SkinCeuticals Simply Clean Gel for combination skin
Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate
Coco-Betaine
Glycerin
Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
High
- HighCombination Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
A great choice for combination skin; a few cleansers fit it even 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
- Highly suitable for your combination skin, this product effectively addresses oily shine with hydroxyethylpiperazine ethane sulfonic acid for moderate chemical exfoliation, while glycerin and aloe barbadensis leaf extract provide essential hydration and anti-inflammatory benefits.
- The cleansing agents, sodium cocoyl glycinate and coco-betaine, work efficiently to purify pores without causing irritation.
- Its safety profile is excellent, featuring soothing ingredients like chamomile extract and a complete absence of harsh or prohibited substances, making it gentle for your skin.
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
★4.7Overall rating based on 700+ reviewsIdeally suited for oily and combination skin types, this gel cleanser is widely praised for its ability to deeply purify pores and remove makeup without causing excessive dryness. Users frequently report improved skin texture and fewer acne breakouts, though individuals with drier or more sensitive skin occasionally find the exfoliating formula slightly stripping.
Highlights
Effective Deep Cleansing Mostly Mentioned
- “removes excess oil”
- “thoroughly cleanses skin”
- “face feels fresh”
Improves Skin Texture Often Mentioned
- “smooths rough skin”
- “refines pore appearance”
- “gentle enzymatic exfoliation”
Controls Acne Breakouts Sometimes Noted
- “clears hormonal acne”
- “prevents new blemishes”
- “keeps skin clear”
High Product Efficiency Sometimes Noted
- “lathers very well”
- “little goes long way”
- “bottle lasts months”
Removes Makeup Well Sometimes Noted
- “dissolves waterproof makeup”
- “takes off daily grime”
- “no residue left”
High Price Point Sometimes Noted
- “expensive for cleanser”
- “pricey daily wash”
- “cost prohibits repurchase”
Drying Effect Rarely Noted
- “skin feels tight”
- “strips natural oils”
- “too harsh for dry skin”
Packaging Issues Rarely Noted
- “pump mechanism breaks”
- “bottle leaks during travel”
- “hard to dispense”
Skin Irritation Rarely Noted
- “caused burning sensation”
- “stinging on application”
- “redness after use”
Unpleasant Scent Rarely Noted
- “medicinal smell”
- “chemical odor”
- “scent is off-putting”
Sources: lovi.care, lovelyskin.com, skinceuticals.ca, bluemercury.com, walmart.com, dermstore.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes SkinCeuticals Simply Clean a great fit for combination skin?
SkinCeuticals Simply Clean is a great fit because it helps clear away oily shine with gentle chemical exfoliation while keeping your skin calm and hydrated. Its ingredients purify pores without causing irritation, and soothing extracts make it exceptionally gentle for combination skin.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for combination skin?
This cleanser is a great fit for your combination skin because hydroxyethylpiperazine ethane sulfonic acid tackles oily shine through gentle chemical exfoliation while glycerin and aloe leaf extract add essential hydration and calm redness. Its gentle cleansing agents also purify pores without causing irritation, supported by soothing chamomile extract.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2013
What does Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate do for combination skin?
Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate helps clean combination skin gently by washing away dirt and oil without stripping away essential moisture. This mild cleansing ingredient supports the skin barrier and is unlikely to leave dry areas feeling tight or irritated.
Dermatologic Therapy, 2004International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 1984
What does Coco-Betaine do for combination skin?
Coco-Betaine gently cleans away dirt and excess oil without drying out the dry spots on your face. This ingredient helps create a soft lather that leaves skin feeling clean and balanced.
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for combination skin?
This cleanser goes in your morning and evening routine as the first cleansing step, helping to wash away impurities while keeping your skin calm and balanced. Using a mild cleanser like this helps prep your skin for the next steps without causing irritation.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
Yes, you can use this cleanser with retinol by using it in your cleansing step before applying your treatment. This cleanser gently purifies pores and provides mild chemical exfoliation while keeping your skin calm, making it a suitable prep step for active routines.
How often should I use this cleanser?
You can use this cleanser twice a day in your morning and evening routine. Using a gentle cleanser daily helps remove oil and impurities while keeping your skin calm and balanced.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for combination skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for your combination skin because its gentle cleansing agents purify pores without irritation, while ingredients like glycerin and aloe keep the skin balanced. It also contains hydroxyethylpiperazine ethane sulfonic acid, which helps manage oily shine and keeps skin clear.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2013
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
This cleanser is too harsh for the very thin skin around the eyes and is better suited for facial use, though it can safely cleanse other areas of the body if your skin tolerates it well. The gentle cleansing agents and soothing extracts help purify without irritation, but active ingredients meant for facial concerns may stress delicate areas like eyelids.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (limonene).
What the research says
Daily treatment with a facial serum containing multiple acids reduced post-inflammatory hyperchromia lesion grade and number by 29.4% at 56 days, and decreased skin oiliness by 30.7% at 7 days in Brazilian patients with acne vulgaris.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021A novel composition containing salicylic acid, capryloyl salicylic acid, HEPES, glycolic acid, citric acid, and dioic acid showed similar tolerance and efficacy compared with clindamycin 1% and benzoyl peroxide 5% gel in subjects with acne vulgaris.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2013The 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, 2003A 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, 2017The 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, 2001A novel D-limonene and Gelucire 44/12 based microemulsion formulated with Labrasol and Labrafil M 1944 CS showed high stability, optical transparency, nanometric globule size, and a safe in vivo skin profile on mice ear skin.
Advanced Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 2021
Ingredients
Water, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Coco-Betaine, Glycerin, Acrylates Copolymer, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Chloride, Propylene Glycol, Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium Edta, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Limonene, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract Matricaria Flower Extract, Citric Acid
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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