Simple Hydrating Cleansing Oil for dry skin
Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Isopropyl Palmitate
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Retinyl Palmitate
Tocopheryl AcetateAverage
- AverageDry Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for dry skin; other pre-cleansers fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dry skin: flakiness, tightness, dehydration, 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 as Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil and Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil provide emollient action to dissolve makeup and impurities, aiding in cleansing. While these oils offer moisturizing effects, the formula lacks sufficient humectants for optimal hydration of your dry or flaky skin.
- The product is safe for your dry skin due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients, posing no risk of irritation.
- It provides general skincare benefits, such as hydration and cleansing, for your dry or flaky skin.
How to apply
- Use this makeup remover in your PM routine every evening to gently clean your face. Always pair with a gentle cleanser afterward.
- Apply this makeup remover as a pre-cleanser step before using your regular cleanser and moisturizer.
- Gently wipe a small amount of makeup remover across your face using a soft cotton pad. Avoid any harsh rubbing on dry or flaky skin.
- Apply the makeup remover directly onto dry skin to easily dissolve makeup without stripping your natural moisture. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water.
- Avoid direct contact with your eyes and do a patch test before first use. Discontinue use if irritation occurs.
People Say
★4.4Overall rating based on 300+ reviewsThis grapeseed-oil based cleanser is widely praised by users with sensitive and acne-prone skin for its gentle, non-stripping formula that effectively dissolves makeup without causing irritation. While most users find it leaves skin soft and hydrated, a minority report issues with a lingering oily residue or an unpleasant "cooking oil" scent.
Highlights
Effective makeup removal Mostly Mentioned
- “Melted away foundation and my base”
- “Removes EVERYTHING with massaging”
- “Dissolves long wear lipstick”
Gentle on sensitive skin Mostly Mentioned
- “Doesn't sting eyes or break me out”
- “Perfect for sensitive skin”
- “No irritation or breakouts”
Non-stripping, hydrating Often Mentioned
- “Skin feels beautifully soft”
- “Instantly hydrated”
- “No tight feeling”
Great value Sometimes Noted
- “Cheapest and best oil cleanser”
- “Bottle lasts ages”
- “Great option at this price point”
Oily residue Sometimes Noted
- “Leaves a weird grimy residue”
- “Hard to rinse off completely”
- “Leaves a thin oil film”
Breakouts Rarely Noted
- “Caused texture on my cheeks”
- “Broke me out horribly”
- “Clogged my pores”
Packaging issues Rarely Noted
- “Would prefer a pump”
- “Messy when pouring out”
- “Leaky cap”
Unpleasant scent Rarely Noted
- “Smells like chip fat”
- “Noticed a cooking oil-like smell”
- “Smell is really off putting”
Sources: lovi.care, boots.com, superdrug.com, reddit.com, simpleskincare.com, pickyskincare.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Simple Hydrating Cleansing Oil work for dry skin?
Simple Hydrating Cleansing Oil works moderately well for dry skin, dissolving makeup while providing basic moisture, though other products fit this skin type better. To truly quench and nourish dry skin, a product needs a rich blend of deep hydrators, multiple types of hyaluronic acid, and extra nourishing oils.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for dry skin?
Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil and Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil make this cleanser a fit for dry skin by providing softening action to dissolve makeup and impurities. To truly fit dry skin well, a product of this type needs multiple types of hyaluronic acid and rich hydrating ingredients that provide deep moisture and soothing benefits.
What does Grapeseed Oil do for dry skin?
Grapeseed oil is a light moisturizer that helps smooth and soften dry skin without feeling heavy. It is easily absorbed and may help support the skin barrier, though a richer cream containing ceramides or shea butter is often needed for very dry skin.
What does Isopropyl Palmitate do for dry skin?
Isopropyl Palmitate helps soften dry skin by spreading easily and making formulas feel smooth, but it is a poor fit because it tends to clog pores. A product for dry skin needs gentle, non-clogging oils and moisture-binding ingredients that hydrate without blocking pores.
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 1984Cutaneous and Ocular Toxicology, 2007
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for dry skin?
This makeup remover goes as the first step in your evening routine to dissolve makeup and impurities before cleansing. Because it lacks sufficient moisture-binding ingredients, dry skin needs additional hydrating layers and rich creams afterward to stay soft and smooth.
Can I use it with niacinamide, and in what order?
You can use this makeup remover with niacinamide by applying it first to take off makeup before washing your face and following with your niacinamide product. This product is unlikely to irritate dry skin, but a product of this type needs added humectants to keep dry skin fully hydrated.
How often should I use this cleanser?
You can use this makeup remover in your evening routine and during your weekly routine as a first step to dissolve makeup and impurities without causing irritation. Because it lacks sufficient water-attracting ingredients for optimal hydration on dry skin, a dry skin routine needs added humectants and rich moisturizers to keep skin soft and smooth.
Can it clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry skin?
This cleansing oil is unlikely to cause irritation on dry skin, though it carries a low risk of breakouts and may leave an oily residue. A product for this skin type needs extra water-attracting ingredients to keep flaky areas properly hydrated while cleansing.
Is it fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Vitamin 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, 1998A vitamin A palmitate and antioxidant-containing oil-based moisturizer improved fine lines, wrinkles, pigmentation, tone, texture, dryness, firmness, and clarity across various body sites compared to a no-treatment group over 12 weeks.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2013Co-encapsulation of alpha-tocopherol and alpha-tocopheryl acetate in nanostructured lipid carrier gel formulations significantly enhanced moisture retention up to 68% and improved skin elasticity in human volunteers compared to a solution gel.
Scientific Reports, 2025Grapeseed oil-loaded dermocosmetic nanoemulgel applied on the cheeks of healthy volunteers significantly reduced skin melanin, erythema, sebum production, and pores while increasing moisture and elasticity compared to a placebo.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022Topical treatment with cranberry oil and grape oil improved wound healing in rats, with cranberry oil showing an 88.1% wound area reduction and grape oil showing 84.6% compared to 74.1% in controls and 78.4% in the mupirocin standard group on day 13.
Phytotherapy Research, 2011An ionic liquid-based grapeseed oil emulsion increased transdermal penetration by 4.63-fold and improved skin hydration, firmness, elasticity, and facial wrinkles after 28 days of continuous use compared to ordinary emulsion.
Pharmaceuticals, 2024Over-the-counter retinol products provided only weak evidence for a mild ameliorating effect on fine facial skin wrinkle lines in randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled trials, and major methodological flaws call the validity of positive results into question.
The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2021A cosmetic niacinamide/peptide/retinyl propionate regimen significantly improved periorbital wrinkle appearance relative to a 0.02% tretinoin regimen at 8 weeks with comparable benefits at 24 weeks, while demonstrating significantly better tolerability in 196 women.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2010A novel triple-active cosmetic formulation containing 4-hexylresorcinol, retinyl propionate, and niacinamide improved the visual appearance of photoageing similarly to 0.02% tretinoin and reversed a consensus gene signature associated with ageing in female adults while causing less skin irritation.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2024Topical 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, 2024
Why other pre-cleansers fit dry skin better
Camellia japonica oil activated the human COL1A2 promoter, induced type I procollagen synthesis, inhibited matrix metalloproteinase-1 activity, and reduced trans-epidermal water loss without inducing adverse reactions in human skin.
Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2007Hydrogels containing vitamin E-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers exhibited better occlusive properties and long-lasting effects, while vitamin E-loaded nanoemulsions performed a faster skin hydration effect and were selected as more attractive for skin application.
Colloids and Surfaces. B, Biointerfaces, 2019Topical formulation containing beeswax-based nanoparticles decreased transepidermal water loss and increased stratum corneum water content after 28 days of treatment.
AAPS PharmSciTech, 2017
Ingredients
Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Isopropyl Palmitate, Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate, Phenoxyethanol, Bht, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Isopropyl Myristate, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate
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
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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.