🇺🇸United States

Dermalogica UltraCalming Cleanser for dry skin

High

  • HighDry Skin Fit
  • HighEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

A great choice for dry skin; a few cleansers fit it even better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dry skin: flakiness, tightness, dehydration, 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

  • Highly suitable for your dry skin, this cleanser effectively addresses flakiness with hydrating ingredients like Glycerin and Panthenol, while Bisabolol and Oat Kernel Extract provide soothing benefits. Cocamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate and Disodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate ensure thorough pore cleansing without compromising your skin's moisture barrier. The formula is safe for your dry skin, as it contains no harsh ingredients and includes Bisabolol and Oat Kernel Extract to calm and protect.
  • The inclusion of Zingiber Officinale Root Extract and Leuconostoc Radish Root Ferment Filtrate offers additional antioxidant and conditioning properties beneficial for dry skin.
  • This product has a very safe profile for your skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the presence of soothing components.

How to apply

  • Use this cleanser AM and PM every day to keep your skin clean. Start using it daily right away since your skin is not sensitive.
  • Apply this cleanser as the very first step in your morning routine and right after your pre-cleanser in the evening. Follow with your toner and moisturizer afterwards.
  • Gently massage a small amount of cleanser onto your face using soft circular motions. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water and pat dry with a clean towel.
  • Apply this cleanser on slightly damp skin for a comfortable and refreshing wash. This helps maintain your skin's natural moisture while cleansing away dirt.
  • Avoid getting the cleanser directly into your eyes to prevent any irritation. Do a simple patch test before your first use to ensure your skin likes it.

People Say

★4.6Overall rating based on 700+ reviews

While it excels at calming redness and soothing irritation, some users note it is too gentle to remove heavy makeup on its own and may require a double-cleanse routine.

Highlights

  • Extremely gentle Mostly Mentioned
    • “leaves skin hydrated yet clean”
    • “never feels stripped”
    • “gentlest wash I've used”
  • Safe for reactive skin Often Mentioned
    • “only one I don't react to”
    • “saved my barrier”
    • “no breakouts or rashes”
  • Soothes redness/irritation Often Mentioned
    • “calms my red cheeks”
    • “cools sensitized skin”
    • “stopped the burning sensation”
  • Soft, non-foaming texture Sometimes Noted
    • “glides on like lotion”
    • “love the creamy feel”
    • “doesn't foam or irritate”
  • High price point Sometimes Noted
    • “way too expensive”
    • “pricey for a cleanser”
    • “wish it was cheaper”
  • Poor makeup removal Sometimes Noted
    • “doesn't touch mascara”
    • “need to double cleanse”
    • “leaves residue behind”
  • Ineffective for acne Rarely Noted
    • “didn't help my acne”
    • “too gentle for oily skin”
    • “pores felt clogged”
  • Packaging/Pump issues Rarely Noted
    • “pump stopped working”
    • “hard to get product out”
    • “broken dispenser”

Sources: lovi.care, sephora.com, dermalogica.com, dermstore.com, lovelyskin.com, reddit.com, and more

Questions and answers

What makes Dermalogica UltraCalming Cleanser a great fit for dry skin?

This cleanser is a great fit for dry skin because it uses glycerin and panthenol to add moisture and stop flakiness while cleaning pores safely. It also features oat kernel extract and bisabolol to help calm and protect your skin without any harsh ingredients.

American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017

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

Glycerin and Panthenol make this cleanser a good fit for dry skin by helping to hydrate and smooth flakiness, while Bisabolol and Oat Kernel Extract calm and protect your skin.

American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017

What does Bisabolol do for dry skin?

Alpha-bisabolol helps calm dry skin by soothing irritation and reducing inflammation. To properly care for dry skin, this type of product also needs rich moisturizing ingredients that lock in hydration and repair the skin barrier.

Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, 2014

What does Avena Sativa Kernel Extract do for dry skin?

Avena Sativa Kernel Extract helps soothe dry skin by calming irritation and easing tightness. It supports the outer skin layer to lock in moisture, making rough and flaky areas feel much softer and smoother.

Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2016Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2015

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

This cleanser fits into your morning routine as the first step and your evening routine as the second step after a makeup remover. Using a mild cleanser helps improve visual dryness and clinical scores for dry skin.

The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022

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

You can use this cleanser with retinol by applying the cleanser first to clean your skin gently before putting on your retinol. Using a gentle cleanser helps wash your face thoroughly without stripping away moisture, while soothing ingredients like oat kernel extract and panthenol help calm any potential irritation from the retinol.

American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017

How often should I use this cleanser?

You can use this cleanser twice a day in your morning and evening routines. Using a mild cleanser helps improve skin dryness and supports your skin barrier without causing irritation.

The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2016

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

This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores, cause breakouts, or lead to purging on dry skin. Its gentle formula cleans thoroughly without harming your moisture barrier, and contains safe, soothing ingredients that help keep skin calm.

Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2016Pharmaceutics, 2021

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

Yes, you can use this cleanser on your body and around your eyes because it is very safe and gentle for dry skin. Ingredients like glycerin and panthenol help keep moisture locked in while cleansing.

American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017

Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol, which soften the skin.

What the research says

  • Topical dexpanthenol acts as a moisturizer, improves stratum corneum hydration, accelerates wound healing and epidermal regeneration, reduces erythema, and improves symptoms of skin irritation compared to vehicle or no pretreatment.

    American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002
  • A new topical panthenol-containing emollient significantly improved transepidermal water loss reduction, stratum corneum hydration, and intercellular lipid lamellae length compared with control in healthy subjects without negatively impacting bacterial viability.

    The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017
  • Colloidal oatmeal induced skin barrier-related gene expression in vitro and showed significant clinical improvements in skin dryness, moisturization, and barrier in 50 healthy female subjects treated with a colloidal oatmeal lotion.

    Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2016
  • A multiple W/O/W emulsion containing Rosmarinus officinalis L., Avena sativa L., and Linum usitatissimum L. extracts showed no irritant, phototoxic, inflammatory, or allergenic potential in human skin models and patch tests, establishing its safety as a cosmetic base.

    Pharmaceutics, 2021
  • Application of an alpha-bisabolol-containing cream produced a significant skin-lightening effect in pigmented skin compared to a vehicle control in the majority of female subjects after 8 weeks.

    International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2010
  • The combination of allantoin, bisabolol, D-panthenol and dipotassium glycyrrhizinate reduces UVB-induced PGE2, inflammatory cytokines, and mitochondrial superoxide in human epidermal keratinocytes.

    International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2024
  • A repair cream containing Rhealba oat plantlets extract, l-ALA-l-GLU dipeptide, and hyaluronic acid provided immediate relief and was judged by doctors as good or very good in 96.8% of cases for wound healing in 2,363 patients following dermatological acts.

    Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2018
  • Topically applied Avena sativa and Avena Rhealba oatmeal extracts significantly reduced skin irritation parameters including a* parameter increase and blood flow increase compared to vehicle in 12 healthy individuals subjected to the sodium lauryl sulfate irritation model.

    Skin Pharmacology and Applied Skin Physiology, 2002
  • Colloidal oat extracts diminished pro-inflammatory cytokines in vitro and colloidal oat lotion improved skin dryness, scaling, roughness, and itch intensity in healthy female subjects compared to baseline.

    Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2015
  • A 1-year clinical study on human facial skin demonstrated that Zingiber officinale (L.) Rose extract inhibits the UV-induced decrease in skin elasticity and prevents or improves wrinkle formation around the eye.

    Archives of Dermatological Research, 2008
  • Ginger extract transethosomal hydrogel improved skin permeability, sustained drug release, and exhibited significant inhibition of edema swelling along with reduced reactive oxygen species and prostaglandin E2 compared to free ginger extract hydrogel and ketoprofen gel in a rat-paw edema model.

    International Journal of Nanomedicine, 2023
  • Topical delivery of ginger extract-loaded nanoemulsions significantly reduced arthritic symptoms, paw edema inhibition by 27.7%, and inflammatory cytokines in RA-induced rats compared to the negative control.

    Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2023
  • Lavandula angustifolia leaf callus extract enhanced skin cell viability, reduced oxidative stress and melanin content, improved wound healing, and enhanced skin barrier function in human skin cells and clinical tests.

    Free Radical Biology & Medicine, 2025
  • Tea tree oil effectively treated acne while lavender and rosemary oils demonstrated anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties in derma cosmetic applications based on an evaluation of various essential oils.

    Frontiers in Medicine, 2025
  • A blend of Lavandula angustifolia flower extract and dipeptide-4 reduced oxidative and glycation markers, enhanced ATP, SOD, autophagy, and melatonin production, and improved tissue morphology in human skin models and fibroblasts.

    International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2026
  • 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
  • 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

Ingredients

Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Bisabolol, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Leuconostoc Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Glycerin, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract Oat Kernel Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract Raspberry Fruit Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract Lavender Flower Extract, Willow Bark Extract, Usnea Barbata Extract, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid, Lemon Fruit Extract, Fumaria Officinalis Stem Extract Flower Leaf, Fumaric Acid, Echinacea Purpurea Extract, Panthenol, Acrylates C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Cocamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, Disodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate, Cetrimonium Chloride, Aminomethyl Propanol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Disodium Edta

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.

Buy online

Prices checked 6 Nov 2026

How does it fit your skin?

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