🇦🇺Australia

Cetaphil Extra Gentle Daily Scrub for combination skin

High

  • SuperiorCombination Skin Fit
  • HighEffectiveness
  • ExcellentSafety

A great choice for combination skin; a few exfoliants 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 moderate exfoliation for your combination skin, as Bambusa Vulgaris Stem Extract gently buffs away dead skin cells to manage oily shine. Glycerin and Panthenol Vitamin B5 provide essential hydration and barrier support, balancing your skin's needs.
  • Tocopheryl Acetate Vitamin E contributes antioxidant protection, further supporting your skin's health and resilience.
  • The formula is safe for your skin, with no harsh ingredients and the inclusion of soothing agents like Panthenol Vitamin B5 and Tocopheryl Acetate Vitamin E.

How to apply

  • Use this exfoliant product in your PM routine starting once a week, then increase frequency carefully if your skin feels fine.
  • Apply this exfoliant step after cleansing and toner, but right before your moisturizer.
  • Gently press 2-3 drops of the exfoliant into your skin and wait a minute before layering.
  • Apply the exfoliant to clean, dry skin to help control your oily shine comfortably.
  • Avoid the eye area and do a patch test before your first use.

People Say

★4.5Overall rating based on 5.0k+ reviews

Based on a very large amount of data, users with sensitive and combination skin widely praise this scrub for its ability to exfoliate without causing redness or irritation, often noting it is gentle enough for daily use as advertised. The majority report softer, smoother skin and a non-stripping finish, though a minority find the exfoliation too mild for deep cleansing.

Highlights

  • Gentle exfoliation Mostly Mentioned
    • “Micro-fine granules don't irritate”
    • “Gentle enough for everyday use”
    • “Didn't trigger redness or nausea”
  • Good for sensitive skin Often Mentioned
    • “Best product for my very sensitive skin”
    • “No burning or stinging”
    • “Great for acne-prone sensitive skin”
  • Non-stripping Often Mentioned
    • “Didn't feel dry or tight”
    • “Leaves moisture barrier intact”
    • “Face feels clean but not stripped”
  • Softens skin Often Mentioned
    • “Skin feels instantly softer”
    • “Leaves face smooth and radiant”
    • “Improved skin texture significantly”
  • Pleasant scent Sometimes Noted
    • “Smell was great and not perfumy”
    • “Has a subtle, non-overpowering fragrance”
    • “Love that it is fragrance-free”
  • Too gentle Sometimes Noted
    • “Deep cleansing ability is not very strong”
    • “Particles are too small to feel”
    • “Didn't feel like a scrub at all”
  • Caused breakouts Rarely Noted
    • “Broke out after a week”
    • “Caused a minor purge”
    • “Face felt burning after use”
  • Chemical smell Rarely Noted
    • “Smell is too strong like chemical extract”
    • “Has a weird medicinal scent”
    • “Scent was off-putting”
  • Left residue Rarely Noted
    • “Felt like a film was on my face”
    • “Hard to rinse off completely”
    • “Left a greasy feeling”

Sources: lovi.care, amazon.com, walmart.com, target.com, ulta.com, walgreens.com, and more

Questions and answers

What makes Cetaphil Extra Gentle Daily Scrub a great fit for combination skin?

Cetaphil Extra Gentle Daily Scrub is a great fit because it gently buffs away dead skin cells to manage oily shine while providing essential hydration. Glycerin and Panthenol Vitamin B5 balance your skin's needs and support the moisture barrier, while Tocopheryl Acetate Vitamin E helps protect against daily damage.

Scientific Reports, 2025American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002

Which ingredients make this exfoliant a good fit for combination skin?

Bambusa Vulgaris Stem Extract gently buffs away dead skin cells to manage oily shine, while Glycerin and Panthenol Vitamin B5 keep your skin hydrated and balanced. Tocopheryl Acetate Vitamin E further supports your skin's health by providing antioxidant protection and soothing benefits.

Scientific Reports, 2025American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002

What does Glycerin do for combination skin?

Glycerin helps keep combination skin soft and smooth by pulling moisture in and keeping it there. It improves hydration and supports your skin barrier, which is unlikely to cause irritation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2008Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

What does Panthenol do for combination skin?

Panthenol helps combination skin by boosting hydration, balancing oil, and calming redness without feeling heavy. It supports the skin barrier so dry areas feel soft and smooth while keeping oily zones comfortable.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

Where does this exfoliant go in a skincare routine for combination skin?

This exfoliant is a great fit for your combination skin and should be used once a week to start. It gently buffs away dead skin cells to manage oily shine while providing essential hydration and barrier support.

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

You can use this exfoliant with retinol, but apply them on different days or times to avoid making your skin too sensitive. Using soothing ingredients like panthenol helps keep your skin calm when trying active routines.

American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002

How often should I use this exfoliant?

Use this exfoliant once a week to start, and if your skin feels comfortable and you see good results, you can carefully use it more often. The formula gently buffs away dead skin cells to manage oily shine while providing hydration and barrier support.

Can this exfoliant clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for combination skin?

This exfoliant is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for combination skin, as complaints about breakouts are low and the formula includes gentle, soothing ingredients like Glycerin, Panthenol Vitamin B5, and Tocopheryl Acetate Vitamin E. It helps buff away dead skin cells while supporting your skin's moisture balance without harsh components.

Scientific Reports, 2025American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002

Is this exfoliant fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.

What the research says

  • Topical dexpanthenol acts as a moisturizer, improves stratum corneum hydration, accelerates wound healing and epidermal regeneration, reduces erythema, and improves symptoms of skin irritation compared to vehicle or no pretreatment.

    American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002
  • A new topical panthenol-containing emollient significantly improved transepidermal water loss reduction, stratum corneum hydration, and intercellular lipid lamellae length compared with control in healthy subjects without negatively impacting bacterial viability.

    The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017
  • A panthenol-enriched mask significantly decreased erythema and hyperpigmentation, increased sebum and stratum corneum moisture, and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to a saline dressing in 60 subjects undergoing facial laser treatment.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025
  • Co-encapsulation of alpha-tocopherol and alpha-tocopheryl acetate in nanostructured lipid carrier gel formulations significantly enhanced moisture retention up to 68% and improved skin elasticity in human volunteers compared to a solution gel.

    Scientific Reports, 2025
  • Dermatological 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, 2021
  • 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
  • Moisturizer containing 5% panthenol, madecassoside, and copper-zinc-manganese decreased adverse reactions and downtime after ablative fractional carbon dioxide laser resurfacing with comparable efficacy to 0.02% triamcinolone acetonide cream in 20 subjects.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019
  • Topical dexpanthenol formulated in lipophilic vehicles improved stratum corneum hydration and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to vehicle control in humans.

    Arzneimittel-Forschung, 2000
  • Hyaluronic acid, hyaluronic acid plus dexpanthenol, and isotonic saline nasal sprays all significantly improved dry nose symptoms over four weeks in 240 patients, with hyaluronic acid plus dexpanthenol providing superior nasal moisturisation compared to the other two.

    Auris, Nasus, Larynx, 2020
  • Topical 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, 2025
  • Topical 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
  • A topical antioxidant serum significantly reduced air pollution-induced skin pigmentation and proinflammatory gene expression ex vivo, and improved skin aging signs in 40 healthy adult females after 90 days of daily use.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022
  • Ethyl acetate and aqueous fractions of Bambusa vulgaris leaves accelerate cutaneous wound healing and inhibit carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats.

    Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine, 2016
  • The cytotoxic effect of sodium lauryl sulphate on normal human keratinocytes was significantly decreased when combined with cocamidopropyl betaine, Tween 20, and Tween 80 at concentrations well below the critical micelle concentration.

    Skin Pharmacology and Applied Skin Physiology, 2003

Ingredients

Water, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Glycerin, Coco-Glucoside, Panthenol Vitamin B5, Tocopheryl Acetate Vitamin E, Bambusa Vulgaris Stem Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Citrate, Xanthan Gum, Heliotropine, Phenoxyethanol, Polyquaternium-10, Acrylates C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Citric Acid, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate

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 2 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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