Thayers pH Balancing Daily Cleanser for dry sensitive skin
Average
- AverageDry Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
Works for dry sensitive skin; other cleansers fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dry sensitive skin: flakiness, tightness, redness, fine lines, and wrinkles. 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 dry skin due to the humectant action of glycerin and sodium hyaluronate, which help attract and retain moisture, though it lacks sufficient emollient ingredients for optimal hydration.
- The presence of salicylic acid and caprylyl capryl glucoside provides excellent cleansing and pore decongestion, which is supportive for your dry or flaky skin.
- The formula is safe for your dry and sensitive skin, as it contains soothing ingredients like Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice and Sodium Hyaluronate, and avoids harsh or prohibited substances.
How to apply
- Use your cleanser AM and PM every day to keep your face fresh. Start slowly once a day if your dry skin feels sensitive at first.
- Apply your cleanser first thing in your routine before any toner or moisturizer. Follow the usual steps for your AM or PM daily routine.
- Gently massage the cleanser onto your face using soft circular motions. Avoid harsh rubbing to protect your dry skin.
- Apply the cleanser to slightly damp skin to help it clean gently without stripping moisture. This method is very safe for sensitive and dry skin types.
- Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water and avoid the delicate eye area. Always do a patch test before using the product for the first time.
People Say
★4.6Overall rating based on 500+ reviewsUsers consistently praise this cleanser for its gentle, non-stripping formula that effectively cleanses while maintaining moisture, making it a favorite for those with sensitive or dry skin. While it excels as a daily face wash for removing dirt and oil, some users note it struggles to remove heavy makeup on its own and may require a double cleanse.
Highlights
Great for sensitive skin Mostly Mentioned
- “perfect for sensitive skin”
- “no irritation”
- “calms your skin”
Gentle & non-stripping Often Mentioned
- “leaves skin feeling soft still”
- “doesn't strip my skin”
- “gentle yet effective”
Clean ingredients Sometimes Noted
- “96% natural origin”
- “love the aloe vera”
- “fragrance-free”
Hydrating formula Sometimes Noted
- “deeply hydrating”
- “face feels refreshed”
- “leaves skin moisturized”
Poor makeup removal Sometimes Noted
- “doesn't remove heavy makeup”
- “need to double cleanse”
- “makeup residue left”
Pump clogging Sometimes Noted
- “spout gets clogged”
- “dried soap in pump”
- “pump gets stuck”
Low lather Rarely Noted
- “doesn't foam up much”
- “wish it lathered more”
- “more of a jelly texture”
Natural scent Rarely Noted
- “smells like grass”
- “weird natural smell”
- “scent is off-putting”
Sources: lovi.care, thayers.com, ulta.com, target.com, walmart.com, iherb.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Thayers pH Balancing Daily Cleanser work for dry sensitive skin?
This cleanser works moderately well for dry sensitive skin because glycerin and sodium hyaluronate help attract moisture, while aloe vera keeps it calm and safe from irritation. However, it lacks enough softening oils for optimal hydration, which a cleanser for this skin needs to keep it soft and comfortable.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for dry sensitive skin?
Glycerin, sodium hyaluronate, and aloe barbadensis make this cleanser a good fit because they help attract moisture and calm dry, sensitive skin. A cleanser for this skin also needs nourishing oils and rich softeners to provide deep hydration and prevent dryness.
What does Aloe Vera do for dry sensitive skin?
Aloe vera helps boost skin hydration and keeps dry skin feeling soft and calm without disrupting the skin barrier. Because it is gentle and has a very safe profile, it is unlikely to irritate sensitive skin.
Skin Research and Technology, 2006Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2011
What does Hyaluronic Acid do for dry sensitive skin?
Hyaluronic acid is a great fit for dry, sensitive skin because it brings a large boost in hydration, making the skin feel soft and smooth while improving barrier function. It helps calm tightness and dryness, and is unlikely to cause irritation.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2011Dermatology and Therapy, 2021
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for dry sensitive skin?
This cleanser goes in the morning and evening routine for dry sensitive skin. A mild cleanser is important for daily care, but dry skin needs extra rich softening ingredients and heavy moisturizing creams to stay comfortable.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cleanser with retinol, applying it first to gently wash your face before putting on your retinol. This product of this type needs rich softening ingredients and heavy moisturizing agents to fully protect dry and sensitive skin from irritation.
How often should I use this cleanser?
You can use this cleanser daily in the morning and evening as part of your routine. Mild cleansers used regularly help support skin condition and maintain hydration when paired with a good moisturizer.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry sensitive skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for dry sensitive skin because its ingredients thoroughly clean and decongest pores while soothing the skin. However, since it is an average fit for dry skin, a product of this type needs richer softening ingredients to keep dry skin fully hydrated.
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
You can use this cleanser on your body and around your eyes, as the formula is safe and gentle for sensitive areas. However, dry skin needs a product of this type that also includes extra smoothing ingredients to keep the skin soft and comfortable.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no fragrance and contains drying alcohol (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, 2017A cream combining propolis, tea tree oil, and Aloe vera reduced erythema scars, acne severity index, and total lesion count better than erythromycin cream in sixty patients with mild to moderate acne vulgaris compared to placebo.
Clinical Pharmacology, 2018Topical aloe vera gel significantly accelerated split-thickness skin graft donor-site healing compared to placebo in 12 patients, but showed no significant difference in pain relief.
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2018Topical application of Aloe vera cream reduced postoperative pain at rest and during defecation, accelerated wound healing at two weeks, and decreased analgesic requirements in patients after open hemorrhoidectomy compared to placebo.
Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2010Topical application of 0.1% hyaluronic acid formulations of different molecular weights led to significant improvements in skin hydration and elasticity, with low-molecular-weight formulations also significantly reducing wrinkle depth in seventy-six female subjects compared to a vehicle control.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2011Topical application of hyaluronic acid in conjunction with free gingival graft significantly reduced donor site postoperative pain until day 7 compared to normal saline, with no significant differences in graft dimensions or patient satisfaction.
Clinical Oral Investigations, 2022Treatment with a hyaluronic acid-containing mouth rinse or topical gel led to significant lesion reduction, pain relief, and normalization of lesion color in adult patients with minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis, with the gel formulation showing an earlier healing onset at 3 days.
BMC Oral Health, 2019Cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen achieved a higher cure rate (39%) than salicylic acid (24%) and a wait-and-see approach (16%) for cutaneous warts at 13 weeks in primary care patients.
CMAJ, 2010A moisturizer containing licochalcone A, 1,2-decanediol, L-carnitine, and salicylic acid significantly reduced noninflammatory, inflammatory, and total acne lesion counts compared to a vehicle control in Thai patients during a 12-week maintenance phase.
BioMed Research International, 2020Treatment with 2% supramolecular salicylic acid hydrogel resulted in a regression and markedly improvement rate of 51.01% compared to 43.10% for Adapaline gel in patients with mild to moderate facial acne vulgaris, showing no significant difference in efficacy.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024The 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 dry sensitive skin better
Transgenic cucumber expressing poly-γ-glutamic acid synthesis genes increased water content by 6-14%, reduced water loss by 11-12%, decreased facial wrinkles and roughness by 19.58% and 24.97%, decreased skin melanin by 5.27%, and improved facial elasticity in human skin and zebrafish compared to controls.
International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2024
Ingredients
Alcohol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Water, Caprylyl Capryl Glucoside, Citric Acid, Coco-Betaine, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Glycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Propanediol, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Phytate, Xanthan Gum
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.
-

Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
-

Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
-

Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
-

Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
-

Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
-

Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
-

Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
-

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.
