The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser for mature skin
Squalane
Glycerin
Coco-Caprylate Caprate
Ethyl Macadamiate
Hydrogenated Hydrolysate Starch
Average
- AverageNormal Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
Works for mature skin; other cleansers fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with mature skin: fine lines, wrinkles, and loss of firmness. 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 normal skin, as squalane and glycerin provide hydration and pore cleansing without harshness. These ingredients offer general skincare benefits, supporting hydration and cleansing, but are not specifically targeted for your wrinkles and fine lines.
- The formula is well-suited for normal skin due to the emollient and humectant properties of squalane and glycerin, though a broader range of ingredients could enhance results.
- The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the inclusion of soothing components like squalane and tocopherol.
How to apply
- Use your cleanser as part of both your AM and PM routine. Start using it daily since your skin is normal and not sensitive.
- Apply this first in your routine before using your toner, moisturizer, and SPF.
- Gently massage the cleanser onto your face using circular motions, then rinse well with water. Avoid rubbing your skin too hard.
- Apply the cleanser directly onto slightly damp skin for the best fresh feeling. Make sure your face is clean of heavy makeup first.
- Avoid the sensitive eye area while washing. Do a quick patch test before your very first use to be safe.
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 mature skin?
This cleanser works for mature skin by providing gentle hydration and cleansing with squalane and glycerin, though it is not specifically targeted for wrinkles and fine lines. To better support mature skin, a product of this type needs specialized ingredients that address fine lines while keeping the skin soft and comfortable.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for mature skin?
Squalane and glycerin make this cleanser a good fit because they help keep mature skin soft and hydrated without feeling harsh. This cleanser for mature skin needs specialized ingredients that target wrinkles and fine lines, along with amino acids and aloe.
What does Squalane do for mature skin?
Squalane helps keep mature skin feeling soft and smooth by boosting moisture and protecting the skin barrier. It also provides antioxidant support that helps improve the look of fine lines and wrinkles over time.
Journal of Nanobiotechnology, 2025Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, 2010
What does Glycerin do for mature skin?
Glycerin helps keep mature skin feeling soft and smooth by drawing moisture into the outer layer and locking it in. This daily hydration boost supports the skin barrier, keeping dry areas comfortable and protected against irritation.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2008Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for mature skin?
This cleanser goes as the first step in the morning and as the second step in the evening after your makeup remover. While it provides gentle cleansing and hydration with squalane and glycerin, mature skin needs a product of this type that also includes ingredients to target fine lines and wrinkles for better results.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cleanser in your routine alongside retinol, applying it first to gently cleanse your skin before your retinol treatment. This cleanser is unlikely to irritate your skin, but to better care for mature skin, a product of this type needs added ingredients that specifically target fine lines and wrinkles.
How often should I use this cleanser?
You can use this cleanser daily as part of your morning and evening routine. Its mild formula is unlikely to cause irritation and helps keep skin clean without feeling stripped.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for mature skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts on mature skin, as it has a very safe formula with gentle, soothing ingredients that do not irritate. To properly care for mature skin, a product of this type needs added active ingredients that target fine lines and wrinkles while keeping the skin soft and smooth.
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 it is very safe and unlikely to cause irritation. However, because it only provides basic cleansing and hydration without targeting wrinkles, mature skin needs cleansers packed with botanical actives, peptides, or antioxidants to smooth fine lines.
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, 2017Squalane 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
Why other cleansers fit mature 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, 2024Topical hyaluronic acid filler serum combined with Botulinum toxin type A lengthened the duration of the toxin's effect in reducing wrinkles compared to Botulinum toxin type A alone.
Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Camellia 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, 2007
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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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?
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