Cetaphil Extra Gentle Daily Scrub for oily skin
Glycerin
Panthenol Vitamin B5
Tocopheryl Acetate Vitamin E
Bambusa Vulgaris Stem Extract
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
High
- HighOily Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
A great choice for oily skin; a few exfoliants fit it even better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily skin: shine, enlarged pores, blackheads, and blemishes. 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
- Offers moderate exfoliation for your oily skin due to the presence of Bambusa Vulgaris Stem Extract and Cocamidopropyl Betaine, which aid in smoothing texture and providing gentle cleansing.
- Glycerin and Panthenol Vitamin B5 offer humectant action, balancing your skin's moisture levels without adding excess oil, making it highly suitable for your oily skin type.
- The product is safe for your skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the inclusion of soothing components like Panthenol Vitamin B5 and Vitamin E.
How to apply
- Use this exfoliant product as part of your PM routine once a week. Start slowly and build up frequency only if your skin tolerates it well.
- Apply the exfoliant after cleansing and toner, but right before your moisturizer.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the exfoliant into your skin and let it absorb fully. Avoid any harsh rubbing to keep your skin calm.
- Apply the exfoliant directly onto completely dry skin to get the best balance and results. Clean, dry skin helps the product work evenly.
- Always avoid the delicate eye area when applying. Be sure to use a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ daily while using exfoliating acids.
People Say
★4.5Overall rating based on 5.0k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, users with sensitive and combination skin widely praise this scrub for its ability to exfoliate without causing redness or irritation, often noting it is gentle enough for daily use as advertised. The majority report softer, smoother skin and a non-stripping finish, though a minority find the exfoliation too mild for deep cleansing.
Highlights
Gentle exfoliation Mostly Mentioned
- “Micro-fine granules don't irritate”
- “Gentle enough for everyday use”
- “Didn't trigger redness or nausea”
Good for sensitive skin Often Mentioned
- “Best product for my very sensitive skin”
- “No burning or stinging”
- “Great for acne-prone sensitive skin”
Non-stripping Often Mentioned
- “Didn't feel dry or tight”
- “Leaves moisture barrier intact”
- “Face feels clean but not stripped”
Softens skin Often Mentioned
- “Skin feels instantly softer”
- “Leaves face smooth and radiant”
- “Improved skin texture significantly”
Pleasant scent Sometimes Noted
- “Smell was great and not perfumy”
- “Has a subtle, non-overpowering fragrance”
- “Love that it is fragrance-free”
Too gentle Sometimes Noted
- “Deep cleansing ability is not very strong”
- “Particles are too small to feel”
- “Didn't feel like a scrub at all”
Caused breakouts Rarely Noted
- “Broke out after a week”
- “Caused a minor purge”
- “Face felt burning after use”
Chemical smell Rarely Noted
- “Smell is too strong like chemical extract”
- “Has a weird medicinal scent”
- “Scent was off-putting”
Left residue Rarely Noted
- “Felt like a film was on my face”
- “Hard to rinse off completely”
- “Left a greasy feeling”
Sources: lovi.care, amazon.com, walmart.com, target.com, ulta.com, walgreens.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes Cetaphil Extra Gentle Daily Scrub a great fit for oily skin?
Cetaphil Extra Gentle Daily Scrub is a great fit because it provides moderate exfoliation to smooth your skin and clear away dirt while balancing moisture without adding excess oil. It is unlikely to cause irritation and helps keep your skin calm thanks to soothing ingredients like vitamin B5 and vitamin E.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017
Which ingredients make this exfoliant a good fit for oily skin?
Bambusa Vulgaris Stem Extract and Cocamidopropyl Betaine offer gentle cleansing and moderate exfoliation that helps smooth your oily skin texture. Additionally, glycerin and Panthenol Vitamin B5 balance your skin's moisture levels without adding excess oil.
What does Glycerin do for oily skin?
Glycerin helps keep oily skin hydrated without feeling heavy and supports the skin barrier. Because this product is a weak fit for your skin, an ideal product of this type needs lightweight hydrators and ingredients that balance oil while protecting the skin.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2008International Journal of Toxicology, 2019
What does Panthenol do for oily skin?
Panthenol helps regulate sebum and reduce redness for oily skin while keeping it hydrated. It is very well tolerated and is unlikely to cause adverse reactions across oily skin types.
Where does this exfoliant go in a skincare routine for oily skin?
This exfoliant starts at once a week in your routine, and people who tolerate it well and see good results may carefully use it more often. It helps smooth texture and gently cleanse your oily skin without adding excess oil.
Can I use this exfoliant with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this exfoliant with retinol by applying the exfoliant first to cleanse and smooth texture, followed by your retinol treatment. It is unlikely to cause irritation when used together since soothing ingredients like Panthenol Vitamin B5 and Vitamin E help keep your skin calm.
How often should I use this exfoliant?
Start using this exfoliant once a week, and if your oily skin tolerates it well and shows good results, you can carefully use it more often. It helps smooth texture and balance moisture without adding excess oil.
Can this exfoliant clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?
This exfoliant is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for oily skin, as it contains soothing ingredients and balances moisture without adding excess oil. Reviewers rarely report breakouts from using it.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017
Is this exfoliant fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Topical dexpanthenol acts as a moisturizer, improves stratum corneum hydration, accelerates wound healing and epidermal regeneration, reduces erythema, and improves symptoms of skin irritation compared to vehicle or no pretreatment.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002A new topical panthenol-containing emollient significantly improved transepidermal water loss reduction, stratum corneum hydration, and intercellular lipid lamellae length compared with control in healthy subjects without negatively impacting bacterial viability.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017A panthenol-enriched mask significantly decreased erythema and hyperpigmentation, increased sebum and stratum corneum moisture, and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to a saline dressing in 60 subjects undergoing facial laser treatment.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025A 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, 2017The 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, 2001Moisturizer containing 5% panthenol, madecassoside, and copper-zinc-manganese decreased adverse reactions and downtime after ablative fractional carbon dioxide laser resurfacing with comparable efficacy to 0.02% triamcinolone acetonide cream in 20 subjects.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019Topical dexpanthenol formulated in lipophilic vehicles improved stratum corneum hydration and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to vehicle control in humans.
Arzneimittel-Forschung, 2000Hyaluronic acid, hyaluronic acid plus dexpanthenol, and isotonic saline nasal sprays all significantly improved dry nose symptoms over four weeks in 240 patients, with hyaluronic acid plus dexpanthenol providing superior nasal moisturisation compared to the other two.
Auris, Nasus, Larynx, 2020Topical application of an antioxidant serum containing 15% ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid, and 1% tocopherol prevented particulate matter-induced degradation of extracellular matrix components, inflammation, and oxidative stress in the skin of 15 female volunteers compared to untreated controls.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025Dermatological products containing d-alpha tocopheryl acetate showed non-comedogenic potential with less than a 50% increase in microcomedones in 12 healthy male subjects compared to octyl palmitate.
Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications, 2021Topical application of an antioxidant mix containing 15% ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid, and 1% tocopherol prevented PM and UV-induced skin barrier perturbation, lipid peroxidation, inflammatory markers, MMP9 activation, and Type I collagen loss in 15 healthy females compared to untreated exposed skin.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Ethyl acetate and aqueous fractions of Bambusa vulgaris leaves accelerate cutaneous wound healing and inhibit carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats.
Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine, 2016The cytotoxic effect of sodium lauryl sulphate on normal human keratinocytes was significantly decreased when combined with cocamidopropyl betaine, Tween 20, and Tween 80 at concentrations well below the critical micelle concentration.
Skin Pharmacology and Applied Skin Physiology, 2003
Ingredients
Water, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Glycerin, Coco-Glucoside, Panthenol Vitamin B5, Tocopheryl Acetate Vitamin E, Bambusa Vulgaris Stem Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Citrate, Xanthan Gum, Heliotropine, Phenoxyethanol, Polyquaternium-10, Acrylates C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Citric Acid, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate
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
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