Skinbetter Science Refining Foam Cleanser for sensitive skin
Glycolic Acid
Lactic Acid
Salicylic AcidAverage
- HighNormal Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for sensitive skin; other cleansers fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with sensitive skin: redness, stinging, and reactions to new products. 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 normal skin, as glycolic acid, lactic acid, and salicylic acid help to decongest pores and regulate desquamation. Sodium PCA and sodium lactate provide some hydration, which is beneficial for your skin.
- The formula is safe for your sensitive skin, as it lacks harsh ingredients and prohibited substances that could cause irritation.
- This cleanser provides moderate benefits for redness and irritation by gently exfoliating and decongesting pores.
How to apply
- Use your cleanser in the AM and PM routines every day. Start using it daily since your sensitive skin needs gentle care.
- Apply this first in your morning and evening skincare routine before toner and moisturizer. This clears away dirt without upsetting your skin.
- Gently massage a small amount onto your face using soft circles. Avoid any rough rubbing to keep redness away.
- Apply the cleanser on slightly damp skin to help it wash away impurities softly. Clean skin feels fresh and comfortable afterwards.
- Avoid getting the cleanser in your eyes and do a quick patch test before first use. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water.
People Say
★4.5Overall rating based on 900+ reviewsThis cleanser is praised for its ability to gently exfoliate and brighten skin, with many users reporting smoother texture and reduced congestion after consistent use. While it is highly effective for normal to oily skin types, some users with drier skin or those accustomed to the previous "Oxygen Infusion Wash" formula find the texture less satisfying or occasionally drying.
Highlights
Gentle exfoliation Often Mentioned
- “Gently exfoliates and purifies the skin, leaving it soft.”
- “Offers gentle exfoliation without irritation.”
- “AHA blend is effective but not harsh.”
Improves skin texture Often Mentioned
- “My skin felt smoother, and I noticed a visible improvement in texture.”
- “My texture improved noticeably.”
- “Softens rough patches and enhances your skin's natural glow.”
Brightens complexion Sometimes Noted
- “My skin is brighter and smoother after a few uses.”
- “Skin looked brighter and more refined.”
- “Enhances your skin's natural glow.”
Non-stripping cleanse Sometimes Noted
- “Works diligently to remove excess oil... yet it does so in a way that feels gentle.”
- “Cleans well without stripping my skin.”
- “Leaves it feeling clean but not tight.”
Less luxurious feel Sometimes Noted
- “I didn't get a luxury feeling when using this product.”
- “The new formula just doesn't hit the same.”
- “It felt like an unscented version of a foaming hand soap.”
Can be drying Rarely Noted
- “Too drying for my combination skin.”
- “Can feel a bit drying if I use too much.”
- “I experienced a little tightness afterward.”
Inconsistent deep clean Rarely Noted
- “I still feel some residue after rinsing.”
- “I didn't feel like my skin was getting a proper deep cleanse.”
- “I find myself needing to double-cleanse... to get that really clean feeling.”
Sources: lovi.care, ellemesmedspa.com, lovelyskin.com, lazskincare.com, reddit.com, dermapproved.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Refining Foam Cleanser work for sensitive skin?
This cleanser works moderately well for sensitive skin because it is free of harsh ingredients and gently clears pores with glycolic, lactic, and salicylic acids. However, a product of this type needs soothing ingredients like niacinamide, ceramides, amino acids, or aloe, along with rich hydrators to truly calm and care for sensitive skin.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for sensitive skin?
Glycolic acid, lactic acid, and salicylic acid make this cleanser a good fit by providing moderate exfoliation that decongests pores and calms sensitive skin, while sodium PCA and sodium lactate add hydration. To work even better for sensitive skin, a cleanser of this type needs soothing and hydrating ingredients like amino acids, aloe, niacinamide, and ceramide-3 to effectively address redness and irritation without stripping moisture.
What does Glycolic Acid do for sensitive skin?
Glycolic acid can be too harsh for sensitive skin, leaving it dry and irritated, so this type of skin needs a gentler exfoliating ingredient and calming plant extracts to keep the skin barrier safe and comfortable.
What does Lactic Acid do for sensitive skin?
Lactic acid may cause stinging and irritation on sensitive skin because sensitive skin often has a fragile barrier and enhanced facial blood flow. To care for sensitive skin, a product of this type needs soothing ingredients like ceramides to strengthen the skin barrier and calm discomfort.
Archives of Dermatological Research, 2018Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2021
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for sensitive skin?
This cleanser goes in your morning and evening routine, before a soothing toner and moisturizer. Because it contains exfoliating acids, sensitive skin needs a milder product with hydrating and soothing ingredients to keep skin calm.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cleanser in the same routine as retinol, but since it contains exfoliating acids, it may be too strong if applied at the same time. Use the cleanser first to clean your skin, and save your retinol for your evening treatment step or alternate days to help prevent irritation. Sensitive skin needs gentle cleansers with soothing ingredients and ceramides that protect the skin barrier.
How often should I use this cleanser?
Start by using this cleanser once a week, and if your skin tolerates it well and you see good results, you can carefully use it more often. A cleanser of this type for sensitive skin needs gentle exfoliating ingredients and soothing hydration to keep pores clear without causing irritation.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for sensitive skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts because it helps clear out pores with glycolic, lactic, and salicylic acids. However, because it contains exfoliating acids, it may occasionally cause minor dryness or irritation on sensitive skin.
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
You can use this cleanser on your body, but it is best to avoid the very thin skin directly around your eyes. A cleanser for this skin needs to be extremely mild and free of strong exfoliating acids.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Repeated short-contact 70% glycolic acid peels provided superior results in atrophic acne scars compared to daily low-strength glycolic acid cream or placebo in 58 women over 24 weeks.
International Journal of Dermatology, 2000Serial glycolic acid peels combined with a modified Kligman formula significantly reduced facial PIH severity in Indian patients compared to the modified Kligman formula alone.
Dermatologic Surgery, 2017Application 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, 2004Topical 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, 1992A 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, 2020Cryotherapy 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, 2010A 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, 2020Treatment 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
Ingredients
Water, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Glycerin, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Pca, Sodium Lactate, Sodium Chloride, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
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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