SkinCeuticals Glycolic Renewal Cleanser for dry sensitive skin
Glycolic Acid
Phytic Acid
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Salicylic Acid
GlycerinAverage
- LowDry Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for dry sensitive skin; other 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 exfoliation for your dry and sensitive skin, as glycolic acid and phytic acid work to cleanse pores, but may cause excessive dryness and irritation.
- While the formula is free of harsh ingredients and generally safe for sensitive skin, the presence of salicylic acid alongside glycolic acid could potentially compromise your skin barrier.
- The product is safe for your skin type due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients, ensuring no risks of irritation.
How to apply
- Use your cleanser AM and PM every day to keep your face fresh. Start slowly once a day if your dry skin feels sensitive at first.
- Apply your cleanser first thing in your routine before any toner or moisturizer. Follow the usual steps for your AM or PM daily routine.
- Gently massage the cleanser onto your face using soft circular motions. Avoid harsh rubbing to protect your dry skin.
- Apply the cleanser to slightly damp skin to help it clean gently without stripping moisture. This method is very safe for sensitive and dry skin types.
- Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water and avoid the delicate eye area. Always do a patch test before using the product for the first time.
People Say
★4.3Overall rating based on 300+ reviewsUsers with dull, rough, or acne-prone skin frequently praise this cleanser for its ability to refine texture and boost radiance without stripping moisture. While the majority find it to be an effective "reset" for their complexion that removes makeup well, a significant subset of users experiences frustration with the packaging durability and occasional sensitivity.
Highlights
Gentle exfoliation Often Mentioned
- “gentle yet powerful exfoliation”
- “did not sting or burn”
- “cleans thoroughly without over-drying”
Improves texture Often Mentioned
- “visible improvement in texture and clarity”
- “made my skin more supple and smooth”
- “removes dead skin cells to smooth”
Packaging issues Often Mentioned
- “top seam splits”
- “tube expanded and became unusable”
- “packaging just deteriorates so fast”
Brightens complexion Sometimes Noted
- “makes my skin clear and glowy”
- “boosts skin's natural glow”
- “helps deliver a clear and bright complexion”
Deep cleansing Sometimes Noted
- “removes all traces of makeup”
- “removes oil, dirt, and debris”
- “gets the skin incredibly clean”
Skin sensitivity Sometimes Noted
- “burn/sting your skin something fierce”
- “not for sensitive skin”
- “had to cut back usage due to sensitivity”
Lack of brightening Rarely Noted
- “haven't noticed much in the way of brightening”
- “no striking difference”
- “didn't see major changes in tone”
Sources: lovi.care, skinceuticals.com, lovelyskin.com, dermstore.com, bluemercury.com, realself.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does SkinCeuticals Glycolic Renewal Cleanser work for dry sensitive skin?
This cleanser works moderately well for dry sensitive skin by cleansing pores, but it may cause excessive dryness and irritation. A cleanser for this skin type needs hydrating and barrier-repairing ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid to maintain moisture and protect the skin barrier.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for dry sensitive skin?
Glycerin and aloe barbadensis leaf juice help this cleanser provide some moisture and soothing benefits for dry sensitive skin. However, a product of this type needs richer hydrating and barrier-repairing ingredients like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and soothing agents to properly maintain moisture and protect this skin type.
What does Glycolic Acid do for dry sensitive skin?
Glycolic acid can be too harsh for dry sensitive skin and may cause irritation, so this skin type needs gentle calming ingredients and deeply nourishing moisturizers to keep the skin barrier safe and smooth.
Acta Dermato-venereologica, 1995The British Journal of Dermatology, 1997
What does Phytic Acid do for dry sensitive skin?
Phytic acid helps improve skin barrier function, which may keep dry skin more comfortable. It is unlikely to cause irritation when used properly, supporting a calm feel.
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for dry sensitive skin?
This cleanser is used in the morning and evening steps of your routine, but because it contains exfoliating acids, start using it just once a week to check how your skin responds. To care for dry and sensitive skin, this type of product needs gentle, hydrating ingredients and barrier-supporting components that cleanse without stripping moisture.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You should use this cleanser with care because the exfoliating acids in it, combined with retinol, may cause excessive dryness and irritation on dry sensitive skin. A product of this type needs soothing and hydrating ingredients like glycerin and aloe to keep skin calm and smooth.
How often should I use this cleanser?
Start using this cleanser just once a week because it contains strong exfoliating acids that may cause dryness and irritation on dry sensitive skin. A product for this skin needs gentle, hydrating ingredients like glycerin and soothing plant extracts to protect the skin barrier while keeping it soft and smooth.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry sensitive skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores for dry sensitive skin since it contains exfoliating acids that help keep pores clear, but it may cause excessive dryness or irritation. A cleanser for this skin needs gentle hydrating and soothing ingredients like glycerin and aloe to keep the skin comfortable.
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
This cleanser works for your dry sensitive skin, but since it provides moderate exfoliation, it may cause excessive dryness and irritation around the eyes or on the body. A product of this type for your skin needs gentle hydrating ingredients like glycerin and soothing plant juices to keep the skin soft and comfortable.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (citral).
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, 2017Repeated 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, 2017L-ascorbic acid 10% plus phytic acid 2% serum significantly reduced the pigmentation index of solar lentigines compared to a vehicle control in 30 healthy subjects.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2011Chemical peels using 35% glycolic acid, 20% salicylic-10% mandelic acid, and phytic acid reduce acne scores by 70.55%, 74.14%, and 69.7% respectively, and significantly decline the postacne hyperpigmentation index in Asian patients with mild to moderate acne.
Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery, 2019A topical facial emulsion containing 10% glycolic acid, 2% phytic acid, and a soothing complex significantly improved skin hyperpigmentation, texture, and tone homogeneity from week 4 through week 12 in American female volunteers with Fitzpatrick skin types II-VI.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021A cream combining propolis, tea tree oil, and Aloe vera reduced erythema scars, acne severity index, and total lesion count better than erythromycin cream in sixty patients with mild to moderate acne vulgaris compared to placebo.
Clinical Pharmacology, 2018Topical aloe vera gel significantly accelerated split-thickness skin graft donor-site healing compared to placebo in 12 patients, but showed no significant difference in pain relief.
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2018Topical application of Aloe vera cream reduced postoperative pain at rest and during defecation, accelerated wound healing at two weeks, and decreased analgesic requirements in patients after open hemorrhoidectomy compared to placebo.
Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2010Cryotherapy 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, 2024The 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, 2012
Ingredients
Water, Glycolic Acid, Coco-Glucoside, Propylene Glycol, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Glycerin, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Sodium Hydroxide, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Phytic Acid, Sodium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Dipropylene Glycol, Coconut Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Salicylic Acid, Chlorphenesin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Boswellia Serrata Gum, Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Oil, Citral, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Tocopherol
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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