ZO Skin Health Gentle Cleanser for sensitive skin
Sodium Lauroyl Oat Amino Acids
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Glycerin
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract
Average
- SuperiorNormal Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for sensitive skin; other cleansers fit it better.
- Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
- Skin Pharmacology and Applied Skin Physiology, 2003
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
- Offers moderate cleansing benefits for your redness and irritation, as Sodium Laureth Sulfate and Cocamidopropyl Betaine provide effective pore decongestion suitable for normal skin.
- Sodium Lauroyl Oat Amino Acids and Glycerin support skin hydration and barrier function, though specialized anti-inflammatory ingredients are absent.
- The product is safe for your sensitive skin due to the absence of harsh or prohibited ingredients.
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
★4.7Overall rating based on 900+ reviewsThis cleanser is highly rated for its ability to deeply cleanse pores and remove makeup without stripping the skin's natural moisture. It is often recommended for all skin types, including sensitive and post-procedure skin, leaving it feeling refreshed, soft, and hydrated. Some users find it to be expensive, and there are concerns about counterfeit products being sold online. A small number of users with very sensitive skin reported mild irritation due to fragrance or dye, and a few found it too drying.
Highlights
Effective makeup removal Mostly Mentioned
- “Removes mascara and eye make-up”
- “Gets the make-up off”
- “Cleanses impurities for refreshed-feeling skin”
- “Takes off all the makeup including eye makeup.”
Non-stripping, hydrating Often Mentioned
- “Did not irritate her skin”
- “Never leaves the skin tight”
- “Leaves skin feeling soft and refreshed”
- “Doesn't strip essential moisture.”
Pleasant sensory experience Sometimes Noted
- “Love the clean feel”
- “Fresh smelling”
- “Luxurious lather”
- “Silky gel formulation”
- “Subtle grapefruit scent.”
Versatile for skin types Sometimes Noted
- “Ideal for all skin types”
- “Great for sensitive skin”
- “Helps prevent congestion”
- “Safe for post-procedure skin.”
High price point Sometimes Noted
- “On the pricier side”
- “Cost is high”
- “Expensive for a face wash”
- “Investment skincare.”
Risk of counterfeits Sometimes Noted
- “This online product must be an imitation”
- “Consistency is completely different”
- “Fake product on Amazon”
- “Seal was broken.”
Drying for some Rarely Noted
- “Left my skin dry”
- “Felt a bit tight after use”
- “Not hydrating enough for very dry skin.”
Fragrance/dye sensitivity Rarely Noted
- “Has both a fragrance and a dye”
- “Avoid if allergic to fragrance”
- “Blue dye unnecessary”
- “Caused slight tingling.”
Sources: lovi.care, zoskinhealth.com, influenster.com, amazon.com, youtube.com, facedr.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does ZO Gentle Cleanser work for sensitive skin?
This cleanser works reasonably well for sensitive skin, though other products fit it better because they include specialized soothing ingredients like Niacinamide and Ceramide-3 to calm redness and irritation. It helps keep skin soft with ingredients like glycerin while cleansing pores safely, but a cleanser of this type needs a broader blend of barrier-repairing and anti-inflammatory ingredients to fully support this skin type.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for sensitive skin?
Sodium Lauroyl Oat Amino Acids and glycerin help make this cleanser work for sensitive skin by supporting skin hydration and barrier function. A cleanser for this skin needs effective hydrating and soothing ingredients like niacinamide and ceramide-3, along with a balanced combination of ingredients that calm redness without stripping moisture.
What do Sodium Lauroyl Oat Amino Acids do for sensitive skin?
Sodium lauroyl oat amino acids help clean sensitive skin gently while keeping it soft and calm. This ingredient is well tolerated by easily irritated skin and is unlikely to cause redness or allergic reactions.
What does Cocamidopropyl Betaine do for sensitive skin?
Cocamidopropyl Betaine helps cleanse the skin, but it may cause irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive skin because of impurities like amidoamine. Sensitive skin needs cleansers with very well-tolerated ingredients like sodium cocoyl glutamate that do not trigger redness or rashes.
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for sensitive skin?
This cleanser goes in the morning and evening steps of your routine. Using a gentle cleanser helps wash away impurities while being safe for delicate skin.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cleanser in your routine when using retinol, applying it before your retinol treatment. It is unlikely to cause severe irritation, but a cleanser of this type works best for sensitive skin when it includes specialized calming plant extracts and barrier-supporting ingredients to comfort delicate areas.
How often should I use this cleanser?
You can use this cleanser daily in the morning and evening as part of your routine. It is safe for your sensitive skin because it lacks harsh ingredients, though a cleanser for this skin also needs calming plant extracts or soothing agents to better manage redness and irritation.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for sensitive skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for sensitive skin because it provides effective pore decongestion and is free of harsh or prohibited ingredients. However, to truly calm redness and irritation, sensitive skin needs a cleanser built with soothing, specialized anti-inflammatory ingredients.
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
You can use this cleanser on the body and around the eyes, though cleansers for sensitive skin also need soothing plant extracts and extra hydration to keep the thin skin in these areas calm and comfortable.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (parfum, limonene, and linalool).
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, 2017The 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, 2003The 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 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, 2017Topical low-dose green tea extract reduces UVB-induced p53 expression and apoptosis in human skin keratinocytes compared to placebo.
Experimental Dermatology, 2009An 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, 2019Topical steroid withdrawal is driven by excess mitochondrial NAD+ metabolism that can be successfully targeted using complex I-inhibiting interventions such as metformin and berberine.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2025Topical steroid withdrawal presents as a distinct dermatopathology characterized by burning, flushing, thermodysregulation, and elevated mitochondrial NAD+ oxidation, which can be improved by targeting complex I with metformin or berberine.
MedRxiv, 2024Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose hydrogel formulations of berberine chloride-loaded escinosomes increased skin residence time and transdermal permeability while maintaining high safety and biocompatibility without skin irritation.
International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2020
Ingredients
Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Lauroyl Oat Amino Acids, Glycerin, Pterocarpus Soyauxii Extract Wood, Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract, Hordeum Distichon Barley Extrait Dorge À Deux Rangs Extract, Spiraea Ulmaria Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Artemisia Vulgaris Extract, Plantago Lanceolata Leaf Extract, Crithmum Maritimum Extract, Parfum, Limonene, Linalool, Sodium Chloride, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Blue 1 Ci 42090, Red 33 Ci 17200
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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