Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser for oily skin
Glycerin
Coco-Glucoside
Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate
Caprylyl Glycol
Acrylates Copolymer
Average
- AverageOily Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
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 cleansing for your oily skin, as coco-glucoside and sodium cocoyl glycinate effectively remove impurities without stripping the skin, though it lacks specialized ingredients to address oily shine.
- Glycerin provides humectant action, offering general cleansing benefits and moderate suitability for oily skin, but insufficient ingredients are present for optimal oil control.
- The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the presence of soothing components like glycerin.
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
★4.7Overall rating based on 3.5k+ reviewsMost users find it non-stripping and suitable for daily use. A smaller number of users with very dry skin report a tight sensation, and some note that heavy makeup may require a second cleanse.
Highlights
Extremely gentle Mostly Mentioned
- “no stinging or redness”
- “doesn't burn eyes”
- “soothes irritated skin”
Clean ingredient list Often Mentioned
- “fragrance-free”
- “no dyes or parabens”
- “fungal acne safe”
- “short ingredient list”
- “dermatologist recommended”
Effective daily cleanse Often Mentioned
- “removes oil well”
- “skin feels clean”
- “rinses clean”
- “removes light makeup”
- “doesn't leave residue”
Great value Sometimes Noted
- “affordable price”
- “huge bottle”
- “lasts months”
- “pump dispenser”
- “economical choice”
Non-stripping formula Sometimes Noted
- “skin feels soft”
- “doesn't strip oils”
- “creamy texture”
- “hydrating feel”
- “no tight feeling”
Can be drying Sometimes Noted
- “left skin tight”
- “need moisturizer immediately”
- “too drying for winter”
- “caused flaking”
- “stripped my skin”
Weak makeup removal Sometimes Noted
- “struggles with mascara”
- “need to double cleanse”
- “doesn't remove foundation”
- “left makeup residue”
- “not for heavy makeup”
Packaging issues Rarely Noted
- “pump arrived broken”
- “leaked in box”
- “pump gets stuck”
- “hard to unlock”
- “dispenses too much”
Texture complaints Rarely Noted
- “too runny”
- “doesn't foam enough”
- “feels slimy”
- “hard to lather”
- “consistency is thin”
Unpleasant scent Rarely Noted
- “smells like chemicals”
- “weird plastic smell”
- “medicinal scent”
- “smells like glue”
- “off-putting odor”
Sources: lovi.care, target.com, walmart.com, ulta.com, lovelyskin.com, influenster.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser work for oily skin?
Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser is an average fit for oily skin because it provides moderate cleansing and glycerin helps keep the skin comfortable without causing irritation, though it lacks specialized ingredients to address oily shine. A cleanser for this skin type needs effective ingredients like niacinamide and ceramides to manage oily shine and support skin health.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for oily skin?
Glycerin, coco-glucoside, and sodium cocoyl glycinate make this cleanser a decent fit for oily skin by removing impurities while keeping the skin calm and comfortable. However, a cleanser for this skin type needs ingredients like niacinamide, ceramides, salicylic acid, or probiotics to properly control oily shine.
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 Coco Glucoside do for oily skin?
Coco glucoside helps gently cleanse oily skin while supporting the skin's natural barrier without causing irritation. It is typically found in stable formulas that wash away excess oil while keeping the skin feeling balanced and comfortable.
International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 2025Dermatologic Therapy, 2004
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for oily skin?
This cleanser goes as the first step in your morning routine and the second step in your evening routine after a makeup remover. It offers moderate cleansing for oily skin by effectively washing away impurities without stripping, though a cleanser for this skin also needs specialized ingredients for optimal oil control.
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 before putting on your retinol treatment. It gently washes away dirt without irritating the skin, which helps your face stay calm when using strong products.
How often should I use this cleanser?
You can use this cleanser twice a day in your morning and evening routine to wash away impurities without stripping your skin. It has a very gentle safety profile and is unlikely to cause irritation.
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 because its gentle formula washes away dirt without harsh ingredients. However, it lacks specialized ingredients for oil control, so an oily skin type needs a cleanser with ingredients that help balance excess oil and shine.
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
Yes, you can use this gentle cleanser safely on the thin skin around your eyes and on your body because its mild formula has an excellent safety profile without harsh ingredients. This type of cleanser works well across different body areas, though oily skin often needs targeted ingredients to help control shine.
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, 2017The 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, 2012Coco-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, 2019A 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, 2024Topical 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, Glycerin, Coco-Glucoside, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Acrylates Copolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Mica, Sodium Chloride, 1,2-Hexanediol, Titanium Dioxide, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium Edta
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.