Index / e.l.f. / Pure Skin Cleanser
e.l.f.

e.l.f. Pure Skin Cleanser.

e.l.f. Pure Skin Cleanser
Save to Pinterest
Cleansers
About this product

A gentle, cream-based cleanser with oat kernel flour, niacinamide, and ceramides, designed to cleanse without stripping the skin.

Full ingredients

Water (Aqua), Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Niacinamide, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Flour, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Water, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Allantoin, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Carbomer, Glyceryl Stearate, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Tromethamine

More from e.l.f. 58 products · Guru Score 89% →

Guru Score

77%

Yay

Early verdict · Few reviews so far

What the gurus are saying

This cream cleanser earns consistent praise for how gently it removes makeup and oil without stripping the skin barrier, making it especially suited to anyone with dry or sensitive skin. Dermatologists highlight the oat kernel flour for its soothing antioxidants, the niacinamide and ceramides for barrier support, and the non-foaming formula that won't over-dry the face. At nine dollars, it's an affordable pick even those managing dryness from prescription treatments may want to reach for.
Synthesized from 2 expert reviews · most recent take December 2023

What they liked

  • Creamy, non-foaming formula
  • Gentle enough for sensitive and dry skin
  • Removes makeup and oil without stripping

What they flagged

  • Contains fragrance that may trigger sensitivity

Type

CleansersCream

Key actives

NiacinamideHyaluronic acidVitamin ECeramides

Formula notes

Fragrance-freeNo drying alcohol

Where to buy

Opens a store search. We may earn from these links.

Scan it in the shopFree iPhone app. Scores in the aisle.

What the gurus are saying.

Every take we've logged from this product's reviews across YouTube. Click any row to watch the moment they said it.

All takes Yay takes Nay takes Mixed takes Hide sponsored
✓Nay
"I'm not like the biggest fan of micellar waters, not because I think they're bad or anything, they just don't really work well for me. But an e.l.f. one that is so cute does it have fragrance? Yes it does. Fragrance compound that can oxidize and be more sensitizing. That's something that if somebody's going to be triggered to develop sensitivity and become allergic to fragrance, that's a concern."
All 3 takes from Dr Dray
NEW SKINCARE DEALS AT WALMART | DECEMBER 2023 🎄🛒
"I'm not like the biggest fan of micellar waters, not because I think they're bad or anything, they just don't really work well for me. But an e.l.f. one that is so cute does it have fragrance? Yes it does. Fragrance compound that can oxidize and be more sensitizing. That's something that if somebody's going to be triggered to develop sensitivity and become allergic to fragrance, that's a concern."
NEW SKIN CARE AT TARGET 🛍 DERMATOLOGIST@DrDrayzday
"The Elf Pure Skin Cleanser is good - I particularly like it because it's a gentle cleanser. I suggest getting the little Pure Skin kit to see if you actually like it before committing to the big size."
IS E.L.F PURE SKIN THE NEW HOLY GRAIL? // DERMATOLOGIST @DrDrayzday
"It is a creamy cleanser, it's super gentle, and it's a wonderful choice if you have really dry sensitive skin or if you're dealing with a lot of dryness and peeling from a topical medication. It's [...] very mild and gentle to use around the eyes. It has [...] oat kernel flour with humectants and [...] natural detergent action good for gentle cleansing, oats with antioxidants called avinanthromides, niacinamide, and [...] ceramides. This cleanser is nine dollars and E.L.F is really affordable."
✓Yay
"My top affordable gentle cleanser pick is e.l.f Pure Skin Cleanser at $9, which is an amazing price for a really great product. It has niacinamide, which is a crucial ingredient in my gentle skincare routine to help strengthen and restore your skin barrier. This one also contains ceramides for skin barrier support, allantoin which helps soothe the skin especially if you have irritation or a damaged skin barrier, and hyaluronic acid for added hydration."
Sponsored
All 2 takes from The Budget Dermatologist
Dry Skin Drugstore Must-Haves! | Complete Skincare Routine | Eczema-prone Skin
"This does not foam up, which is really important for dry and sensitive skin people. This is a really good cream based cleanser. It is not going to strip the skin of oils and anything like that, so it's going to be very protective of your skin barrier but still effective at removing the makeup and dirt and oil from the day."
Try This Gentle Skincare Routine to Fix Your Skin Barrier!
"My top affordable gentle cleanser pick is e.l.f Pure Skin Cleanser at $9, which is an amazing price for a really great product. It has niacinamide, which is a crucial ingredient in my gentle skincare routine to help strengthen and restore your skin barrier. This one also contains ceramides for skin barrier support, allantoin which helps soothe the skin especially if you have irritation or a damaged skin barrier, and hyaluronic acid for added hydration."

What the evidence says.

Independent of what the gurus think, this is what the published research supports about the main active ingredients here.

Niacinamide

Niacinamide has evidence behind it for redness, uneven tone and supporting the skin barrier, and it is usually well tolerated even by skin that reacts to most things.

Source: DermNet

Ceramides

Ceramides are part of the skin's own barrier, and moisturisers built around them have evidence for holding water in and settling the tightness and flaking that come with a damaged barrier.

Source: DermNet

Humectants and emollients

Ingredients like these draw water into the surface layers and slow how fast it leaves. The evidence is for comfort, softness and hydration rather than for changing the structure of the skin.

Source: DermNet

Frequently asked.

What is e.l.f. Pure Skin Cleanser?

A gentle, cream-based cleanser with oat kernel flour, niacinamide, and ceramides, designed to cleanse without stripping the skin.

Is e.l.f. Pure Skin Cleanser worth it?

Mostly yes. 1 of the 2 gurus who reviewed it give it their stamp of approval, for a Guru Score of 77%.

What is e.l.f. Pure Skin Cleanser's Guru Score?

e.l.f. Pure Skin Cleanser holds a Guru Score of 77%. That is our read on how warmly the experts talk about it, based on the verdicts of 2 expert reviewers we have collected.

Who is e.l.f. Pure Skin Cleanser best for?

e.l.f. Pure Skin Cleanser is generally suited to dry skin and sensitive skin.

Same formula, worth a look.

Products built around the same core actives as this one, with what the experts make of each.

See how they stack up →

Similar products worth a look.

Other products the same gurus have weighed in on, plus more from this brand and category.

Compare side by side →

Spotted something on this page that doesn't look right? Let us know.

Share this score

Add this badge to your blog or website. It links back to this page and updates itself when the experts change their minds. Free, no sign-up.

Then paste it into your site's HTML or embed block.

This week's top beauty news, in your inbox.

A weekly read of the takes worth catching up on: the raves, the splits, the ones the gurus won't shut up about. Free, no spam, unsubscribe whenever.

Subscribe to the digest