The Ordinary Glycolipid Cream Cleanser Review
BeautyBrief™
Brand
The Ordinary
Product
Glycolipid Cream Cleanser
Claims check
If you want a fragrance-free cream wash, The Ordinary supports everyday makeup removal, but very stubborn waterproof products can need another step.
Shopper fit
- Dry
- Normal
- Combination
- Sensitive
- Acne-Prone
Formula flags
- None identified
Shopper preferences
- Vegan
- Cruelty-Free
Key ingredients
| Glycolipids | Provides the main cleansing action for makeup and daily residue. |
|---|---|
| Polyglyceryl-6 Dicaprate | Helps remove makeup and oil within the cream formula. |
| Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate | Helps the cleanser rinse away loosened residue. |
| Behenyl Alcohol | Helps give you the creamy texture and soft feel. |
| Pentylene Glycol | Adds supporting formula comfort and stability. |
Price tier
$ Budget
Value check
At the Budget tier, you get a simple vegan cream cleanser, not a medical barrier-repair treatment.
Where to buy
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Bottom line
If your skin prefers low-foam cleansing, this Ordinary formula combines glycolipids with a soft cream texture. Stubborn waterproof makeup may require a separate remover, and the rinse-off product does not replace moisturizer. At the Budget tier, choose it for simple daily cleansing.
If you want a soft cream cleanser that handles ordinary makeup and sunscreen without turning cleansing into another treatment step, The Ordinary Glycolipid Cream Cleanser gives you strong Budget value. Its plant-derived glycolipid cleansing system is designed to remove daily residue while respecting your skin’s hydration, barrier, and natural pH.
What it claims
The Ordinary describes Glycolipid Cream Cleanser as a gentle cream cleanser that removes makeup while respecting your skin barrier, maintaining hydration, and avoiding a stripped after-feel. The current U.S. page positions it for all skin types and displays the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance.[1]
The brand directs you to massage the cleanser over a dry face and rinse with warm water, although you can also use it on wet skin. The current FAQ says it removes most makeup but recommends double cleansing with Squalane Cleanser for stubborn waterproof makeup.[1]
Claims vs. formula
Glycolipids give you the main cleansing action, while polyglyceryl-6 dicaprate and polyglyceryl-2 stearate help loosen makeup, oil, sunscreen, and surface residue so you can rinse them away in a cream format.
Behenyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol help create the creamy texture and soft after-feel. These are fatty alcohols, not volatile drying alcohols.
The barrier and hydration positioning fits the mild cream-cleansing design, but you should still think of this as a rinse-off cleanser rather than a barrier-repair treatment. The practical benefit is keeping your cleansing step from becoming unnecessarily harsh.
The makeup-removal claim is appropriately limited by the brand. Foundation, eyeliner, mascara, sunscreen, and ordinary daily residue fit the product’s role; if you wear stubborn waterproof products, you may still need a more dedicated first cleanse.
Ingredients that matter
Polyglyceryl-2 stearate and polyglyceryl-6 dicaprate support removal of daily oil and makeup, while glycolipids contribute to the cream’s cleansing system. Behenyl and stearyl alcohol are fatty alcohols used for texture and conditioning rather than the drying alcohol found in some skincare formulas.
The Ordinary describes makeup removal and a barrier-respecting cream format in its product claims. Those claims do not show it is the best option for stubborn waterproof mascara or that it repairs damaged skin as effectively as dedicated leave-on care.
Safety and regulatory context
The current U.S. page identifies this exact cleanser as vegan, cruelty-free and accepted by the National Eczema Association.[1] These are useful shopping distinctions but not proof of therapeutic skin-disease treatment.
Its short ingredient list contains no added fragrance or essential oils. The brand recommends a dedicated first cleanse if stubborn waterproof makeup is difficult to remove with this gentle cream.
What to expect in the short term
You get a creamier, lower-foam cleanse than a typical gel or foaming wash. Used on dry skin, it handles ordinary makeup, sunscreen, surface oil, and daily residue without aiming for a squeaky-clean finish.
If waterproof mascara or very tenacious long-wear makeup is your main job, a dedicated first cleanse remains the better tool.
What to expect over time
You are buying routine comfort rather than cumulative treatment. That makes it especially useful when active products already do the treatment work elsewhere in your routine.
At the Budget tier, you are paying for a simple barrier-conscious cream format that handles everyday cleansing and ordinary makeup without adding unnecessary treatment overlap.
Who it fits
This makes the most sense if your skin is dry, normal, combination, sensitive, or acne-prone and you want a comfortable cream cleanser with some everyday makeup-removal ability.
If your skin is very oily and you prefer noticeable foam, or if you routinely wear stubborn waterproof makeup, another cleanser format may fit you better.
Compare before you buy
Choose The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser when a balm-to-oil texture and a more dedicated makeup-removal role matter more to you.
Read the BeautyBrief
Choose Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser when a familiar low-foam cleanser matters more than makeup removal.
Read the BeautyBriefFinal Assessment
If you want a creamy everyday cleanser without added scent, The Ordinary Glycolipid Cream offers surfactants and conditioning fatty alcohols in a low-foam format. Its makeup-removal function fits ordinary daily residue better than very stubborn waterproof cosmetics, and barrier-conscious labeling does not replace moisturizer. At the Budget tier, value rests on simplicity and routine fit.
Where to buy
Choose a retailer to view current pricing and availability.
We may earn a commission through these links at no additional cost to you.
Last reviewed: October 2026
Sources
The Ordinary Glycolipid Cream Cleanser. Official current U.S. product ingredients, usage and supported label claims; accessed October 14, 2026.
