🇬🇧United Kingdom

RoC BARRIER RENEW® GEL-TO-FOAM CLEANSER for oily skin

High

  • HighOily Skin Fit
  • HighEffectiveness
  • ExcellentSafety

A great choice for oily skin; a few cleansers fit it even better.

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

  • Highly suitable for your oily skin, this cleanser effectively removes impurities with Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate and Cocamidopropyl Betaine, while glycerin and shea butter provide essential hydration to combat shine.
  • Ceramide NP and squalane further support your skin barrier, enhancing overall skin health and texture.
  • The formula is safe for your skin, containing no harsh ingredients and including soothing ceramides and shea butter.

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

★4.5Overall rating based on 900+ reviews

This cleanser is highly regarded for its gentle, non-stripping cleansing action, leaving skin feeling hydrated and soft. It effectively removes makeup and impurities, and is particularly beneficial for dry, sensitive, and combination skin types, often calming irritation and redness. A small number of users reported dryness or breakouts.

Highlights

  • Gentle and non-stripping Often Mentioned
    • “doesn't leave my skin feeling tight”
    • “never left me feeling stripped”
    • “didn't dry me out”
    • “cleanses without leaving your skin tight”
  • Hydrating and softening Often Mentioned
    • “make skin soooooo soft”
    • “very hydrating but lightweight”
    • “leaves skin feeling soft”
    • “genuinely hydrated”
  • Calms sensitive skin Sometimes Noted
    • “super calming and downright effective”
    • “great for acne sensitive skin”
    • “sensitivity calms”
    • “soothes visible redness”
  • Effective makeup removal Sometimes Noted
    • “removing all dirts and even waterproof make up”
    • “excels at removing makeup”
    • “removes oil, dirt, and makeup”
    • “dissolves impurities”
  • Can cause dryness Rarely Noted
    • “may feel drying for some”
    • “can lead to dryness”
    • “strong cleansing surfactant”
    • “more likely to dry or irritate”
  • Lacks thick foam Rarely Noted
    • “more like a nice lather than a foam”
    • “doesn't foam as much as expected”
    • “lather instead of foam”
  • Potential breakouts Rarely Noted
    • “some people still find it breaks them out”
    • “may not be fungal acne safe”
    • “can disrupt the skin's barrier”

Sources: lovi.care, iherb.com, dermapproved.com, skinsort.com, reddit.com, lemon8-app.com, and more

Questions and answers

What makes RoC Barrier Renew Gel-to-Foam Cleanser a great fit for oily skin?

This cleanser is a great fit because it removes impurities effectively while using glycerin and shea butter to provide essential hydration and combat shine. It also includes ceramides and squalane to support your skin barrier and keep your texture smooth and healthy without harsh ingredients.

Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2022

Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for oily skin?

This cleanser is a great fit for your oily skin because it uses sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate and cocamidopropyl betaine to wash away dirt and oil while glycerin and shea butter add lightweight moisture to combat shine. Ceramide np and squalane further support your skin barrier to keep your face feeling smooth and balanced.

Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2022

What do Ceramides do for oily skin?

Ceramides help balance and strengthen oily skin by supporting the natural barrier and keeping moisture locked in without feeling heavy. They may also help calm irritation and reduce blemishes when used as part of a regular daily routine.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2004

What does Glycerin do for oily skin?

Glycerin helps keep oily skin hydrated without feeling heavy and supports the skin barrier. Because this product is a weak fit for your skin, an ideal product of this type needs lightweight hydrators and ingredients that balance oil while protecting the skin.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2008International Journal of Toxicology, 2019

Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for oily skin?

This cleanser is a great fit for oily skin and goes in your morning routine as the first step, and in your evening routine as the second step after your makeup remover. It gently washes away impurities while helping keep your skin balanced.

The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2020

Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?

You can use this cleanser alongside retinol, applying the cleanser first on damp skin before your retinol treatment. Using a gentle barrier-supporting cleanser like this one is unlikely to cause irritation and may help your skin tolerate retinol better.

Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023Cutis, 2006

How often should I use this cleanser?

You can use this cleanser twice a day in your morning and evening routines. Using a mild cleanser daily helps remove excess oil and impurities while supporting your skin barrier.

The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022

Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?

This cleanser is a great fit for oily skin and is unlikely to cause breakouts, as reviewers report very low complaints and the formula avoids harsh ingredients. Glycerin and shea butter help combat shine while keeping your skin balanced.

Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?

You can use this cleanser on your body and around the eyes because its gentle formula safely cleans without harsh ingredients. It helps remove impurities while keeping your skin calm and hydrated.

Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 2002

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, 2017
  • A lipid mixture enriched by ceramide NP with fatty acids of diverse chain lengths significantly improved skin barrier recovery rate, stratum corneum integrity, and hydration compared to a vehicle cream in healthy adult male volunteers with corticosteroid-impaired skin.

    Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2022
  • The 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, 2020
  • Ten 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, 2001
  • Niacinamide/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, 2012
  • Topical green tea extract significantly improved clinical symptoms, tear breakup times, and meibomian gland health compared to standard treatment in patients with dry eye and Meibomian Gland Dysfunction.

    Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research, 2017
  • Topical low-dose green tea extract reduces UVB-induced p53 expression and apoptosis in human skin keratinocytes compared to placebo.

    Experimental Dermatology, 2009
  • An anti-acne hydrogel containing Aloe barbadensis, Garcinia mangostana, and Camellia sinensis extracts showed superior antiacne and antiblotch activities compared to 1% clindamycin gel in sixty subjects with mild-moderate acne.

    Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019
  • A combination cream of stimu-tex AS and saccharide isomerate reduced erythema, increased skin capacitance, and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to placebo in 20 subjects after fractional CO2 laser procedure without causing serious adverse events.

    Lasers in Medical Science, 2025
  • A skin barrier restoring cream with shea butter, silkflo, and vitamin E increased type I procollagen synthesis, enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity, decreased reactive oxygen species generation, and promoted hyaluronic acid production in H2O2-stimulated human keratinocyte cells compared to untreated cells.

    International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2025
  • Squalane at 0.005-0.015% counteracts UVA-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and collagen metabolism inhibition while stimulating fibroblast migration in human dermal fibroblasts.

    Molecules, 2025
  • Plant-derived squalane protected human dermal fibroblasts against UVA-induced damage by counteracting ROS formation, suppressing apoptosis-related proteins p53, caspase-3, caspase-9, and PARP, and restoring the pro-survival p-Akt/mTOR pathway.

    Antioxidants, 2025

Ingredients

Water, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Polysorbate 20, Acrylates C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Ceramide Ng, Ceramide Np, Glycerin, Beta-Sitosterol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Shea Butter, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Squalane, Tocopherol, Glyceryl Behenate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Oleic Acid, Candelilla Wax Cera Euphorbia Cerifera Cire De Candelilla Wax Cera, Lecithin, Butylene Glycol, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hydroxide

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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