CeraVe Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser for sensitive skin

3 Essential Ceramides
Sodium Hyaluronate
Glycerin
Amino Acids
Coconut Acid
High
- HighNormal Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- HighSafety
A great choice for sensitive skin; a few cleansers fit it even better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with sensitive skin: redness, stinging, and reactions to new products. 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
- This cleanser is highly suitable for your normal skin, as glycerin and ceramides support barrier repair and hydration, while sodium methyl cocoyl taurate and coco-betaine effectively cleanse without stripping. Hyaluronic acid and salicylic acid offer additional benefits for redness and irritation by supporting skin barrier function and providing mild exfoliation.
- The formulation includes a blend of amino acids and humectants that further enhance skin hydration and barrier support, making it a well-rounded choice for maintaining comfortable, healthy-looking skin.
- The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation for your sensitive skin due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the presence of soothing components.
How to apply
- Use your cleanser in the AM and PM routines every day. Start using it daily since your sensitive skin needs gentle care.
- Apply this first in your morning and evening skincare routine before toner and moisturizer. This clears away dirt without upsetting your skin.
- Gently massage a small amount onto your face using soft circles. Avoid any rough rubbing to keep redness away.
- Apply the cleanser on slightly damp skin to help it wash away impurities softly. Clean skin feels fresh and comfortable afterwards.
- Avoid getting the cleanser in your eyes and do a quick patch test before first use. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water.
People Say
★4.6Overall rating based on 2.0k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, users with normal to dry skin frequently praise this cleanser for its effective makeup and sunscreen removal while maintaining skin hydration. A small number of users with sensitive or acne-prone skin reported experiencing burning sensations or breakouts.
Highlights
Effective makeup removal Mostly Mentioned
- “Melts makeup off”
- “Removes long-wear foundation”
- “No residue left”
- “Takes off sunscreen”
Non-stripping hydration Mostly Mentioned
- “Skin feels soft”
- “Not tight after washing”
- “Doesn't strip moisture”
- “Good for dry skin”
Pleasant texture Often Mentioned
- “Nice rich lather”
- “Creamy to foam”
- “Best of both worlds”
- “Luxurious feel”
Gentle formula Sometimes Noted
- “Fragrance-free”
- “Gentle daily wash”
- “Doesn't sting eyes”
- “Great for sensitive skin”
Burning sensation Rarely Noted
- “Eyes were swollen/burning”
- “Burning lips”
- “Stings sensitive areas”
- “Face felt on fire”
Caused breakouts Rarely Noted
- “Caused cystic acne”
- “Whiteheads appeared”
- “Broke me out”
- “Clogged my pores”
Drying for some Rarely Noted
- “Felt tight after use”
- “Dried out my skin”
- “Not hydrating enough”
- “Flaky patches appeared”
Unpleasant smell Rarely Noted
- “Plastic smell”
- “Chemical scent”
- “Smells like glue”
- “Odd odor”
Sources: lovi.care, cerave.com, influenster.com, ulta.com, target.com, reddit.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes CeraVe Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser a great fit for sensitive skin?
CeraVe Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser is a great fit for sensitive skin because it gently cleanses without stripping while using glycerin and ceramides to support hydration and barrier repair. Hyaluronic acid and amino acids further enhance moisture, and the formula avoids harsh ingredients to ensure an excellent safety profile with no risks of irritation.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for sensitive skin?
This cleanser is a great fit for sensitive skin because it includes glycerin and ceramides to support barrier repair and hydration, along with soothing components and no harsh ingredients that could cause irritation. Sodium hyaluronate and amino acids further enhance hydration, while gentle cleansing agents wash away dirt without stripping natural moisture.
What do Ceramides do for sensitive skin?
Ceramides help calm sensitive skin and make it feel more comfortable by strengthening the outer barrier. Using them regularly may help reduce stinging sensations and keep moisture locked in.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025Archives of Dermatological Research, 2018
What does Hyaluronic Acid do for sensitive skin?
Hyaluronic acid helps calm and hydrate sensitive skin while supporting the skin barrier to keep it soft and comfortable. Clinical studies show it improves surface moisture and reduces dryness, roughness, and redness without irritation.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2025Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2018
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for sensitive skin?
This cleanser goes in your morning and evening routine, before your soothing toner and moisturizer. It is very unlikely to irritate your sensitive skin thanks to its gentle ingredients that clean without stripping while supporting your skin barrier.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cleanser with retinol, applying the cleanser first to gently wash your skin before putting on your retinol treatment. This cleanser is unlikely to irritate your sensitive skin because it avoids harsh ingredients and includes soothing components that help keep your skin comfortable and hydrated.
How often should I use this cleanser?
You can use this cleanser daily in both your morning and evening routines. Its gentle formula effectively cleanses without stripping moisture, making it safe for regular use on sensitive skin.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for sensitive skin?
This cleanser is a great fit for sensitive skin and is unlikely to cause breakouts or clogged pores, as it relies on gentle cleansing agents and soothing ingredients that help keep skin calm and clear. Reviewers rarely report breakouts from this product.
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
You can use this cleanser on your body and around the eyes because its gentle ingredients and excellent safety profile are unlikely to cause irritation on sensitive skin. Glycerin and ceramides help keep the skin hydrated and comfortable across different areas.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol, 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, 2017Mycosporine-like amino acids derived from the marine green alga Chlamydomonas hedleyi exhibited antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-skin aging activities by modulating the expression of UV-responsive genes in the human fibroblast cell line HaCaT.
Marine Drugs, 2014A facial cream containing Centella asiatica leaf extract, ceramide NP, and panthenol reduced mean SS-10 scores by 66% and 76% after 2 and 4 weeks in Chinese females with sensitive skin, providing effective soothing and barrier-repairing properties with mild adverse events.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025Topical 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, 2019The emollient V0034CR significantly reduced TEWL compared to vehicle and vehicle plus glycerol, and significantly increased corneometry scores compared to vehicle and vehicle plus petrolatum in healthy volunteers with dry skin, demonstrating combined barrier function improvement from petrolatum and hydration improvement from glycerol.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Ten days of treatment with a cream containing 20% glycerin significantly increased skin hydration measured by corneometer values in 17 healthy volunteers compared to a placebo cream, but showed no influence on transepidermal water loss or skin sensitivity to an irritating surfactant.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2001Niacinamide/glycerin body moisturizers provided better rapid and prolonged improvement of cosmetic xerosis through functional improvement of stratum corneum barrier function compared to no treatment and conventional moisturizers in female subjects.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2012
Ingredients
Water, Glycerin, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Coco-Betaine, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sodium Chloride, Pca, Ppg-5-Ceteth-20, Peg-100 Stearate, Peg-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate, Peg-6 Caprylic Capric Glycerides, Peg-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Ci 77891 Titanium Dioxide, Aspartic Acid, Ceramide Np, Ceramide Ap, Ceramide Eop, Sorbitan Isostearate, Carbomer, Glycol Distearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Glyceryl Oleate, Glycine, Trideceth-6, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Threonine, Sodium Hydroxide, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Pca, Sodium Lactate, Arginine, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Serine, Sodium Benzoate, Valine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Proline, Isoleucine, Cholesterol, Phenoxyethanol, Alanine, Phenylalanine, Coconut Acid, Coco-Glucoside, Chlorphenesin, Disodium Edta, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Citric Acid, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Phytosphingosine, Xanthan Gum, Histidine, Acrylates C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Polyquaternium-53, Polyquaternium-39, Polysorbate 60, Ethylhexylglycerin, Benzoic Acid
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.