Cetaphil Gentle Foaming Cleanser for oily skin

Glycerin
Panthenol Vitamin B5
Tocopheryl Acetate Vitamin E
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Coco-Glucoside
Average
- AverageOily Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
Works for oily skin; other cleansers fit it better.
- American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002
- Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
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 cleansing for your oily skin with cocamidopropyl betaine and coco-glucoside to lift impurities, but glycerin and panthenol vitamin b5 may be too hydrating for oily skin, potentially overwhelming it.
- The formula provides general hydration and cleansing benefits, yet it lacks specialized ingredients to effectively manage oily shine.
- The product is safe for your oily skin, as it contains no harsh ingredients and includes soothing components like panthenol vitamin b5 and tocopheryl acetate vitamin e.
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 1.0k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this cleanser is highly regarded as a gentle, non-stripping option suitable for sensitive and dry skin, effectively cleansing without removing moisture. Many users appreciate its fragrance-free and non-irritating qualities, along with its pleasant foaming texture. Some users with oily skin or those who wear heavy makeup find it too mild, and a notable number of reviews mention issues with the pump packaging.
Highlights
Fragrance-free Mostly Mentioned
- “no strong smell”
- “great for sensitive nose”
- “truly unscented”
Gentle and non-stripping Often Mentioned
- “doesn't strip skin”
- “face feels soft”
- “no tight feeling”
Non-irritating Often Mentioned
- “doesn't burn eyes”
- “calms redness”
Pump issues Often Mentioned
- “pump stays down”
- “hard to dispense”
- “broken nozzle”
Foaming texture Sometimes Noted
- “fluffy foam”
- “light airy texture”
- “satisfying lather”
Makeup removal Sometimes Noted
- “didn't remove mascara”
- “need a second cleanse”
- “too mild for makeup”
Drying for some Rarely Noted
- “caused peeling”
- “dried me out”
- “skin felt parched”
Residue left Rarely Noted
- “hard to rinse off”
- “slippery finish”
- “felt filmy”
Sources: lovi.care, ulta.com, target.com, skinsort.com, reddit.com, lavishfestival.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Cetaphil Gentle Foaming Cleanser work for oily skin?
Cetaphil Gentle Foaming Cleanser works moderately well for your oily skin, lifting impurities safely while providing general cleansing and hydration. However, some of its hydrating ingredients may be too heavy for oily skin, and it lacks specialized ingredients to manage oily shine. A cleanser for this skin type needs ingredients like Niacinamide, Ceramides, Salicylic Acid, or probiotics to effectively control oil and support skin health without irritation.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for oily skin?
Cocamidopropyl betaine and coco-glucoside lift impurities to provide moderate cleansing for oily skin, while panthenol vitamin b5 and tocopheryl acetate vitamin e offer soothing benefits. However, this skin type needs cleansers with ingredients like niacinamide, ceramides, salicylic acid, or probiotics to help manage oily shine and maintain balance.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017
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
What does Panthenol do for oily skin?
Panthenol helps regulate sebum and reduce redness for oily skin while keeping it hydrated. It is very well tolerated and is unlikely to cause adverse reactions across oily skin types.
Where does it go in a skincare routine for oily skin?
This cleanser fits into your morning and evening routine as the first step, or the second step at night after removing makeup. It safely washes away impurities without harshness, though oily skin ultimately benefits most from ingredients that help manage excess shine.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cleanser with retinol, applying the cleanser first on damp skin, rinsing thoroughly, and then following with your retinol treatment once your face is completely dry. Because this cleanser is generally safe and free of harsh ingredients, it is unlikely to irritate your skin when paired with retinol.
How often should I use it?
You can use this cleanser daily in the morning and evening as part of your routine. It is safe for oily skin, though this skin type needs a cleanser with specialized ingredients to control shine.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for oily skin, as it contains no harsh ingredients and is safe for daily use. However, because it lacks specialized ingredients to manage oily shine, an oily skin routine needs ingredients like salicylic acid or niacinamide to help control excess oil.
Can I use it around the eyes or on my body?
You can safely use this cleanser on your body and around the eyes, as it is very gentle and contains no harsh ingredients. Because the skin around the eyes is very thin, a gentle cleanser like this one helps clean it without causing irritation.
Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 2002American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no fragrance and contains drying alcohol (isopropyl alcohol).
What the research says
Topical dexpanthenol acts as a moisturizer, improves stratum corneum hydration, accelerates wound healing and epidermal regeneration, reduces erythema, and improves symptoms of skin irritation compared to vehicle or no pretreatment.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002A 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 new topical panthenol-containing emollient significantly improved transepidermal water loss reduction, stratum corneum hydration, and intercellular lipid lamellae length compared with control in healthy subjects without negatively impacting bacterial viability.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017Vitamin E in O/W and W/O emulsions significantly increased stratum corneum hydration and enhanced water-binding capacity, with an optimum concentration of 5%.
Arzneimittel-Forschung, 1998The 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, 2012Moisturizer containing 5% panthenol, madecassoside, and copper-zinc-manganese decreased adverse reactions and downtime after ablative fractional carbon dioxide laser resurfacing with comparable efficacy to 0.02% triamcinolone acetonide cream in 20 subjects.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019Topical dexpanthenol formulated in lipophilic vehicles improved stratum corneum hydration and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to vehicle control in humans.
Arzneimittel-Forschung, 2000Hyaluronic acid, hyaluronic acid plus dexpanthenol, and isotonic saline nasal sprays all significantly improved dry nose symptoms over four weeks in 240 patients, with hyaluronic acid plus dexpanthenol providing superior nasal moisturisation compared to the other two.
Auris, Nasus, Larynx, 2020Topical 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, 2025Dermatological 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, 2021Topical 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, 2024The 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, 2003Coco-glucoside powered emulgels containing probiotics and prebiotics demonstrated stability without phase separation and preserved probiotic viability for up to 11 days, supporting the skin's natural barrier.
International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 2025
Why other cleansers fit oily skin better
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, 2019Topical 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
Ingredients
Water, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Coco-Glucoside, Betaine, Glycerin, Panthenol Vitamin B5, Tocopheryl Acetate Vitamin E, Sodium Benzoate, Polysorbate 20, Polyquaternium-10, Phenoxyethanol, Citric Acid, Isopropyl Alcohol
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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Medical Board
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
-

Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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