CeraVe Makeup Removing Cleanser Balm for combination skin
Ceramide Np
Ceramide Ap- Ceramide Eop
Jojoba Seed Oil
Tocopherol
High
- AverageCombination Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- HighSafety
A great choice for combination skin; a few pre-cleansers fit it even better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with combination skin: an oily T-zone, enlarged pores, and dry cheeks. 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 excellent makeup removal for your combination skin due to ethylhexyl palmitate and peg-20 glyceryl triisostearate effectively dissolving impurities, while ceramides and cholesterol support barrier repair.
- While it provides general cleansing benefits, it lacks specialized ingredients to address your oily shine concerns.
- The formula is safe for your combination skin, with no risks of irritation from harsh ingredients.
How to apply
- Use this makeup remover PM as the first step of your evening routine to clear away excess oil.
- Apply this makeup remover before your regular cleanser to effectively break down heavy makeup and dirt.
- Gently wipe the makeup remover across your face using a soft cotton pad, avoiding harsh rubbing.
- Use the makeup remover on completely dry skin to help dissolve surface oils and impurities best.
- Avoid direct contact with the eyes while using this makeup remover.
People Say
★4.5Overall rating based on 8.0k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this balm is highly recommended by users with sensitive and dry skin for its effective makeup removal without stripping moisture. While most users find it excellent for all types of makeup, a significant number of reviews mention the small product size relative to its price and a plastic-like smell despite the product being fragrance-free.
Highlights
Hydrating and non-stripping Mostly Mentioned
- “Leaves skin soft”
- “does not dry out face”
- “feels moisturizing”
Small size, poor value Mostly Mentioned
- “Tiny jar (1.3 oz)”
- “expensive for amount”
- “finishes too quickly”
Effective makeup removal Often Mentioned
- “Dissolves waterproof mascara”
- “melts long-wear foundation”
- “removes stubborn residue”
Gentle on sensitive skin Often Mentioned
- “No stinging”
- “non-irritating formula”
Pleasant texture Sometimes Noted
- “Melts quickly into oil”
- “silky consistency”
- “spreads easily”
Causes blurry vision Sometimes Noted
- “Cloudy eyes after use”
- “filmy vision”
- “oil gets in eyes”
Leaves oily residue Sometimes Noted
- “Leaves greasy film”
- “requires double cleansing”
- “hard to rinse off completely”
Unpleasant smell Sometimes Noted
- “Smells like plastic”
- “chemical odor”
- “lard-like scent”
Sources: lovi.care, cerave.com, ulta.com, target.com, walmart.com, dermstore.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes CeraVe Makeup Removing Cleanser Balm a great fit for combination skin?
CeraVe Makeup Removing Cleanser Balm is a great fit because ethylhexyl palmitate and peg-20 glyceryl triisostearate effectively dissolve impurities, while ceramides and cholesterol support barrier repair for your combination skin. It also has a safe formula with no risks of irritation from harsh ingredients.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for combination skin?
Ethylhexyl palmitate and peg-20 glyceryl triisostearate make this cleanser a great fit because they effectively dissolve makeup and impurities on combination skin. Additionally, ceramides and cholesterol support barrier repair.
What do Ceramides do for combination skin?
Ceramides help balance combination skin by supporting the skin barrier in dry areas without feeling heavy on oily zones, keeping the skin smooth and comfortable. They play an essential role in maintaining the outer water barrier, and a moisturizer with ceramides and light hydrators works well for this skin type.
What does Ceramide AP do for combination skin?
Ceramide AP helps keep combination skin feeling soft and balanced by supporting the skin's natural moisture barrier and holding in hydration. This type of product works best when it contains lightweight hydrators and skin-softening ingredients that nourish dry areas without feeling heavy on oilier spots.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2025American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2003
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for combination skin?
This makeup remover goes in the evening routine before your cleanser, and also as the first step of your weekly routine. It is a great fit for your combination skin because it easily dissolves impurities while helping repair your skin barrier, though it does not target oily shine.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this makeup remover in your evening routine before your cleanser and retinol treatment. The formula is safe for your skin and is unlikely to cause irritation.
How often should I use this cleanser?
Use this makeup remover in the evening to take off your makeup as part of your routine. It is a great fit for your combination skin because it safely melts away impurities and helps repair your skin barrier, though it does not target oily shine.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for combination skin?
CeraVe Makeup Removing Cleanser Balm is unlikely to cause breakouts or purging for combination skin, as its formula is safe and free of harsh irritants. However, because it can leave an oily residue, it may not fully address oily shine concerns and requires a gentle cleanser afterward to keep pores clear.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Clay jojoba oil facial masks reduced total skin lesions by a mean of 54% after 6 weeks in 133 participants with acne-prone, lesioned skin and mild acne compared to baseline.
Forschende Komplementarmedizin, 2012Topical application of jojoba wax reduced LPS-induced secretion of IL-6, IL-8, and TNFα by approximately 30% and increased the synthesis of pro-collagen III and hyaluronic acid compared to untreated skin in an ex-vivo human skin organ culture model.
Frontiers in Pharmacology, 2024Topical jojoba oil application in male mice decreased exercise-induced pro-inflammatory gene expression (Il-1b and Il-6 in soleus, Il-1b in gastrocnemius) compared to untreated exercised mice.
Biomolecules, 2025Topical 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, 2024
Ingredients
Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Polyethylene, Peg-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, Water, Ceramide Np, Ceramide Ap, Ceramide Eop, Carbomer, Triethyl Citrate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Cholesterol, Simmondsia Chinensis Jojoba Seed Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopherol, Caprylyl Glycol, Phytosphingosine, Xanthan Gum, Polysorbate 20, Benzoic Acid, Peg-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Ppg-26-Buteth-26, Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
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?
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