Bioderma Sébium Gel moussant for dry sensitive skin
Zinc Sulfate
Copper Sulfate
Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Lactic Acid
Fructooligosaccharides
Caution
- CautionDry Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- RiskySafety
A poor match for dry sensitive skin; the cleansers alongside 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 or flaky skin due to lactic acid promoting cell turnover, but may pose risks of worsening sensitivity.
- The presence of Sodium Laureth Sulfate can strip natural oils from your dry skin, and the formula lacks emollient ingredients to counteract this effect.
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
★4.5Overall rating based on 4.5k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this product is highly regarded for combination, oily, and acne-prone skin, with many users reporting effective sebum control and breakout reduction, leaving skin purified and matte. A significant number of users also find it gentle and non-stripping. However, a moderate number of users with sensitive or dry skin conditions mention that the formula can be drying or irritating.
Highlights
Cleanses effectively Mostly Mentioned
- “Probably the first cleanser that actually took all of my makeup off my face!!!”
- “Made my face feel fresh and clean.”
- “Loved how it took off my makeup without making me feel oily at all.”
- “I cleaned my face with the gel, and it took off the mascara!”
Controls oil Often Mentioned
- “My skin feels fresh, balanced and less greasy after each wash.”
- “Skin feels clean and matte right afterward, with shine visibly reduced.”
- “Removes excess oil effectively without being overly drying.”
- “It works well with combination skin... reduced my oiliness.”
Gentle and mild Often Mentioned
- “This cleanser is so gentle and mild on my sensitive skin.”
- “The gel is gentle on my skin and doesn't dry it.”
- “It did not strip my skin, no tight feeling after cleansing, no irritation, no redness.”
- “Loved my skin without making it feel dry and itchy.”
Clears acne Sometimes Noted
- “It removed my acne from my face.”
- “I noticed my black heads going away and reduction in pores.”
- “Very effective cleanser for my oily acne prone skin.”
- “Cumulative effect is clearer, less congested skin.”
Can be drying Sometimes Noted
- “It isn't a cleanser I can use every day... it can be very drying.”
- “It felt like it dried my face a little after I dried off.”
- “It's drying and harsh, but honestly I didn't use a proper moisturiser at the time.”
- “I tried to use it in daytime but it was drying.”
Unpleasant fragrance Sometimes Noted
- “Very unpleasant chemical smell. You definitely don't want this accidentally going into your mouth.”
- “I feel the scent is too strong for me.”
- “It smelled like chemicals to me.”
- “Smells like some chemical floor washing liquid with apple parfum.”
Causes irritation Rarely Noted
- “A lot of acne were showing after I started using this product.”
- “Awful for my skin barrier, now everything I use itches.”
- “Broke me out. Irritating. Strong scent.”
Sources: lovi.care, amazon.com, target.com, bioderma.us, dermstore.com, skinsort.com, and more
Questions and answers
Why does Lovi advise caution with Bioderma Sébium Gel moussant for dry sensitive skin?
Lovi advises caution because this cleanser contains ingredients like lactic acid that may worsen your sensitivity and sodium laureth sulfate that can strip natural oils from your dry skin without enough moisturizing ingredients to counteract it. A cleanser for dry sensitive skin needs hydrating and barrier-repairing ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid, a gentle nature, and soothing agents like allantoin to maintain moisture and prevent irritation.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a poor fit for dry sensitive skin?
This cleanser is a poor fit for dry sensitive skin because it contains lactic acid, which may worsen sensitivity, and sodium laureth sulfate, which can strip natural oils. This skin type needs a cleanser with hydrating and barrier-repairing ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid to maintain moisture and protect the skin barrier.
What does Zinc Sulfate do for dry sensitive skin?
Zinc Sulfate helps calm dry sensitive skin by reducing irritation and redness, though severe dryness requires a formula with extra soothing and heavy moisturizing ingredients.
What does Copper Sulfate do for dry sensitive skin?
Copper sulfate is unlikely to help dry sensitive skin on its own and may cause irritation. A product for this skin type needs soothing ingredients and gentle moisturizers that calm irritation and hydrate dry areas.
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for dry sensitive skin?
This cleanser is a poor match for your dry sensitive skin because it contains strong cleansing agents that strip natural oils and lacks ingredients to keep your skin soft and smooth. A cleanser for this skin needs gentle cleansing agents along with soothing and nourishing ingredients that protect your skin's moisture.
Can I use it with retinol, and in what order?
This cleanser is a poor match for your dry sensitive skin because it contains strong cleansing agents that strip natural oils and lacks soothing ingredients to protect your skin barrier. To safely use an active like retinol with this skin type, a cleanser needs gentle ingredients and added moisturizing oils to keep the skin soft and calm.
How often should I use this cleanser?
This cleanser is a poor match for your dry sensitive skin, because it contains ingredients that can strip natural oils and worsen sensitivity without providing oils to keep skin soft. A cleanser for this skin needs gentle cleansing agents and rich, soothing ingredients to keep skin comfortable.
Can it clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry sensitive skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts on dry sensitive skin, but it may cause irritation or leave your skin feeling dry and stripped. A cleanser for this skin type needs gentle, hydrating ingredients that clean without removing natural oils, along with soothing agents to keep skin calm and comfortable.
Can I use it around the eyes or on my body?
This cleanser may be too harsh for the very thin skin around the eyes and is poorly suited for dry sensitive skin because it lacks soothing and softening ingredients to protect against moisture loss.
Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 2002International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 2026
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (parfum).
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, 2026Squamometry successfully detected subclinical skin surface alterations and discriminated between the irritating effects of sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate on human skin using an open assay model.
Food and Chemical Toxicology, 2001Topical 10% zinc sulphate solution achieved an 85.7% full response rate in plane warts compared to 42.8% for 5% zinc sulphate and 10% for distilled water, while showing no significant efficacy in common warts.
Saudi Medical Journal, 2007Topical zinc sulfate augmentation significantly increased the cutaneous delayed hypersensitivity response to Candida antigen in subjects with normal plasma zinc concentrations compared to Aquaphor alone.
Acta Dermato-venereologica, 1985A hydrogel containing pomegranate rind extract and zinc sulphate delivered punicalagin and zinc across porcine epidermal, buccal, and vaginal membranes while achieving a 2.5 log reduction against HSV-1 and a 64% reduction in COX-2 expression in ex vivo skin.
European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2017A single application of a topical formulation containing copper sulfate pentahydrate and Hypericum perforatum effectively managed HSV-1 and HSV-2 lesions with lower odds of burning, stinging, acute pain, erythema, and vesiculation compared to topical 5% Acyclovir cream in adult patients.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2012Topical application of a 2% cream containing combined fruit extracts for 56 days significantly reduced wrinkle depth by 11.5%, length by 10.07%, and area by 29.55% in 21 female subjects compared to a placebo.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2015A dermocosmetic containing bakuchiol, Ginkgo biloba extract, and mannitol improves inflammatory lesions, Investigator Global Assessment, and seborrhea intensity when added to adapalene 0.1% gel in patients with acne vulgaris.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2015Topical application of Ginkgo biloba cream for two weeks reduced wrinkles and improved skin shape, texture, and tautness in human volunteers compared to baseline.
Drug Development and Industrial Pharmacy, 2023Application 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, 2020
Ingredients
Water, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Methylpropanediol, Disodium Edta, Mannitol, Xylitol, Rhamnose, Fructooligosaccharides, Zinc Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Peg-90 Glyceryl Isostearate, Lactic Acid, Laureth-2, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Chloride, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Parfum
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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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
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Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
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Victoria Derkova, MS
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Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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