Dr. Dennis Gross SkincarecleanserCleanse step

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Vitamin C Lactic Creamy Cleansing Oil

This cleansing oil offers a luxurious experience, effectively removing impurities while imparting brightening and softening benefits. It's a great first step in a routine focused on improving skin tone and texture.

Sephora price

$40.00

Price matters most when you are trying to learn whether this lane belongs in your routine without turning the test into a luxury gamble.

Sephora reviews

4.2 / 5

About 93 reviews on the current Sephora source, so there is real volume behind the reputation.

Shoppers keep mentioning

Anti-AgingUneven TextureDark spotsVitamin CHyaluronic AcidDrynessVisibly brightens and fights free radicalsHelps product absorptionVisibly softens and soothesDullness

These are the shopper themes that keep showing up around this listing and shape why people open it in the first place.

Glass take

4.2 / 5 overall fit

A creamy cleansing oil that effectively removes makeup and impurities while brightening and softening the skin.

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Vitamin C Lactic Creamy Cleansing Oil

Sephora snapshot refreshed April 23, 2026

Price, rating, review count, and source status come from Sephora. Glass adds the routine fit, overlap risk, and what to compare next.

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What Sephora says

What this product is supposed to do

A luxurious oil-based cleanser cuts through, breaks down, and grips makeup, SPF, pollutants, and impurities to leave skin clean, bright, and refreshed without the need for a double cleanse.

NormalDryCombinationOilyDark SpotsDullnessUneven Texture

For AM/PM use.

Use as a first and/or second cleanse.

Apply with dry fingertips to a dry face, massaging into skin.

Add water to emulsify and break down makeup, SPF, and impurities.

Rinse thoroughly and gently wipe skin with a cloth.

Follow with Alpha Beta® Daily Peel (sold separately) of your choice.

What Glass adds

What actually matters before you buy it

A solid cleansing oil that doubles as a treatment step, thanks to its Vitamin C and Lactic Acid content. It's a good choice for those looking to simplify their routine without sacrificing efficacy.

Effective cleansing and brightening

Users appreciate how well this cleanser removes makeup and impurities while also contributing to brighter, more even-toned skin.

Luxurious feel and scent

The creamy texture and subtle citrus scent enhance the cleansing experience, making it a pleasant step in the routine.

Best for

When this is a smart buy

All skin types, especially those concerned with dullness, dark spots, and uneven texture.
Anyone looking for a multi-tasking cleanser that removes makeup and treats the skin simultaneously.

Skip if

When this is the wrong lane

You prefer a foaming cleanser.
Your skin is extremely sensitive and reacts to Vitamin C or Lactic Acid.

Routine fit

Where this cleansing oil fits

Use this as the first or second step in your cleansing routine, both morning and night. Massage it onto dry skin to break down makeup and impurities, then add water to emulsify before rinsing. It's designed to be effective enough to potentially replace a separate makeup remover or second cleanse.

Why it works

Where it earns the slot and where it does not

The useful question is not whether this product is good in a vacuum. It is whether it makes your routine easier to run or just adds one more bottle with a familiar ingredient on it.

What it actually does well

Effective makeup and SPF removal
Contains brightening Vitamin C and exfoliating Lactic Acid
Leaves skin feeling soft and hydrated
Pleasant texture and scent

Where it starts to feel redundant

Higher price point for a cleanser
May not be suitable for those with very sensitive skin

Routine fit

Where it belongs in the stack

Morning and Night

This cleanser can be used twice daily. In the morning, it helps to remove any impurities accumulated overnight and prep skin for the day. At night, it effectively removes makeup, SPF, and pollutants.

Glass rating

How this formula scores in real life

4.2/ 5 overall

A creamy cleansing oil that effectively removes makeup and impurities while brightening and softening the skin.

Cleansing efficacy

4.5 / 5

Removes makeup, SPF, and daily grime without stripping the skin.

Skin feel

4.3 / 5

Leaves skin feeling soft, clean, and refreshed, not tight or dry.

Brightening

4.0 / 5

The combination of Vitamin C and Lactic Acid provides a noticeable brightening effect over time.

Full ingredient breakdown

Every ingredient, what it does, and whether I care

Emollient

Gossypium Herbaceum (Cotton) Seed Oil

Badness

1.0 / 10

A plant-based oil that helps to soften and smooth the skin.

Usually helps with

Softening skin

Watch for

None

Emollient

Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil

Badness

2.0 / 10

A rich oil known for its cleansing properties and ability to help dissolve impurities.

Usually helps with

Cleansing, dissolving impurities

Watch for

Can be heavy for some skin types

Soothing

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice

Badness

0.0 / 10

Known for its hydrating, soothing, and anti-inflammatory properties.

Usually helps with

Hydration, soothing irritation

Watch for

None

Solvent

Water/Aqua/Eau

Badness

0.0 / 10

The base for many skincare formulations.

Usually helps with

Formulation base

Watch for

None

Humectant

Glycerin

Badness

0.0 / 10

A common humectant that draws moisture to the skin.

Usually helps with

Hydration

Watch for

None

Humectant

Sorbitol

Badness

1.0 / 10

A sugar alcohol that can help attract and retain moisture.

Usually helps with

Hydration

Watch for

Can be slightly sticky

Surfactant

Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine

Badness

2.0 / 10

A mild surfactant that helps to create lather and cleanse the skin.

Usually helps with

Cleansing

Watch for

Potential for irritation in very sensitive individuals

Emulsifier

Sorbitan Oleate

Badness

1.0 / 10

Helps to blend oil and water components in the formula.

Usually helps with

Emulsifying

Watch for

None

Emollient

Isohexadecane

Badness

1.0 / 10

An emollient that provides a smooth feel on the skin.

Usually helps with

Skin feel

Watch for

None

Surfactant

Decyl Glucoside

Badness

1.0 / 10

A mild, plant-derived surfactant that cleanses without stripping.

Usually helps with

Gentle cleansing

Watch for

None

Surfactant

Cocamidopropyl Betaine

Badness

2.0 / 10

A mild amphoteric surfactant used for cleansing and foam boosting.

Usually helps with

Cleansing, lather

Watch for

Potential for irritation in sensitive individuals

Fragrance

Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil

Badness

3.0 / 10

Provides a natural citrus scent. Can be phototoxic in high concentrations.

Usually helps with

Scent

Watch for

Potential for photosensitivity and irritation

Antioxidant

Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate

Badness

1.0 / 10

A stable, oil-soluble form of Vitamin C that brightens and protects.

Usually helps with

Brightening, antioxidant protection

Watch for

None

Antioxidant

Ascorbic Acid

Badness

2.0 / 10

Pure Vitamin C, a potent antioxidant that brightens and helps with collagen production. Can be unstable.

Usually helps with

Brightening, antioxidant protection

Watch for

Can be irritating and unstable

Skin Conditioning

Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract

Badness

1.0 / 10

Derived from Japanese citrus, it can offer antioxidant and brightening benefits.

Usually helps with

Brightening, antioxidant

Watch for

None

Exfoliant

Lactic Acid

Badness

2.0 / 10

An AHA that exfoliates and helps improve skin texture and tone. Can increase sun sensitivity.

Usually helps with

Exfoliation, brightening

Watch for

Increased sun sensitivity, potential irritation

Emollient

Hippophae Rhamnoides (Seabuckthorn) Oil

Badness

1.0 / 10

Rich in vitamins and antioxidants, it nourishes and protects the skin.

Usually helps with

Nourishing, antioxidant

Watch for

None

Antioxidant

Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract

Badness

1.0 / 10

Also known as Amla, it's a rich source of Vitamin C with antioxidant properties.

Usually helps with

Antioxidant, brightening

Watch for

None

Antioxidant

Terminalia Ferdinandiana (Kakadu Plum) Fruit Extract

Badness

1.0 / 10

Contains one of the highest known concentrations of Vitamin C, offering potent antioxidant benefits.

Usually helps with

Antioxidant, brightening

Watch for

None

Emollient

Squalane

Badness

0.0 / 10

A highly stable, skin-identical lipid that moisturizes and supports the skin barrier.

Usually helps with

Hydration, barrier support

Watch for

None

Emollient

Camellia Seed Oil

Badness

1.0 / 10

A lightweight oil rich in antioxidants and fatty acids, known for its moisturizing properties.

Usually helps with

Moisturizing, antioxidant

Watch for

None

Emollient

Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil

Badness

1.0 / 10

A nourishing oil that softens and conditions the skin.

Usually helps with

Softening, conditioning

Watch for

None

Emollient

Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil

Badness

1.0 / 10

Rich in linoleic acid, it helps to moisturize and support the skin barrier.

Usually helps with

Moisturizing, barrier support

Watch for

None

Soothing

Colloidal Oatmeal

Badness

0.0 / 10

Finely ground oats that help to soothe, calm, and protect the skin.

Usually helps with

Soothing, calming irritation

Watch for

None

Skin Conditioning

Sphingolipids

Badness

1.0 / 10

Lipids that are naturally found in the skin barrier, helping to maintain its structure and function.

Usually helps with

Barrier support, conditioning

Watch for

None

Emulsifier

Phospholipids

Badness

1.0 / 10

Essential components of cell membranes, they help with skin hydration and barrier function.

Usually helps with

Hydration, barrier function

Watch for

None

Humectant

Sodium Hyaluronate

Badness

0.0 / 10

The salt form of hyaluronic acid, it attracts and holds moisture in the skin.

Usually helps with

Hydration

Watch for

None

Humectant

Sodium PCA

Badness

1.0 / 10

A component of the skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF), it helps to bind moisture.

Usually helps with

Hydration

Watch for

None

Emulsifier

Lecithin

Badness

1.0 / 10

A phospholipid that helps to emulsify ingredients and can also condition the skin.

Usually helps with

Emulsifying, conditioning

Watch for

None

Absorbent

Silica

Badness

1.0 / 10

Can help absorb excess oil and provide a mattifying effect.

Usually helps with

Oil absorption

Watch for

None

Absorbent

Sodium Starch Octenylsuccinate

Badness

1.0 / 10

A starch derivative that can absorb oil and provide a smooth feel.

Usually helps with

Oil absorption, skin feel

Watch for

None

Emulsifier

Sorbitan Stearate

Badness

1.0 / 10

Helps to stabilize oil and water mixtures.

Usually helps with

Emulsifying

Watch for

None

pH Adjuster

Potassium Hydroxide

Badness

2.0 / 10

Used to adjust the pH of the formula. Can be irritating in high concentrations.

Usually helps with

pH adjustment

Watch for

Potential for irritation

Preservative

Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate

Badness

1.0 / 10

A natural preservative derived from fermented radish root.

Usually helps with

Preservation

Watch for

None

pH Adjuster

Sodium Metasilicate

Badness

3.0 / 10

Used to adjust pH. Can be irritating.

Usually helps with

pH adjustment

Watch for

Potential for irritation

pH Adjuster

Citric Acid

Badness

1.0 / 10

An alpha hydroxy acid used to adjust pH and provide mild exfoliation.

Usually helps with

pH adjustment, mild exfoliation

Watch for

None

pH Adjuster

Sodium Citrate

Badness

1.0 / 10

The salt form of citric acid, used to adjust pH.

Usually helps with

pH adjustment

Watch for

None

Chelating Agent

Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate

Badness

1.0 / 10

Helps to improve the stability and performance of the formula by binding to metal ions.

Usually helps with

Formula stability

Watch for

None

Preservative

Phenoxyethanol

Badness

3.0 / 10

A common preservative that can cause irritation or allergic reactions in some individuals.

Usually helps with

Preservation

Watch for

Potential for irritation and allergic reactions

Preservative

Potassium Sorbate

Badness

2.0 / 10

A common preservative used to prevent the growth of mold and yeast. Can cause skin irritation.

Usually helps with

Preservation

Watch for

Potential for irritation

Compare before you buy

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FAQ

The fast answers people actually need

Can this cleansing oil be used on all skin types?

Yes, this cleansing oil is formulated for normal, dry, combination, and oily skin types. Its blend of oils and beneficial ingredients makes it suitable for a wide range of concerns.

Does this cleanser require a second cleanse?

The product is designed to effectively remove makeup, SPF, and impurities, potentially eliminating the need for a double cleanse. However, you can use it as a first or second cleanse depending on your preference and routine.

What are the main benefits of the Vitamin C and Lactic Acid in this cleanser?

Vitamin C helps to brighten the skin and provide antioxidant protection, while Lactic Acid gently exfoliates to improve texture and tone. Together, they contribute to a more radiant and even complexion.

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