Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta® Pore Perfecting Cleansing Gel for dry sensitive skin
Mandelic Acid
Glycolic Acid
Willow Bark Extract
Sodium Hyaluronate
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf JuiceAverage
- 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, but it lacks sufficient emollient ingredients to fully address dryness.
- The cleansing and exfoliating benefits from sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate and mandelic acid are generally supportive for your skin, though not directly targeted at your primary concerns.
- The product is safe for your dry and sensitive skin, as it contains soothing ingredients like aloe barbadensis leaf juice and bisabolol, 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
★4.4Overall rating based on 1.1k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this cleanser is highly praised for its deep cleansing abilities and pore refinement, leaving skin feeling soft and balanced, particularly for oily and combination skin types. Many users report smoother texture and reduced breakouts. However, a small number of users with sensitive or dry skin experienced irritation or purging, and some found the price point high for a cleanser.
Highlights
Deep clean Mostly Mentioned
- “leaves skin soft and supple”
- “cleans deep without drying”
- “face feels balanced”
Improves texture Often Mentioned
- “pores look smaller”
- “skin texture is smoother”
- “helped with blackheads”
- “glass skin effect”
Helps acne Sometimes Noted
- “cleared my cystic acne”
- “keeps breakouts at bay”
- “great for hormonal acne”
- “reduced blemishes”
Luxurious lather Sometimes Noted
- “lathers beautifully”
- “a little goes a long way”
- “feels silky on skin”
- “rich foam”
Expensive price Sometimes Noted
- “pricey for a cleanser”
- “too expensive to repurchase”
- “wish it was cheaper”
- “good but costly”
Can be drying Rarely Noted
- “dried out my skin”
- “left dry patches”
- “too strong for twice a day”
- “skin felt tight”
Caused breakouts Rarely Noted
- “gave me whiteheads”
- “caused a bad breakout”
- “skin reacted poorly”
- “too active for my sensitive skin”
Scent dislike Rarely Noted
- “smells like chemicals”
- “scent is off-putting”
- “weird smell”
- “fragrance is too strong”
Sources: lovi.care, sephora.com, drdennisgross.com, cultbeauty.com, lovelyskin.com, influenster.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Pore Perfecting Cleansing Gel work for dry sensitive skin?
This cleanser works moderately well for your dry sensitive skin, offering some moisture from glycerin and hyaluronic acid along with soothing ingredients like aloe and bisabolol. However, it lacks enough softening ingredients to fully address dryness, so a product of this type needs a rich blend of hydrating and barrier-repairing ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid to maintain moisture and protect dry skin.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for dry sensitive skin?
Glycerin, sodium hyaluronate, aloe barbadensis leaf juice, and bisabolol help make this cleanser a good fit because they add moisture and keep skin calm. To work best for dry sensitive skin, a cleanser of this type needs rich moisturizing and skin-softening ingredients along with barrier-repairing agents like ceramides.
What does Mandelic Acid do for dry sensitive skin?
Mandelic acid is very well tolerated by sensitive skin, and it helps smooth out rough patches and improves firmness without causing too much irritation.
What does Glycolic Acid do for dry sensitive skin?
Glycolic acid can be too harsh for dry sensitive skin and may cause irritation, so this skin type needs gentle calming ingredients and deeply nourishing moisturizers to keep the skin barrier safe and smooth.
Acta Dermato-venereologica, 1995The British Journal of Dermatology, 1997
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for dry sensitive skin?
This cleanser goes in the morning and evening steps of your routine before applying toners, treatments, and moisturizers. A cleanser for dry sensitive skin needs nourishing oils and butters or other rich softening ingredients to deeply lock in moisture and fully prevent tightness.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cleanser with retinol by applying it before your retinol step, though a product of this type for dry sensitive skin needs extra softening and smoothing ingredients to fully comfort your skin. This cleanser is unlikely to irritate your skin because it includes soothing ingredients like aloe barbadensis leaf juice and bisabolol.
How often should I use this cleanser?
You can use this cleanser daily as part of your morning and evening routine, though a product of this type for dry sensitive skin needs extra softening and smoothing ingredients like nourishing plant oils and rich butters to fully lock in moisture.
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, as reviewers rarely report this issue and the product avoids heavy, pore-blocking ingredients. It also contains soothing ingredients like aloe and bisabolol that help keep skin calm, though dry skin generally needs extra softening ingredients to stay completely comfortable.
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
You can use this cleanser on your body, but you should avoid the delicate skin around your eyes since facial cleansers can easily dry out and irritate that thin area. While it has a safe profile and soothing ingredients like aloe and bisabolol, a cleanser for dry sensitive skin needs extra moisturizing ingredients to fully address dryness.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It contains fragrance (farnesol) and 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, 2017Treatment with 45% mandelic acid peel showed nearly equal overall efficacy as 30% salicylic acid peel in patients with mild-to-moderate facial acne vulgaris, but with fewer adverse effects.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Chemical peels using 35% glycolic acid, 20% salicylic-10% mandelic acid, and phytic acid reduce acne scores by 70.55%, 74.14%, and 69.7% respectively, and significantly decline the postacne hyperpigmentation index in Asian patients with mild to moderate acne.
Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery, 2019Commonly used chemical peels showed no significant differences in effectiveness for acne vulgaris in most comparisons, though combined salicylic and mandelic acid peeling was superior to glycolic acid and glycolic acid was superior to placebo, based on twelve randomized controlled trials.
BMJ Open, 2018Repeated short-contact 70% glycolic acid peels provided superior results in atrophic acne scars compared to daily low-strength glycolic acid cream or placebo in 58 women over 24 weeks.
International Journal of Dermatology, 2000Serial glycolic acid peels combined with a modified Kligman formula significantly reduced facial PIH severity in Indian patients compared to the modified Kligman formula alone.
Dermatologic Surgery, 2017A 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, 2019Bioactive lipid nanocarriers co-loaded with willow bark or ivy leaf extracts and UV-filters provided pronounced UVA photoprotection up to an SPF-equivalent value of 13 and a maximum in vivo skin hydration effect of 97% when prepared with pomegranate oil.
Nanomaterials, 2022A topical serum containing 0.5% salicin applied twice daily reduced visible signs of skin aging, including wrinkles and tactile roughness, in 30 female subjects over 12 weeks compared to baseline.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 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, 2019A 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, 2010
Why other cleansers fit dry sensitive skin better
Phytosphingosine increased filaggrin metabolism and skin hydration in human skin by stimulating filaggrin biosynthesis and degradation leading to natural moisturizing factor formation.
Archives of Dermatological Research, 2017A cream containing panthenol, prebiotics, and probiotic lysate improved facial sensitive skin symptoms and skin barrier function in 110 participants over 28 days.
Skin Research and Technology, 2024A panthenol-enriched mask improved skin hydration, regulated sebum, and reduced redness and TEWL across dry sensitive, oily sensitive, and oily acne skin subgroups with excellent tolerance and no adverse reactions.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
Ingredients
Water, Glycerin, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Propanediol, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Disteareth-75 Ipdi, Glycereth-7 Caprylate Caprate, Sodium Chloride, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Mandelic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Willow Bark Extract, Phytic Acid, Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate, Citric Acid, Farnesol, Barosma Betulina Leaf Extract, Sodium Pca, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tremella Fuciformis Extract Mushroom Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Bisabolol, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Alcohol, Sodium Phytate, Jasmine Leaf Extract Flower, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract Grape Fruit Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Stem Extract Flower Leaf Lavender Stem Extract Flower Leaf, Clove Flower Extract, Polyglyceryl-3 Laurate, Peg-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Sodium Hydroxide, Benzoic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, 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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PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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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
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