The Ordinary Glycolipid Cream Cleanser for sensitive skin
Glycolipids
Behenyl Alcohol
Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate
Pentylene Glycol
Glyceryl Stearate
High
- HighNormal Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
A great choice for sensitive skin; a few cleansers fit it even better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with sensitive skin: redness, stinging, and reactions to new products. 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 normal skin with sensitivity, as glycolipids and pentylene glycol offer soothing and hydrating effects to address redness and irritation.
- Phytic acid provides mild exfoliation and emollient action, supporting your skin barrier function and hydration.
- The formula is safe for your skin, containing no harsh ingredients and including soothing glycolipids.
How to apply
- Use your cleanser in the AM and PM routines every day. Start using it daily since your sensitive skin needs gentle care.
- Apply this first in your morning and evening skincare routine before toner and moisturizer. This clears away dirt without upsetting your skin.
- Gently massage a small amount onto your face using soft circles. Avoid any rough rubbing to keep redness away.
- Apply the cleanser on slightly damp skin to help it wash away impurities softly. Clean skin feels fresh and comfortable afterwards.
- Avoid getting the cleanser in your eyes and do a quick patch test before first use. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water.
People Say
★4.3Overall rating based on 1.6k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, users with dry and sensitive skin frequently praise this cleanser for its non-stripping and hydrating formula that leaves the face soft and comfortable. Many users also find it gentle and suitable for sensitive skin types. However, a significant number of reviews indicate that it struggles to remove heavy makeup, especially waterproof products, often requiring a double cleanse. Some users also note a moderate frequency of an unpleasant natural scent and a low frequency of residue or breakouts.
Highlights
Non-drying, hydrating Mostly Mentioned
- “skin feels soft”
- “doesn't feel stripping”
- “leaves skin hydrated”
- “no tight feeling”
Gentle, sensitive skin Often Mentioned
- “no irritation”
- “respects skin barrier”
- “very gentle formula”
Poor makeup removal Often Mentioned
- “struggles with mascara”
- “doesn't remove foundation”
- “need to scrub hard”
- “requires double cleanse”
Creamy texture Sometimes Noted
- “nice gel-cream consistency”
- “glides over skin”
- “milky texture”
- “feels luxurious”
Good morning cleanser Sometimes Noted
- “perfect for morning”
- “removes SPF well”
- “good second cleanse”
- “refreshes skin”
Unpleasant scent Sometimes Noted
- “weird nutty smell”
- “smells like plastic”
- “funky natural odor”
- “bad scent”
Caused breakouts Rarely Noted
- “caused cystic acne”
- “broke me out”
- “clogged pores”
- “tiny whiteheads appeared”
Leaves residue Rarely Noted
- “hard to rinse off”
- “leaves a film”
- “greasy residue”
- “doesn't feel clean”
Sources: lovi.care, theordinary.com, influenster.com, ulta.com, sephora.co.uk, skinsort.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes The Ordinary Glycolipid Cream Cleanser a great fit for sensitive skin?
This cleanser is a great fit because glycolipids and pentylene glycol help soothe redness and keep your skin hydrated. It is safe for sensitive skin and includes mild ingredients that support your skin barrier without causing irritation.
Journal of Oleo Science, 2012International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2025
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for sensitive skin?
Glycolipids and pentylene glycol make this cleanser a great fit because they offer soothing and hydrating effects that help calm redness and irritation. Phytic acid also provides mild softening and barrier support, while the formula keeps things safe by leaving out harsh ingredients.
Journal of Oleo Science, 2012International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2025
What do Glycolipids do for sensitive skin?
Glycolipids help soothe sensitive skin by supporting cell recovery and keeping moisture locked in without causing irritation. They are generally very gentle and safe to use, showing a strong safety profile in tests on human skin.
Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 2023Journal of Oleo Science, 2012
What does Behenyl Alcohol do for sensitive skin?
Behenyl alcohol helps soften dry skin and keeps moisture locked in to calm irritation. It is very gentle and safe for sensitive skin types.
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for sensitive skin?
This cleanser goes first in your morning and evening routines. Using a mild cleanser helps gently wash your face without stripping moisture, supporting a calm and comfortable barrier for sensitive skin.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cleanser with retinol by washing your face with it first before applying your retinol product. Using a gentle cleanser like this helps keep your skin calm and hydrated while you use retinol, which is unlikely to cause irritation.
How often should I use this cleanser?
You can use this cleanser daily in both your morning and evening routines. Using a mild cleanser daily helps keep your skin calm and hydrated without causing irritation.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022Journal of Oleo Science, 2012
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for sensitive skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to cause breakouts for sensitive skin since it features a gentle formula without harsh ingredients, though a few reviewers have noted occasional breakouts. The soothing glycolipids and hydrating pentylene glycol help calm irritation while keeping your skin barrier supported.
Journal of Oleo Science, 2012International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2025
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
Yes, you can use this cleanser on the body and around the eyes because its gentle formula features soothing glycolipids and hydrating ingredients that are safe for thin and delicate skin areas. It helps cleanse without causing irritation, supporting your skin barrier while keeping moisture locked in.
Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 2002Journal of Oleo Science, 2012
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol. Behenyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol are fatty alcohols, which soften the skin.
What the research says
Mannosylerythritol lipids recovered the viability of SDS-damaged human skin cells by over 80% and increased stratum corneum water content while suppressing perspiration in human skin compared with a control.
Journal of Oleo Science, 2012An Acmella oleracea extract-loaded glycolipid emulsion serum applied topically demonstrated safety with no ocular irritation or systemic dermal absorption, alongside significant improvements in facial skin hydration, smoothness, and reductions in roughness, scaliness, and wrinkles.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2025MEL-C showed antioxidant activity and a higher protective activity against H2O2-induced oxidative stress than arbutin in cultured human skin fibroblasts, along with the repression of cyclooxygenase-2 expression.
Journal of Oleo Science, 2012Acidic sophorolipids and mono-rhamnolipids showed negligible effects on cell viability, morphology, and pro-inflammatory cytokine production compared with SLES, while di-rhamnolipids attenuated IL-8 and increased IL-1RA production in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated human keratinocytes.
Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 2023Topical docosanol 10% cream applied 5 times daily reduced the median time to healing by 18 hours compared to placebo in adults with recurrent herpes simplex labialis.
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2001A 10% docosanol cream initiated within 12 hours of symptom onset reduced time-to-healing compared with a polyethylene glycol control in patients with recurrent herpes labialis.
Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy, 2004Ten percent docosanol cream is a safe and effective topical treatment for recurrent herpes labialis in immunocompetent adults, offering efficacy comparable to prescription topical antivirals and a low risk of resistance due to its unique mechanism.
Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy, 2010Exposure of epidermal full-thickness skin equivalents to a blend of betaine, pentylene glycol, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Rhodiola rosea root extract significantly increased antioxidant, skin barrier, and oxidative stress biomarkers while reducing the negative impact of hydrogen peroxide on MMP3, MMP12, FBN2, ANXA1, and HGF, whereas a blend of Narcissus tazetta bulb extract and Schisandra chinensis fruit extract significantly increased 8 growth factors, 7 signaling, 7 structural/barrier function, 7 oxidative stress biomarkers, and specific microRNAs over control levels.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2018
Ingredients
Water, Behenyl Alcohol, Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate, Glycolipids, Pentylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-6 Dicaprate, Glyceryl Stearate, Stearyl Alcohol, Diutan Gum, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Sodium Phytate, Phytic Acid, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin
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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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?
Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.