EltaMD Foaming Facial Cleanser for dry skin
Bromelain
Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate
Sodium Cocoyl Apple Amino Acids
Capryloyl Glycine
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Average
- HighDry Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
Works for dry skin; other cleansers 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
- Offers moderate cleansing for your dry skin, as sodium cocoyl glycinate and sodium cocoyl apple amino acids gently remove impurities without stripping essential moisture.
- Ingredients like Peg Ppg-14 4 Dimethicone and polyhydroxystearic acid provide emollient action, smoothing intercellular lipids and enhancing overall skin hydration.
- The formula is safe for your dry skin, with bromelain offering soothing benefits and no harsh or prohibited ingredients present.
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
★4.6Overall rating based on 10.2k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this enzyme-based cleanser is highly regarded for its self-foaming technology that effectively cleans pores without stripping moisture, making it suitable for sensitive, acne-prone, and post-procedure skin. Most users appreciate the soft, clean finish and reduced inflammation. However, some users report issues with the pump dispenser and a few find the formula slightly drying.
Highlights
Gentle on sensitive skin Mostly Mentioned
- “Perfect for my sensitive post-laser skin”
- “Gentle enough for morning and night”
Effective deep clean Often Mentioned
- “Removes all my makeup in one go”
- “Pores look smaller and cleaner”
- “Face feels squeaky clean but soft”
Safe for problem skin Often Mentioned
- “Helped clear my hormonal acne”
- “Dermatologist recommended after microneedling”
- “Doesn't cause breakouts”
Pump dispenser issues Often Mentioned
- “Pump stopped working halfway through”
- “Have to unscrew the top to use it”
- “Dispenser gets clogged constantly”
Unique foaming action Sometimes Noted
- “Love how it bubbles up on its own”
- “The thick foam feels luxurious”
- “Tickles slightly but cleans deep”
Counterfeit product concerns Sometimes Noted
- “Product was watery and smelled wrong”
- “Fake bottle compared to my last one”
- “Seal was broken, consistency off”
Expensive price point Sometimes Noted
- “Great product but too pricey”
- “Wish it was cheaper for the size”
- “Expensive for a cleanser”
Can be drying Rarely Noted
- “Left my skin feeling stripped”
- “Too drying for winter use”
- “Made my face feel tight”
Sources: lovi.care, amazon.com, dermstore.com, lovelyskin.com, walmart.com, edcskincare.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does the EltaMD Foaming Facial Cleanser work for dry skin?
EltaMD Foaming Facial Cleanser works moderately well for dry skin, gently washing away dirt without stripping away your natural moisture. It helps smooth and hydrate your skin safely with soothing ingredients like bromelain. To fit dry skin even better, a cleanser needs rich hydrating and barrier-repairing ingredients like essential ceramides, sodium hyaluronate, niacinamide, and prebiotic thermal water to maintain moisture.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for dry skin?
Sodium cocoyl glycinate and sodium cocoyl apple amino acids help gently remove impurities without stripping essential moisture, while bromelain provides soothing benefits. To fit dry skin even better, a cleanser of this type needs hydrating and barrier-repairing ingredients like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and prebiotic thermal water.
What does Bromelain do for dry skin?
Bromelain helps smooth dry skin by acting as an exfoliating agent that gently removes dead cells from the surface. A product of this type needs soothing, hydrating ingredients like ceramides or hyaluronic acid to protect the skin barrier and keep moisture locked in.
Nutrition and Health, 2023Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022
What does Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate do for dry skin?
Sodium cocoyl glycinate is a gentle cleansing ingredient that helps wash dry skin without stripping its natural moisture barrier, leaving it feeling soft rather than tight. Cleansers with mild ingredients like this are unlikely to cause irritation and help keep dry skin calm and comfortable.
Dermatologic Therapy, 2004The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2011
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for dry skin?
This cleanser goes in your morning and evening routine after any makeup remover and before your toner or treatments. To properly care for dry skin, this type of cleanser also needs ingredients that deeply lock in moisture and prevent tightness.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cleanser with retinol, applying the cleanser first before your retinol treatment. A cleanser of this type for dry skin needs gentle amino acid cleansers and soothing ingredients to clean without stripping essential moisture.
How often should I use this cleanser?
You can use this cleanser daily in the morning and evening as part of your routine. A mild cleanser helps remove impurities while keeping your skin hydrated and comfortable.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for dry skin, as its gentle ingredients wash away impurities without heavy oils. However, because it only offers moderate fit for dry skin, a cleanser for this skin needs extra rich hydrators and nourishing oils to keep dry areas smooth and comfortable.
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
You can use this cleanser on your body, but the thin skin around the eyes needs extra caution because it may become dry or irritated. Products used on delicate areas or the body work best with gentle cleansers that thoroughly remove dirt while adding moisture and soothing ingredients to protect the skin barrier.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Oral bromelain slightly reduced pain compared to controls (mean difference -0.27) and topical bromelain reduced time to complete debridement by 6.89 days, with no major health risks reported.
Nutrition and Health, 2023An upcycled pineapple leaf fibre crosspolymer forms a physical barrier that protects against environmental aggressors while providing antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antipollution, UV protection, hydration, and hair benefits.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2026A coaxial electrospun core-shell nanofiber scaffold delivering bromelain and salvianolic acid B demonstrated sustained drug release, in vitro endothelial cell migration, increased capillary formation in an in ovo assay, and in vivo efficacy for skin regeneration and wound healing.
Biomedical Materials, 2017A 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, 2025Topical application of a formulation containing capryloyl glycine 4% significantly decreased hair density, median hair length, and terminal hair density on the forearms compared to placebo in female patients with hypertrichosis after 120 days.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021
Ingredients
Water, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Acrylates Copolymer, Sodium Cocoyl Apple Amino Acids, Methyl Perfluoroisobutyl Ether, Magnesium Silicate, Methyl Perfluorobutyl Ether, Bromelain, Peg Ppg-14 4 Dimethicone, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Isononyl Isononanoate, Ethylhexyl Isononanoate, Sodium Cocamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hydroxide, Capryloyl Glycine, Undecylenoyl Glycine, Sodium Bisulfite
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?
Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.