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ZO Skin Health Exfoliating Cleanser for combination skin

High

  • HighCombination Skin Fit
  • HighEffectiveness
  • ExcellentSafety

A great choice for combination skin; a few cleansers fit it even 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 exfoliation for your combination skin, as salicylic acid and niacinamide work to mildly cleanse pores and regulate sebum, addressing oily shine.
  • Jojoba esters provide gentle exfoliation, complementing the pore-cleansing benefits for your skin type.
  • The formula is safe for your combination skin, with no harsh ingredients and the inclusion of soothing niacinamide and tocopheryl acetate.

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

★4.8Overall rating based on 100+ reviews

Users with normal to oily and acne-prone skin frequently praise this cleanser for its deep pore cleansing and oil reduction, leading to smoother skin and fewer breakouts. The formula's exfoliating beads and salicylic acid are noted for their effectiveness. Some users with drier or sensitive skin find it too aggressive, and a few mention concerns about counterfeit products when not purchased from authorized sellers. The high price point is also a recurring comment.

Highlights

  • Effective deep clean Mostly Mentioned
    • “Leaves my face feeling fresh”
    • “Removes all oil and dirt”
    • “Skin feels incredibly clean”
    • “Best for removing makeup”
  • Acne & oil control Often Mentioned
    • “Keeps my acne at bay”
    • “Reduces surface oil”
    • “Helps with cystic breakouts”
    • “Unclogs my pores”
  • Gentle exfoliation Often Mentioned
    • “Beads melt into skin”
    • “Not harsh or scratchy”
    • “Gentle enough for daily use”
    • “Smooths texture instantly”
  • High efficiency Sometimes Noted
    • “A pea-sized amount is enough”
    • “Lasts for months”
    • “Lathers up beautifully”
    • “A little goes a long way”
  • Non-stripping formula Sometimes Noted
    • “Doesn't leave skin tight”
    • “Hydrating finish”
    • “Soft after washing”
    • “Balanced clean”
  • Counterfeit concerns Sometimes Noted
    • “Received a fake product”
    • “Consistency was watery”
    • “Beads didn't dissolve”
    • “Smelled different than the clinic version”
  • High price point Sometimes Noted
    • “Very expensive”
    • “Pricey for a face wash”
    • “Hard on the wallet”
    • “A splurge item”
  • Drying for some Rarely Noted
    • “Made my skin peel”
    • “Too drying for winter”
    • “Left my face tight”
    • “Not for dry skin”
  • Scent Rarely Noted
    • “Smell is too strong”
    • “Perfume scent is overpowering”
    • “Smells like cologne”
    • “Fragrance irritated me”

Sources: lovi.care, influenster.com, amazon.com, skinsort.com, bestviewsreviews.com, myfacedr.com, and more

Questions and answers

What makes ZO Exfoliating Cleanser a great fit for combination skin?

This cleanser is a great fit because salicylic acid and niacinamide mildly clean out pores and control oily shine while keeping skin calm. Jojoba esters add gentle physical exfoliation, and soothing ingredients like tocopheryl acetate make the formula safe and gentle for your skin type.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024BioMed Research International, 2020

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

Salicylic acid and niacinamide make this cleanser a great fit for your combination skin by mildly cleaning pores and regulating oily shine. Jojoba esters provide gentle physical scrubbing, while soothing niacinamide and vitamin E acetate help keep the formula safe and gentle.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024BioMed Research International, 2020

What does Salicylic Acid do for combination skin?

Salicylic acid helps clear clogged pores and balance oily areas while remaining gentle enough for dry spots on combination skin. It reduces breakouts and oiliness effectively with a low likelihood of irritation.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023

What does Niacinamide do for combination skin?

Niacinamide helps balance oily areas by reducing excess shine and pore size while keeping dry patches hydrated and smooth. It also works to calm redness and even out skin tone, making it very suitable for combination skin.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

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

This cleanser is used as the first active step in both your morning and evening routines, before applying toners, moisturizers, and sun protection. It helps gently wash away excess oil and impurities while keeping your skin calm.

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

You can use this cleanser with retinol by using the cleanser first on damp skin, followed by your retinol treatment. This cleanser is a great fit for your combination skin because salicylic acid and niacinamide help clean pores and control oily shine while keeping skin calm and comfortable.

How often should I use this cleanser?

This cleanser is a great fit for your combination skin and can be used daily as part of your morning and evening routine. A consistent daily cleansing and moisturizing routine helps maintain skin health and significantly improves dryness and overall skin condition.

The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022

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

This cleanser is a great fit for your combination skin because salicylic acid and niacinamide mildly clear out pores and help control oily shine. It has a very low risk of causing dryness and is unlikely to clog pores.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024BioMed Research International, 2020

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

This cleanser is a great fit for your combination skin, but it is best to avoid the very thin skin around your eyes and use it only on the body where skin is thicker. Salicylic acid and jojoba esters help clear pores, while niacinamide and vitamin E keep the skin calm and comfortable.

Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 2002Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (parfum, citronellol, hexyl cinnamal, limonene, and linalool).

What the research says

  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Topical 5% benzoyl peroxide plus salicylic acid achieved the greatest lesion reduction at early 2 to 4 week time points compared to benzoyl peroxide, clindamycin, and combination benzoyl peroxide/clindamycin, while 5% benzoyl peroxide plus salicylic acid and combination benzoyl peroxide/clindamycin showed similar efficacy at 10 to 12 weeks in acne patients.

    Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2010
  • Topical post-laser application of human adipocyte-derived mesenchymal stem cell media combined with niacinamide significantly improved wrinkle index, melanin index, patient satisfaction, and investigator esthetic improvement scores compared to vehicle cream in patients with aging skin.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021
  • Topical nicotinamide prevented solar-simulated UV-induced immunosuppression in healthy volunteers, and men experienced immunosuppression at solar-simulated UV doses three times lower than those required for women.

    The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2008
  • Topical 5% niacinamide applied twice daily for 12 weeks reduced fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmented spots, red blotchiness, and skin sallowness, and improved skin elasticity compared to vehicle control in 50 female white subjects with facial photoaging.

    Dermatologic Surgery, 2005
  • Application of a cream containing lactic acid 12% and pramoxine HCl 1% significantly improved skin dryness, hydration, and itch compared with a nontreated control in 24 women with a history of dry itchy skin.

    Cutis, 2004
  • Topical 12% ammonium lactate produced a significant sparing of epidermal and dermal atrophy induced by clobetasol propionate in human volunteers, without influencing the corticosteroid's bioavailability or antiinflammatory properties.

    Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 1992
  • A lactic acid/ceramide lotion significantly improved skin moisturization and desquamation compared to no treatment in women with dry, rough skin on the anterior shins.

    The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2020
  • 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
  • Topical application of an antioxidant serum containing 15% ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid, and 1% tocopherol prevented particulate matter-induced degradation of extracellular matrix components, inflammation, and oxidative stress in the skin of 15 female volunteers compared to untreated controls.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025
  • Dermatological products containing d-alpha tocopheryl acetate showed non-comedogenic potential with less than a 50% increase in microcomedones in 12 healthy male subjects compared to octyl palmitate.

    Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications, 2021
  • Topical application of an antioxidant mix containing 15% ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid, and 1% tocopherol prevented PM and UV-induced skin barrier perturbation, lipid peroxidation, inflammatory markers, MMP9 activation, and Type I collagen loss in 15 healthy females compared to untreated exposed skin.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

Ingredients

Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Acrylates Copolymer, Jojoba Esters, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Mannitol, Cellulose, Spiraea Ulmaria Extract, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Tocopheryl Acetate, Niacin, Niacinamide, Caprylyl Glycol, Laureth-2, Hexylene Glycol, Sodium Sulfate, Disodium Edta, Ammonium Lactate, Salicylic Acid, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Sodium Pca, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Benzoic Acid, Parfum, Chromium Hydroxide Green Ci 77289, Citronellol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Linalool

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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