CeraVe Foaming Cleanser for acne-prone skin
Niacinamide
Sodium Hyaluronate
Ceramide Np
Ceramide Ap- Ceramide Eop
High
- HighCombination Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
A great choice for acne-prone skin; a few cleansers fit it even better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with acne-prone skin: breakouts, blackheads, and post-acne marks. 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
- Highly suitable for your combination skin as niacinamide helps regulate oil production in your oily areas while sodium hyaluronate provides essential hydration for your drier areas.
- The cleansing agents, cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine and sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, effectively remove impurities and excess oil without causing dryness.
- This formula is safe for your acne-prone skin, containing soothing niacinamide and ceramides with no harsh or irritating ingredients.
How to apply
- Could be used as part of your AM and PM routine. Start using it 3 times a week and build up to daily use if your skin tolerates it.
- This cleanser is the first step in your morning routine and the second step after your pre-cleanser in the evening. Always follow up with a toner and moisturizer .
- Gently massage a small amount of the cleanser onto your face in circular motions. Avoid harsh rubbing to keep your skin calm.
- Apply the cleanser on slightly damp skin to help it work effectively against breakouts. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water .
- Avoid the immediate eye area and do a patch test before your first use to check for any sensitivity.
People Say
★4.7Overall rating based on 27.0k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this cleanser is highly recommended for normal to oily and acne-prone skin, effectively removing oil and impurities while maintaining the skin barrier. Most users find it gentle and effective for acne and moisture balance. However, a small number of users with dry or sensitive skin report it can feel stripping or cause tightness.
Highlights
Gentle and non-stripping Mostly Mentioned
- “leaves skin clean and smooth without drying”
- “doesn't leave it feeling harsh or dry”
- “cleanses without leaving skin feeling tight”
- “face doesn't feel oily and dry”
Effective oil control Often Mentioned
- “dialed back oiliness without problems”
- “helps rid skin of oil”
- “removes excess sebum”
- “face has stopped being so darn oily”
Beneficial ingredients Sometimes Noted
- “love that it has ceramides”
- “niacinamide to calm the skin”
- “hyaluronic acid helps retain moisture”
- “ingredients that help maintain moisture balance”
Clears acne and pores Sometimes Noted
- “keeps my skin clear of acne”
- “noticed my pores shrinking”
- “helps prevent future blemishes”
- “clears my acne and I don't get cystic acne”
Caused breakouts Rarely Noted
- “started breaking out like I never have before”
- “gave me a couple of breakouts”
- “causes horrible breakouts”
- “skin purged a little bit”
Drying or tight Rarely Noted
- “left my skin feeling a bit tight”
- “incredibly dry, almost painful”
- “feels stripped and I now need damage control”
- “skin feels kind of tight”
Irritation/reactions Rarely Noted
- “made my eyelids itch and swell”
- “terrible reaction to this product”
- “peel and bleed”
- “burning sensation”
Poor makeup removal Rarely Noted
- “not great for removing makeup”
- “doesn't always get all makeup”
- “not going to remove heavy makeup”
- “need to use a separate makeup remover”
Sources: lovi.care, cerave.com, ulta.com, walmart.com, target.com, amazon.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes CeraVe Foaming Cleanser a great fit for acne-prone skin?
CeraVe Foaming Cleanser is a great fit for acne-prone skin because it safely removes excess oil and impurities without causing dryness, while soothing the skin with niacinamide and ceramides. Its gentle cleansing agents wash away dirt effectively while avoiding harsh or irritating ingredients that can upset your face.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for acne-prone skin?
This cleanser is a great fit for your acne-prone skin because it contains soothing niacinamide and ceramides with no harsh or irritating ingredients. These ingredients help calm your skin while gently removing impurities and excess oil.
What does Niacinamide do for acne-prone skin?
Niacinamide helps acne-prone skin by reducing both inflamed and uninflamed breakouts and calming redness. It is also very helpful for keeping oily skin balanced by cutting down on excess oil production, and it is well tolerated by most people.
What does Hyaluronic Acid do for acne-prone skin?
Hyaluronic acid helps acne-prone skin by soothing irritation, calming redness, and keeping the skin balanced without clogging pores. When combined with targeted ingredients like zinc oxide, it may also help reduce breakouts.
Where does it go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?
This cleanser fits neatly into both your morning and evening routines, as well as your weekly routine. It helps remove impurities and excess oil without causing dryness, making it a safe choice for acne-prone skin.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cleanser with retinol by applying it first to gently wash your face before putting on your retinol treatment. Using a gentle cleanser with ceramides helps protect your skin barrier and is unlikely to cause irritation when paired with retinol.
How often should I use it?
You can use this cleanser twice a day as part of your morning and evening routine to wash away excess oil and impurities without drying out your skin.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2020
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for acne-prone skin, as it contains soothing niacinamide and ceramides with no harsh or irritating ingredients, and reviewer complaints about breakouts are low.
Can I use it around the eyes or on my body?
You can use this cleanser on your body, but the skin around the eyes is very thin and may easily become dry or irritated with frequent cleansing. This formula removes impurities without causing dryness, though it is best to check how your delicate eye area responds.
Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 2002Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Topical post-laser application of human adipocyte-derived mesenchymal stem cell media combined with niacinamide significantly improved wrinkle index, melanin index, patient satisfaction, and investigator esthetic improvement scores compared to vehicle cream in patients with aging skin.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Topical nicotinamide prevented solar-simulated UV-induced immunosuppression in healthy volunteers, and men experienced immunosuppression at solar-simulated UV doses three times lower than those required for women.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2008Topical 5% niacinamide applied twice daily for 12 weeks reduced fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmented spots, red blotchiness, and skin sallowness, and improved skin elasticity compared to vehicle control in 50 female white subjects with facial photoaging.
Dermatologic Surgery, 2005Topical application of 0.1% hyaluronic acid formulations of different molecular weights led to significant improvements in skin hydration and elasticity, with low-molecular-weight formulations also significantly reducing wrinkle depth in seventy-six female subjects compared to a vehicle control.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2011Topical application of hyaluronic acid in conjunction with free gingival graft significantly reduced donor site postoperative pain until day 7 compared to normal saline, with no significant differences in graft dimensions or patient satisfaction.
Clinical Oral Investigations, 2022Treatment with a hyaluronic acid-containing mouth rinse or topical gel led to significant lesion reduction, pain relief, and normalization of lesion color in adult patients with minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis, with the gel formulation showing an earlier healing onset at 3 days.
BMC Oral Health, 2019
Ingredients
Water, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Propanediol, Peg-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate, Peg-6 Caprylic Capric Glycerides, Glycerin, Ceramide Np, Ceramide Ap, Ceramide Eop, Carbomer, Niacinamide, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cholesterol, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium Edta, Citric Acid, Tetrasodium Edta, Phytosphingosine, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin
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?
Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.