Clean & Clear deep action cream cleanser for dry skin
Cetyl Alcohol
Stearyl Alcohol
Caution
- CautionDry Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- ConcerningSafety
A poor match for dry skin; the cleansers alongside fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dry skin: flakiness, tightness, dehydration, fine lines, and wrinkles. 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
- Unsuitable for dry skin due to the presence of menthol, which can be drying and irritating, and a lack of emollient or humectant ingredients to support the skin barrier.
- While cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol offer moderate cleansing benefits, the overall formula does not provide significant moisturization for dry or flaky skin.
How to apply
- Use this cleanser AM and PM every day to keep your skin clean. Start using it daily right away since your skin is not sensitive.
- Apply this cleanser as the very first step in your morning routine and right after your pre-cleanser in the evening. Follow with your toner and moisturizer afterwards.
- Gently massage a small amount of cleanser onto your face using soft circular motions. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water and pat dry with a clean towel.
- Apply this cleanser on slightly damp skin for a comfortable and refreshing wash. This helps maintain your skin's natural moisture while cleansing away dirt.
- Avoid getting the cleanser directly into your eyes to prevent any irritation. Do a simple patch test before your first use to ensure your skin likes it.
People Say
★4.2Overall rating based on 1.4k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this cleanser is highly regarded for its creamy texture and refreshing, cooling sensation that leaves skin feeling thoroughly cleansed and soft without excessive stripping. It is particularly effective for those managing acne-prone or combination skin, though individuals with very sensitive skin may find the menthol-induced tingle or fragrance unsuitable.
Highlights
Cooling sensation Mostly Mentioned
- “Love the cooling tingle”
- “Feels like an arctic breeze”
- “Refreshing minty feel”
Affordable price Often Mentioned
- “Great value for money”
- “Lasts for months”
- “Very affordable”
Deep cleansing Often Mentioned
- “Cleans deep into pores”
- “Removes oil and dirt”
- “Face feels super clean”
Creamy texture Sometimes Noted
- “Soft and creamy”
- “Feels like butter”
- “Not harsh on skin”
Potential dryness Sometimes Noted
- “Leaves face feeling dry”
- “A bit too drying”
- “Need moisturizer after”
Sensitive skin irritation Sometimes Noted
- “Too harsh for sensitive skin”
- “Caused some irritation”
- “Not for sensitive types”
Difficult to rinse Rarely Noted
- “Hard to wash off”
- “Leaves a slight residue”
- “Doesn't rinse clean”
Unwanted scent Rarely Noted
- “Fragrance is unnecessary”
- “Smell isn't the same”
- “Not a fan of the scent”
Sources: lovi.care, cleanandclear.com, walmart.com, qfc.com, reviewstream.com, shopsavvy.com, and more
Questions and answers
Why does Lovi advise caution with Clean & Clear Deep Action Cream Cleanser for dry skin?
This cleanser is a poor match for dry skin because it contains menthol, which can be drying and irritating, and lacks enough softening and moisturizing ingredients to support your skin barrier. A cleanser for dry skin needs nourishing hydrators like essential ceramides and hyaluronic acid to maintain moisture and protect the skin.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a poor fit for dry skin?
This cleanser is a poor fit for dry skin mainly due to menthol, which can be drying and irritating. A cleanser for dry skin needs gentle, hydrating ingredients like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, or niacinamide, along with soothing agents that protect the moisture barrier.
What does Water do for dry skin?
Drinking more water helps increase skin hydration and may reduce clinical signs of dryness and roughness, particularly for individuals with lower prior water consumption.
What does Cetyl Alcohol do for dry skin?
Cetyl alcohol helps dry skin by keeping it soft and improving moisture so the skin feels smooth. It is unlikely to dry you out and works well to support your skin barrier.
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for dry skin?
This cleanser is a poor match for dry skin because the menthol in it may dry and irritate you, and it lacks moisturizing ingredients to support your skin barrier. A cleanser for this skin needs gentle cleansing along with rich moisturizers and barrier-supporting ingredients to keep your face feeling soft and smooth.
Can I use this cleanser with salicylic acid, and in what order?
Using this cleanser with salicylic acid requires caution because it contains menthol, which may dry and irritate dry skin. To help this skin type, a product of this type needs soothing ingredients and extra moisture to keep the skin soft and smooth.
How often should I use this cleanser?
This cleanser is a poor match for dry skin because it contains menthol, which can be drying and irritating, and lacks enough softening and hydrating ingredients to support the skin barrier. Dry skin needs a mild cleanser paired with a rich moisturizer to improve visual dryness and keep the skin comfortable.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts on dry skin, though its menthol content may cause dryness and irritation. A cleanser for dry skin needs gentle ingredients that add moisture and support the skin barrier instead of stripping it.
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
This cleanser is a poor fit for the thin skin around the eyes and dry skin on the body because menthol can be drying and irritating. A product of this type needs soothing, hydrating ingredients like glycerin and rich moisturizing agents to protect dry skin.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol. Cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol are fatty alcohols, which soften the skin.
What the research says
Topical 30% l-menthol decreased cold pain thresholds and enhanced pain responses to suprathreshold noxious cold stimuli without affecting other stimuli in 39 healthy subjects compared to ethanol control.
Pain, 2006Topical high-concentration L-menthol consistently induces cold pain threshold elevation and increased supra-threshold cold pain sensitivity in healthy volunteers, and successfully establishes cold allodynia or hyperalgesia in animals, serving as a predictable surrogate model.
European Journal of Pain, 2014Coadministration of 40% topical L-menthol with 10% trans-cinnamaldehyde reduced spontaneous pain intensity, neurogenic inflammation, primary and secondary mechanical hyperalgesia, and heat hyperalgesia, but not cold hyperalgesia, in 14 healthy volunteers.
The Journal of Pain, 2016A soap-free cleansing lotion containing cetyl alcohol and sodium cocoyl apple amino acids reduced skin surface impurities and improved skin hydration, barrier function, and skin tone in 27 healthy adult subjects over 30 days.
Cureus, 2025
Ingredients
Water, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Steareth-21, Steareth-2, Menthol, Methylparaben, Propylparaben
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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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
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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