CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser for dry sensitive skin
Sodium Hyaluronate
Ceramide Np
Ceramide Ap- Ceramide Eop
Cholesterol
Superior
- SuperiorDry Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
One of the best cleansers for dry sensitive skin.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dry sensitive skin: flakiness, tightness, redness, fine lines, and wrinkles. 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
- Excellent suitability for your dry and sensitive skin as glycerin and sodium hyaluronate provide superior hydration and barrier support, while ceramides and cholesterol actively repair and strengthen your skin barrier.
- The formulation effectively cleanses without stripping, addressing your dry or flaky skin concerns by maintaining moisture levels and enhancing overall skin comfort.
- This product is safe for your skin, featuring a gentle formula with no harsh ingredients and incorporating soothing components.
How to apply
- Use your cleanser AM and PM every day to keep your face fresh. Start slowly once a day if your dry skin feels sensitive at first.
- Apply your cleanser first thing in your routine before any toner or moisturizer. Follow the usual steps for your AM or PM daily routine.
- Gently massage the cleanser onto your face using soft circular motions. Avoid harsh rubbing to protect your dry skin.
- Apply the cleanser to slightly damp skin to help it clean gently without stripping moisture. This method is very safe for sensitive and dry skin types.
- Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water and avoid the delicate eye area. Always do a patch test before using the product for the first time.
People Say
★4.6Overall rating based on 23.2k+ reviewsMany users report it helps with flakiness and soothes irritation, even alongside acne treatments. Some users dislike the lotion-like texture, finding it leaves a film or is insufficient for removing heavy makeup.
Highlights
Non-stripping hydration Mostly Mentioned
- “face feels plump and hydrated”
- “doesn't leave skin squeaky or tight”
- “saved my moisture barrier”
Extremely gentle Often Mentioned
- “perfect for sensitive skin”
- “great while using retinol/Accutane”
Poor makeup removal Often Mentioned
- “doesn't take off waterproof makeup”
- “need to double cleanse”
- “leaves residue of foundation”
Beneficial ingredients Sometimes Noted
- “love the ceramides for repair”
- “hyaluronic acid helps retain moisture”
- “fragrance-free is a huge plus”
Creamy texture Sometimes Noted
- “feels like washing with lotion”
- “smooth and silky application”
- “very comforting on dry patches”
"Unclean" feeling Sometimes Noted
- “feels like rubbing lotion on dirt”
- “skin doesn't feel clean after”
- “leaves a waxy film”
Burning sensation Rarely Noted
- “burned my face instantly”
- “stung my sensitive skin”
- “caused redness and heat”
Caused breakouts Rarely Noted
- “gave me deep cystic acne”
- “clogged my pores immediately”
- “caused tiny whiteheads”
Sources: lovi.care, walmart.com, ulta.com, target.com, cerave.com, reddit.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser one of the best fits for dry sensitive skin?
CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser is one of the best fits for your dry sensitive skin because its glycerin and sodium hyaluronate provide superior hydration and barrier support while ceramides and cholesterol actively repair and strengthen your skin barrier. The gentle formula cleanses effectively without stripping your skin, maintaining moisture levels and enhancing overall comfort.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for dry sensitive skin?
Glycerin and sodium hyaluronate make this cleanser a great fit because they provide deep hydration and support the skin barrier, while ceramides and cholesterol actively repair and strengthen it. These ingredients help cleanse your skin without stripping away essential moisture, keeping dry and sensitive skin comfortable and smooth.
What does Hyaluronic Acid do for dry sensitive skin?
Hyaluronic acid is a great fit for dry, sensitive skin because it brings a large boost in hydration, making the skin feel soft and smooth while improving barrier function. It helps calm tightness and dryness, and is unlikely to cause irritation.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2011Dermatology and Therapy, 2021
What do Ceramides do for dry sensitive skin?
Ceramides help hydrate dry sensitive skin and strengthen its outer barrier to reduce water loss and calm irritation. Using a product with ceramides often improves skin comfort and makes the skin feel much softer.
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for dry sensitive skin?
This cleanser fits into both your morning and evening routine as the first step on bare skin. Using a gentle daily cleanser helps wash away impurities while maintaining moisture levels and keeping dry, sensitive skin comfortable.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cleanser with retinol by washing your face with it before applying your retinol treatment to help keep your skin calm and hydrated. Using gentle cleansers with ceramides and hydrating ingredients supports your skin barrier and may reduce dryness and irritation from retinol.
How often should I use this cleanser?
You can use this cleanser twice a day in your morning and evening routines. Using a mild cleanser daily helps improve dryness and keeps your skin comfortable without stripping away needed moisture.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry sensitive skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to cause breakouts or clog pores for dry sensitive skin, as it features a gentle formula with soothing ingredients that cleanses without stripping moisture. Breakouts are a low complaint among reviewers.
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
Yes, you can use this gentle cleanser around your eyes and on your body because its mild formula effectively cleanses without stripping moisture, making it safe for delicate areas and drier skin types.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol. Cetearyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, and cetyl alcohol are fatty alcohols, which soften the skin.
What the research says
A single application of a moisturizing fluid containing hyaluronic acid 1%, glycerin 5%, and Centella asiatica stem cells extract significantly increased skin hydration by 29% and reduced transepidermal water loss at 24 hours compared to baseline and an untreated control site in twenty healthy women.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Emulsions containing ceramides 1 and 3 improved skin hydration and reduced transepidermal water loss in sodium lauryl sulfate-irritated skin of fifteen healthy Asian women compared to a control emulsion.
International Journal of Dermatology, 2008Topical 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, 2019Botulinum toxin-A encapsulated in phosphatidylcholine/cholesterol nanoliposomes delivered transdermally achieved a diffusion depth of 380 μm and showed a nonsignificant advantage in relieving post-acne scarring compared to hyaluronic acid hydrogel treatment in 12 facial patients.
Journal of Materials Science. Materials in Medicine, 2024Topical application of cholesterol sulfate increases stratum corneum thickness and inhibits protease-induced cell dissociation by competitively inhibiting serine proteases in mice and human stratum corneum.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 1998Topical lovastatin treatment impairs the recovery of cutaneous permeability barrier function and stratum corneum cholesterol levels after acetone disruption in mice, an effect normalized by simultaneous treatment with mevalonate or cholesterol.
The Journal of Clinical Investigation, 1990
Ingredients
Water, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Peg-40 Stearate, Stearyl Alcohol, Potassium Phosphate, Ceramide Np, Ceramide Ap, Ceramide Eop, Carbomer, Glyceryl Stearate, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cholesterol, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium Edta, Dipotassium Phosphate, Tocopherol, Phytosphingosine, Xanthan Gum, Cetyl Alcohol, Polysorbate 20, 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.
-
Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
-
Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
-
Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
-
Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
-
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
-
Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
-
Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
-
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.