BABOR Enzyme Cleanser for dry sensitive skin

Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate
Ascorbic Acid
Subtilisin
Lipase
Xanthan Gum
Superior
- HighDry Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
One of the best products for dry sensitive skin.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dry sensitive skin: flakiness, tightness, redness, 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
- Excellent for your dry and sensitive skin as sodium lauroyl glutamate and xanthan gum provide gentle cleansing and retain moisture, while ascorbic acid offers soothing benefits. Subtilisin and lipase work synergistically to effectively cleanse pores and offer moderate exfoliation for dry or flaky skin. The formula is safe for your skin due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the presence of soothing components.
How to apply
- Use your enzyme powder cleanser PM once a week as part of your weekly routine, and start slowly to check your skin's tolerance.
- Place this step right after your regular cleanser and before your hydrating toner, following the weekly routine order.
- Mix the powder with a little water in your hands to create a soft foam, then gently massage it onto your face without rubbing hard.
- Apply the foam on slightly damp skin to keep your dry flakes comfortable and safe from extra irritation.
- Be sure to avoid the delicate eye area and do a patch test before your very first use.
People Say
★4.7Overall rating based on 200+ reviewsThis cleanser is highly praised for its gentle powder-to-foam exfoliation, effectively addressing uneven texture, excess oil, and blemishes, leaving skin soft, radiant, and deeply cleansed. It yields excellent outcomes for combination and acne-prone skin by clearing pores and smoothing bumps. Users with highly sensitive skin occasionally report mild irritation, and many note that the packaging is prone to clogging in humid environments.
Highlights
Gentle exfoliation Mostly Mentioned
- “Leaves your skin feeling exfoliated without being too harsh.”
- “It's exfoliating without drying me out or feeling like I'm scrubbing my skin off!”
- “Gentle but effective. Love how easy it is to use...”
- “It's surprisingly gentle and cleanses well.”
Smoothes texture Often Mentioned
- “I was surprised to wake up with smoother skin - it seems to work on uneven texture!”
- “Leaves my skin soft and smooth...”
- “My chin area feels much smoother now.”
- “Face feels so soft afterwards.”
Clears and brightens Sometimes Noted
- “It provides an instant brightening effect...”
- “It effectively removes excess oil and leaves your skin feeling fresh and clean!”
- “Been using two weeks and pores look smaller!”
- “It feels like it's thoroughly cleaning out my pores after washing.”
Long-lasting formula Sometimes Noted
- “The product lasts quite a while as you get more than expected.”
- “A little goes a long way.”
- “It's lightweight for travel and lasts a long time.”
- “The packaging lasts for a long time.”
Clog-prone packaging Sometimes Noted
- “The packaging is a bit disappointing. It's a disaster if it gets wet.”
- “The cap doesn't always close so I get worried that water or steam will get in...”
- “If water gets in or if it's kept in a humid bathroom, the opening can get clogged...”
- “It occasionally gets clogged up like paste...”
Poor lathering Rarely Noted
- “Compared to other enzyme cleansers, it doesn't lather as well.”
- “While it doesn't lather much, it cleanses the face...”
- “The granules tend to clump together and don't mix well...”
- “It seems to lack a bit in cleansing power when it comes to eye makeup.”
Potential irritation Rarely Noted
- “It's slightly irritating after use, possibly due to the vitamin C.”
- “The granules are a bit coarse, which can be quite irritating for those with sensitive skin.”
- “My skin became so worse after using it.”
- “I think it could be a bit irritating for sensitive skin...”
Sources: lovi.care, bloomingdales.com, dermstore.com, lovelyskin.com, dermluxe.com, hwahae.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes BABOR Enzyme Cleanser one of the best fits for dry sensitive skin?
BABOR Enzyme Cleanser is an excellent fit because sodium lauroyl glutamate and xanthan gum gently cleanse without stripping moisture, while vitamin c calms your skin. It also uses subtilisin and lipase to lift away dry flakes and clear pores safely without harsh ingredients.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for dry sensitive skin?
Sodium lauroyl glutamate and xanthan gum clean gently while holding onto moisture, and ascorbic acid helps calm your skin. Subtilisin and lipase team up to clear pores and gently smooth away flaky skin without irritation.
What does Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate do for dry sensitive skin?
Sodium lauroyl glutamate is very gentle on dry sensitive skin because it causes minimal changes to the skin barrier compared to harsher cleansers. This ingredient helps keep skin comfortable without stripping away natural moisture, making it less likely to cause irritation.
What does Vitamin C do for dry sensitive skin?
Vitamin C helps brighten and smooth dry sensitive skin while reducing wrinkles and improving elasticity. It is generally well tolerated and unlikely to cause irritation when properly formulated, leaving the skin looking more radiant.
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for dry sensitive skin?
This cleanser goes in your morning and evening routines, while exfoliating enzyme powders are best started just once a week. You can carefully use it more often if your skin tolerates it well and sees good results.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cleanser with retinol by using the cleanser first in your routine, followed by your retinol treatment and a moisturizer. This helps keep your skin calm and comfortable while you use active ingredients.
How often should I use this cleanser?
Start by using this cleanser once a week, and if your dry and sensitive skin tolerates it well and shows good results, you can carefully use it more often. This gentle enzyme powder helps clear pores and smooth flaky areas while keeping your skin calm and hydrated.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry sensitive skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for your dry sensitive skin. Reviewers rarely mention clogged pores, and the gentle formula helps keep skin clear while removing dead skin flakes without harshness.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Glycerol crosslinked vitamin E loaded xanthan gum and gellan gum nanoemulgels scavenged 88.5% of free radicals, reduced transepidermal water loss by up to 33.3%, and improved moisture content and skin structural characteristics in a murine dry skin model.
International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2025A topical serum containing vitamin C, vitamin E, and raspberry leaf cell culture extract improved skin color, elasticity, radiance, smoothness, scaliness, and wrinkles compared to the untreated contralateral side in fifty female volunteers.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Topical application of 5% vitamin C cream significantly improved global clinical scores, increased skin microrelief density, and induced elastic tissue repair in photoaged skin compared to excipient control in healthy female volunteers.
Experimental Dermatology, 2003Ascorbic acid 2-glucoside gel significantly reduced gingival melanin pigmentation after 4 weeks compared to placebo in 73 subjects with symmetric pigmentation.
Journal of Periodontology, 2009Topical application of VC-IP cream twice daily for 8 weeks reduces periorbital wrinkles in female subjects compared to a placebo cream.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022Biodegradable wound dressings functionalized with silver nanoparticles showed >99% pathogen growth inhibition, bactericidal effects, free radical scavenging, reduced inflammatory response in macrophages, and accelerated wound healing in animals.
International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2022A topical xanthan gum nanogel containing gamma-oryzanol-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers and nanosized TiO2 and MBBT filters demonstrated high photoprotection with an SPF of 34 and no skin irritation or sensitization in a rat model.
Pharmaceuticals, 2023Dense chitosan-xanthan membranes associated with multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells accelerated wound healing in Wistar rats compared to untreated conditions, demonstrating safety and feasibility for dermo-epidermal wound treatment.
Journal of Biomaterials Applications, 2015
Ingredients
Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Talc, Cellulose, Maltodextrin, Water, Xanthan Gum, Ascorbic Acid, Subtilisin, Lipase
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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