CeraVe Makeup Removing Cleanser Balm for sensitive skin
Ceramide Np
Ceramide Ap- Ceramide Eop
Jojoba Seed Oil
Tocopherol
High
- HighNormal Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- HighSafety
A great choice for sensitive skin; a few pre-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
- Offers excellent makeup removal for your normal skin, as ethylhexyl palmitate and peg-20 glyceryl triisostearate effectively dissolve impurities while ceramides and cholesterol support your skin barrier to address redness and irritation.
- The inclusion of jojoba seed oil provides additional emollient benefits, complementing the barrier-supporting ingredients for overall skin health.
- The product is safe for your sensitive skin, with no harsh or prohibited ingredients that could cause irritation.
How to apply
- Use this makeup remover PM as the first step of your evening routine. Start 3x/week before building up to daily use if your skin tolerates it well.
- Apply this makeup remover before your regular cleanser and toner. Follow with your usual moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated.
- Gently press a small amount of the makeup remover onto your face using a soft cotton pad. Avoid any harsh rubbing to protect your sensitive skin.
- Apply the makeup remover on dry skin to ensure better tolerance for sensitive areas. This helps reduce any potential irritation or redness.
- Do a patch test before your first use and avoid the direct eye area to ensure safe application.
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 sensitive skin?
CeraVe Makeup Removing Cleanser Balm is a great fit because it gently dissolves makeup while ceramides and cholesterol support your skin barrier to calm redness and irritation. Jojoba seed oil and vitamin E provide extra soothing benefits, and the formula avoids harsh ingredients that might upset delicate skin.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for sensitive skin?
This cleanser is a great fit for sensitive skin because it uses ceramides and cholesterol to support your skin barrier while soothing redness and irritation. Additionally, jojoba seed oil helps calm the skin and keeps it soft without causing trouble.
What do Ceramides do for sensitive skin?
Ceramides help calm sensitive skin by strengthening the protective barrier, which may reduce discomfort and sensitivity over time. This type of product works best when it contains properly dissolved ceramides combined with soothing ingredients to support the skin without causing irritation.
Archives of Dermatological Research, 2018Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2026
What does Ceramide AP do for sensitive skin?
Ceramide AP helps calm sensitive skin by strengthening the moisture barrier and locking in hydration to reduce dryness and irritation. It is unlikely to cause a reaction because it supports the natural lipids found in healthy skin.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2025Experimental Dermatology, 2025
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for sensitive skin?
This makeup remover goes in the evening routine before your regular cleanser. It is safe for sensitive skin and helps melt away impurities without causing irritation.
Can I use it with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this makeup remover with retinol in your evening routine by applying it as your first step before cleansing to gently take off makeup without irritating sensitive skin. Using a barrier-supporting product first helps keep skin calm and lessens the dryness or redness that retinol may sometimes cause.
How often should I use it?
You can use this makeup remover in the evening as the first step of your PM and weekly routines. It is a great fit for sensitive skin because it gently washes away makeup while ceramides and jojoba seed oil help calm redness and keep your skin barrier happy.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for sensitive skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts on sensitive skin, as it has no harsh ingredients that trigger irritation or redness. It washes away easily while ceramides and jojoba seed oil help keep your skin calm and balanced.
Is it fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Topical 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, 2024Clay 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 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, 2025Nanolipidgel formulations with argan or jojoba oil and humectants demonstrate good sensory attributes, instrumental properties, and moisturizing efficacy for cosmetic application.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2014Topical 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
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