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CeraVe Skin Renewing Nightly Exfoliating Treatment for oily acne-prone skin

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes

CeraVe Skin Renewing Nightly Exfoliating Treatment

High

  • HighOily Skin Fit
  • HighEffectiveness
  • ExcellentSafety

A great choice for oily acne-prone skin; a few products 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 exfoliation for your oily, acne-prone skin as glycolic acid and lactic acid promote cell turnover and help manage oiliness, while Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate soothes. This combination effectively addresses your concerns with blemishes and breakouts.
  • The presence of ceramides and sodium hyaluronate further supports skin barrier function and hydration, which is beneficial for maintaining comfortable, balanced oily skin.
  • 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.

How to apply

  • Use this exfoliant as part of your PM routine once a week to start, increasing frequency only if your skin tolerates it well.
  • Apply the exfoliant after cleansing and toning, but before your final moisturizer step.
  • Gently press 2-3 drops of the exfoliant into your skin and let it absorb for a minute.
  • Apply the product directly onto clean, dry skin for the best results against breakouts.
  • Avoid the sensitive eye area and always use a daily SPF since exfoliating makes skin more sensitive to the sun.

People Say

★4.6Overall rating based on 400+ reviews

This treatment is frequently praised for its gentle yet effective exfoliation, making it suitable for sensitive or dry skin. Many users report waking up to smoother, softer skin with a brighter complexion and minimized pores, without experiencing redness or peeling. Some users noted that results may take time, and a few experienced mild tingling or disliked the texture or scent.

Highlights

  • Gentle exfoliation Mostly Mentioned
    • “gentle yet effective”
    • “no redness or flaking”
    • “great for sensitive skin”
  • Smoother texture Often Mentioned
    • “skin feels smoother”
    • “soft and hydrated”
    • “pores look smaller”
  • Brightening effects Sometimes Noted
    • “looks more radiant”
    • “brighter complexion”
    • “even skin tone”
  • Fast absorption Sometimes Noted
    • “absorbs quickly”
    • “lightweight formula”
    • “no greasy residue”
  • Hydrating feel Sometimes Noted
    • “creamy and hydrating”
    • “intensely hydrated”
    • “doesn't dry skin”
  • Daily use caution Rarely Noted
    • “daily is too much”
    • “better every other day”
    • “potential irritation”
  • Mild tingling Rarely Noted
    • “tingling sensation”
    • “prickly feeling”
    • “slight sting”
  • Scent Rarely Noted
    • “slight acidic smell”
    • “chemical scent”
    • “unpleasant odor”
  • Slow results Rarely Noted
    • “slower working”
    • “not as visible”
    • “takes time”
  • Texture preference Rarely Noted
    • “siliconey feel”
    • “thick gel-cream”
    • “slightly sticky”

Sources: lovi.care, cerave.com, amazon.com, ulta.com, skincare.com, youtube.com, and more

Questions and answers

What makes CeraVe Skin Renewing Nightly Exfoliating Treatment a great fit for oily acne-prone skin?

This product is a great fit because glycolic acid and lactic acid clear away dead cells and manage oiliness, while licorice root extract soothes your skin. It also includes ceramides and sodium hyaluronate to keep your skin barrier strong and balanced without causing irritation.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015

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

Glycolic acid and lactic acid make this exfoliant a great fit because they promote cell turnover and help manage oiliness to address breakouts. Licorice root extract, ceramides, and sodium hyaluronate further support the skin by soothing it, keeping hydration balanced, and strengthening the skin barrier.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019Experimental Dermatology, 2015

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

Glycolic acid helps clear acne-prone skin by reducing pimples and soothing breakouts. It exfoliates the surface to keep pores clear and leaves the skin feeling smooth.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019Dermatologic Surgery, 2014

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

Lactic acid helps oily acne-prone skin by gently clearing pores and reducing breakouts, which supports a smoother and clearer face. Using appropriate cosmetic acids helps calm red bumps and works well alongside acne treatments.

Der Hautarzt; Zeitschrift Fur Dermatologie, Venerologie, und Verwandte Gebiete, 2010Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2023

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

This treatment goes in your evening routine after cleansing and before moisturizing. Lovi routines start exfoliating treatments like this once a week, and you can carefully use it more often if your skin tolerates it well and shows good results.

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

This exfoliant is a great fit for your oily, acne-prone skin because the glycolic and lactic acids help clear out pores and manage oiliness. Using potent exfoliants and retinol together can easily cause irritation, so it is best to use them on different nights or consult your dermatologist to avoid overwhelming your skin.

How often should I use it?

Start by using this exfoliant treatment once a week in your evening routine, and if your skin feels comfortable and you see good results, you can carefully use it more often. This gradual approach helps your oily acne-prone skin adapt safely to the acids without causing irritation.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

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

This exfoliant is a great fit for oily acne-prone skin because glycolic acid and lactic acid help clear dead cells and manage oiliness while soothing ingredients keep irritation unlikely. It helps manage breakouts and supports a balanced feel without clogging pores.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019

Is it fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol, which soften the skin.

What the research says

  • Glycolic acid, salicylic acid, gluconolactone, and licochalcone A combined with 0.1% adapalene showed no hindrance compared to adapalene monotherapy and provided benefits in reducing complications in 25 subjects with mild-to-moderate acne vulgaris.

    Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019

  • Hyaluronic acid extracts are safe and efficacious products for skin repair when used in tissue regeneration alone or in combination with herbal or Western medicine.

    Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015

  • Licochalcone A activated Nrf2 signaling, elevated cytoprotective enzymes, increased the reduced-to-oxidized glutathione ratio, and decreased reactive oxygen species in human fibroblasts and neutrophils, while a LicA-rich licorice extract lowered UVA-induced oxidative processes in vivo.

    Experimental Dermatology, 2015

  • Repeated short-contact 70% glycolic acid peels provided superior results in atrophic acne scars compared to daily low-strength glycolic acid cream or placebo in 58 women over 24 weeks.

    International Journal of Dermatology, 2000

  • Serial glycolic acid peels combined with a modified Kligman formula significantly reduced facial PIH severity in Indian patients compared to the modified Kligman formula alone.

    Dermatologic Surgery, 2017

  • Application of a cream containing lactic acid 12% and pramoxine HCl 1% significantly improved skin dryness, hydration, and itch compared with a nontreated control in 24 women with a history of dry itchy skin.

    Cutis, 2004

  • Topical 12% ammonium lactate produced a significant sparing of epidermal and dermal atrophy induced by clobetasol propionate in human volunteers, without influencing the corticosteroid's bioavailability or antiinflammatory properties.

    Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 1992

  • A lactic acid/ceramide lotion significantly improved skin moisturization and desquamation compared to no treatment in women with dry, rough skin on the anterior shins.

    The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2020

  • Combining 755 nm alexandrite laser with topical licorice gel significantly reduces terminal hair counts compared to alexandrite laser with placebo in women with idiopathic hirsutism.

    Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2015

  • Bioactive glycyrrhizic acid and oxymatrine ionic liquid self-assembled nanomicelles significantly promoted the transdermal permeation, subcutaneous retention, and anti-photoaging efficacy of palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 in cellular and animal models compared to unformulated peptide.

    Advanced Science, 2025

  • Topical application of Glycyrrhiza glabra and Sophora japonica flavonoid-rich fractions individually and in combination significantly increased the wound healing rate and reduced oxidative stress compared to wound and Nolaver-treated groups.

    Molecules, 2023

Ingredients

Water, Glycerin, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Ceramide Np, Ceramide Ap, Ceramide Eop, Carbomer, Cetearyl Glucoside, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Triethyl Citrate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Cholesterol, Phenoxyethanol, Phenylethyl Resorcinol, Isopropyl Myristate, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Xanthan Gum, Phytosphingosine, Benzoic Acid

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.

  • Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Co-founder, Medical Director

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer

  • Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Co-founder, CEO and CTO

    PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex

  • Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Medical Board

    Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine

  • Aishani Shah, MD

    Aishani Shah, MD

    Medical Board

    Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD

  • Asya Zubkova, MS

    Asya Zubkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member

  • Hanna Kurets, MD

    Hanna Kurets, MD

    Medical Board, Medical Advisor

    Dermatology MD

  • Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Medical Board

    Dermatology and diagnostic consultant

  • Victoria Derkova, MS

    Victoria Derkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist

How does it fit your skin?

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How does it fit your skin?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.

QR code: get the Lovi app
Download on theApp Store Get it onGoogle Play