Paula's Choice Perfectly Balanced Foaming Cleanser for oily skin

Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate
Ceramide Np
Sodium Hyaluronate
Glycerin
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Superior
- HighOily Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- HighSafety
One of the best cleansers for oily skin.
- Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
- Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2002
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
- Excellent for your oily skin, this cleanser effectively addresses oily shine with sodium lauroamphoacetate and sodium cocoyl isethionate to deeply cleanse pores without stripping. Sodium hyaluronate and glycerin provide essential hydration, balancing the cleansing action for your skin type.
- The inclusion of ceramides and phytosphingosine further supports your skin barrier, enhancing overall skin health and resilience.
- This formula is safe for your skin, as it contains no harsh or irritating ingredients.
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
★4.6Overall rating based on 4.7k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, users with oily, combination, and sensitive skin frequently praise this cleanser for its ability to effectively remove dirt and makeup without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier. Many reviewers note that it balances oil production and leaves the face feeling soft and refreshed, though a small minority experienced dryness or disliked the scent.
Highlights
Gentle and non-drying Mostly Mentioned
- “Cleanses without stripping”
- “Gentle and non-drying cleanser”
- “Does not strip away the natural moisture”
- “Leaves skin soft and hydrated”
Effective cleansing Often Mentioned
- “Removes almost all of my makeup”
- “Skin felt so clean after cleansing”
- “Cleanses the skin from makeup and impurities so well”
- “Takes my makeup off easily”
Balances oily skin Sometimes Noted
- “Noticeably less oily”
- “Helps clear my skin”
- “Relieves my skin of feeling oily”
- “Great for oily acne prone skin”
Pleasant texture Sometimes Noted
- “Foams up beautifully into a silky froth”
- “Creamy and lightly foaming”
- “Feels like I am washing my face with clouds”
- “Smooth foam cleanser”
Safe for sensitive skin Sometimes Noted
- “No irritation or purging effect”
- “Soothes redness and irritation”
- “Best cleanser I've ever used [for sensitive skin]”
- “Gentle enough for daily use”
Can be drying Rarely Noted
- “Went a little dry”
- “Need to moisturize after drying off”
- “Skin feel tight after I rinse”
Caused breakouts Rarely Noted
- “Causes breakouts”
- “Making my acne worse”
- “Break me out in a rash”
Ineffective on heavy makeup Rarely Noted
- “Heavy makeup is not washed enough”
- “Still need a Clarisonic”
- “Used 2 times [to remove makeup]”
Price point Rarely Noted
- “A bit pricy for the amount”
- “Wasting money”
Unpleasant scent Rarely Noted
- “Smelled like an unwashed towel”
- “Bad smell”
- “Strange smell”
Sources: lovi.care, amazon.com, paulaschoice.com, dermstore.com, sephora.com, theskyshine.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes Paula's Choice Perfectly Balanced Foaming Cleanser one of the best fits for oily skin?
This cleanser is one of the best fits for your oily skin because it deeply cleanses pores and reduces oily shine without stripping, while keeping skin balanced with essential hydration. It also supports your skin barrier and enhances overall health using ceramides, phytosphingosine, sodium hyaluronate, and glycerin.
Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2002Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for oily skin?
Sodium lauroamphoacetate and sodium cocoyl isethionate help deeply clean pores and control oily shine without stripping, while glycerin and sodium hyaluronate add essential moisture. Ceramides and phytosphingosine also support your skin barrier to keep it healthy.
Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2002Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
What does Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate do for oily skin?
Sodium cocoyl isethionate helps clean oily skin gently without harming your skin barrier. Because its particles are too large to slip into your skin's tiny pores, it washes away dirt and oil while keeping your face feeling soft and comfortable rather than dry or irritated.
What do Ceramides do for oily skin?
Ceramides help keep oily skin balanced by strengthening the skin barrier and locking in moisture without feeling heavy. They are unlikely to clog pores and may help calm irritation, making them a good fit if your skin is both oily and prone to breakouts.
International Journal of Dermatology, 2008Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for oily skin?
This cleanser goes in your morning and evening routine as the first cleansing step, or as the second step in the evening after your makeup remover. It gently removes oily shine from your pores without stripping, leaving your skin balanced.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
Yes, you can use this cleanser with retinol by applying the cleanser first to remove oil and impurities before using your retinol treatment. Using a gentle cleanser with ceramides and glycerin helps support your skin barrier and is unlikely to cause irritation when combined with active treatments.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2002
How often should I use this cleanser?
You can use this cleanser twice a day in your morning and evening routines. It deeply cleanses pores without stripping, helping to balance oily shine while supporting your skin barrier.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
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 cleans deeply without stripping while supporting the skin barrier with ceramides. It is considered very safe for your skin type and has a negligible risk of causing blemishes.
Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2002
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
Yes, you can use this cleanser on your body and around the eyes since its gentle, non-irritating formula cleanses effectively without stripping. Ingredients like glycerin and hyaluronic acid help keep the thin skin around the eyes hydrated, while ceramides support your skin barrier.
Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2002Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol, 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, 2017Topical application of an emulsion containing a complete mixture of ceramides III, IIIB, VI, phytosphingosine, cholesterol, and linoleic acid significantly accelerated barrier recovery after SLS damage and improved skin hydration after acetone treatment in human volunteers compared to an emulsion containing only two types of ceramides.
Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2002Salicyloyl-phytosphingosine increased procollagen-I production in vitro, increased fibrillin-1 and procollagen-I while reducing MMP-1 in vivo, and reduced periorbital wrinkles in moderately photoaged female subjects compared to placebo.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2007Sodium cocoyl isethionate micelles are too large to penetrate stratum corneum aqueous pores, resulting in significant steric hindrance that prevents skin barrier perturbation and explains its skin mildness.
Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2007Topical 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, 2011Topical 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, 2022Treatment 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, 2019The 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, 2020Ten 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, 2001Niacinamide/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, 2012A cream combining propolis, tea tree oil, and Aloe vera reduced erythema scars, acne severity index, and total lesion count better than erythromycin cream in sixty patients with mild to moderate acne vulgaris compared to placebo.
Clinical Pharmacology, 2018Topical aloe vera gel significantly accelerated split-thickness skin graft donor-site healing compared to placebo in 12 patients, but showed no significant difference in pain relief.
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2018Topical application of Aloe vera cream reduced postoperative pain at rest and during defecation, accelerated wound healing at two weeks, and decreased analgesic requirements in patients after open hemorrhoidectomy compared to placebo.
Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2010
Ingredients
Water, Sodium Lauroamphoacetate, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Stearic Acid, Glycerin, Glycol Distearate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Sunflower Seed Oil, Acrylates Copolymer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ceramide Np, Ceramide Ap, Ceramide Eop, Phytosphingosine, Sphingolipids, Lecithin, Arginine, Cholesterol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Disodium Edta, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Hexylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol
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.
-

Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
-

Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
-

Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
-

Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
-

Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
-

Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
-

Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
-

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.