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La Mer The Essence Foaming Cleanser for dry skin

High

  • HighDry Skin Fit
  • HighEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

A great choice for dry skin; a few cleansers fit it even 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

  • Highly suitable for your dry skin, this cleanser effectively removes impurities with myristic acid and glycerin while providing moderate hydration through sodium hyaluronate and trehalose to support moisture retention.
  • The formula is also beneficial for dry or flaky skin concerns, as it contains humectants that help to maintain skin hydration.
  • The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation for your dry skin due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the inclusion of soothing components.

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

★4.5Overall rating based on 600+ reviews

Users generally praise this cleanser for its luxurious, rich lather that leaves oily and combination skin feeling refreshed without residue. Those with dry or sensitive skin frequently report that the formula is too stripping and the strong fragrance can cause irritation.

Highlights

  • High efficiency Mostly Mentioned
    • “pea-sized amount needed”
    • “lasts months”
    • “little goes a long way”
  • Deep cleansing Often Mentioned
    • “squeaky clean feel”
    • “removes makeup”
    • “removes excess oil”
  • Luxurious lather Often Mentioned
    • “rich foam”
    • “creamy texture”
    • “pillow-soft”
  • High price point Often Mentioned
    • “expensive”
    • “not worth cost”
    • “luxury markup”
  • Pleasant scent Sometimes Noted
    • “spa-like smell”
    • “divine fragrance”
    • “fresh scent”
  • Post-wash feel Sometimes Noted
    • “soft skin”
    • “refreshed”
    • “smooth texture”
  • Drying or stripping Sometimes Noted
    • “leaves skin tight”
    • “strips natural oils”
    • “dry patches”
  • Strong fragrance Sometimes Noted
    • “overpowering scent”
    • “musky/masculine smell”
    • “irritates sensitive skin”
  • Packaging issues Rarely Noted
    • “leaky cap”
    • “defective lid”
    • “cheap packaging”
  • Reformulation concerns Rarely Noted
    • “watery consistency”
    • “quality decline”
    • “less effective than original”

Sources: lovi.care, macys.com, bloomingdales.com, sephora.com, spacenk.com, influenster.com, and more

Questions and answers

What makes La Mer The Essence Foaming Cleanser a great fit for dry skin?

This cleanser is a great fit for your dry skin because it gently washes away dirt using mild cleansing agents while adding moisture with glycerin and sodium hyaluronate. These ingredients help your skin hold onto water and stay comfortable without feeling stripped. It is very gentle and unlikely to cause irritation.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for dry skin?

This cleanser is a great fit for dry skin because it combines myristic acid to wash away impurities with glycerin, sodium hyaluronate, and trehalose to hold onto moisture and keep the skin feeling soft. These ingredients help maintain hydration and support the skin barrier without causing irritation.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Skin Research and Technology, 2024

What does Glycerin do for dry skin?

Glycerin helps dry skin by drawing in moisture and keeping it locked in, which makes the skin feel much softer and smoother. It also supports your natural skin barrier to stop water from escaping easily. A product for dry skin needs extra ingredients like hyaluronic acid and soothing plant extracts to truly calm and hydrate dry patches.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017The British Journal of Dermatology, 2008

What does Algae Extract do for dry skin?

Algae extract helps keep dry skin soft by boosting hydration and protecting the skin barrier. It may also improve skin elasticity and smooth out rough areas while providing antioxidant benefits.

International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2024Acta Poloniae Pharmaceutica, 2017

Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for dry skin?

This cleanser is used in both your morning and evening skincare routines. It effectively washes away impurities while helping your dry skin hold onto moisture, keeping it feeling soft and comfortable.

The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?

You can use this cleanser with retinol by applying it first to gently wash your face before putting on your retinol treatment. This cleanser is unlikely to cause irritation on dry skin due to its soothing ingredients, helping to keep your skin calm during your routine.

How often should I use this cleanser?

You can use this cleanser twice a day in your morning and evening routines. It is well-suited to gently wash your dry skin without causing irritation.

The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022

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 formula avoids heavy, pore-clogging ingredients. It features a safe blend that gently cleanses while supporting moisture retention.

Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?

This cleanser is suitable for use around the eyes and on the body because it has a very safe formula with soothing components that are unlikely to cause irritation. The skin on the body and around the eyes benefits from the gentle cleansing and moisture retention provided by ingredients like glycerin and sodium hyaluronate.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Skin Research and Technology, 2024

Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (parfum, linalool, and limonene).

What the research says

  • A 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, 2017
  • Sodium trehalose sulfate decreased transepidermal water loss and increased stratum corneum water content in participants with low stratum corneum water content when applied for 4 weeks compared to placebo.

    Skin Research and Technology, 2024
  • Topical myristyl nicotinate increased skin cell NAD, stratum corneum thickness, epidermal thickness, epidermal renewal, minimal erythemal dose, and barrier resistance while reducing transepidermal water loss in subjects with photodamaged skin compared to placebo.

    Experimental Dermatology, 2007
  • The 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, 2020
  • Ten 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
  • Niacinamide/glycerin body moisturizers provided better rapid and prolonged improvement of cosmetic xerosis through functional improvement of stratum corneum barrier function compared to no treatment and conventional moisturizers in female subjects.

    Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2012
  • Treatment with lipid algae extract reduced the level of oxidized proteins in human keratinocytes and stratum corneum skin cells.

    Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 2004
  • Topical astaxanthin-loaded algae extract hydrogel and lipogel formulations exhibited the highest antioxidant activity and successful in vitro release, suggesting their potential as anti-aging formulations.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019
  • Antarctic marine algae extracts increased cell viability, protected against inflammation, and enhanced the barrier integrity of human intestinal and keratinocyte cell lines damaged by lipopolysaccharide or ultraviolet radiation.

    Marine Drugs, 2022
  • Topical application of 0.1% hyaluronic acid formulations of different molecular weights led to significant improvements in skin hydration and elasticity, with low-molecular-weight formulations also significantly reducing wrinkle depth in seventy-six female subjects compared to a vehicle control.

    Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2011
  • Topical application of hyaluronic acid in conjunction with free gingival graft significantly reduced donor site postoperative pain until day 7 compared to normal saline, with no significant differences in graft dimensions or patient satisfaction.

    Clinical Oral Investigations, 2022
  • Treatment with a hyaluronic acid-containing mouth rinse or topical gel led to significant lesion reduction, pain relief, and normalization of lesion color in adult patients with minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis, with the gel formulation showing an earlier healing onset at 3 days.

    BMC Oral Health, 2019
  • Topical post-laser application of human adipocyte-derived mesenchymal stem cell media combined with niacinamide significantly improved wrinkle index, melanin index, patient satisfaction, and investigator esthetic improvement scores compared to vehicle cream in patients with aging skin.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021
  • Topical nicotinamide prevented solar-simulated UV-induced immunosuppression in healthy volunteers, and men experienced immunosuppression at solar-simulated UV doses three times lower than those required for women.

    The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2008
  • Topical 5% niacinamide applied twice daily for 12 weeks reduced fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmented spots, red blotchiness, and skin sallowness, and improved skin elasticity compared to vehicle control in 50 female white subjects with facial photoaging.

    Dermatologic Surgery, 2005
  • A topical cosmetic slimming product containing tetrahydroxypropyl ethylenediamine, caffeine, carnitine, forskolin and retinol significantly reduced body circumferences and improved skin aspect compared with placebo in 78 women over 12 weeks.

    International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2011
  • Topical sunscreen formulations containing caffeine combined with UV filters increased in vivo anti-UVB protection by approximately 25% and showed higher SPF values compared to caffeine-free sunscreen, while being well tolerated by the skin of healthy subjects.

    Frontiers in Physiology, 2019
  • Caffeine gel combined with choline geranate showed high skin permeation capacity and superior clinical results in cellulite treatment compared to caffeine gel without ionic liquid.

    AAPS PharmSciTech, 2021

Ingredients

Declustered Water, Water, Eau De-Structuree, Myristic Acid, Glycerin, Behenic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Potassium Hydroxide, Lauric Acid, Stearic Acid, Algae Extract, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Medicago Sativa Seed Powder, Helianthus Annuus Seedcake Sunflower Seedcake, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Meal Seed, Eucalyptus Globulus Oil Leaf Eucalyptus Oil Leaf, Sodium Gluconate, Copper Gluconate, Calcium Gluconate, Magnesium Gluconate, Zinc Gluconate, Tocopheryl Succinate, Niacin, Sesamum Indicum Seed Powder, Quartz Powder, Nephrite Powder, Pearl Powder, Caffeine, Sea Salt, Sel Marin, Humic Acids, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sucrose, Tourmaline, Macrocystis Pyrifera Protein Kelp Protein, Polyquaternium-51, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water, Trehalose, Cellulose, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Coco Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, Sodium Bicarbonate, Sodium Pca, Peg-3 Distearate, Urea, Parfum, Disodium Edta, Linalool, Limonene, Phenoxyethanol, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Yellow 5 Ci 19140, Ci 15985, Blue 1 Ci 42090, Green 5 Ci 61570

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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