Perricone MD Nutritive Cleanser for combination skin
Alpha Lipoic Acid
Copper Gluconate
Zinc Gluconate
Dimethyl Mea Dmae
Aha Complex
Average
- AverageCombination Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for combination skin; other cleansers fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with combination skin: an oily T-zone, enlarged pores, and dry cheeks. 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 cleansing for your combination skin due to Sodium Laureth Sulfate and Lauryl Glucoside effectively removing impurities, though these ingredients are not specialized for addressing oily shine.
- Dimethyl MEA DMAE and Thioctic Acid Alpha-Lipoic Acid provide antioxidant benefits, but the formula lacks sufficient humectants or emollients for optimal hydration on your combination skin.
- The product is safe for your combination skin as it contains no harsh or prohibited ingredients, minimizing irritation risks.
How to apply
- Use this cleanser AM and PM as part of your daily routine. Start 3×/week and build up to daily use if your skin tolerates it well.
- Apply this cleanser as the very first step in your morning routine and right after your pre-cleanser in the evening.
- Gently massage a small amount of cleanser onto your skin using circular motions. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water.
- For the best results , apply the cleanser directly onto slightly damp skin to help lift away excess oil.
- Avoid the immediate eye area and do a patch test before your first use to check for any sensitivity.
People Say
★4.5Overall rating based on 1.5k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, users frequently praise this gel cleanser for its ability to thoroughly remove makeup and oil without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier, making it a favorite for those with normal to dry skin. Many report softer, brighter, and more radiant skin after use, though a notable minority of users express dissatisfaction with the product's strong fragrance and the recent packaging change from a glass bottle to a plastic tube.
Highlights
Gentle and non-drying Mostly Mentioned
- “never dry or tight”
- “leaves skin soft”
- “doesn't strip moisture”
- “gentle on sensitive skin”
Effective makeup remover Often Mentioned
- “removes all makeup”
- “takes off mascara”
- “cleans thoroughly”
- “melts away dirt”
Anti-aging benefits Sometimes Noted
- “firming effect”
- “helps with fine lines”
- “youthful glow”
- “great for mature skin”
Improves skin texture Sometimes Noted
- “skin looks brighter”
- “smoother complexion”
- “pores look smaller”
- “improves tone”
Packaging issues Sometimes Noted
- “hate the new tube”
- “cap breaks easily”
- “leaks in travel”
- “hard to control amount”
Unpleasant scent Sometimes Noted
- “smells like perfume”
- “strong floral scent”
- “fragrance is awful”
- “scent is overpowering”
Eye irritation Rarely Noted
- “burns my eyes”
- “stings if near eyes”
- “irritates eyes”
- “have to be careful”
High price point Rarely Noted
- “very pricey”
- “expensive for a cleanser”
- “wait for a sale”
- “cost is high”
Sources: lovi.care, nordstrom.com, dermstore.com, perriconemd.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Perricone MD Nutritive Cleanser work for combination skin?
Perricone MD Nutritive Cleanser is an average fit for your combination skin because it cleanses away impurities with sodium laureth sulfate and lauryl glucoside while offering antioxidant benefits, but it lacks enough hydrating ingredients for dry zones and specialized ingredients for oily shine. A cleanser for combination skin needs a gentle formula that controls shine and clears the complexion while keeping dry areas balanced with hydrating ingredients, soothing extracts, and oils to support the moisture barrier.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for combination skin?
Sodium Laureth Sulfate and Lauryl Glucoside help remove impurities well without causing irritation on combination skin. To be a better fit for this skin type, a product of this type needs ingredients that add moisture and manage oily shine.
What does Alpha Lipoic Acid do for combination skin?
Alpha-lipoic acid helps smooth out rough patches on combination skin when used consistently over time. Studies show that applying a cream with this ingredient twice a day reduces skin roughness and signs of aging.
What does Copper Gluconate do for combination skin?
Copper Gluconate helps balance combination skin by controlling excess oil in shiny areas while keeping dry patches comfortable and calm. It also supports a smooth texture and helps maintain a healthy skin barrier.
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for combination skin?
You can use this cleanser in both your morning and evening routines. It washes away impurities safely without harsh irritation, but because it lacks heavy hydrators, combination skin needs an added hydrating toner and moisturizer right after.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cleanser with retinol by applying the cleanser first and following it with your retinol treatment. Because this formula lacks sufficient hydrators for your combination skin, this type of routine needs a moisturizing cream or lotion afterward to keep skin soft and smooth.
How often should I use this cleanser?
You can use this cleanser daily in the morning and evening as part of your routine to wash away dirt and impurities. Because it provides moderate cleansing without being tailored for oily shine or deep hydration, combination skin of this type needs a cleanser that balances oil and adds moisture.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2014
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for combination skin?
Perricone MD Nutritive Cleanser is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts on combination skin because it contains no heavy oils or harsh ingredients that commonly trigger irritation. A cleanser for this skin type needs balancing hydrators and gentle pore-clearing ingredients to keep both oily and dry areas comfortable.
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
You can use this cleanser on your body and around your eyes, as it is safe and unlikely to cause irritation on these areas. However, because the skin around the eyes is very thin and the skin on the body varies in thickness, this type of cleanser works best when it also includes extra moisture and soothing ingredients to keep those areas soft and smooth.
Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 2002International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2014
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (parfum).
What the research says
Topical 30% P407 gel loaded with ALA cubosomes reduced facial lines, nearly resolved fine lines in the periorbital and upper lip areas, and improved skin color and texture without irritation or peeling in volunteers.
European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, 2014Application of 5% cubosomal alpha lipoic acid gel twice daily for 6 months significantly improved global aesthetic scores and increased epidermal thickness compared to placebo in 20 aging female faces.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2017Treatment with a cream containing 5% alpha-lipoic acid for 12 weeks reduces skin roughness by an average of 50.8% compared to 40.7% with placebo in women with photoaged facial skin.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2003Zinc gluconate induced alpha2, alpha3, alphaV, and alpha6 integrins, copper gluconate induced alpha2, alpha6, and beta1, and manganese gluconate induced most studied integrins in cultured keratinocytes.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 1999A dermocosmetic cream containing Punica granatum Pericarp extract, Salicylic acid, Niacinamide, Zinc gluconate, and Aqua Posae Filiformis significantly decreased inflammatory, non-inflammatory, and total lesion counts in subjects with mild to moderate acne compared to untreated hemi-faces after 15 days.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026Daily use of a deep cleansing gel containing salicylic acid 2%, zinc gluconate 0.2% and lipohydroxy acid 0.05% significantly reduced total lesion count by 56.3% after 84 days in 35 subjects with mild to moderate truncal acne.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2023Different strains of Propionibacterium acnes modulate cutaneous innate immunity with varying pro-inflammatory potentials, with P. acnes type III showing the highest and P. avidum the weakest, and zinc gluconate down-regulates the expression of most induced immune markers.
Experimental Dermatology, 2013Daily application of 3% DMAE facial gel for 16 weeks safely and efficaciously mitigates forehead lines and periorbital fine wrinkles, improves lip shape and fullness and overall aging skin appearance, and increases skin firmness compared to placebo.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2005A gel containing 3% 2-dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE) increased skin firmness, demonstrated by increased shear wave velocity in 30 volunteers compared to a formulation without DMAE.
Skin Research and Technology, 2002A DMAE-based formulation increased dermal and collagen fiber thickness in hairless mice and enhanced stratum corneum water content in human forearm skin compared to control formulations, without significantly modifying mechanical properties.
Die Pharmazie, 2009
Ingredients
Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Lauryl Glucoside, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Ppg-2 Hydroxyethyl Coco Isostearamide, Dimethyl Mea Dmae, Citric Acid, Sodium Chloride, Thioctic Acid Alpha-Lipoic Acid, Disodium Edta, Parfum, Benzophenone-4, Magnesium Aspartate, Zinc Gluconate, Copper Gluconate, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone
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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