Dermalogica UltraCalming Cleanser for combination skin
Bisabolol
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract Oat Kernel Extract
Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract Lavender Flower Extract
GlycerinAverage
- AverageCombination 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
- This cleanser offers moderate suitability for your combination skin, with Glycerin and Panthenol providing humectant action to hydrate drier areas, but it lacks sufficient ingredients for optimal oil control on your oily zones.
- While Bisabolol and Oat Kernel Extract offer soothing benefits for sensitive skin, these are irrelevant for your oily shine concerns.
- The product is safe for your combination skin, as it contains no harsh ingredients and includes soothing agents like Bisabolol and Oat Kernel Extract.
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 700+ reviewsWhile it excels at calming redness and soothing irritation, some users note it is too gentle to remove heavy makeup on its own and may require a double-cleanse routine.
Highlights
Extremely gentle Mostly Mentioned
- “leaves skin hydrated yet clean”
- “never feels stripped”
- “gentlest wash I've used”
Safe for reactive skin Often Mentioned
- “only one I don't react to”
- “saved my barrier”
- “no breakouts or rashes”
Soothes redness/irritation Often Mentioned
- “calms my red cheeks”
- “cools sensitized skin”
- “stopped the burning sensation”
Soft, non-foaming texture Sometimes Noted
- “glides on like lotion”
- “love the creamy feel”
- “doesn't foam or irritate”
High price point Sometimes Noted
- “way too expensive”
- “pricey for a cleanser”
- “wish it was cheaper”
Poor makeup removal Sometimes Noted
- “doesn't touch mascara”
- “need to double cleanse”
- “leaves residue behind”
Ineffective for acne Rarely Noted
- “didn't help my acne”
- “too gentle for oily skin”
- “pores felt clogged”
Packaging/Pump issues Rarely Noted
- “pump stopped working”
- “hard to get product out”
- “broken dispenser”
Sources: lovi.care, sephora.com, dermalogica.com, dermstore.com, lovelyskin.com, reddit.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Dermalogica UltraCalming work for combination skin?
Dermalogica UltraCalming Cleanser works moderately well for combination skin because Glycerin and Panthenol hydrate drier areas, but it lacks enough oil-controlling ingredients for your oily zones. A cleanser for combination skin needs ingredients that effectively cleanse without stripping moisture, manage oily shine, and support the skin's moisture barrier for a balanced feel.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for combination skin?
Glycerin and Panthenol make this cleanser a good fit for combination skin by hydrating drier areas. This cleanser works for this skin, though other products fit it better; a product of this type needs ingredients that effectively cleanse without stripping moisture, control oily shine, and support the skin's moisture barrier.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002
What does Bisabolol do for combination skin?
Bisabolol helps calm combination skin by soothing redness and irritation while supporting a balanced feel. It is unlikely to cause issues and may help keep sensitive areas comfortable.
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, 2014Life Sciences, 2022
What does Avena Sativa Kernel Extract do for combination skin?
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract helps calm and soothe combination skin while supporting moisture and skin barrier health. It is unlikely to cause irritation and may improve dry areas while keeping the skin balanced.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2016Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2015
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for combination skin?
This cleanser goes in your morning and evening routine as the first cleansing step, right before your hydrating toner and moisturizer. Combination skin needs a product of this type that also balances oil and controls shine in your oily zones.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cleanser in the routine before your retinol treatment step, as it has a safe formula with soothing ingredients that are unlikely to irritate your skin. A combination skin type like yours still needs a cleanser of this type that also includes oil-controlling ingredients to manage shine.
How often should I use this cleanser?
You can use this cleanser twice a day as part of your morning and evening routine. To better manage your combination skin, this type of product also needs ingredients that help control oil on your shiny zones.
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 it is safe and free of harsh ingredients. However, it is ineffective for acne, so a product of this type for combination skin needs targeted ingredients like salicylic acid or niacinamide to help control oil and keep pores clear.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
You can safely use this cleanser on the body and around the eyes since it is gentle and contains no harsh ingredients. It helps hydrate drier areas while cleansing, though combination skin needs extra oil-controlling ingredients to properly manage shine.
Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 2002The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol, which soften the skin.
What the research says
A new topical panthenol-containing emollient significantly improved transepidermal water loss reduction, stratum corneum hydration, and intercellular lipid lamellae length compared with control in healthy subjects without negatively impacting bacterial viability.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017Topical dexpanthenol acts as a moisturizer, improves stratum corneum hydration, accelerates wound healing and epidermal regeneration, reduces erythema, and improves symptoms of skin irritation compared to vehicle or no pretreatment.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002A panthenol-enriched mask significantly decreased erythema and hyperpigmentation, increased sebum and stratum corneum moisture, and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to a saline dressing in 60 subjects undergoing facial laser treatment.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025Topically applied Avena sativa and Avena Rhealba oatmeal extracts significantly reduced skin irritation parameters including a* parameter increase and blood flow increase compared to vehicle in 12 healthy individuals subjected to the sodium lauryl sulfate irritation model.
Skin Pharmacology and Applied Skin Physiology, 2002Colloidal oatmeal induced skin barrier-related gene expression in vitro and showed significant clinical improvements in skin dryness, moisturization, and barrier in 50 healthy female subjects treated with a colloidal oatmeal lotion.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2016Application of an alpha-bisabolol-containing cream produced a significant skin-lightening effect in pigmented skin compared to a vehicle control in the majority of female subjects after 8 weeks.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2010The combination of allantoin, bisabolol, D-panthenol and dipotassium glycyrrhizinate reduces UVB-induced PGE2, inflammatory cytokines, and mitochondrial superoxide in human epidermal keratinocytes.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2024A repair cream containing Rhealba oat plantlets extract, l-ALA-l-GLU dipeptide, and hyaluronic acid provided immediate relief and was judged by doctors as good or very good in 96.8% of cases for wound healing in 2,363 patients following dermatological acts.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2018Colloidal oat extracts diminished pro-inflammatory cytokines in vitro and colloidal oat lotion improved skin dryness, scaling, roughness, and itch intensity in healthy female subjects compared to baseline.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2015Colloidal oat increased the growth rate, metabolism, and lactic acid production of Staphylococcus epidermidis compared to Staphylococcus aureus in vitro, matching clinical increases in lactic acid on dry skin after 6 weeks of lotion use.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2021A 1-year clinical study on human facial skin demonstrated that Zingiber officinale (L.) Rose extract inhibits the UV-induced decrease in skin elasticity and prevents or improves wrinkle formation around the eye.
Archives of Dermatological Research, 2008Ginger extract transethosomal hydrogel improved skin permeability, sustained drug release, and exhibited significant inhibition of edema swelling along with reduced reactive oxygen species and prostaglandin E2 compared to free ginger extract hydrogel and ketoprofen gel in a rat-paw edema model.
International Journal of Nanomedicine, 2023Topical delivery of ginger extract-loaded nanoemulsions significantly reduced arthritic symptoms, paw edema inhibition by 27.7%, and inflammatory cytokines in RA-induced rats compared to the negative control.
Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2023Lavandula angustifolia leaf callus extract enhanced skin cell viability, reduced oxidative stress and melanin content, improved wound healing, and enhanced skin barrier function in human skin cells and clinical tests.
Free Radical Biology & Medicine, 2025Tea tree oil effectively treated acne while lavender and rosemary oils demonstrated anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties in derma cosmetic applications based on an evaluation of various essential oils.
Frontiers in Medicine, 2025A blend of Lavandula angustifolia flower extract and dipeptide-4 reduced oxidative and glycation markers, enhanced ATP, SOD, autophagy, and melatonin production, and improved tissue morphology in human skin models and fibroblasts.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2026A 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, 2001
Why other cleansers fit combination skin better
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
Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Bisabolol, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Leuconostoc Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Glycerin, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract Oat Kernel Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract Raspberry Fruit Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract Lavender Flower Extract, Willow Bark Extract, Usnea Barbata Extract, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid, Lemon Fruit Extract, Fumaria Officinalis Stem Extract Flower Leaf, Fumaric Acid, Echinacea Purpurea Extract, Panthenol, Acrylates C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Cocamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, Disodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate, Cetrimonium Chloride, Aminomethyl Propanol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Disodium Edta
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
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