The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser for oily skin
Squalane
Glycerin
Coco-Caprylate Caprate
Ethyl Macadamiate
Hydrogenated Hydrolysate Starch
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 suitability for your oily skin as squalane and glycerin provide effective cleansing and hydration without causing irritation. These ingredients work to balance oil production and maintain skin's moisture barrier.
- Caprylic capric triglyceride and ethyl macadamiate offer emollient action, contributing to overall skin comfort for oily skin.
- The product is safe for your skin, with no harsh ingredients or risks of irritation.
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 15.0k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this balm-to-oil cleanser is highly recommended for dry and sensitive skin types, effectively cleansing without stripping moisture. Users frequently report soft, hydrated skin. However, it is noted to struggle with removing waterproof makeup on its own and requires a specific warming technique for optimal results.
Highlights
Gentle and hydrating Mostly Mentioned
- “Leaves my face feeling soft and not tight at all.”
- “Perfect for my dry, sensitive skin; never feels stripped.”
- “Hydrating and doesn't leave that squeaky clean feeling.”
Good for sensitive skin Often Mentioned
- “Finally a cleanser that doesn't sting my face.”
- “Safe for my reactive, acne-prone skin.”
Struggles with makeup Often Mentioned
- “Struggles to get my waterproof mascara off completely.”
- “Leaves raccoon eyes unless I use a separate remover.”
- “Need to double cleanse to get all foundation off.”
Affordable price Sometimes Noted
- “Can't beat the price for the quality.”
- “Great value compared to high-end cleansing balms.”
- “An effective budget-friendly option.”
Unique texture Sometimes Noted
- “Love how it melts from a balm into an oil.”
- “Feels luxurious and smooth to massage in.”
- “The texture change tells you when it's ready to rinse.”
Small tube size Sometimes Noted
- “The 50ml tube runs out way too fast.”
- “Wish it came in a huge pump bottle.”
- “Not cost-effective because you have to use a lot.”
Tedious application Sometimes Noted
- “Annoying that you have to rub it in hands for 10-20 seconds first.”
- “If you don't warm it up enough, it drags on the skin.”
- “Takes too much effort for a quick morning wash.”
Leaves residue Rarely Noted
- “Left a slight oily film on my skin.”
- “Didn't feel clean enough for my oily T-zone.”
- “Caused some congestion because it didn't rinse clean.”
Sources: lovi.care, sephora.com, ulta.com, reddit.com, theordinary.com, makeupalley.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser work for oily skin?
This cleanser works moderately well for oily skin, as squalane and glycerin clean and hydrate without irritation or heavy shine. Oily skin typically needs a formulation that manages oiliness and impurities while promoting a clear complexion without any risk of irritation.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for oily skin?
Squalane and glycerin make this cleanser a good fit for oily skin by providing effective cleansing and hydration without causing irritation or adding extra shine. Cleansers that fit oily skin best also need ingredients that promote a clear complexion and actively manage oiliness.
What does Squalane do for oily skin?
Squalane helps keep oily skin soft and smooth without feeling heavy, though oxidized forms may sometimes trigger irritation. To work well for oily skin, this type of product needs lightweight, non-clogging ingredients that balance moisture without adding excess grease.
What does Glycerin do for oily skin?
Glycerin helps keep oily skin hydrated without feeling heavy and supports the skin barrier. Because this product is a weak fit for your skin, an ideal product of this type needs lightweight hydrators and ingredients that balance oil while protecting the skin.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2008International Journal of Toxicology, 2019
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for oily skin?
This cleanser goes in your morning and evening routine as the main cleansing step, and it is also used in weekly routines before exfoliating and masking steps. It helps clean and hydrate oily skin without irritation using squalane and glycerin, though an oily skin type generally needs a product with stronger oil-balancing and clarifying ingredients.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cleanser with retinol, applying the cleanser first to gently wash your skin before using your retinol treatment. This cleanser is unlikely to irritate your skin, though an oily skin type needs lightweight hydrating and balancing ingredients to keep oil production in check.
How often should I use this cleanser?
This cleanser works safely as part of your morning and evening routine. To best suit oily skin, a product of this type needs ingredients like squalane and glycerin to gently clean and hydrate without irritation.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts on oily skin, as it uses squalane and glycerin to cleanse and hydrate without irritation. Oily skin often benefits from lightweight cleansers that balance oil production and keep the moisture barrier healthy without leaving a heavy residue.
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
You can use this cleanser on the body and around the eyes, as it is safe for your skin with no harsh ingredients or risks of irritation. Oily skin around the eyes and body needs gentle cleansers with squalane and glycerin to cleanse and hydrate without irritation.
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, 2023Squalane at 0.005-0.015% counteracts UVA-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and collagen metabolism inhibition while stimulating fibroblast migration in human dermal fibroblasts.
Molecules, 2025Plant-derived squalane protected human dermal fibroblasts against UVA-induced damage by counteracting ROS formation, suppressing apoptosis-related proteins p53, caspase-3, caspase-9, and PARP, and restoring the pro-survival p-Akt/mTOR pathway.
Antioxidants, 2025The 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, 2012Liquid coco-caprylate/caprate combined with electrogenic Staphylococcus epidermidis significantly reduced UV-B-induced skin injuries in mice compared to poorly electrogenic isolates.
Scientific Reports, 2020
Ingredients
Squalane, Water, Coco-Caprylate Caprate, Glycerin, Sucrose Stearate, Ethyl Macadamiate, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Sucrose Laurate, Hydrogenated Hydrolysate Starch, Sucrose Dilaurate, Sucrose Trilaurate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Isoceteth-20, Sodium Polyacrylate, Tocopherol, Hydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Malic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Chlorphenesin
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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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
How does it fit your skin?
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