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Thayers pH Balancing Daily Cleanser for combination skin

Average

  • HighCombination Skin Fit
  • AverageEffectiveness
  • ExcellentSafety

Works for combination skin; other cleansers fit it better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with combination skin: an oily T-zone, enlarged pores, and dry cheeks. 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 combination skin, as salicylic acid helps decongest pores and glycerin provides hydration, though it may not offer specialized oil control for oily shine.
  • Sodium hyaluronate contributes to hydration, supporting your skin's moisture balance.
  • The formula is safe for your combination skin, with aloe barbadensis leaf juice offering soothing benefits and no harsh ingredients present.

How to apply

  • Use this cleanser AM and PM as part of your daily routine. Start 3×/week and build up to daily use if your skin tolerates it well.
  • Apply this cleanser as the very first step in your morning routine and right after your pre-cleanser in the evening.
  • Gently massage a small amount of cleanser onto your skin using circular motions. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water.
  • For the best results , apply the cleanser directly onto slightly damp skin to help lift away excess oil.
  • Avoid the immediate eye area and do a patch test before your first use to check for any sensitivity.

People Say

★4.6Overall rating based on 500+ reviews

Users consistently praise this cleanser for its gentle, non-stripping formula that effectively cleanses while maintaining moisture, making it a favorite for those with sensitive or dry skin. While it excels as a daily face wash for removing dirt and oil, some users note it struggles to remove heavy makeup on its own and may require a double cleanse.

Highlights

  • Great for sensitive skin Mostly Mentioned
    • “perfect for sensitive skin”
    • “no irritation”
    • “calms your skin”
  • Gentle & non-stripping Often Mentioned
    • “leaves skin feeling soft still”
    • “doesn't strip my skin”
    • “gentle yet effective”
  • Clean ingredients Sometimes Noted
    • “96% natural origin”
    • “love the aloe vera”
    • “fragrance-free”
  • Hydrating formula Sometimes Noted
    • “deeply hydrating”
    • “face feels refreshed”
    • “leaves skin moisturized”
  • Poor makeup removal Sometimes Noted
    • “doesn't remove heavy makeup”
    • “need to double cleanse”
    • “makeup residue left”
  • Pump clogging Sometimes Noted
    • “spout gets clogged”
    • “dried soap in pump”
    • “pump gets stuck”
  • Low lather Rarely Noted
    • “doesn't foam up much”
    • “wish it lathered more”
    • “more of a jelly texture”
  • Natural scent Rarely Noted
    • “smells like grass”
    • “weird natural smell”
    • “scent is off-putting”

Sources: lovi.care, thayers.com, ulta.com, target.com, walmart.com, iherb.com, and more

Questions and answers

How well does Thayers pH Balancing Daily Cleanser work for combination skin?

This cleanser works moderately for combination skin by decongesting pores and providing hydration, though it may not offer specialized oil control for oily shine. Cleansers that fit this skin best need to effectively cleanse without stripping moisture, manage oily shine, and maintain balance across both dry and oily areas.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

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

Salicylic acid, glycerin, and sodium hyaluronate make this cleanser work for combination skin, as salicylic acid helps decongest pores while glycerin and sodium hyaluronate provide hydration. Cleansers that fit combination skin best need ingredients that effectively clean and manage oily shine while hydrating dry areas without causing irritation.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

What does Aloe Vera do for combination skin?

Aloe vera helps keep combination skin hydrated without making it oily. It increases skin water content while supporting the skin barrier.

Skin Research and Technology, 2006

What does Hyaluronic Acid do for combination skin?

Hyaluronic acid is a great fit for combination skin because it quenches dry areas with a boost of hydration while keeping oily zones balanced. Regular use helps smooth out fine lines and makes your skin feel soft and plump without causing irritation.

Dermatology and Therapy, 2021Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2011

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

This cleanser goes in the morning and evening steps of your routine before toners and moisturizers. A cleanser of this type for combination skin needs ingredients like salicylic acid to decongest pores and glycerin to provide hydration while balancing oil.

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

You can use this cleanser with retinol, applying the cleanser first to clean your skin before using your retinol treatment. A cleanser for this skin also needs ingredients that balance oil and keep pores clear without causing dry tightness.

How often should I use this cleanser?

You can use this cleanser twice a day in your morning and evening routine. It works for your combination skin by providing moderate cleansing and hydration, though a cleanser of this type needs specialized oil control ingredients to better handle oily shine.

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

This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for combination skin, as salicylic acid helps keep pores clear and the formula avoids heavy ingredients. However, because it offers only moderate cleansing, a combination skin type often needs added oil control ingredients to fully prevent shine and congestion.

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

You can use this cleanser on your body, but it is best to avoid the very thin skin directly around your eyes. A cleanser for your combination skin needs ingredients like glycerin for hydration and salicylic acid to clear pores without drying you out.

Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 2002

Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

It has no fragrance and contains drying alcohol (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, 2017
  • Topical hyaluronic acid filler serum combined with Botulinum toxin type A lengthened the duration of the toxin's effect in reducing wrinkles compared to Botulinum toxin type A alone.

    Dermatologic Therapy, 2022
  • Hyaluronic acid extracts are safe and efficacious products for skin repair when used in tissue regeneration alone or in combination with herbal or Western medicine.

    Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015
  • A 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, 2018
  • Topical aloe vera gel significantly accelerated split-thickness skin graft donor-site healing compared to placebo in 12 patients, but showed no significant difference in pain relief.

    Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2018
  • Topical application of Aloe vera cream reduced postoperative pain at rest and during defecation, accelerated wound healing at two weeks, and decreased analgesic requirements in patients after open hemorrhoidectomy compared to placebo.

    Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2010
  • Topical application of 0.1% hyaluronic acid formulations of different molecular weights led to significant improvements in skin hydration and elasticity, with low-molecular-weight formulations also significantly reducing wrinkle depth in seventy-six female subjects compared to a vehicle control.

    Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2011
  • Topical application of hyaluronic acid in conjunction with free gingival graft significantly reduced donor site postoperative pain until day 7 compared to normal saline, with no significant differences in graft dimensions or patient satisfaction.

    Clinical Oral Investigations, 2022
  • Treatment with a hyaluronic acid-containing mouth rinse or topical gel led to significant lesion reduction, pain relief, and normalization of lesion color in adult patients with minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis, with the gel formulation showing an earlier healing onset at 3 days.

    BMC Oral Health, 2019
  • Cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen achieved a higher cure rate (39%) than salicylic acid (24%) and a wait-and-see approach (16%) for cutaneous warts at 13 weeks in primary care patients.

    CMAJ, 2010
  • A moisturizer containing licochalcone A, 1,2-decanediol, L-carnitine, and salicylic acid significantly reduced noninflammatory, inflammatory, and total acne lesion counts compared to a vehicle control in Thai patients during a 12-week maintenance phase.

    BioMed Research International, 2020
  • Treatment with 2% supramolecular salicylic acid hydrogel resulted in a regression and markedly improvement rate of 51.01% compared to 43.10% for Adapaline gel in patients with mild to moderate facial acne vulgaris, showing no significant difference in efficacy.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
  • 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
  • Niacinamide/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, 2012
  • The 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, 2003

Why other cleansers fit combination skin better

  • A botanical face cleanser with hops and willow bark extract continuously reduced skin sebum levels without reactive seborrhea after treatment in 21 healthy volunteers compared to a sodium laureth sulfate cleanser, with neither cleanser causing skin irritation.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019
  • Combined ascorbyl palmitate and sodium ascorbyl phosphate treatment significantly reduced facial sebum secretions in healthy female volunteers compared to a placebo control over 90 days.

    Drug Research, 2017

Ingredients

Alcohol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Water, Caprylyl Capryl Glucoside, Citric Acid, Coco-Betaine, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Glycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Propanediol, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Phytate, Xanthan Gum

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: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.