SkinCeuticals Simply Clean Gel for oily skin

Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate
Coco-Betaine
Glycerin
Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
High
- HighOily Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
A great choice for oily skin; a few cleansers fit it even 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
- Highly suitable for your oily skin, this cleanser effectively removes impurities with sodium cocoyl glycinate and coco-betaine, while aloe barbadensis leaf extract and chamomile extract offer soothing benefits.
- Citric acid and hydroxyethylpiperazine ethane sulfonic acid further support oil control and pH balance, enhancing the overall cleansing experience for your skin.
- The product is safe for your skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the inclusion of beneficial botanical extracts.
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
★4.7Overall rating based on 700+ reviewsIdeally suited for oily and combination skin types, this gel cleanser is widely praised for its ability to deeply purify pores and remove makeup without causing excessive dryness. Users frequently report improved skin texture and fewer acne breakouts, though individuals with drier or more sensitive skin occasionally find the exfoliating formula slightly stripping.
Highlights
Effective Deep Cleansing Mostly Mentioned
- “removes excess oil”
- “thoroughly cleanses skin”
- “face feels fresh”
Improves Skin Texture Often Mentioned
- “smooths rough skin”
- “refines pore appearance”
- “gentle enzymatic exfoliation”
Controls Acne Breakouts Sometimes Noted
- “clears hormonal acne”
- “prevents new blemishes”
- “keeps skin clear”
High Product Efficiency Sometimes Noted
- “lathers very well”
- “little goes long way”
- “bottle lasts months”
Removes Makeup Well Sometimes Noted
- “dissolves waterproof makeup”
- “takes off daily grime”
- “no residue left”
High Price Point Sometimes Noted
- “expensive for cleanser”
- “pricey daily wash”
- “cost prohibits repurchase”
Drying Effect Rarely Noted
- “skin feels tight”
- “strips natural oils”
- “too harsh for dry skin”
Packaging Issues Rarely Noted
- “pump mechanism breaks”
- “bottle leaks during travel”
- “hard to dispense”
Skin Irritation Rarely Noted
- “caused burning sensation”
- “stinging on application”
- “redness after use”
Unpleasant Scent Rarely Noted
- “medicinal smell”
- “chemical odor”
- “scent is off-putting”
Sources: lovi.care, lovelyskin.com, skinceuticals.ca, bluemercury.com, walmart.com, dermstore.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes SkinCeuticals Simply Clean a great fit for oily skin?
SkinCeuticals Simply Clean is a great fit for oily skin because it effectively removes impurities with sodium cocoyl glycinate and coco-betaine while controlling oil and balancing pH with citric acid and hydroxyethylpiperazine ethane sulfonic acid. Aloe barbadensis leaf extract and chamomile extract help soothe the skin, and the formula is unlikely to cause irritation.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for oily skin?
This cleanser is a great fit for oily skin because it uses sodium cocoyl glycinate and coco-betaine to wash away dirt and oil while aloe barbadensis leaf extract and chamomile extract help calm the skin. Ingredients like citric acid and hydroxyethylpiperazine ethane sulfonic acid also support oil control and keep your skin balanced.
What does Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate do for oily skin?
Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate helps gently wash oily skin without stripping away essential moisture or harming the skin barrier, keeping your face soft and comfortable. Because it is a mild cleanser with low irritation potential, it is unlikely to cause redness or dry out your skin.
What does Coco-Betaine do for oily skin?
Coco-betaine helps wash away excess oil and dirt from your face without stripping away needed moisture. Cleansers with mild ingredients like this are less likely to cause irritation or leave oily skin feeling overly dry and tight.
Pharmaceutical Development and Technology, 2019Dermatologic Therapy, 2004
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for oily skin?
This cleanser goes in both your morning and evening routines. In the morning it is the first step before your toner, moisturizer, and sunscreen, while in the evening it follows your makeup remover.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2020
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cleanser with retinol by applying the cleanser first on your oily skin to remove impurities and balance oil, followed by your retinol treatment. This routine helps keep your skin calm and clean without risking irritation.
How often should I use this cleanser?
You can use this cleanser twice a day in your morning and evening routines. It gently removes impurities and helps control oil without irritating your skin.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?
This cleanser is a great fit for oily skin and is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts because it gently washes away impurities while helping to control excess oil. It is safe for your skin with very low risks of irritation, meaning it will not typically trigger purging or flare-ups.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2013
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
You can use this cleanser on your body, but you should avoid applying it directly around the eyes since the skin there is much thinner and more delicate than body and facial skin. The gentle formula makes it generally safe for body use, though it is specifically designed to handle oil and impurities on facial skin.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (limonene).
What the research says
Daily 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, 2021A novel composition containing salicylic acid, capryloyl salicylic acid, HEPES, glycolic acid, citric acid, and dioic acid showed similar tolerance and efficacy compared with clindamycin 1% and benzoyl peroxide 5% gel in subjects with acne vulgaris.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2013A cream combining propolis, tea tree oil, and Aloe vera reduced erythema scars, acne severity index, and total lesion count better than erythromycin cream in sixty patients with mild to moderate acne vulgaris compared to placebo.
Clinical Pharmacology, 2018The 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, 2001A novel D-limonene and Gelucire 44/12 based microemulsion formulated with Labrasol and Labrafil M 1944 CS showed high stability, optical transparency, nanometric globule size, and a safe in vivo skin profile on mice ear skin.
Advanced Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 2021
Ingredients
Water, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Coco-Betaine, Glycerin, Acrylates Copolymer, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Chloride, Propylene Glycol, Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium Edta, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Limonene, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract Matricaria Flower Extract, 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.
-

Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
-

Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
-

Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
-

Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
-

Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
-

Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
-

Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
-

Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
How does it fit your skin?
Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.