Dermalogica Precleanse for combination skin
Caprylic Capric Triglyceride
Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil Apricot Kernel Oil
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Sunflower Seed Oil
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil
Tocopherol
High
- SuperiorCombination Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- HighSafety
A great choice for combination skin; a few pre-cleansers fit it even better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with combination skin: an oily T-zone, enlarged pores, and dry cheeks. 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 excellent makeup removal for your combination skin, as Caprylic Capric Triglyceride and Apricot Kernel Oil effectively dissolve impurities while balancing your skin's needs.
- The formula also provides general cleansing benefits for oily skin by removing excess sebum with Caprylic Capric Triglyceride and Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil.
- This product is safe for your skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.
How to apply
- Use this makeup remover PM as the first step of your evening routine to clear away excess oil.
- Apply this makeup remover before your regular cleanser to effectively break down heavy makeup and dirt.
- Gently wipe the makeup remover across your face using a soft cotton pad, avoiding harsh rubbing.
- Use the makeup remover on completely dry skin to help dissolve surface oils and impurities best.
- Avoid direct contact with the eyes while using this makeup remover.
People Say
★4.7Overall rating based on 5.1k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, users widely praise this oil cleanser as an effective first step in a double-cleansing routine, noting its ability to melt away waterproof makeup and excess sebum without stripping the skin. It is generally celebrated for leaving skin soft and clean, though some users with sensitive skin or eyes report irritation due to the strong essential oil fragrance.
Highlights
Dissolves makeup Mostly Mentioned
- “Removes stubborn mascara”
- “Melts foundation”
- “Breaks down sunscreen”
- “Clears heavy stage makeup”
Leaves skin soft Often Mentioned
- “Non-stripping finish”
- “Feels hydrated”
- “Silky texture”
- “No tight feeling”
High price point Often Mentioned
- “Expensive for cleanser”
- “Pricey investment”
- “Not budget-friendly”
- “Luxury cost”
Effective for oily Sometimes Noted
- “Clears sebaceous filaments”
- “Removes excess oil”
- “Balances sebum”
- “Deep cleans pores”
Spa-like experience Sometimes Noted
- “Relaxing herbal scent”
- “Luxurious feel”
- “Professional quality”
- “Enjoyable ritual”
Eye irritation Sometimes Noted
- “Stings eyes”
- “Blurs vision”
- “Sensitive to oils”
- “Burns if gets in eyes”
Packaging issues Sometimes Noted
- “Leaky pump”
- “Messy bottle”
- “Travel difficulties”
- “Dispenses too much”
Little goes long Rarely Noted
- “Lasts for months”
- “One pump sufficient”
- “Spreads easily”
- “Cost-effective over time”
Caused breakouts Rarely Noted
- “Cystic acne flare-ups”
- “Clogged pores”
- “Allergic reaction”
- “Small bumps”
Strong fragrance Rarely Noted
- “Overpowering scent”
- “Essential oils irritating”
- “Smells like citronella/lavender”
- “Too perfumed”
Sources: lovi.care, ulta.com, sephora.sg, dermstore.com, lovelyskin.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes Dermalogica Precleanse a great fit for combination skin?
Dermalogica Precleanse is a great fit because Caprylic Capric Triglyceride and Apricot Kernel Oil effectively dissolve makeup and impurities while balancing your skin. It helps remove excess oil without irritation, leaving your face feeling comfortable and clean.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for combination skin?
Caprylic Capric Triglyceride and apricot kernel oil make this cleanser a great fit by dissolving makeup while balancing your skin's needs. Caprylic Capric Triglyceride helps increase skin hydration and keeps your skin soft and smooth.
What does Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride do for combination skin?
Caprylic/capric triglyceride helps keep combination skin hydrated and soft while reducing moisture loss. It is generally well tolerated and unlikely to clog pores.
What does Apricot Kernel Oil do for combination skin?
Apricot Kernel Oil helps nourish dry areas while keeping oily spots balanced, leaving your skin soft and smooth. Plant oils like this one are unlikely to cause irritation and aid in skin barrier repair, making them great for mixed skin types.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2017International Journal of Toxicology, 2007
Where does it go in a skincare routine for combination skin?
Dermalogica Precleanse goes in the evening routine as a makeup remover before your regular cleanser. It helps dissolve impurities and excess oil for your combination skin without causing irritation.
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 safe to use alongside retinol because the formula lacks harsh ingredients. Using a gentle cleanser and makeup remover helps wash away impurities without causing extra dryness when you use retinol.
How often should I use it?
You can use this makeup remover in your evening routine and your weekly routine to effectively dissolve impurities and remove excess sebum. The formula is safe for your skin and is unlikely to cause irritation.
Can it clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for combination skin?
Dermalogica Precleanse is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts on combination skin because its oils dissolve impurities and clear away excess oil without using harsh ingredients. It has a very safe profile, though some shoppers mention mild eye irritation or a strong fragrance.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (citral, limonene, and linalool).
What the research says
Topical application of an emollient emulsion containing 15.0% caprylic/capric triglyceride doubled the amount of urocanic acid isomers and increased skin hydration with reduced transepidermal water loss in healthy subjects, though it did not prevent ultraviolet-induced urocanic acid isomerization.
Life, 2023Limonene protects immortalized human skin keratinocytes against UVB-induced photodamage and photoaging by increasing cell viability, inhibiting intracellular ROS generation, suppressing alpha-MSH secretion, and preventing depletion of tight junction proteins through activation of the Nrf2-dependent antioxidant defense system.
Environmental Toxicology, 2022Topical application of Foeniculum vulgare compounds fenchone and limonene increased wound contraction and re-epithelialization in rats compared to untreated and sham control groups over 10 days.
Biotechnic & Histochemistry, 2017Cold pressed terpeneless Valencia orange oil completely inhibited Campylobacter jejuni and reduced cells attached to chicken skin by 1.5 to 2 logarithms compared to control, while showing variable inhibition against Campylobacter coli and Arcobacter spp.
International Journal of Food Microbiology, 2009Topical 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
Ingredients
Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil Apricot Kernel Oil, Peg-40 Sorbitan Peroleate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Sunflower Seed Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil, Grapefruit Peel Oil, Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Oil, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil Lavender Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract Rosemary Leaf Extract, Solanum Lycopersicum Extract Tomato Extract, Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil Mandarin Orange Peel Oil, Rice Bran Oil, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Aleurites Moluccana Seed Oil, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Citral, Limonene, Linalool
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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