Clinique all about clean for dry skin
Sodium Laureth Sulfate
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Warning
- LowDry Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- RiskySafety
A poor match for dry skin; the cleansers alongside 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 cleansing for your dry skin, as Sodium Laureth Sulfate and Cocamidopropyl Betaine help remove impurities, but this ingredient can also strip natural oils, which is unsuitable for dry skin.
- The presence of Hyaluronic Acid and Glycerin offers some hydration, but the formula lacks sufficient emollient ingredients to adequately moisturize dry or flaky skin.
How to apply
- Use this cleanser AM and PM every day to keep your skin clean. Start using it daily right away since your skin is not sensitive.
- Apply this cleanser as the very first step in your morning routine and right after your pre-cleanser in the evening. Follow with your toner and moisturizer afterwards.
- Gently massage a small amount of cleanser onto your face using soft circular motions. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water and pat dry with a clean towel.
- Apply this cleanser on slightly damp skin for a comfortable and refreshing wash. This helps maintain your skin's natural moisture while cleansing away dirt.
- Avoid getting the cleanser directly into your eyes to prevent any irritation. Do a simple patch test before your first use to ensure your skin likes it.
People Say
★4.5Overall rating based on 8.8k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this dermatologist-developed cleanser line is a long-time staple for users with varying skin types, praised for effectively removing dirt and oil while maintaining the skin's moisture balance. While the majority of users with sensitive or combination skin find it gentle and non-irritating, a subset of reviewers experience dryness or a tight feeling after use.
Highlights
Effective cleansing Often Mentioned
- “squeaky clean”
- “removes everything”
- “face feels fresh”
Gentle and non-stripping Often Mentioned
- “doesn't dry out”
- “gentle on skin”
- “soft lather”
Fragrance-free Sometimes Noted
- “no scent”
- “good for sensitive skin”
- “allergy tested”
Great value Sometimes Noted
- “lasts forever”
- “little goes a long way”
- “good investment”
Skin type options Sometimes Noted
- “perfect for oily t-zone”
- “great for dry skin”
- “balances combination skin”
Can be drying Sometimes Noted
- “leaves face tight”
- “too drying”
- “stripped my skin”
Caused breakouts Rarely Noted
- “caused bumps”
- “broke me out”
- “skin reaction”
Packaging issues Rarely Noted
- “pump broke”
- “hard to dispense”
- “wasteful bottle design”
Residue left Rarely Noted
- “hard to rinse”
- “filmy feeling”
- “residue on skin”
Struggles with makeup Rarely Noted
- “didn't remove mascara”
- “need double cleanse”
- “makeup remains”
Sources: lovi.care, sephora.com, ulta.com, clinique.com, amazon.com, boots.com, and more
Questions and answers
Why does Lovi advise against Clinique All About Clean Liquid Facial Soap for dry skin?
Lovi advises against this cleanser for dry skin because its strong cleansing ingredients can strip natural oils and leave your skin feeling dry. While it includes some hydrating ingredients, this type of product needs a rich blend of essential ceramides, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and rich moisturizing ingredients to maintain moisture and protect the skin barrier.
International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 2026International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 1999
Which ingredients make this cleanser a poor fit for dry skin?
Sodium Laureth Sulfate and Cocamidopropyl Betaine make this cleanser a poor fit because they can strip natural oils from dry skin. This cleanser needs essential ceramides, sodium hyaluronate, or niacinamide to provide proper moisture and barrier support.
International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 2026International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 1999
What does Water do for dry skin?
Drinking more water helps increase skin hydration and may reduce clinical signs of dryness and roughness, particularly for individuals with lower prior water consumption.
What does Sodium Laureth Sulfate do for dry skin?
Sodium laureth sulfate is a cleansing ingredient that is poorly suited for dry skin because it may dry out the skin surface and weaken your natural skin barrier. This type of skin needs gentle, hydrating ingredients and cleansers with mild surfactants that protect moisture levels and leave skin feeling soft and smooth.
International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 2026International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 1999
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for dry skin?
This cleanser can go in your morning and evening routine, but it is a poor match for dry skin because its cleansing ingredients may strip natural oils. Dry skin needs a mild cleanser paired with rich oils and butters to protect moisture.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 2026
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
This cleanser is a poor match for dry skin because its strong cleansing ingredients can strip natural oils, so using it alongside retinol may cause extra dryness and irritation. Dry skin needs a cleanser that gently washes while adding nourishing oils and barrier-restoring ingredients like ceramides to keep the skin soft and comfortable.
International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 2026International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 1999
How often should I use this cleanser?
This cleanser is a poor match for dry skin because its surfactants can strip natural oils and leave skin feeling tight and dry. Dry skin needs a mild cleanser paired with rich, nourishing moisturizers to keep it soft and comfortable.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 2026
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for dry skin. However, it can strip natural oils and leave your skin feeling dry, as it lacks sufficient moisturizing ingredients.
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
This cleanser may be too harsh for the thin skin around the eyes and dry skin on the body, because its cleansing ingredients can strip natural oils and reduce skin moisture. A cleanser for dry skin needs rich, softening oils and soothing hydrators to keep skin comfortable.
Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 2002International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 2026
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Treatment with sodium lauryl ether sulfate emulsion increased transepidermal water loss and skin surface pH while reducing stratum corneum hydration and natural moisturizing factor content compared to diacyl phospholipid emulsions and controls, irrespective of UVA irradiation, in eight healthy volunteers.
International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 2026Skin irritation potential of surfactant mixtures in 13 human subjects was dose dependent, with the highest irritation observed in formulations containing sodium laureth sulfate, lauryl glucoside, and cocamide DEA together.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 1999Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) treatment decreases lipid membrane chain conformational order and stiffness leading to increased water sorption and diffusivity, whereas sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES) treatment increases lipid membrane conformational order and stiffness with increased water sorption capacity driven by its hygroscopic nature.
Langmuir, 2014The cytotoxic effect of sodium lauryl sulphate on normal human keratinocytes was significantly decreased when combined with cocamidopropyl betaine, Tween 20, and Tween 80 at concentrations well below the critical micelle concentration.
Skin Pharmacology and Applied Skin Physiology, 2003
Ingredients
Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Chloride, Glycerin, Sucrose, Hyaluronic Acid, Caffeine, Disodium Edta, 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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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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