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Thayers pH Balancing Daily Cleanser for oily skin

High

  • HighOily Skin Fit
  • AverageEffectiveness
  • 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 manages excess sebum with salicylic acid and citric acid, which help to exfoliate and balance pH.
  • It offers excellent cleansing and pore decongestion, with sodium hyaluronate providing hydration to support your skin's comfort.
  • The formulation is safe for your skin, as it contains soothing ingredients like Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice and Glycerin, and lacks harsh or prohibited substances.

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

★4.6Overall 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

What makes Thayers pH Balancing Daily Cleanser a great fit for oily skin?

Thayers pH Balancing Daily Cleanser is a great fit for oily skin because it effectively manages excess oil using salicylic acid and citric acid to gently exfoliate and balance skin. It also provides thorough pore decongestion while using soothing ingredients like aloe and glycerin to keep your skin feeling comfortable and hydrated.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Clinical Pharmacology, 2018

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

Salicylic acid and citric acid make this cleanser a great fit by managing excess oil and clearing pores. Aloe barbadensis leaf juice and glycerin also help keep your skin calm and comfortable.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Clinical Pharmacology, 2018

What does Aloe Vera do for oily skin?

Aloe vera helps calm oily skin while keeping it comfortable and protected. It is unlikely to feel heavy, and it provides soothing and skin-protective properties that support a clear, smooth look.

Phytomedicine, 2019

What does Hyaluronic Acid do for oily skin?

Hyaluronic acid helps oily skin by reducing extra oil and sebum production without causing irritation. Clinical studies show it successfully balances oil levels while keeping the skin comfortable.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2017

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

This cleanser goes as the first step in your morning routine and the second step in your evening routine after removing makeup. Using a gentle cleanser helps clear away excess oil and unclog pores while keeping your skin comfortable.

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 and following with your retinol treatment. Using a cleanser with salicylic acid helps clear pores and manage excess oil while preparing your skin to receive other products, though you should watch for any dryness and adjust how often you use them.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

How often should I use this cleanser?

This cleanser is a great fit for your oily skin because it manages excess oil and clears pores while keeping skin comfortable. You can use it daily in your morning and evening routines.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

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

This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for oily skin because it features salicylic acid to clear out pores and manage excess oil. It also helps keep skin comfortable with hydrating and soothing ingredients like sodium hyaluronate and aloe.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

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 your eyes because the skin there is much thinner and more sensitive. The body has thicker skin that handles cleansers well, while the delicate eye area requires specially formulated products to prevent irritation.

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

  • 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, 2021
  • Twice daily application of a multitargeted dermocosmetic cream provided comparable efficacy to benzoyl peroxide 5% gel in reducing inflammatory, non-inflammatory, and total lesions in 150 Caucasian subjects with mild-to-moderate acne over 56 days, while demonstrating superior skin tolerability.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
  • The use of a salicylic acid-based dermocosmetic significantly reduces the needed quantity of benzoyl peroxide without impacting efficacy in mild to moderate acne, and as maintenance post-benzoyl peroxide allows a significant reduction of acne relapse compared to vehicle.

    Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023
  • 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
  • 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
  • Formulations containing 0.10%, 0.25%, and 0.50% freeze-dried Aloe vera extract increased stratum corneum water content compared with the vehicle in 20 female subjects, while transepidermal water loss was not modified.

    Skin Research and Technology, 2006
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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

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?

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