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Colorescience Barrier Pro 1-Step Cleanser for combination skin

Colorescience Barrier Pro 1-Step Cleanser

High

  • HighCombination Skin Fit
  • HighEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

A great choice for combination skin; a few 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

  • Highly suitable for your combination skin, this cleanser effectively addresses oily shine with Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate and Cocamidopropyl Betaine, which deeply cleanse pores without causing irritation.
  • Glycerin and Lactobacillus Ferment further support your skin by providing essential hydration and strengthening your skin barrier.
  • The formula is safe for your skin, containing no harsh or prohibited ingredients.

How to apply

  • Use this cleanser AM and PM as part of your daily routine. Start 3×/week and build up to daily use if your skin tolerates it well.
  • Apply this cleanser as the very first step in your morning routine and right after your pre-cleanser in the evening.
  • Gently massage a small amount of cleanser onto your skin using circular motions. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water.
  • For the best results , apply the cleanser directly onto slightly damp skin to help lift away excess oil.
  • Avoid the immediate eye area and do a patch test before your first use to check for any sensitivity.

People Say

★4.8Overall rating based on 800+ reviews

This cleanser is highly praised for its ability to effectively remove mineral sunscreen and makeup in a single step without stripping the skin’s natural moisture barrier. It is frequently recommended for individuals with sensitive, acne-prone, or mature skin who seek a gentle, hydrating, and non-irritating cleansing experience.

Highlights

  • Effective removal Mostly Mentioned
    • “Removes all makeup in one step”
    • “Takes off mineral sunscreen easily”
    • “No need for double cleansing”
  • Gentle on skin Often Mentioned
    • “Doesn't leave skin feeling stripped”
    • “Very gentle but effective”
    • “Perfect for my sensitive skin”
  • Hydrating feel Sometimes Noted
    • “Leaves skin feeling soft and refreshed”
    • “Doesn't leave me feeling tight”
    • “Skin feels hydrated and replenished”
  • Minimal product Sometimes Noted
    • “A little goes a long way”
    • “Only need a drop”
    • “Lasts a long time”
  • Ingredient sensitivity Rarely Noted
    • “Had a reaction to the grapefruit oil”
    • “Sensitive to citrus ingredients”
    • “Caused a minor breakout”
  • Price concerns Rarely Noted
    • “Wouldn't pay full price”
    • “Expensive for a cleanser”
    • “Nothing special for the cost”
  • Slightly drying Rarely Noted
    • “Can feel slightly drying”
    • “Left my skin feeling tight”
    • “Not as moisturizing as expected”

Sources: lovi.care, colorescience.com, dermstore.com, lovelyskin.com, reddit.com, dermstreet.com, and more

Questions and answers

What makes Colorescience Barrier Pro 1-Step Cleanser a great fit for combination skin?

This cleanser is a great fit because it cleans oily shine in pores without causing irritation using Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate and Cocamidopropyl Betaine. Glycerin and Lactobacillus Ferment help add essential hydration and strengthen your skin barrier. The formula is also very safe for your skin with no harsh ingredients.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for combination skin?

Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate and Cocamidopropyl Betaine make this cleanser a great fit for combination skin by deeply cleaning pores and tackling oily shine without causing irritation. Glycerin and Lactobacillus Ferment also help by keeping your skin hydrated and strengthening your skin barrier.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

What does Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate do for combination skin?

Sodium lauroyl sarcosinate in a facial cleanser helps clean combination skin, but it may leave dry areas feeling dry and increase skin dryness because it affects skin lipids and the microbiome. A product for this skin needs gentle, balanced cleansers that wash away oil without stripping moisture or disrupting the skin barrier.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

What does Cocamidopropyl Betaine do for combination skin?

Cocamidopropyl Betaine helps clean combination skin without stripping natural moisture, making it a gentle option for daily use. It is widely used in cleansers to lift away excess oil while keeping dry areas comfortable.

Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for combination skin?

This cleanser goes as the first step in your morning routine and the second step in your evening routine after a makeup remover. Using a mild cleanser like this helps remove oily shine without causing irritation while supporting your skin barrier.

The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022

Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?

Yes, you can use this cleanser with retinol by applying the cleanser first to gently wash your face before putting on your retinol. Using a gentle cleanser helps keep your skin calm and balanced while using strong products like retinol.

How often should I use this cleanser?

This cleanser is a great fit for your combination skin and is gentle enough to use twice a day in your morning and evening routines. Glycerin helps provide essential hydration while deeply cleansing pores without causing irritation.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for combination skin?

This cleanser is a great fit for your combination skin because it deeply cleanses pores without causing irritation, helping to manage oily shine safely. Glycerin and Lactobacillus Ferment provide essential hydration and strengthen your skin barrier while you wash.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?

This cleanser is safe to use on the body, but because the skin around the eyes is much thinner, you should use care to avoid irritation. Glycerin helps support skin hydration in delicate areas.

Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 2002

Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.

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, 2017
  • Sodium lauroyl sarcosinate in facial cleanser decreased prokaryotic microbial alpha diversity, altered prokaryotic microbiome structure, increased phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylcholine, and decreased ceramides on facial skin.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
  • Coacervates formed from mixed micelles of sodium lauroylsarcosinate and cocamidopropyl betaine with cationic guar gum exhibited a dense porous structure with high viscoelastic modulus under strong electrostatic interactions, and a looser mesh structure with lower viscoelasticity and enhanced skin adsorption under weakened interactions.

    Soft Matter, 2024
  • The 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
  • The 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, 2020
  • Ten 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, 2001
  • Niacinamide/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
  • Probiotic-derived lotion successfully reduced inflammatory acne lesion counts and erythema index comparably to 2.5% benzoyl peroxide in patients with mild-to-moderate acne vulgaris, while causing fewer side effects.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022
  • Topical application of Lactobacillus plantarum-GMNL6 enhanced collagen synthesis and SPTSSA gene expression while reducing melanin synthesis, Staphylococcus aureus biofilm, and Cutibacterium acnes proliferation, leading to clinical improvements in skin moisture, color, spots, wrinkles, UV spots, and porphyrins in human volunteers.

    International Journal of Medical Sciences, 2021
  • Lactobacillus plantarum extracellular vesicles modulated extracellular matrix related gene expression in vitro and suppressed wrinkle formation and pigmentation in clinical trials.

    Current Issues in Molecular Biology, 2022
  • Topical application of an aqueous gel containing 0.1% w/w naringenin demonstrated in vitro safety, significantly reduced UV-induced stratum corneum lipid peroxidation, and showed in vivo anti-inflammatory efficacy against methyl nicotinate-induced inflammation in human participants compared to a blank gel and untreated area, while chlorogenic acid, apigenin, and kaempferol displayed pro-oxidant profiles.

    Frontiers in Chemistry, 2024
  • Topical application of a naringenin-containing formulation protected hairless mice from ultraviolet B-induced skin damage by inhibiting edema, cytokine production, superoxide anion, and lipid hydroperoxides while maintaining antioxidant enzymes and glutathione levels.

    PloS One, 2016
  • Encapsulating naringenin, nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA), and kaempferol into nanostructured lipid carriers provided prolonged release, stability, and antioxidant protection against oxidative stress in human keratinocytes, with an NDGA and kaempferol mixture showing synergistic antioxidant effects.

    Pharmaceutics, 2021

Ingredients

Water, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Glycerin, Methyl Glucose Caprate, Caprylate, Sodium Chloride, Cocamidopropylamine Oxide, Glycereth-18 Ethylhexanoate, Propanediol, Glycereth-18, Lactobacillus Ferment, Sorbeth-230 Tetraoleate, Decyl Glucoside, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Citric Acid, Sorbitan Laurate, Grapefruit Fruit Extract, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, 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.

How does it fit your skin?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.