Neutrogena Fresh Foaming Cleanser for oily skin
Glycerin
Ammonium Laureth Sulfate
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Lauryl Glucoside
Decyl Glucoside
Average
- HighOily Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- ConcerningSafety
Works for oily skin; other cleansers fit it better.
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
- Offers moderate cleansing for your oily skin, as decyl glucoside and cocamidopropyl betaine effectively remove impurities, while glycerin provides essential hydration and citric acid offers mild exfoliation.
- The formula is generally safe for your oily skin, with glycerin acting as a humectant and the absence of harsh ingredients minimizing irritation risk.
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
★4.5Overall rating based on 3.2k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this 2-in-1 cleanser is highly regarded by users with normal to oily skin for its effective makeup removal and one-step cleansing without eye irritation. Some users with dry or sensitive skin report that the formula can be drying, leaving their skin feeling tight and stripped, and a small number of users experienced breakouts or disliked the scent.
Highlights
Effective makeup removal Mostly Mentioned
- “removes waterproof mascara”
- “takes off foundation”
- “cleans in one step”
- “melts away makeup”
Gentle on eyes Often Mentioned
- “doesn't sting eyes”
- “safe for contacts”
- “no eye irritation”
- “gentle on lashes”
Fresh clean scent Sometimes Noted
- “smells very fresh”
- “mild pleasant fragrance”
- “clean soap smell”
- “scent not overpowering”
Pleasant foaming texture Sometimes Noted
- “foams up nicely”
- “creamy rich lather”
- “rinses completely clean”
- “little goes long way”
Drying and stripping Sometimes Noted
- “leaves face tight”
- “skin felt stripped”
- “too drying daily”
- “dry patches appeared”
Caused breakouts Rarely Noted
- “caused cystic acne”
- “broke me out”
- “pimples appeared overnight”
- “clogged my pores”
Ineffective on waterproof Rarely Noted
- “didn't remove mascara”
- “raccoon eyes left”
- “needed second cleanse”
- “struggled with eyeliner”
Scent dislike Rarely Noted
- “smells like chemicals”
- “strong perfume smell”
- “scent is overpowering”
- “smells like dish soap”
Sources: lovi.care, walmart.com, target.com, influenster.com, hometesterclub.com, kroger.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Neutrogena Fresh Foaming Cleanser work for oily skin?
Neutrogena Fresh Foaming Cleanser is an average fit for oily skin because it offers moderate cleansing and mild exfoliation while providing essential hydration. To work best for this skin type, a cleanser of this type needs an effective formulation that specifically targets oiliness and impurities, manages oily shine without causing irritation, and promotes a clear complexion.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for oily skin?
Decyl glucoside and cocamidopropyl betaine help clean away impurities, glycerin provides hydration, and citric acid gently exfoliates to keep your oily skin comfortable. A cleanser for oily skin needs effective ingredients that clear away extra oil and impurities while maintaining a balanced, clear complexion without causing irritation.
What does Glycerin do for oily skin?
Glycerin helps keep oily skin hydrated without feeling heavy and supports the skin barrier. Because this product is a weak fit for your skin, an ideal product of this type needs lightweight hydrators and ingredients that balance oil while protecting the skin.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2008International Journal of Toxicology, 2019
What does Ammonium Laureth Sulfate do for oily skin?
Ammonium Laureth Sulfate helps wash away excess oil and dirt from the skin surface, but it may cause dryness or irritation if your skin barrier is sensitive. A cleanser for oily skin of this type needs mild cleansing agents combined with moisturizing ingredients to remove oil without stripping your skin.
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for oily skin?
This cleanser fits into both your morning and evening skincare routines to wash away impurities. Oily skin typically needs a cleanser with oil-controlling ingredients like salicylic acid or clay to help keep shine under control.
Can I use it with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cleanser with retinol, applying the cleanser first to remove impurities and then following with your retinol treatment once your skin is dry. This cleanser is unlikely to cause irritation when paired correctly, but oily skin often does better with a cleanser that provides deeper oil control and pore-clearing ingredients.
How often should I use this cleanser?
You can use this cleanser daily in your morning and evening routines. It washes away oil and impurities while keeping your skin hydrated, though oily skin often benefits most from cleansers that also control excess shine and balance oil production.
Can it clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?
Neutrogena Fresh Foaming Cleanser is unlikely to cause breakouts for oily skin, as reviews show this risk is low and the formula avoids heavy ingredients. However, because it can sometimes leave skin feeling a bit dry, an oily skin type needs a gentle wash that clears away extra oil while keeping skin soft and balanced with ingredients like glycerin.
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
You can use this cleanser on your body and around your eyes, but keep in mind that the skin on your body is much thicker than the very thin skin in the eye area. Cleansers for oily skin need to balance effective removal of impurities with gentle ingredients like glycerin to avoid irritation in these delicate zones.
Is it 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, 2017Daily treatment with a facial serum containing multiple acids reduced post-inflammatory hyperchromia lesion grade and number by 29.4% at 56 days, and decreased skin oiliness by 30.7% at 7 days in Brazilian patients with acne vulgaris.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021The 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, 2001Niacinamide/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, 2012The 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, 2003Formulating sodium laureth sulphate with sodium laureth carboxylate and lauryl glucoside prevented significant decreases in cutaneous capacitance and reduced erythema and dryness in healthy volunteers compared to unsupplemented sodium laureth sulphate.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2014
Ingredients
Water, Glycerin, Lauryl Glucoside, Decyl Glucoside, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Cocamide Mea, Glycereth-7, Ammonium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Cocoyl Sarcosinate, Peg-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Glycol Stearate, Dmdm Hydantoin, Tetrasodium Edta, Citric Acid
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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PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
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Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
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Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
How does it fit your skin?
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