Skinbetter Science Refining Foam Cleanser for dry skin
Glycolic Acid
Lactic Acid
Salicylic AcidCaution
- CautionDry Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- ConcerningSafety
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 exfoliation for your dry or flaky skin due to the presence of glycolic acid and lactic acid, which provide some skincare benefits but pose major risks of worsening dryness.
- The combination of these acids, along with salicylic acid, has a keratolytic action that can strip natural oils, making it unsuitable for your dry skin type.
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 900+ reviewsThis cleanser is praised for its ability to gently exfoliate and brighten skin, with many users reporting smoother texture and reduced congestion after consistent use. While it is highly effective for normal to oily skin types, some users with drier skin or those accustomed to the previous "Oxygen Infusion Wash" formula find the texture less satisfying or occasionally drying.
Highlights
Gentle exfoliation Often Mentioned
- “Gently exfoliates and purifies the skin, leaving it soft.”
- “Offers gentle exfoliation without irritation.”
- “AHA blend is effective but not harsh.”
Improves skin texture Often Mentioned
- “My skin felt smoother, and I noticed a visible improvement in texture.”
- “My texture improved noticeably.”
- “Softens rough patches and enhances your skin's natural glow.”
Brightens complexion Sometimes Noted
- “My skin is brighter and smoother after a few uses.”
- “Skin looked brighter and more refined.”
- “Enhances your skin's natural glow.”
Non-stripping cleanse Sometimes Noted
- “Works diligently to remove excess oil... yet it does so in a way that feels gentle.”
- “Cleans well without stripping my skin.”
- “Leaves it feeling clean but not tight.”
Less luxurious feel Sometimes Noted
- “I didn't get a luxury feeling when using this product.”
- “The new formula just doesn't hit the same.”
- “It felt like an unscented version of a foaming hand soap.”
Can be drying Rarely Noted
- “Too drying for my combination skin.”
- “Can feel a bit drying if I use too much.”
- “I experienced a little tightness afterward.”
Inconsistent deep clean Rarely Noted
- “I still feel some residue after rinsing.”
- “I didn't feel like my skin was getting a proper deep cleanse.”
- “I find myself needing to double-cleanse... to get that really clean feeling.”
Sources: lovi.care, ellemesmedspa.com, lovelyskin.com, lazskincare.com, reddit.com, dermapproved.com, and more
Questions and answers
Why does Lovi advise caution with skinbetter science Refining Foam Cleanser for dry skin?
This cleanser uses glycolic acid, lactic acid, and salicylic acid to exfoliate, but this action may strip natural oils and worsen dryness on dry skin. Cleansers that fit this skin better need gentle, hydrating ingredients like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide to support moisture and protect the skin barrier.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a poor fit for dry skin?
Glycolic acid, lactic acid, and salicylic acid make this cleanser a poor fit for dry skin. Their exfoliating action can strip natural oils and worsen dryness. A cleanser for this skin type needs hydrating and barrier-supporting ingredients like essential ceramides, sodium hyaluronate, or niacinamide.
What does Glycolic Acid do for dry skin?
Glycolic acid helps smooth and soften dry skin by speeding up the shedding of older surface cells. Because it can also cause the skin to lose more moisture, dry skin needs extra hydrating ingredients like glycerin or hyaluronic acid alongside it to keep the skin comfortable.
What does Lactic Acid do for dry skin?
Lactic acid helps relieve dry skin by drawing in moisture and strengthening the skin's barrier so it stays soft and smooth. This ingredient gently sheds dead cells and supports natural moisturizing factors, making it very useful for improving rough or flaky areas.
International Journal of Dermatology, 2025Skin Research and Technology, 2013
Where does it go in a skincare routine for dry skin?
This cleanser goes into the morning and evening routine for dry skin, but because it contains glycolic acid, lactic acid, and salicylic acid, it can strip natural oils and make dryness worse. Dry skin needs a cleanser that is mild and hydrating to protect moisture and keep the skin soft and smooth.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
Using this cleanser with retinol is a poor match for your dry skin, as the combination of exfoliating acids can strip natural oils and worsen dryness. A cleanser of this type for dry skin needs gentle, hydrating ingredients that protect your natural moisture barrier instead.
How often should I use it?
This cleanser may not be a good fit for dry skin because its acids can strip natural oils and worsen dryness. When using a product of this type on dry skin, it needs a gentle formula with hydrating ingredients like glycerin and soothing plant oils to keep skin soft and comfortable.
Can it clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores, but because it contains acids that strip natural oils, it may worsen dryness and cause flaking. A product for dry skin needs gentle, hydrating ingredients and mild cleansers that protect your skin's natural moisture barrier.
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
This cleanser is not a good match for the thin skin around your eyes or on your body because its acids may strip natural oils and worsen dryness. Dry skin needs a gentle, hydrating cleanser with nourishing ingredients that clean without removing essential moisture.
Is it fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Repeated short-contact 70% glycolic acid peels provided superior results in atrophic acne scars compared to daily low-strength glycolic acid cream or placebo in 58 women over 24 weeks.
International Journal of Dermatology, 2000Serial glycolic acid peels combined with a modified Kligman formula significantly reduced facial PIH severity in Indian patients compared to the modified Kligman formula alone.
Dermatologic Surgery, 2017Application of a cream containing lactic acid 12% and pramoxine HCl 1% significantly improved skin dryness, hydration, and itch compared with a nontreated control in 24 women with a history of dry itchy skin.
Cutis, 2004Topical 12% ammonium lactate produced a significant sparing of epidermal and dermal atrophy induced by clobetasol propionate in human volunteers, without influencing the corticosteroid's bioavailability or antiinflammatory properties.
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 1992A lactic acid/ceramide lotion significantly improved skin moisturization and desquamation compared to no treatment in women with dry, rough skin on the anterior shins.
The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2020Cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen achieved a higher cure rate (39%) than salicylic acid (24%) and a wait-and-see approach (16%) for cutaneous warts at 13 weeks in primary care patients.
CMAJ, 2010A moisturizer containing licochalcone A, 1,2-decanediol, L-carnitine, and salicylic acid significantly reduced noninflammatory, inflammatory, and total acne lesion counts compared to a vehicle control in Thai patients during a 12-week maintenance phase.
BioMed Research International, 2020Treatment with 2% supramolecular salicylic acid hydrogel resulted in a regression and markedly improvement rate of 51.01% compared to 43.10% for Adapaline gel in patients with mild to moderate facial acne vulgaris, showing no significant difference in efficacy.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
Ingredients
Water, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Glycerin, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Pca, Sodium Lactate, Sodium Chloride, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
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
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Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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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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