feels a bit slimy”
- “texture is odd”
Not for oily skin Rarely Noted
- “not deep cleaning for oily skin”
- “didn't feel clean enough”
- “too gentle for my oiliness”
Unpleasant scent Rarely Noted
- “smells like cooking oil”
- “odd odor”
- “canola-esque scent”
- “unpleasant smell”
Sources: lovi.care, paulaschoice.co.uk, paulaschoice.com.au, cultbeauty.co.uk, skinsort.com, spacenk.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Paula's Choice CALM Ultra-Gentle Cleanser work for mature skin?
This cleanser works moderately well for mature skin because it cleans pores without stripping moisture and keeps the skin balanced, though it does not target wrinkles and fine lines. To better fit mature skin, a cleanser of this type needs high-quality hydrating and soothing ingredients that address fine lines while keeping the skin soft and balanced.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Life, 2023
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for mature skin?
Glycerin and caprylic capric triglyceride make this cleanser a good fit for mature skin by supporting hydration, though a top cleanser for this skin also needs ingredients that address wrinkles and fine lines.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Life, 2023
What does Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate do for mature skin?
Sodium cocoyl glutamate is a gentle surfactant used in cleansers that cleans the face without stripping moisture, making it very well tolerated by sensitive or mature skin. Because it has minimal interaction with skin proteins and lipids, it helps keep the skin barrier safe and is unlikely to cause irritation.
What does Glycerin do for mature skin?
Glycerin helps keep mature skin feeling soft and smooth by drawing moisture into the outer layer and locking it in. This daily hydration boost supports the skin barrier, keeping dry areas comfortable and protected against irritation.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2008Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for mature skin?
This cleanser fits into your morning routine before a hydrating toner, moisturizer, and SPF, and in your evening routine following makeup removal and before a cleansing toner, treatment, and moisturizer. It cleanses pores safely without stripping the skin, but because it does not target wrinkles and fine lines, mature skin needs a cleanser that also delivers firming peptides and antioxidant ingredients.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cleanser with retinol by applying the cleanser first to clean your skin gently, and then following with your retinol treatment. This cleanser is very safe and unlikely to irritate your skin, but because it does not target wrinkles and fine lines, mature skin needs a cleanser that also delivers firming peptides and antioxidants.
How often should I use this cleanser?
You can use this gentle cleanser daily in the morning and evening as part of your routine. Mild cleansers help maintain skin hydration and balance without stripping the skin during regular washing.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for mature skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for mature skin because its gentle cleansing agents clean pores without stripping the skin. A product for this skin needs added ingredients that target wrinkles and fine lines.
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
You can use this gentle cleanser around your eyes and on your body because its mild ingredients clean pores without stripping the skin. Mature skin needs products with ingredients like hyaluronic acid and vitamin C that actively target wrinkles and fine lines.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
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 application of an emollient emulsion containing 15.0% caprylic/capric triglyceride doubled the amount of urocanic acid isomers and increased skin hydration with reduced transepidermal water loss in healthy subjects, though it did not prevent ultraviolet-induced urocanic acid isomerization.
Life, 2023The 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, 2012The cytotoxic effect of sodium lauryl sulphate on normal human keratinocytes was significantly decreased when combined with cocamidopropyl betaine, Tween 20, and Tween 80 at concentrations well below the critical micelle concentration.
Skin Pharmacology and Applied Skin Physiology, 2003
Why other cleansers fit mature skin better
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, 2021Treatment with a combination of niacinamide and hyaluronic acid improved skin aging signs and demonstrated a senomorphic effect by decreasing SASP and autocrine signaling genes in women.
Scientific Reports, 2024
Ingredients
Water, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Glycerin, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Laurylglucosides Hydroxypropylsulfonate, Cellulose Gum, Coco-Caprylate Caprate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Inulin, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Phytate, Cellulose, Fructose, Glucose, 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.
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
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Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
How does it fit your skin?
Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.