I'll be honest: I came into this review with a healthy dose of skepticism. Celebrity skincare brands have a track record that ranges from "surprisingly competent" to "why does this cost fifty dollars and smell like a candle shop." Rhode, Hailey Bieber's skincare line, sits somewhere in the middle of that spectrum — they've had hits (the Peptide Lip Treatment is genuinely good) and head-scratchers (the Barrier Restore Cream left me underwhelmed for the price). So when the Pineapple Refresh Cleanser landed on my desk, I wasn't sure what to expect. A celebrity cleanser with pineapple enzymes and polyglutamic acid, packaged in a pastel tube that looks like it belongs on a minimalist influencer's bathroom shelf? I wanted to hate it. But after two weeks of twice-daily use, I can't. It's actually good. Really good. Let me explain why.
Brand Context: Rhode's Quiet Evolution
Rhode launched in 2022 with a clear point of view: minimalist, effective, aesthetically pleasing skincare that doesn't scream "celebrity brand." Hailey Bieber has been involved in the formulation process in a way that feels genuine rather than performative — she's talked in interviews about her own skin struggles, her history with breakouts, and her preference for gentle, barrier-friendly formulas. The result is a line that's smaller than most celebrity brands (fewer than a dozen products at the time of writing) but each product feels intentional rather than like a cash grab.
The Pineapple Refresh Cleanser sits in Rhode's "Treat" category — products designed to deliver a specific, noticeable result rather than just maintenance. It's positioned as a gentle daily exfoliating cleanser that uses pineapple enzymes and polyglutamic acid to smooth and hydrate in one step. At $30 for the 5 oz size, it's not cheap, but it's not outrageously priced for the category either. The question is whether it delivers on the promise.
Ingredient Breakdown
The ingredient list for the Pineapple Refresh Cleanser is surprisingly thoughtful — not what I expected from a celebrity brand's first cleanser. The formula is built around a gentle surfactant system padded with humectants, soothing agents, and a single enzyme exfoliant that works without the sting of traditional AHAs.
Surfactant System
- Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate: An amino acid-derived surfactant that's one of the gentlest cleansing agents available. It's made from coconut fatty acids and glycine — literally the same amino acid your skin produces naturally. It produces a rich, creamy foam without stripping the skin's lipid barrier. The fact that it's the second surfactant listed after the acrylates copolymer indicates it's doing the primary cleansing work, which is a good sign.
- Lauramidopropyl Betaine: An amphoteric surfactant that boosts foam and improves the mildness of the formula. It's one of the most common gentle surfactants in the industry, used in everything from baby shampoos to high-end cleansers. It helps the formula feel luxurious without adding harshness.
- Potassium Cocoate: A soap derived from coconut oil. This is the most potentially stripping surfactant in the formula, but it's listed fourth and is likely present at a low concentration. The combination of the amino acid surfactants and the soap creates a balanced cleansing profile — enough cleaning power to remove sunscreen and light makeup, but not so much that it leaves your face tight.
- Glycolipids: This is a genuinely interesting inclusion. Glycolipids are biosurfactants produced by fermentation — they're naturally derived, ultragentle, and actually support the skin barrier rather than disrupting it. You don't see these in many cleansers, and their presence here signals that Rhode's formulators knew what they were doing.
Key Actives & Humectants
- Polyglutamic Acid (PGA): This is the hero ingredient, and it's a smart choice. PGA is a polypeptide that holds roughly four times more water than hyaluronic acid by weight. It's also a much larger molecule, which means it stays on the surface of the skin rather than penetrating deep — in a rinse-off cleanser, this is actually ideal. The PGA deposits on the skin during the wash and forms a hydrating film that persists after rinsing. It's the ingredient most responsible for the "no tightness" feeling after cleansing.
- Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate: A cationic (positively charged) form of hyaluronic acid that adheres to the skin's negatively charged surface. This is the "next-gen hyaluronic acid" Rhode mentions in their marketing. It's a genuinely smart formulation choice for a rinse-off product because it actually binds to the skin during the wash rather than sliding off with the water. The contact time is short, but the cationic charge means some of it stays behind.
- Saccharide Isomerate: A skin-identical sugar complex that binds to the skin's surface and provides long-lasting hydration. It's derived from corn sugar and is a well-known humectant in the professional skincare space. It's expensive enough that most drugstore cleansers skip it, so seeing it here at this price point is notable.
- Glycerin: The workhorse humectant. It's the second ingredient after water, which means it's present at a significant concentration. Glycerin is the most well-researched and effective humectant in cosmetics — it draws water into the stratum corneum and helps maintain the skin's natural moisture balance. Its high placement in the INCI list is the single strongest indicator that this cleanser won't leave your skin dry.
Enzymatic Exfoliation
- Ananas Sativus (Pineapple) Fruit Extract: This is the "pineapple refresh" in the name, and it's not just for scent marketing. Pineapple fruit contains bromelain, a proteolytic enzyme that breaks down the keratin proteins that hold dead skin cells together. This is a much gentler form of exfoliation than AHAs or BHAs — it doesn't require a specific pH to work, it doesn't cause stinging, and it's self-limiting (the enzyme denatures itself after a certain point). In a rinse-off cleanser, the brief contact time means the exfoliation is subtle rather than dramatic, but it's enough to provide a noticeable smoothing effect over time. INCIDecoder classifies this as a "goodie" and a "soothing" ingredient — the bromelain enzyme also has anti-inflammatory properties, which is a nice bonus.
Antioxidants & Skin-Supporting Oils
- Tocopherol (Vitamin E): A fat-soluble antioxidant that protects the skin from free radical damage. In a rinse-off product, it's a minor contributor, but it helps protect the oils in the formula from oxidation.
- Hippophae Rhamnoides (Sea Buckthorn) Fruit Oil: A nutrient-dense oil rich in omega-7 fatty acids, vitamin C, and vitamin E. It's anti-inflammatory, supports wound healing, and provides a small amount of emolliency. It's classified as a "goodie" by INCIDecoder.
- Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract: Green tea leaf extract, a potent antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties. Like the pineapple extract, it's classified as both a "goodie" and a "soothing" ingredient. It's present at a low concentration but contributes to the overall gentleness profile.
- Lactobacillus Ferment: A probiotic ferment that supports the skin's microbiome. It's a "goodie" that also has soothing properties. In a cleanser, it's unlikely to have a dramatic effect on the microbiome, but it's a thoughtful inclusion that signals the formulator was thinking about the skin's ecosystem.
What's Not in It
This is where Rhode earns serious points. The Pineapple Refresh Cleanser is completely fragrance-free — no essential oils, no synthetic fragrance, no masking agents. INCIDecoder's analysis shows zero "icky" ingredients, zero irritants. The preservative system uses hydroxyacetophenone, caprylyl glycol, and 1,2-hexanediol — a mild, modern preservative system that's well-tolerated by sensitive skin. There's no SLS, no SLES, no parabens, no drying alcohols. For a product that's marketed as a "treat," the formula is refreshingly stripped of unnecessary irritants.
Texture & Application
The texture is where the "Pineapple Refresh" name starts making sensory sense. The cleanser dispenses as a thick, golden-tinted balm that's denser than a traditional gel cleanser but lighter than a cleansing balm. It's somewhere between honey and a soft pomade in consistency — it holds its shape when you squeeze it out but immediately begins to melt on contact with warm skin.
When you add water, the transformation is genuinely satisfying. The balm emulsifies into a silky, creamy lather that's rich without being excessive. The foam isn't the dense, airy meringue you get from a foaming net — it's more of a soft, cushiony cream that glides over the skin. The lather feels luxurious in a way that's hard to describe without sounding like a beauty editor. It's the kind of texture that makes you look forward to washing your face at the end of a long day.
The rinse-off is where the formula's thoughtfulness really shows. The cleanser rinses completely clean — no film, no residue, no slip — but it also doesn't leave your skin feeling tight, squeaky, or stripped. My skin felt immediately comfortable after patting dry, with a noticeable softness that I usually associate with leaving a hydrating serum on, not with washing my face. That's the polyglutamic acid and the cationic hyaluronic acid doing their work — depositing during the wash and staying behind after the rinse.
As for makeup removal, the cleanser handles light coverage — tinted moisturizer, mineral sunscreen, concealer, powder — without difficulty. For heavier makeup, waterproof products, or long-wear foundation, you'll need a dedicated first cleanse (oil cleanser or micellar water). It's not a one-step solution for a full face of makeup, but it wasn't designed to be.
Two-Week Wear Test
Conditions tested: Late winter transitioning into early spring. Indoor heating still running, outside temperatures fluctuating between the 30s and 50s. I was using a 0.1% retinol three nights a week and a 10% azelaic acid serum every morning — a routine that makes any cleanser change a potential disaster. My skin type is combination (oily T-zone, normal-to-dry cheeks) with occasional hormonal breakouts along my jawline.
Days 1–3: I swapped out my usual morning cleanser (CeraVe Hydrating) for the Rhode Pineapple Refresh. The first thing I noticed was the texture difference — the Rhode is thicker, more balm-like, and requires more effort to spread across the face than the CeraVe's lotion consistency. The lather is richer, and the rinse-off leaves my skin feeling noticeably softer. No irritation, no tightness, no stinging. The pineapple enzyme didn't cause any tingling or burning — my skin is moderately tolerant of exfoliants, but I was still expecting some reaction on the first day. Nothing. Just clean, comfortable skin.
Days 4–7: By the end of the first week, I'd started to notice a subtle difference in my skin's texture. The morning after the first few uses, my skin felt smoother to the touch — not dramatically so, but enough that I noticed it when applying my azelaic acid serum. Small dry patches around my nose that usually persist through winter seemed less pronounced. I also noticed that my skin looked slightly brighter, with a more even tone. This is consistent with gentle enzymatic exfoliation — the bromelain in the pineapple extract is slowly dissolving the intercellular bonds holding dead skin cells, and the effect compounds over multiple days of use. I was starting to understand why people pay $30 for this cleanser.
Days 8–11: I hit a potential roadblock. A small breakout appeared on my left jawline — two whiteheads clustered together. My first instinct was to blame the cleanser. I put it on pause for two days and switched back to my CeraVe. The breakout ran its course without getting worse or spreading. I resumed the Rhode on day 11, and the breakout didn't recur. I'm reasonably confident the cleanser wasn't the cause — the timing was coincidental, and the formula is comedogenic-free. But I'm noting it here because anyone with acne-prone skin should be aware that any new product can trigger a reaction, even if the formula is clean.
Days 12–14: The final stretch confirmed what the first week and a half had suggested. The Rhode Pineapple Refresh Cleanser is a genuinely well-formulated daily cleanser that delivers on its promise of gentle exfoliation and lasting hydration. The subtle smoothing effect continued, and my skin maintained a healthy, hydrated appearance throughout the day. The most telling sign was that I didn't feel the need to rush to my moisturizer after cleansing — my skin felt comfortable on its own, which is the highest compliment I can give a cleanser.
One specific observation: I tested the cleanser on a day when I'd been sweating at the gym in the morning. I came home, washed my face, and the Rhode handled the sweat, residual sunscreen, and general grime without any issue. The lather was slightly less rich on the second use (expected — the first cleanse had already removed the bulk of the buildup), and my skin felt fresh and clean afterward. For a morning post-workout wash, it's perfect.
Pros
- Genuinely gentle surfactant system: Amino acid-based surfactants, glycolipids, and a mild soap — no SLS, no SLES, no drying agents. The formula cleans effectively without stripping the barrier.
- Polyglutamic acid delivers visible hydration: The PGA is not just a marketing claim. My skin felt consistently softer and more hydrated after two weeks of use, even when I delayed my moisturizer application.
- Subtle enzymatic exfoliation: The pineapple enzyme provides a gentle, gradual smoothing effect that's ideal for daily use. No stinging, no irritation, no purging — just consistently smoother skin over time.
- Luxurious texture: The balm-to-lather transformation is genuinely satisfying. The texture is thick enough to feel substantial but light enough to rinse clean. Best in class for sensorial experience.
- Completely fragrance-free: No essential oils, no synthetic fragrance, no masking agents. This is a real win for sensitive skin and one of the product's strongest selling points.
- Clean preservative system: Hydroxyacetophenone, caprylyl glycol, and 1,2-hexanediol — a modern, mild preservation system that's well-tolerated by even reactive skin.
- Zero icky ingredients: INCIDecoder analysis shows no irritants, no drying alcohols, no comedogenic ingredients. The ingredient list is remarkably clean for a celebrity brand.
Cons
- Price: At $30 for 5 oz, this is not a budget cleanser. You can get equally effective cleansing from CeraVe or Byoma for a fraction of the cost. The Pineapple Refresh is paying for the texture, the enzyme technology, and the brand name.
- Not a heavy-duty makeup remover: If you wear full-coverage foundation or waterproof mascara, you'll need a first cleanse. The formula is gentle by design, which means it's not going to cut through heavy makeup.
- Enzymatic exfoliation is subtle: If you're used to the dramatic smoothness of a 10% lactic acid or a 2% BHA, the bromelain in this cleanser will feel underwhelming. The exfoliation is cumulative and gentle — it's not a resurfacing treatment.
- Acrylates copolymer: The second ingredient after water is acrylates copolymer, a film-forming agent that can feel slightly tacky to some people. I didn't notice it, but if you're sensitive to film-formers, be aware.
- Availability: Rhode is a direct-to-consumer brand, which means you can only buy it from rhodeskin.com. No Sephora, no Ulta, no Target. This is inconvenient if you prefer to see products in person before buying.
Who Is This For?
This cleanser is ideal for normal to dry skin types who want a gentle, hydrating daily cleanser that provides subtle exfoliation without the sting of acids. It's particularly well-suited for people who find traditional exfoliants too harsh but still want some smoothing action. Sensitive skin types will appreciate the fragrance-free formula and the mild surfactant system. Combination skin can use it comfortably — it's hydrating enough for dry cheeks but doesn't leave the T-zone feeling greasy.
Oily skin types might find it a touch too gentle. If you produce a lot of sebum and need that deeply clean, mattified feeling, this cleanser won't deliver it. The polyglutamic acid and the film-forming acrylates copolymer leave a subtle hydration layer that oily skin types might interpret as residue. Stick to a gel or foaming cleanser if that's your preference.
Acne-prone skin: the formula is non-comedogenic and fragrance-free, which is a good sign. But any new product carries a risk of reaction, and the pineapple enzyme, while gentle, can theoretically trigger a response in highly reactive skin. Patch test before committing.
Price & Where to Buy
Rhode Pineapple Refresh Cleanser retails for $18 USD for 1.35 oz (40 ml) or $30 USD for 5 oz (148 ml). It's available exclusively from Rhode's website at rhodeskin.com — the brand is direct-to-consumer and does not currently sell through third-party retailers like Sephora or Ulta. Rhode does offer free shipping on orders over a certain threshold, and they frequently include free samples with purchases. The 5 oz bottle lasts roughly two to three months with twice-daily use, which works out to about $0.20 per use — not terrible for a premium cleanser, but significantly more than the $0.05 per use you'd get from a drugstore competitor.
Comparison Notes
Against CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser: The CeraVe is the closest price comparison at roughly $15 for 16 oz — a fraction of the Rhode's cost. The CeraVe is a no-foam, lotion-based cleanser that relies on ceramides and hyaluronic acid for hydration. It's effective, reliable, and dermatologist-approved. The Rhode wins on texture and the enzyme exfoliation benefit, but the CeraVe is a better value if you're looking for a basic hydrating cleanser without any bells and whistles. The Rhode is a treat; the CeraVe is a staple.
Against Byoma Creamy Jelly Cleanser: The Byoma is $12 for 150ml and offers a tri-ceramide complex in a gentle foaming formula. Both are fragrance-free and barrier-friendly. The Byoma has a lighter, more gel-like texture and produces a creamier foam. The Rhode has a richer, balmier texture and the enzyme exfoliation benefit. The Byoma is the better value; the Rhode is the more luxurious experience. I'd recommend the Byoma for daily use and the Rhode as a rotation cleanser when you want the extra smoothing benefit.
Against COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser: The COSRX is roughly $12 for 150ml and uses tea tree oil and betaine salicylate for a gentle but slightly astringent cleanse. The COSRX has a thinner gel texture and a noticeable tea tree scent. The Rhode is gentler, more hydrating, and completely fragrance-free. If you're acne-prone and want the tea tree's antibacterial properties, the COSRX is the better choice. If you want hydration and gentle exfoliation without the medicinal scent, the Rhode wins.
Final Verdict
The Rhode Pineapple Refresh Cleanser is the best celebrity-brand cleanser I've used, and it's one of the better hydrating exfoliating cleansers at any price point. The formula is thoughtful, the texture is luxurious, and the results — subtle smoothing, genuine hydration, no irritation — are consistent and reproducible. The pineapple enzyme provides a gentle exfoliation that compounds over time without the sting of traditional acids, and the polyglutamic acid and cationic hyaluronic acid deliver visible hydration that persists after rinsing. It's not a miracle product, and it's not going to replace your weekly exfoliating treatment, but as a daily cleanser that gently smooths and hydrates in one step, it's genuinely effective. The only real limitations are the price (you're paying for the Rhode name and the premium texture) and the availability (direct-to-consumer only). If you can afford the splurge and you want a cleanser that feels like a treat without compromising on formulation, the Pineapple Refresh is worth every dollar. It's earned its four stars.