PCA SKIN Facial Wash for dry skin
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Lactic Acid
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Salix Nigra Bark Extract Willow Bark Extract
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
High
- HighDry Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- HighSafety
A great choice for dry skin; a few cleansers fit it even better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dry skin: flakiness, tightness, dehydration, 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
- Highly suitable for your dry skin due to the presence of Allantoin and Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, which offer humectant and anti-inflammatory actions to soothe and hydrate. Lactic acid provides moderate exfoliation, gently resurfacing dry or flaky skin without causing irritation.
- The cleansing agents, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate and Cocamidopropyl Betaine, effectively remove impurities while maintaining skin hydration.
- This formula is safe for your dry skin, as it contains no prohibited or harsh ingredients that could cause irritation.
How to apply
- Use this cleanser AM and PM every day to keep your skin clean. Start using it daily right away since your skin is not sensitive.
- Apply this cleanser as the very first step in your morning routine and right after your pre-cleanser in the evening. Follow with your toner and moisturizer afterwards.
- Gently massage a small amount of cleanser onto your face using soft circular motions. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water and pat dry with a clean towel.
- Apply this cleanser on slightly damp skin for a comfortable and refreshing wash. This helps maintain your skin's natural moisture while cleansing away dirt.
- Avoid getting the cleanser directly into your eyes to prevent any irritation. Do a simple patch test before your first use to ensure your skin likes it.
People Say
★4.4Overall rating based on 400+ reviewsUsers frequently praise this cleanser for its gentle, non-drying formula that effectively removes makeup and impurities, leaving skin feeling soft and balanced. Many appreciate its soothing properties and ability to improve skin texture over time, making it suitable for sensitive and acne-prone skin types. Some users find the product to be on the pricier side, and a small number with very dry skin or those removing heavy makeup noted some limitations.
Highlights
Gentle and non-drying Mostly Mentioned
- “doesn't dry out skin”
- “leaves face soft”
- “no tight feeling”
- “gentle on sensitive skin”
Effective cleansing Often Mentioned
- “removes all makeup”
- “cleans residue well”
- “takes off dirt/oil”
- “great second cleanse”
Improves skin texture Sometimes Noted
- “skin feels smooth”
- “mild exfoliation”
- “helps with texture”
- “leaves skin supple”
Soothing properties Sometimes Noted
- “calms redness”
- “soothing aloe”
- “doesn't irritate”
Expensive for cleanser Sometimes Noted
- “a bit pricey”
- “expensive for a wash”
- “wish it was cheaper”
- “not budget friendly”
Caused breakouts Rarely Noted
- “caused breakouts”
- “horrible reaction”
- “irritated my skin”
- “rash developed”
Makeup removal issues Rarely Noted
- “didn't remove mascara”
- “struggled with eye makeup”
- “need a separate remover”
Slightly drying Rarely Noted
- “felt a bit dry”
- “left skin tight”
- “not for dry skin”
- “needed moisturizer immediately”
Sources: lovi.care, pcaskin.com, lovelyskin.com, dermstore.com, influenster.com, walmart.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes PCA SKIN Facial Wash a great fit for dry skin?
PCA SKIN Facial Wash is a great fit because Allantoin and Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice help soothe and hydrate dry skin. Lactic acid also gently resurfaces flaky areas without causing irritation, while cleansing agents wash away impurities without stripping moisture.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for dry skin?
This cleanser is a good fit for dry skin thanks to Allantoin and Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, which help soothe and hydrate. Lactic acid also gently resurfaces flaky skin without causing irritation, while cleansing agents wash away impurities while maintaining moisture.
What does Aloe Vera Leaf Juice do for dry skin?
Aloe Vera Leaf Juice helps increase water content in dry skin to keep it feeling soft and smooth. It works well to boost hydration without changing water loss through the skin.
What does Lactic Acid do for dry skin?
Lactic acid helps relieve dry skin by drawing in moisture and strengthening the skin's barrier so it stays soft and smooth. This ingredient gently sheds dead cells and supports natural moisturizing factors, making it very useful for improving rough or flaky areas.
International Journal of Dermatology, 2025Skin Research and Technology, 2013
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for dry skin?
This cleanser goes in your morning and evening routine, before your hydrating toner and moisturizer. Using a gentle cleanser as part of a consistent daily routine helps improve visual dryness and keeps skin comfortable.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cleanser with retinol, but apply your retinol after cleansing and drying your skin completely. This cleanser gently removes impurities and resurfaces dry skin without harsh irritation, making it safe to pair with active treatments like retinol when used carefully.
How often should I use this cleanser?
You can use this cleanser twice a day in your morning and evening routine, as it is a great fit for your dry skin. Using a gentle daily cleanser helps improve clinical dryness while maintaining hydration and safely removing impurities.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for dry skin, as shopper complaints about breakouts are negligible and the formula is safe and free of harsh ingredients. It cleanses while maintaining skin hydration, helping you keep your face clean and calm without feeling stripped.
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
PCA SKIN Facial Wash is generally safe to use on the body and around the eyes because its gentle ingredients and mild cleansers help remove impurities without causing irritation. However, because the skin around the eyes and on certain body areas can be sensitive or thin, it is unlikely to cause issues as long as you rinse it off thoroughly.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
A botanical face cleanser with hops and willow bark extract continuously reduced skin sebum levels without reactive seborrhea after treatment in 21 healthy volunteers compared to a sodium laureth sulfate cleanser, with neither cleanser causing skin irritation.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019A 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, 2010Application of a cream containing lactic acid 12% and pramoxine HCl 1% significantly improved skin dryness, hydration, and itch compared with a nontreated control in 24 women with a history of dry itchy skin.
Cutis, 2004Topical 12% ammonium lactate produced a significant sparing of epidermal and dermal atrophy induced by clobetasol propionate in human volunteers, without influencing the corticosteroid's bioavailability or antiinflammatory properties.
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 1992A lactic acid/ceramide lotion significantly improved skin moisturization and desquamation compared to no treatment in women with dry, rough skin on the anterior shins.
The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2020The cytotoxic effect of sodium lauryl sulphate on normal human keratinocytes was significantly decreased when combined with cocamidopropyl betaine, Tween 20, and Tween 80 at concentrations well below the critical micelle concentration.
Skin Pharmacology and Applied Skin Physiology, 2003Bioactive lipid nanocarriers co-loaded with willow bark or ivy leaf extracts and UV-filters provided pronounced UVA photoprotection up to an SPF-equivalent value of 13 and a maximum in vivo skin hydration effect of 97% when prepared with pomegranate oil.
Nanomaterials, 2022A topical serum containing 0.5% salicin applied twice daily reduced visible signs of skin aging, including wrinkles and tactile roughness, in 30 female subjects over 12 weeks compared to baseline.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2010A novel emulsion containing niacinamide, lens esculenta seed extract, and white willow bark extract effectively improved acne, blackheads, and conspicuous facial pores in 30 subjects with oily skin.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
Ingredients
Water, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Lactic Acid, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Sodium Chloride, Propanediol, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Benzoate, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Potassium Sorbate, Allantoin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Salix Nigra Bark Extract Willow Bark Extract, Amorphophallus Konjac Root Powder
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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