🇦🇺Australia

CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser for oily acne-prone skin

High

  • SuperiorOily Skin Fit
  • HighEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

A great choice for oily acne-prone skin; a few cleansers fit it even better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily acne-prone skin: shine, breakouts, blemishes, and enlarged pores. 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 cleansing for your oily skin, as salicylic acid and gluconolactone work to exfoliate and decongest pores, while niacinamide aids in seboregulation.
  • Ceramides and hyaluronic acid provide essential barrier support and hydration, complementing the exfoliating action for balanced, comfortable skin.
  • The formula is safe for your skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients.

How to apply

  • Use this cleanser as part of your AM and PM routine. Start using it daily to help clear your breakouts.
  • Apply this cleanser as the first step in the morning and right after your pre-cleanser in the evening. Follow it with your toner and moisturizer.
  • Gently massage a small amount of the cleanser onto your face using circular motions. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water and pat dry.
  • Apply the cleanser on slightly damp skin to help clean deeply and remove excess oil. This works best for oily skin types.
  • Avoid the sensitive eye area during application. Do a patch test before your first use.

People Say

★4.7Overall rating based on 10.9k+ reviews

Based on a very large amount of data, users with oily, acne-prone, and textured skin frequently praise this cleanser for smoothing skin texture and reducing breakouts without damaging the moisture barrier. Most find it gentle and effective for clearing clogged pores. A minority of users experience dryness, purging, or irritation, particularly those with very sensitive or dry skin types.

Highlights

  • Smoothes rough texture Mostly Mentioned
    • “difference in my skin's texture is noticeable”
    • “skin was definitely smoother, extremely soft”
    • “bumps are evened out and almost gone”
    • “helps with oil filled pores”
  • Clears acne/breakouts Often Mentioned
    • “helped to stop my breakout in its tracks”
    • “whiteheads... nothing new had developed”
    • “helps a lot with pimples and clogged pores”
    • “whiteheads and deep [pimples]... reduced their size”
  • Non-stripping/Gentle Sometimes Noted
    • “doesn't leave that feeling of tight skin”
    • “cleanses deeply without stripping”
    • “gentle but deep cleansing”
    • “skin never feels dry after washing”
  • Drying or tightness Sometimes Noted
    • “skin does feel a bit dry after using”
    • “face ends up tight, dry and flakey”
    • “did dry my skin just a little bit”
    • “definitely don't see myself using this every day”
  • Fragrance-free Rarely Noted
    • “mild scent... neutral, non-overpowering”
    • “love that it is fragrance free”
    • “no scent... gentle to operate”
    • “chances of irritation is very minimal”
  • Irritation or burning Rarely Noted
    • “burn the skin if you use it after exfoliating”
    • “uptick in redness on my cheeks”
    • “stunk... skin is currently very sensitive”
  • Purging or breakouts Rarely Noted
    • “produce more oil on days you use this”
    • “didn't help me with my acne that much”
    • “white heads... developing daily”
    • “skin is purging”

Sources: lovi.care, amazon.com, ulta.com, influenster.com, target.com, cerave.com, and more

Questions and answers

What makes CeraVe SA Cleanser a great fit for oily acne-prone skin?

This cleanser is a great fit because salicylic acid and gluconolactone clear out clogged pores while niacinamide helps balance oil levels. Ceramides and hyaluronic acid keep your skin comfortable and hydrated, and the gentle formula is unlikely to cause irritation.

The Australasian Journal of Dermatology, 1992Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for oily acne-prone skin?

Salicylic acid and gluconolactone help clear out oily pores, while niacinamide helps balance your skin's oil levels. Ceramides and hyaluronic acid add much-needed moisture to keep your skin soft and comfortable.

The Australasian Journal of Dermatology, 1992Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

What does Salicylic Acid do for oily acne-prone skin?

Salicylic acid helps clear breakouts and keeps oily skin balanced by reducing oil levels and calming inflammation. It is well suited for oily, acne-prone skin because it targets pimples while helping keep the skin hydrated and protected.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025Experimental Dermatology, 2019

What do Ceramides do for oily acne-prone skin?

Ceramides help restore the protective barrier of oily, acne-prone skin, which often lacks these vital lipids and suffers from moisture loss and irritation. Using products with ceramides supports skin hydration, calms redness, and improves overall texture while managing breakouts.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2023

Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin?

This cleanser fits into both your morning and evening routines as the first or second cleansing step. Salicylic acid and gluconolactone help clear out pores, while ceramides and niacinamide keep your skin balanced and comfortable.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?

You can use this cleanser alongside retinol by using it in your routine to clear pores without harsh irritation, while ceramides help keep your skin comfortable. Apply the cleanser first, rinse thoroughly, and follow with your retinol product once your skin is dry.

Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023

How often should I use this cleanser?

You can use this cleanser twice a day in your morning and evening routines for oily acne-prone skin. It gently clears out pores and balances oil without harshness, keeping your skin calm and comfortable.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023

Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily acne-prone skin?

This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores, but reviewers note a low chance of purging or breakouts as the salicylic acid and gluconolactone clear out debris from deep inside pores.

The Australasian Journal of Dermatology, 1992Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?

This cleanser is suitable for use on the body to help clear and balance oily skin, but it is generally best to avoid the very thin skin directly around the eyes to prevent any potential dryness. The gentle formula is unlikely to cause irritation, making it safe for broader body application.

Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 2002

Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.

What the research says

  • Gluconolactone 14% solution significantly improved mild to moderate acne by reducing inflamed and non-inflamed lesions similarly to 5% benzoyl peroxide, but with fewer side-effects in 150 patients.

    The Australasian Journal of Dermatology, 1992
  • Twice daily application of a multitargeted dermocosmetic cream provided comparable efficacy to benzoyl peroxide 5% gel in reducing inflammatory, non-inflammatory, and total lesions in 150 Caucasian subjects with mild-to-moderate acne over 56 days, while demonstrating superior skin tolerability.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
  • The use of a salicylic acid-based dermocosmetic significantly reduces the needed quantity of benzoyl peroxide without impacting efficacy in mild to moderate acne, and as maintenance post-benzoyl peroxide allows a significant reduction of acne relapse compared to vehicle.

    Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023
  • A moisturizer containing licochalcone A, 1,2-decanediol, L-carnitine, and salicylic acid significantly reduced noninflammatory, inflammatory, and total acne lesion counts compared to a vehicle control in Thai patients during a 12-week maintenance phase.

    BioMed Research International, 2020
  • Cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen achieved a higher cure rate (39%) than salicylic acid (24%) and a wait-and-see approach (16%) for cutaneous warts at 13 weeks in primary care patients.

    CMAJ, 2010
  • Treatment with 2% supramolecular salicylic acid hydrogel resulted in a regression and markedly improvement rate of 51.01% compared to 43.10% for Adapaline gel in patients with mild to moderate facial acne vulgaris, showing no significant difference in efficacy.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
  • Topical 5% benzoyl peroxide plus salicylic acid achieved the greatest lesion reduction at early 2 to 4 week time points compared to benzoyl peroxide, clindamycin, and combination benzoyl peroxide/clindamycin, while 5% benzoyl peroxide plus salicylic acid and combination benzoyl peroxide/clindamycin showed similar efficacy at 10 to 12 weeks in acne patients.

    Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2010
  • Topical 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, 2021
  • Topical 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, 2008
  • Topical 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, 2005
  • Topical 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, 2011
  • Topical 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, 2022
  • Treatment 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, 2019
  • 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, 2017
  • The 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, 2020
  • Ten 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, 2001

Ingredients

Water, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Glycerin, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Niacinamide, Gluconolactone, Peg-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Zea Mays Corn Oil, Ceramide Np, Ceramide Ap, Ceramide Eop, Carbomer, Calcium Gluconate, Sodium Chloride, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Cholecalciferol, Cholesterol, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium Edta, Tetrasodium Edta, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Phytosphingosine, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin

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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Prices checked 6 Nov 2026

The Lovi Fit is the same in every country; only the stores and prices differ, and the ones here are for Australia.

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