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Olay Smoothing Daily Facial Cleanser for oily skin

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes

Olay Smoothing Daily Facial Cleanser

Average

  • AverageOily Skin Fit
  • AverageEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

Works for oily skin; other cleansers fit it better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily skin: shine, enlarged pores, blackheads, and blemishes. 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

  • This cleanser offers moderate suitability for your oily skin, with niacinamide helping to regulate oil production, while glycerin and panthenol provide general hydration that is supportive but not directly targeted at reducing oily shine.
  • The decyl glucoside and lauryl glucoside effectively cleanse pores, contributing to overall skin clarity.
  • The product is safe for your oily skin, as it lacks harsh ingredients and carries no risk of irritation.

How to apply

  • Use your cleanser AM and PM every day to keep your skin fresh. Always make sure to follow with a good SPF in the morning.
  • Apply your cleanser as the first step in the morning or the second step in the evening before your toner.
  • Gently massage a small amount onto your face using circular motions, then rinse well with water .
  • You can apply this cleanser safely on damp skin for a refreshing and easy wash.
  • Avoid getting the product directly into your eyes and stop use if irritation occurs.

People Say

★4.5Overall rating based on 600+ reviews

This cleanser is highly praised for its ability to hydrate and soften the skin, making it a favorite for those with dry, sensitive, or aging skin concerns. While it excels at daily cleansing and improving overall skin texture, some users find it less effective at removing heavy or waterproof makeup.

Highlights

  • Leaves skin soft Often Mentioned
    • “My skin feels soft and moisturized after washing.”
    • “Within 1 week, you'll reveal soft, smooth skin.”
    • “Face is soft and smooth after every use.”
  • Non-drying formula Often Mentioned
    • “Cleanses without leaving skin feeling tight or stripped.”
    • “Removes dirt, oil, and impurities without drying skin out.”
    • “Never taut or dry.”
  • Gentle on skin Sometimes Noted
    • “Did not irritate my sensitive skin.”
    • “Great for sensitive skin or combination skin.”
    • “Dermatologist tested formula make it approachable for most skin types.”
  • Improves skin texture Sometimes Noted
    • “Noticed an improvement in the clarity of my skin.”
    • “Smooths rough patches and refines texture.”
    • “My skin went from dull to brighter.”
  • Weak makeup removal Sometimes Noted
    • “Struggle with eye makeup.”
    • “Heavier or waterproof formulas might require a dedicated remover.”
    • “Not a powerhouse for heavy makeup removal.”
  • Minimal lather Rarely Noted
    • “This is not a foaming, big lathering cleanser.”
    • “It doesn't have much lather.”
    • “There's absolutely zero lather with this.”
  • Polarizing scent Rarely Noted
    • “If you don't like scents or are sensitive to scents you might want to think twice.”
    • “The cleanser has a noticeable floral scent.”

Sources: lovi.care, olay.com, walmart.com, youtube.com, skinsort.com, thingtesting.com, and more

Questions and answers

How well does Olay Smoothing Daily Facial Cleanser work for oily skin?

This cleanser works moderately well for oily skin, as niacinamide helps control oil while glycerin and panthenol provide supportive hydration. Although it cleans pores and lacks harsh ingredients, cleansers that fit oily skin better need ingredients like salicylic acid and ceramides to manage shine and support skin health without irritation.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2014

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

Niacinamide helps regulate oil production, while glycerin and panthenol provide supportive hydration, and decyl glucoside and lauryl glucoside effectively cleanse pores to keep skin clear. Oily skin benefits most from cleansers that use ingredients like niacinamide and ceramides or salicylic acid and probiotics to actively control shine and manage oil.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2014

What does Retinol do for oily skin?

Retinol helps oily skin by keeping pores clear and balancing sebum production, which may reduce shine and breakouts. Because it can sometimes cause dryness or peeling in the beginning, starting slowly is recommended.

Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta, 2012

What does Niacinamide do for oily skin?

Niacinamide helps balance oily skin by significantly reducing excess oil production and shine. It is well tolerated and may improve skin texture without clogging pores.

Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, 2006Antioxidants, 2021

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

This cleanser goes in your morning and evening routine, before your toner and moisturizer. It is safe for oily skin and helps clear pores, though oily skin also needs ingredients that directly target and reduce excess shine.

International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2014

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

You can use this cleanser with vitamin C by washing your face with the cleanser first, rinsing thoroughly, and then applying your vitamin C serum to clean skin. This cleanser gently prepares your face without harsh ingredients, making it safe to follow with your vitamin C step.

How often should I use this cleanser?

You can use this cleanser daily in the morning and evening as part of your routine. It gently cleans pores and helps control oil without causing irritation.

International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2020International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2014

Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?

This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for oily skin, as it contains gentle cleansers that clear out pores and carries no risk of irritation. Oily skin works best with products that use ingredients like niacinamide to help control oil production while keeping hydration light.

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

This cleanser is safe to use around the eyes and on the body, though oily skin on the face often needs targeted ingredients like salicylic acid or clay to better control shine and clear pores.

Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol. Stearyl alcohol and cetyl alcohol are fatty alcohols, which soften the skin.

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

  • Formulating sodium laureth sulphate with sodium laureth carboxylate and lauryl glucoside prevented significant decreases in cutaneous capacitance and reduced erythema and dryness in healthy volunteers compared to unsupplemented sodium laureth sulphate.

    International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2014

  • Topical 0.4% retinol significantly increased epidermal thickness, dermal vascularity, and extracellular matrix production by stimulating keratinocyte proliferation, endothelial cell proliferation, and fibroblast activation in naturally aged human skin compared to vehicle.

    International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2017

  • Topical bakuchiol 0.5% applied twice daily compared with retinol 0.5% applied daily significantly decreased wrinkle surface area and hyperpigmentation with no statistical difference between the compounds in 44 patients over 12 weeks, while retinol users reported more facial skin scaling and stinging.

    The British Journal of Dermatology, 2019

  • Silicone particles encapsulating retinol increased its half-life by 9-fold and yielded 12-23% lower skin irritation in human subjects compared to Microsponge particles while maintaining biological activity.

    Journal of Controlled Release, 2018

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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 chloramphenicol-betamethasone combined with sodium hyaluronate/trehalose/carbomer gel compared to chloramphenicol-betamethasone alone reduced most subjective symptoms at 1 week but increased blurred vision at 4 weeks following strabismus surgery in 31 patients, with no significant differences in conjunctival inflammation between treatments.

    Journal of Ocular Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 2019

  • Topical treatment with Thealoz Duo significantly improved dry eye disease symptoms, tear break-up time, and restored tear lipid layer functionality by reducing inflammatory response proteins in moderate to severe dry eye patients over 56 days.

    Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2025

Ingredients

Water, Isopropyl Palmitate, Glycerin, Trehalose, Petrolatum, Retinol, Niacinamide, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4 Peptide, Panthenol Vitamin B5, Tocopheryl Acetate, Dimethicone, Mineral Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Dimethiconol, Steareth-21, Steareth-2, Stearic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Disodium Edta, Acrylates C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Carbomer, Sodium Hydroxide, Decyl Glucoside, Lauryl Glucoside, 1.2-Hexanediol, Phenoxyethanol

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.

  • Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Co-founder, Medical Director

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer

  • Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Co-founder, CEO and CTO

    PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex

  • Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Medical Board

    Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine

  • Aishani Shah, MD

    Aishani Shah, MD

    Medical Board

    Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD

  • Asya Zubkova, MS

    Asya Zubkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member

  • Hanna Kurets, MD

    Hanna Kurets, MD

    Medical Board, Medical Advisor

    Dermatology MD

  • Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Medical Board

    Dermatology and diagnostic consultant

  • Victoria Derkova, MS

    Victoria Derkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist

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