DHC Pore Cleansing Oil for combination skin
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract
Grapefruit Peel Extract
Glycerin
Olea Europaea Oil Fruit Olive Oil Fruit
Butylene Glycol
High
- SuperiorCombination Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
A great choice for combination skin; a few pre-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
- Excellent suitability for your combination skin is provided by Zinc PCA for seboregulation and Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract for antioxidant activity, which also helps control sebum and minimize pore appearance.
- The formula offers excellent makeup removal due to ingredients like Ppg-13-Decyletra-Deceth 24 and Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, aiding in dissolving makeup and impurities.
- The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation for your combination skin due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the presence of soothing agents like Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate and Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract.
How to apply
- Use this makeup remover PM as the first step of your evening routine to clear away excess oil.
- Apply this makeup remover before your regular cleanser to effectively break down heavy makeup and dirt.
- Gently wipe the makeup remover across your face using a soft cotton pad, avoiding harsh rubbing.
- Use the makeup remover on completely dry skin to help dissolve surface oils and impurities best.
- Avoid direct contact with the eyes while using this makeup remover.
People Say
★4.8Overall rating based on 500+ reviewsUsers with oily and acne-prone skin praise this oil for its lighter, gel-like texture and refreshing citrus scent compared to the heavier original version. While many report effective makeup removal and a reduction in perceived oiliness, results regarding actual pore shrinkage and blackhead removal are mixed, with some seeing drastic improvements and others noticing little change.
Highlights
Effective makeup removal Mostly Mentioned
- “dissolves foundation”
- “removes waterproof mascara”
- “cleans thoroughly”
Ideal for oily skin Often Mentioned
- “lightweight”
- “non-greasy”
- “balances sebum”
- “gel-like texture”
Pleasant citrus scent Often Mentioned
- “fresh”
- “grapefruit”
- “orange”
- “lemon”
- “relaxing aroma”
Gentle and non-stripping Sometimes Noted
- “leaves skin soft”
- “not tight”
- “hydrating”
- “smooth finish”
High price point Sometimes Noted
- “expensive for size”
- “pricey”
- “small bottle”
Mixed pore results Sometimes Noted
- “no change in pores”
- “blackheads remained”
- “didn't shrink pores”
Eye area sensitivity Rarely Noted
- “stings eyes”
- “requires separate eye remover”
- “blurry vision”
Harder to find Rarely Noted
- “out of stock”
- “less available than Deep version”
Sources: lovi.care, dhccare.com, femaledaily.com, skindeep.blog, intrice.blogspot.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes DHC Pore Cleansing Oil a great fit for combination skin?
DHC Pore Cleansing Oil is a great fit for your combination skin because Zinc PCA helps control oil while Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract provides antioxidants to minimize the look of pores. The formula also safely removes makeup and impurities without irritation thanks to soothing agents like Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate and Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract.
The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2020Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for combination skin?
Zinc PCA and Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract make this cleanser a great fit for your combination skin by helping control oil and minimizing the look of pores. It is also very safe and unlikely to cause irritation because it leaves out harsh ingredients and includes soothing agents like Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate and Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract.
What does Orange Peel Extract do for combination skin?
Orange Peel Extract helps balance combination skin by providing antioxidants that support a smooth, healthy look while addressing signs of aging. It is unlikely to cause irritation when used regularly, but an average or weak fit for combination skin generally needs added gentle hydrators and oil-balancing ingredients to keep both dry and oily areas comfortable.
Bioengineering, 2023International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2024
What does Grapefruit Peel Extract do for combination skin?
Grapefruit Peel Extract helps balance combination skin by gently clearing excess oil in slick zones while refreshing dry areas to keep your face feeling smooth and clean. This extract also provides a boost of antioxidants that may protect your skin from daily stress, though sensitive areas might occasionally feel a bit tingly.
Where does it go in a skincare routine for combination skin?
DHC Pore Cleansing Oil is used in the evening routine as the first step to remove makeup and impurities before cleansing. It is a great fit for your combination skin, helping to control sebum and minimize the appearance of pores while remaining gentle and unlikely to cause irritation.
The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2020Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this makeup remover in the evening before your cleanser and before applying retinol, as its soothing ingredients help keep your skin calm without irritation.
How often should I use it?
You can use this makeup remover in your evening routine and during your weekly routine as the first step before your cleanser. It is unlikely to cause irritation on your combination skin because it lacks harsh ingredients and includes soothing agents like dipotassium glycyrrhizate and calendula officinalis flower extract.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for combination skin?
This cleanser is a great fit for your combination skin and is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts. It helps control sebum and keep pores clear with zinc PCA and orange peel extract, while soothing ingredients protect against irritation.
Is it fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (limonene).
What the research says
Topical nicotinamide plus an antibacterial adhesive agent and zinc-pyrrolidone carboxylic acid combined with adapalene significantly reduced noninflammatory acne lesions by the second week of therapy compared to placebo with adapalene in patients with moderate acne vulgaris.
The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2020A topical formulation containing panthenol, niacinamide, and dipotassium glycyrrhizate increased skin hydration by 74.1% and reduced transepidermal water loss by 13.5% at 28 days compared to baseline and untreated control in 35 individuals with xerosis.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026Topical application of an aqueous gel containing 0.1% w/w naringenin demonstrated in vitro safety, significantly reduced UV-induced stratum corneum lipid peroxidation, and showed in vivo anti-inflammatory efficacy against methyl nicotinate-induced inflammation in human participants compared to a blank gel and untreated area, while chlorogenic acid, apigenin, and kaempferol displayed pro-oxidant profiles.
Frontiers in Chemistry, 2024Topical application of a naringenin-containing formulation protected hairless mice from ultraviolet B-induced skin damage by inhibiting edema, cytokine production, superoxide anion, and lipid hydroperoxides while maintaining antioxidant enzymes and glutathione levels.
PloS One, 2016Encapsulating naringenin, nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA), and kaempferol into nanostructured lipid carriers provided prolonged release, stability, and antioxidant protection against oxidative stress in human keratinocytes, with an NDGA and kaempferol mixture showing synergistic antioxidant effects.
Pharmaceutics, 2021A 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
Ingredients
Water, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Glycerin, Ppg-13-Decyletra-Deceth 24, Sodium Citrate, Phenoxyethanol, Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Arginine, Citric Acid, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Disodium Edta, Zinc Pca, Fomes Officinalis Extract Mushroom Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract, Grapefruit Peel Extract, Cladosiphon Novae-Caledoniae Extract, Lemon Peel Oil, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil Mandarin Orange Peel Oil, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract Olive Leaf Extract, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Oligopeptide-56-Amido Peg-75 Methyl Ether, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Citrus Aurantium Amara Oil Flower, Cynara Scolymus Leaf Extract, Punica Granatum Pericarp Extract, Artocarpus Lakoocha Extract Wood, Limonene
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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