Colorescience Barrier Pro 1-Step Cleanser for oily skin

Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Glycerin
Lactobacillus Ferment
Grapefruit Fruit Extract
Superior
- HighOily Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
One of the best cleansers for oily skin.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily skin: shine, enlarged pores, blackheads, and blemishes. 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
- Excellent for your oily skin, this cleanser effectively manages excess sebum with mild surfactants like sodium lauroyl sarcosinate and cocamidopropyl betaine, while Lactobacillus Ferment and grapefruit fruit extract offer moderate benefits for oily shine.
- Opuntia ficus-indica stem extract further supports oil control, ensuring a balanced complexion.
- The formula is safe for your skin, free from harsh ingredients and containing soothing components.
How to apply
- Use your cleanser AM and PM every day to keep your skin fresh. Always make sure to follow with a good SPF in the morning.
- Apply your cleanser as the first step in the morning or the second step in the evening before your toner.
- Gently massage a small amount onto your face using circular motions, then rinse well with water .
- You can apply this cleanser safely on damp skin for a refreshing and easy wash.
- Avoid getting the product directly into your eyes and stop use if irritation occurs.
People Say
★4.8Overall rating based on 800+ reviewsThis 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 one of the best fits for oily skin?
Colorescience Barrier Pro 1-Step Cleanser is one of the best fits for oily skin because it effectively manages excess sebum with mild cleansers while Lactobacillus ferment, grapefruit fruit extract, and Opuntia ficus-indica stem extract help control oily shine and keep the complexion balanced. The formula is also safe for your skin, as it is free from harsh ingredients and contains soothing components.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for oily skin?
Sodium lauroyl sarcosinate and cocamidopropyl betaine manage excess oil using mild cleansing agents, while lactobacillus ferment and grapefruit fruit extract help control oily shine. Opuntia ficus-indica stem extract further supports this oil control to keep your complexion balanced.
What does Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate do for oily skin?
Sodium lauroyl sarcosinate is a cleanser ingredient that helps wash away excess oil, but it may also decrease some of the natural fats that keep your skin barrier strong and smooth. Oily skin types often do better with cleansers that balance oil removal with extra soothing and barrier-protecting ingredients like amino acids, ceramides, and mild salicylic acid.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026
What does Cocamidopropyl Betaine do for oily skin?
Cocamidopropyl betaine is a cleansing ingredient that helps wash away excess oil and dirt from oily skin. While it is generally safe for use in wash-off products, it is unlikely to change oil production and may cause mild skin irritation in some people.
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for oily skin?
This cleanser fits right at the start of your morning and evening skincare routines to help manage excess oil. Using a mild cleanser like this twice a day effectively washes away buildup while keeping your complexion balanced.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cleanser with retinol by applying the cleanser first, followed by your retinol treatment and moisturizer. Mild cleansers of this type help manage excess shine without stripping your skin, making them safe to use alongside active ingredients like retinol.
How often should I use this cleanser?
This cleanser is a great fit for your oily skin and can be used daily both morning and night as the first step of your routine. It effectively manages excess oil and shine using mild cleansers and plant extracts, while keeping your complexion balanced and calm.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022BioMed Research International, 2015
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for oily skin, as it manages excess oil with mild ingredients and soothing components. The formula has an excellent safety profile, though reviewers rarely mention it being slightly drying.
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
You can use this cleanser on the body and around the eyes because its mild cleansers and soothing ingredients are safe and gentle for delicate areas. It helps wash away excess oil without causing irritation or stripping the skin.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
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, 2024Opuntia ficus-indica extract and its isorhamnetin-glucosyl-rhamnoside suppressed nitric oxide, COX-2, TNF-alpha, and IL-6 production in vitro and inhibited croton oil-induced ear edema in vivo.
BioMed Research International, 2015Topical 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, 2016Sodium 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, 2024Coacervates 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, 2024The 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, 2003A 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, 2017The 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, 2001Probiotic-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, 2022Topical 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, 2021Lactobacillus 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, 2022Encapsulating 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, 2021Naringenin prevented UV-B radiation-induced mitochondrial fragmentation, oxidative stress, and inflammation in human dermal fibroblasts and Balb/c mice.
Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology. B, Biology, 2024Mangiferin increased the photostability and reduced the phototoxic potential of sunscreens containing avobenzone and naringenin tested on 3T3 fibroblast cultures and cosmetic formulations.
Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology. B, Biology, 2015
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.
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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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