Aveeno Calm + Restore Nourishing Oat Cleanser for dry sensitive skin
Superior
- HighDry Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
One of the best cleansers for dry sensitive skin.
- Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
- Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2018
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dry sensitive skin: flakiness, tightness, redness, 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
- Excellent for your dry and sensitive skin as Avena Sativa Kernel Flour and Sodium Hyaluronate provide superior hydration and soothing effects, addressing dryness and flakiness effectively.
- Glycerin further enhances moisture retention, ensuring your skin feels smooth and comfortable throughout the day.
- The formula is safe for your skin, containing no harsh ingredients and including beneficial components that minimize irritation risk.
How to apply
- Use your cleanser AM and PM every day to keep your face fresh. Start slowly once a day if your dry skin feels sensitive at first.
- Apply your cleanser first thing in your routine before any toner or moisturizer. Follow the usual steps for your AM or PM daily routine.
- Gently massage the cleanser onto your face using soft circular motions. Avoid harsh rubbing to protect your dry skin.
- Apply the cleanser to slightly damp skin to help it clean gently without stripping moisture. This method is very safe for sensitive and dry skin types.
- Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water and avoid the delicate eye area. Always do a patch test before using the product for the first time.
People Say
★4.6Overall rating based on 5.0k+ reviewsA notable number of users find it struggles to remove heavy makeup or mineral sunscreen, often necessitating a double-cleanse.
Highlights
Extremely gentle Mostly Mentioned
- “gentlest wash I've used”
- “perfect for damaged barriers”
Fragrance-free Often Mentioned
- “no strong smell”
- “great for sensitive noses”
- “doesn't smell like chemicals”
- “truly scentless”
Non-stripping hydration Often Mentioned
- “face feels soft after”
- “no tight feeling”
- “leaves skin moisturized”
- “doesn't dry me out”
Soothes skin Often Mentioned
- “calms my redness”
- “stopped the itching”
- “great for flare-ups”
- “soothing oat ingredients”
Poor makeup removal Often Mentioned
- “won't take off mascara”
- “leaves foundation behind”
- “struggles with sunscreen”
- “need to scrub hard”
Pleasant texture Sometimes Noted
- “silky gel consistency”
- “glides over skin”
- “feels like a lotion”
- “smooth application”
No lather Sometimes Noted
- “miss the bubbles”
- “feels like washing with lotion”
- “hard to spread without foam”
- “doesn't feel like it cleans”
Oily residue Sometimes Noted
- “feels like a film”
- “slimy after rinsing”
- “doesn't rinse clean”
- “waxy coating left”
Caused breakouts Rarely Noted
- “gave me whiteheads”
- “clogged my pores”
- “caused small bumps”
- “triggered acne flare”
Pump issues Rarely Noted
- “pump stopped working”
- “hard to get last bit”
- “straw is too short”
- “defective dispenser”
Sources: lovi.care, iherb.com, target.com, ulta.com, walmart.com, youtube.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes Aveeno Calm + Restore Nourishing Oat Cleanser one of the best fits for dry sensitive skin?
This cleanser is an excellent fit for dry and sensitive skin because oat extract, glycerin, and sodium hyaluronate provide deep hydration and soothing effects that address dryness and flakiness. Glycerin helps your skin retain moisture so it stays smooth and comfortable all day long, while the gentle formula minimizes the risk of irritation.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for dry sensitive skin?
This cleanser is a great fit for your dry sensitive skin because oat extract, sodium hyaluronate, and glycerin provide deep hydration and soothing effects that relieve dryness and flakiness. These gentle ingredients help keep your skin feeling smooth and comfortable while minimizing the risk of irritation.
What does Oat Extract do for dry sensitive skin?
Oat extract helps soothe dry, sensitive skin by calming irritation and improving moisture. It supports the skin barrier and may reduce redness and itchiness.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2015Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2016
What does Glycerin do for dry sensitive skin?
Glycerin helps dry sensitive skin by drawing moisture into the skin and keeping it there, making the skin soft and smooth. It is very gentle and unlikely to cause irritation while improving how well the skin holds onto water. This type of skin needs ingredients that boost hydration and repair the barrier without causing stinging.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017The British Journal of Dermatology, 2008
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for dry sensitive skin?
This cleanser fits into both your morning and evening routine as the first cleansing step, or the second step in the evening if you are removing makeup first. Using a gentle cleanser helps wash away impurities without stripping moisture, which supports a calm and comfortable feel for dry sensitive skin.
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. Using a gentle, hydrating cleanser like this helps keep your skin calm and lowers the chance of irritation when you use stronger products.
How often should I use this cleanser?
You can use this cleanser twice a day in your morning and evening routine to help keep your dry sensitive skin comfortable and hydrated. Using a mild cleanser daily helps improve overall skin condition and visual dryness.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry sensitive skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to cause breakouts for dry sensitive skin because its formula avoids harsh ingredients and includes components that help minimize irritation risk. Reviewers rarely report breakouts, though some note an oily residue.
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
Yes, you can use this cleanser around your eyes and on your body because its gentle formula with oat extract and glycerin helps calm and hydrate dry, sensitive skin without irritation. It has a great safety profile that minimizes risks on delicate areas.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
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, 2017A repair cream containing Rhealba oat plantlets extract, l-ALA-l-GLU dipeptide, and hyaluronic acid provided immediate relief and was judged by doctors as good or very good in 96.8% of cases for wound healing in 2,363 patients following dermatological acts.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2018Topically applied Avena sativa and Avena Rhealba oatmeal extracts significantly reduced skin irritation parameters including a* parameter increase and blood flow increase compared to vehicle in 12 healthy individuals subjected to the sodium lauryl sulfate irritation model.
Skin Pharmacology and Applied Skin Physiology, 2002Colloidal oat extracts diminished pro-inflammatory cytokines in vitro and colloidal oat lotion improved skin dryness, scaling, roughness, and itch intensity in healthy female subjects compared to baseline.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2015The 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, 2012Topical parthenolide-depleted Feverfew extract protected skin by scavenging free radicals, restoring antioxidants, and significantly reducing UV-induced erythema compared to placebo in a clinical study.
Archives of Dermatological Research, 2008Parthenolide and magnolol, as NF-kappaB inhibitors, effectively blocked UVB-induced gene expression, production of MMP-1 and bFGF, and proliferation of keratinocytes and melanocytes.
Current Drug Metabolism, 2010A purified parthenolide-depleted feverfew extract protects skin cells from UV-induced DNA damage by inducing Nrf2 nuclear translocation and ARE activity via a PI3-kinase-dependent pathway.
Journal of Dermatological Science, 2013Topical 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, 2019
Ingredients
Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Avena Sativa Kernel Flour Oat Kernel Flour, Polysorbate 20, Poloxamer 188, Zea Mays Starch, Acrylates C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium Edta, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Polyacrylate, Sodium Hydroxide, Chrysanthemum Parthenium Flower Leaf Stem Juice, Sodium Hyaluronate
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
-

Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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