CeraVe Micellar Cleansing Water for sensitive skin
Niacinamide
Ceramide Np
Ceramide Ap- Ceramide Eop
Glycerin
High
- HighNormal Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- HighSafety
A great choice for sensitive skin; a few products 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
- Highly suitable for your normal skin, this cleanser effectively removes impurities with Poloxamer 184 and Glycerin while niacinamide and ceramides offer moderate benefits for your redness and irritation by soothing the skin barrier.
- The formulation is designed to support your skin's natural hydration and barrier function, making it a good choice for maintaining comfortable 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
- Could be used as part of your AM or PM routine. Start 3×/week and move to daily use if your skin tolerates it well.
- Apply your micellar water as your first cleansing step before your regular cleanser and toner. Always follow with a soothing moisturizer.
- Saturate a soft cotton pad with the micellar water and gently sweep it across your face. Avoid any harsh rubbing to protect your skin barrier.
- Use on dry skin to ensure better tolerance for your sensitive, reactive skin. There is no need to rinse it off afterwards.
- Avoid direct contact with your eyes and do a patch test before your very first use to check for comfort.
People Say
★4.5Overall rating based on 3.5k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, users with normal to dry and sensitive skin frequently praise this product for its hydrating, non-stripping formula that effectively removes light daily grime without disrupting the skin barrier. A significant number of reviewers report stinging when used around the eyes and note that it struggles to remove waterproof mascara or heavy makeup.
Highlights
Gentle and hydrating Often Mentioned
- “leaves no sticky residue”
- “instant hydration boost”
- “doesn't leave face feeling overly dry”
- “skin feels soft and clean”
Safe for sensitive skin Often Mentioned
- “never broken out using this”
- “doesn't burn my sensitive skin”
- “gentle enough for daily use”
Stings eyes Often Mentioned
- “burns my eyes terribly”
- “stings if it gets near eyes”
- “caused eye irritation and watering”
- “cannot use for eye makeup removal”
Beneficial ingredients Sometimes Noted
- “contains essential ceramides and niacinamide”
- “helps restore skin barrier”
- “love that it has hyaluronic acid”
- “great ingredient list for the price”
Effective morning cleanse Sometimes Noted
- “perfect for a light morning cleanse”
- “great for refreshing after the gym”
- “good first step in double cleansing”
- “removes sunscreen well”
Weak on makeup Sometimes Noted
- “struggles with waterproof mascara”
- “requires scrubbing to get eyeliner off”
- “doesn't remove heavy makeup completely”
- “left residue of foundation”
Skin reactions Rarely Noted
- “caused a rash on my cheeks”
- “started to break me out”
- “left my skin feeling red”
Uses many pads Rarely Noted
- “have to use a lot of product”
- “bottle goes fast”
- “takes 3-4 pads to feel clean”
- “not as efficient as Bioderma”
Sources: lovi.care, ulta.com, walmart.com, target.com, cerave.com, cocooncenter.co.uk, and more
Questions and answers
What makes CeraVe Micellar Cleansing Water a great fit for sensitive skin?
CeraVe Micellar Cleansing Water is a great fit for sensitive skin because it gently cleanses with glycerin while soothing the skin barrier with niacinamide and ceramides. This product is very safe and unlikely to cause irritation because it avoids harsh ingredients and includes calming components.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for sensitive skin?
Niacinamide, ceramides, and glycerin make this cleanser a great fit by soothing the skin barrier and supporting natural hydration without irritation. These ingredients help keep sensitive skin calm and comfortable.
What does Niacinamide do for sensitive skin?
Niacinamide helps calm sensitive skin by strengthening the skin barrier and reducing redness and irritation. It is very well tolerated and may improve overall comfort and resilience with regular use.
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
Where does it go in a skincare routine for sensitive skin?
This micellar water goes in the morning as your cleanser and in the evening as your first step to remove makeup. Using a mild cleanser helps improve visual dryness and supports the skin barrier without irritation.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022International Journal of Dermatology, 2008
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cleanser before applying retinol because its gentle formula helps keep skin comfortable and avoids extra irritation. Using a cleanser with ceramides and niacinamide supports your skin barrier while you use strong treatments.
How often should I use it?
You can use this micellar water every morning and evening as part of your routine to gently remove makeup and impurities while keeping your skin calm and comfortable. Its soothing ingredients and lack of harsh components mean it is very unlikely to cause irritation.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022International Journal of Dermatology, 2008
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. Its very safe formula avoids harsh ingredients while using gentle cleansers and soothing components that help keep skin calm and comfortable.
Is it fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
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 post-laser application of human adipocyte-derived mesenchymal stem cell media combined with niacinamide significantly improved wrinkle index, melanin index, patient satisfaction, and investigator esthetic improvement scores compared to vehicle cream in patients with aging skin.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Topical nicotinamide prevented solar-simulated UV-induced immunosuppression in healthy volunteers, and men experienced immunosuppression at solar-simulated UV doses three times lower than those required for women.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2008Topical 5% niacinamide applied twice daily for 12 weeks reduced fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmented spots, red blotchiness, and skin sallowness, and improved skin elasticity compared to vehicle control in 50 female white subjects with facial photoaging.
Dermatologic Surgery, 2005The 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, Hexylene Glycol, Poloxamer 184, Disodium Cocoamphoacetate, Disodium Edta, Niacinamide, Polyaminopropyl Biguanide, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Bht, Ceramide Np, Phenoxyethanol, Ceramide Ap, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ceramide Eop
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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