Banila Co Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm Original for dry sensitive skin
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Tocopheryl Acetate Vitamin E
Lithospermum Erythrorhizon Root Extract
Bambusa Vulgaris Stem Extract Leaf
Angelica Archangelica Root ExtractAverage
- HighDry Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for dry sensitive skin; other pre-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 makeup removal for your dry and sensitive skin, as Ethylhexyl Palmitate and Cetyl Ethylhexanoate effectively dissolve impurities while Bambusa Vulgaris Stem Extract Leaf and Aspalathus Linearis Extract provide emollient action and barrier repair. These ingredients work synergistically to support your dry or flaky skin and sensitivity.
- The formula is highly suitable for dry skin, with the botanical extracts offering supportive hydration and soothing benefits.
- The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.
How to apply
- Use your makeup remover PM as the first step of your evening routine. Start 3×/week daily use if your dry skin tolerates it well.
- Apply this makeup remover before your regular cleanser, toner, and moisturizer. It prepares your face for a thorough double-cleansing routine.
- Gently press a small amount onto your skin using a soft cotton pad. Avoid rubbing to protect your sensitive and flaky skin.
- Apply the makeup remover on completely dry skin to ensure better tolerance and comfort. This prevents any extra irritation for reactive skin types.
- Avoid the sensitive eye area and do a patch test before your very first use to prevent irritation.
People Say
★4.7Overall rating based on 4.0k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this cult-favorite cleansing balm is widely praised for its unique sherbet-like texture that melts into an oil to effortlessly dissolve stubborn waterproof makeup without stripping the skin. While highly effective for most, users with acne-prone or sensitive skin report mixed results, with some experiencing clogged pores or irritation from the fragrance and mineral oil content.
Highlights
Melts makeup Mostly Mentioned
- “Dissolves waterproof mascara instantly”
- “Melts away layers of sunscreen”
- “Removes heavy stage makeup effortlessly”
Non-stripping Often Mentioned
- “Skin feels baby soft”
- “No tight feeling after rinsing”
- “Leaves face feeling hydrated and plump”
Unique texture Often Mentioned
- “Satisfying sherbet texture”
- “Glides on without dripping”
- “Turns into a smooth oil immediately”
Pleasant experience Sometimes Noted
- “Love the included spatula”
- “Smells like light acerola cherry”
- “Hygienic packaging design”
Causes blurry vision Sometimes Noted
- “Gave me cloudy eyes”
- “Vision was blurry for minutes”
- “Leaves a film on my contacts”
Causes breakouts Rarely Noted
- “Caused deep cystic acne”
- “Clogged my pores immediately”
- “Broke me out in whiteheads”
Fragrance sensitivity Rarely Noted
- “Fragrance irritated my skin”
- “Smell is too perfume-y”
- “Stung my sensitive cheeks”
Leaves residue Rarely Noted
- “Leaves a greasy film”
- “Hard to rinse off completely”
- “Must use a foam cleanser after”
Sources: lovi.care, ulta.com, iherb.com, yesstyle.com, sokoglam.com, walmart.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Banila Co Clean It Zero Original work for dry sensitive skin?
Banila Co Clean It Zero Original works reasonably well for dry sensitive skin, as it dissolves makeup while offering supportive hydration and soothing benefits. It is unlikely to cause irritation due to its gentle formula. However, this skin type needs makeup removers rich in deep-hydrating ingredients like multiple hyaluronic acids and nourishing emollient oils to maintain optimal moisture levels.
Archives of Dermatological Research, 2008Arzneimittel-Forschung, 1998
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for dry sensitive skin?
Lithospermum Erythrorhizon Root Extract and Tocopheryl Acetate Vitamin E help make this cleanser a good fit because they provide moisturizing effects and improve skin hydration. To work best for dry sensitive skin, this type of product needs deep hydration with multiple types of hyaluronic acid and rich emollient oils to keep moisture locked in.
Archives of Dermatological Research, 2008Arzneimittel-Forschung, 1998
What does Ethylhexyl Palmitate do for dry sensitive skin?
Ethylhexyl Palmitate is an isopropyl ester that tends to clog pores and may not suit dry sensitive skin well. This skin type needs gentle ingredients that hydrate and restore the barrier without causing breakouts.
What does Tocopheryl Acetate do for dry sensitive skin?
Tocopheryl acetate helps dry sensitive skin by locking in moisture to keep it soft and comfortable, and it is unlikely to clog pores or cause irritation. It supports your skin barrier so it stays smooth and calm even when exposed to everyday stressors.
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for dry sensitive skin?
This makeup remover goes in the evening routine before a cleanser, and during weekly routines before a cleanser and nourishing mask. To better fit dry sensitive skin, a product of this type needs rich oils and plant extracts that soothe flaky areas and repair the skin barrier without causing irritation.
Archives of Dermatological Research, 2008Arzneimittel-Forschung, 1998
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this makeup remover in your evening routine before your cleanser, and it is unlikely to irritate your skin. A cleanser for dry and sensitive skin needs added nourishing plant oils, ceramides, and gentle hydrating ingredients to protect your skin barrier while cleansing.
How often should I use this cleanser?
You can use this makeup remover in your evening routine and weekly routine to help take off makeup without causing irritation. Products for dry and sensitive skin need gentle ingredients that add moisture and repair the skin barrier.
Archives of Dermatological Research, 2008Arzneimittel-Forschung, 1998
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry sensitive skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to cause breakouts for dry sensitive skin, as its safety profile is excellent and complaints about breakouts are low. A product of this type needs non-pore-clogging oils and gentle soothing ingredients to keep dry skin calm and clear.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Lithospermum erythrorhizon root extract emulsions increase skin humidity up to 11.77% and decrease transepidermal water loss up to 7.68% in 30 healthy Asian females in a time- and dose-dependent manner.
Archives of Dermatological Research, 2008Vitamin 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, 1998Co-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, 2025Coptis, shikonin, or curcumin at a 5% concentration in cosmetics can be applied safely without inducing contact allergic and photosensitive reactions in human subjects.
Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2021Topical 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, 2024Exosome-like vesicles derived from Lithospermum erythrorhizon callus enhanced wound closure and cell viability in normal human dermal fibroblasts in vitro, and accelerated re-epithelialization and reduced inflammation in LPS-induced wounds in mice over 14 days.
Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology, 2024Shikonin and its derivatives inhibit human tumor necrosis factor alpha promoter activation, mRNA expression, and protein production in a gene gun-transfected mouse skin system by interfering with the basal transcription machinery.
The Journal of Biological Chemistry, 2004Treatment with root extract of Lithospermum erythrorhizon inhibited UVB-induced decreases in cell viability, inflammatory cytokine production, caspase-3 activity, and p53 phosphorylation in normal human epidermal keratinocytes.
Biological & Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 2007Ethyl acetate and aqueous fractions of Bambusa vulgaris leaves accelerate cutaneous wound healing and inhibit carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats.
Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine, 2016An Angelica sinensis extract containing 1% ligustilide demonstrated anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-senescence, matrix-supportive, and antimicrobial effects in human keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts.
Frontiers in Pharmacology, 2026Screening of forty herb extracts using melan-a cells showed that hexane and dichloromethane extracts of Angelica sinensis, alongside compounds 4-ethylresorcinol, 4-ethylphenol, and 1-tetradecanol, exhibited strong hypopigmentary effects by attenuating melanin synthesis.
Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2010Hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin-complexed Angelica sinensis essential oil-loaded microneedles demonstrated antibacterial activity against P. acnes, reduced acne lesion size and IL-1β levels, and suppressed 5α-reductase and FAS expression.
Drug Delivery and Translational Research, 2026
Ingredients
Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Peg-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, Peg-10 Isostearate, Synthetic Wax, Onsen-Sui, Phenoxyethanol, Butylene Glycol, Lithospermum Erythrorhizon Root Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Water, 1,2-Hexanediol, Bambusa Vulgaris Stem Extract Leaf, Aspalathus Linearis Extract, Angelica Archangelica Root Extract, Acerola Fruit Extract, Polydiethyleneglycol Adipate Ipdi Copolymer, Acrylates Ammonium Methacrylate Copolymer, Acrylates Methoxy Peg-15 Methacrylate Copolymer
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
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