Dermalogica Precleanse for sensitive skin
Caprylic Capric Triglyceride
Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil Apricot Kernel Oil
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Sunflower Seed Oil
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil
Tocopherol
Superior
- SuperiorNormal Skin Fit
- SuperiorEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
One of the best pre-cleansers for sensitive skin.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with sensitive skin: redness, stinging, and reactions to new products. 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 suitability for your normal skin is provided by caprylic capric triglyceride and sunflower seed oil, which offer emollient action and barrier repair to maintain hydration and health. The formula also effectively addresses your redness and irritation concerns with sunflower seed oil and rosemary leaf extract, known for their soothing and calming properties.
- The presence of apricot kernel oil and lavender oil further supports skin comfort and makeup removal, making it a well-rounded choice for your skin.
- This product is safe for your sensitive skin, containing no harsh ingredients and including beneficial soothing components.
How to apply
- Use this makeup remover PM as the first step of your evening routine. Start 3x/week before building up to daily use if your skin tolerates it well.
- Apply this makeup remover before your regular cleanser and toner. Follow with your usual moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated.
- Gently press a small amount of the makeup remover onto your face using a soft cotton pad. Avoid any harsh rubbing to protect your sensitive skin.
- Apply the makeup remover on dry skin to ensure better tolerance for sensitive areas. This helps reduce any potential irritation or redness.
- Do a patch test before your first use and avoid the direct eye area to ensure safe application.
People Say
★4.7Overall rating based on 5.1k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, users widely praise this oil cleanser as an effective first step in a double-cleansing routine, noting its ability to melt away waterproof makeup and excess sebum without stripping the skin. It is generally celebrated for leaving skin soft and clean, though some users with sensitive skin or eyes report irritation due to the strong essential oil fragrance.
Highlights
Dissolves makeup Mostly Mentioned
- “Removes stubborn mascara”
- “Melts foundation”
- “Breaks down sunscreen”
- “Clears heavy stage makeup”
Leaves skin soft Often Mentioned
- “Non-stripping finish”
- “Feels hydrated”
- “Silky texture”
- “No tight feeling”
High price point Often Mentioned
- “Expensive for cleanser”
- “Pricey investment”
- “Not budget-friendly”
- “Luxury cost”
Effective for oily Sometimes Noted
- “Clears sebaceous filaments”
- “Removes excess oil”
- “Balances sebum”
- “Deep cleans pores”
Spa-like experience Sometimes Noted
- “Relaxing herbal scent”
- “Luxurious feel”
- “Professional quality”
- “Enjoyable ritual”
Eye irritation Sometimes Noted
- “Stings eyes”
- “Blurs vision”
- “Sensitive to oils”
- “Burns if gets in eyes”
Packaging issues Sometimes Noted
- “Leaky pump”
- “Messy bottle”
- “Travel difficulties”
- “Dispenses too much”
Little goes long Rarely Noted
- “Lasts for months”
- “One pump sufficient”
- “Spreads easily”
- “Cost-effective over time”
Caused breakouts Rarely Noted
- “Cystic acne flare-ups”
- “Clogged pores”
- “Allergic reaction”
- “Small bumps”
Strong fragrance Rarely Noted
- “Overpowering scent”
- “Essential oils irritating”
- “Smells like citronella/lavender”
- “Too perfumed”
Sources: lovi.care, ulta.com, sephora.sg, dermstore.com, lovelyskin.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes Dermalogica Precleanse one of the best makeup removers for sensitive skin?
Dermalogica Precleanse is one of the best choices for sensitive skin because it uses caprylic capric triglyceride and sunflower seed oil to keep the skin barrier healthy and hydrated while gently removing makeup. It also helps calm redness and irritation with soothing plant extracts and oils like apricot kernel oil and rosemary leaf extract. The formula is very safe for sensitive skin as it avoids harsh ingredients and relies on gentle, comforting components.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for sensitive skin?
Caprylic capric triglyceride and sunflower seed oil make this cleanser a great fit by keeping your skin soft and hydrated while repairing its protective barrier. Apricot kernel oil, rosemary leaf extract, and lavender oil further help calm redness and irritation for enhanced skin comfort.
What does Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride do for sensitive skin?
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride helps keep sensitive skin hydrated and soft by sealing in moisture to prevent dryness. This ingredient is generally well tolerated, though sensitive skin types may still benefit from soothing additions like ceramides or niacinamide to keep the skin calm and comfortable.
What does Apricot Kernel Oil do for sensitive skin?
Apricot kernel oil helps calm sensitive skin by soothing irritation and supporting the natural skin barrier. It is unlikely to cause irritation and works well to keep dry skin soft and smooth.
Where does this makeup remover go in a skincare routine for sensitive skin?
This makeup remover goes in your evening routine as the first step before your cleanser, and you can also use it at the start of your weekly routine. It is safe for sensitive skin because it contains no harsh ingredients and includes calming components that help keep your skin comfortable while removing makeup.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this makeup remover in your evening routine before your cleanser when using retinol. Its gentle plant oils help calm the skin and keep it comfortable while you use stronger treatments.
How often should I use this makeup remover?
You can use this makeup remover in the evening and during your weekly routine as part of a sensitive skin care plan. The formula helps protect your skin barrier and calm redness while lifting away makeup.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for sensitive skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for sensitive skin, as it features a safe profile with gentle oils and soothing ingredients that maintain hydration without irritation. It contains no harsh components that typically trigger breakouts or purging, making it well-suited to keep sensitive skin calm and smooth.
Is this makeup remover fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (citral, limonene, and linalool).
What the research says
Topical application of an emollient emulsion containing 15.0% caprylic/capric triglyceride doubled the amount of urocanic acid isomers and increased skin hydration with reduced transepidermal water loss in healthy subjects, though it did not prevent ultraviolet-induced urocanic acid isomerization.
Life, 2023Limonene protects immortalized human skin keratinocytes against UVB-induced photodamage and photoaging by increasing cell viability, inhibiting intracellular ROS generation, suppressing alpha-MSH secretion, and preventing depletion of tight junction proteins through activation of the Nrf2-dependent antioxidant defense system.
Environmental Toxicology, 2022Topical application of Foeniculum vulgare compounds fenchone and limonene increased wound contraction and re-epithelialization in rats compared to untreated and sham control groups over 10 days.
Biotechnic & Histochemistry, 2017Cold pressed terpeneless Valencia orange oil completely inhibited Campylobacter jejuni and reduced cells attached to chicken skin by 1.5 to 2 logarithms compared to control, while showing variable inhibition against Campylobacter coli and Arcobacter spp.
International Journal of Food Microbiology, 2009Topical application of an antioxidant serum containing 15% ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid, and 1% tocopherol prevented particulate matter-induced degradation of extracellular matrix components, inflammation, and oxidative stress in the skin of 15 female volunteers compared to untreated controls.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025Dermatological products containing d-alpha tocopheryl acetate showed non-comedogenic potential with less than a 50% increase in microcomedones in 12 healthy male subjects compared to octyl palmitate.
Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications, 2021Topical application of an antioxidant mix containing 15% ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid, and 1% tocopherol prevented PM and UV-induced skin barrier perturbation, lipid peroxidation, inflammatory markers, MMP9 activation, and Type I collagen loss in 15 healthy females compared to untreated exposed skin.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
Ingredients
Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil Apricot Kernel Oil, Peg-40 Sorbitan Peroleate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Sunflower Seed Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil, Grapefruit Peel Oil, Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Oil, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil Lavender Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract Rosemary Leaf Extract, Solanum Lycopersicum Extract Tomato Extract, Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil Mandarin Orange Peel Oil, Rice Bran Oil, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Aleurites Moluccana Seed Oil, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Citral, Limonene, Linalool
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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