CeraVe Blemish Control Gel for acne-prone skin
Salicylic Acid
Glycolic Acid
Lactic Acid
Niacinamide
CeramidesSuperior
- HighCombination Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- HighSafety
One of the best moisturizers for acne-prone skin.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with acne-prone skin: breakouts, blackheads, and post-acne marks. 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
- Excellent for your combination, acne-prone skin as salicylic acid and glycolic acid effectively exfoliate pores and promote skin renewal, while niacinamide helps control oil and support your skin barrier.
- Sodium hyaluronate and glycerin provide essential hydration, ensuring your skin remains balanced and comfortable throughout treatment.
- The formula is safe for your skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients.
How to apply
- Use your moisturizer twice a day in your AM and PM routines. Apply it daily to help keep breakouts under control.
- Apply after your cleanser and toner, and make sure to use your SPF right after in the morning.
- Gently spread a small amount of moisturizer over your face using soft motions. Let it absorb into the skin for a minute before getting dressed or applying makeup.
- Apply on slightly damp skin to help lock in extra moisture. This keeps your combination skin balanced without feeling heavy.
- Avoid the eye area and do a patch test before your first use. Stop using if you feel any irritation.
People Say
★4.5Overall rating based on 2.8k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, users with oily and acne-prone skin frequently praise this gel for effectively reducing active breakouts and smoothing rough texture without compromising the skin barrier. Many find it gentle and hydrating compared to other acne treatments, though a subset of users experiences an initial purging phase or dryness, suggesting a gradual introduction to the routine is advisable.
Highlights
Clears breakouts Often Mentioned
- “Shrinks pimples in a few days rather than a week”
- “Noticeable reduction in the size of my breakout overnight”
- “Cleared up my cluster of chin pimples completely”
Lightweight, absorbs fast Often Mentioned
- “Absorbs quickly without any sticky or greasy residue”
- “Layers nicely under nighttime moisturizer”
- “Feels cool and refreshing on the skin”
Gentle, non-irritating Sometimes Noted
- “Doesn't leave my face feeling dry or tight like others”
- “Zero irritation even on my sensitive areas”
- “Soothing and didn't sting when applied”
Improves texture Sometimes Noted
- “Skin feels smoother and looks less congested”
- “Helps with tiny bumps and rough patches”
- “Refines pores and leaves skin looking mattified”
Causes purging Sometimes Noted
- “Broke out literally all over my face at first”
- “Caused a bad purge before it got better”
- “Skin got worse for the first two weeks”
Drying or peeling Rarely Noted
- “Left my skin feeling a bit tight and flaky”
- “Caused peeling around my nose and mouth”
- “Too drying if used every single night”
Slow to see results Rarely Noted
- “Took about 4-6 weeks to see a real difference”
- “Not an overnight miracle, requires patience”
- “Slow and steady progress, not instant”
Sticky residue Rarely Noted
- “Goes on a bit sticky before drying down”
- “Left a tacky film that I didn't like”
- “Feels slightly glue-like if you apply too much”
Sources: lovi.care, ulta.com, boots.com, hometesterclub.com, beautycrew.com.au, cocooncenter.co.uk, and more
Questions and answers
What makes CeraVe Blemish Control Gel one of the best fits for acne-prone skin?
CeraVe Blemish Control Gel is an exceptional fit because salicylic acid and glycolic acid deeply clear pores and encourage skin renewal, while niacinamide helps manage oil and protect your barrier. Additionally, glycerin and sodium hyaluronate keep your skin feeling soft, balanced, and comfortable without any harshness.
BioMed Research International, 2020Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019
Which ingredients make this treatment a good fit for acne-prone skin?
Salicylic acid and glycolic acid make this treatment a good fit by clearing out pores and encouraging skin renewal, while niacinamide helps control oil. Additionally, ceramides, glycerin, and sodium hyaluronate keep your skin feeling soft, comfortable, and well-hydrated.
BioMed Research International, 2020Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
What does Salicylic Acid do for acne-prone skin?
Salicylic acid helps clear acne-prone skin by reducing pimples and calming redness without causing many side effects. It works by dipping deep into pores to clear out blockages and control oil, making it a reliable choice for keeping skin smooth and clear.
BioMed Research International, 2020Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
What does Glycolic Acid do for acne-prone skin?
Glycolic acid helps clear acne-prone skin by reducing pimples and breakouts. It also helps fade dark spots left behind by acne and controls skin oiliness, with very few side effects when used properly.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Dermatologic Surgery, 2014
Where does it go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?
CeraVe Blemish Control Gel goes in your evening routine as a treatment after cleansing and before moisturizing. Lovi routines start exfoliating treatments once a week, and people who tolerate them well and see good results can carefully use them more often.
BioMed Research International, 2020Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019
Can I use this treatment with retinol, and in what order?
It is best to use this treatment and retinol on alternate nights or at different times of day to lower the likelihood of dryness and irritation. Using them together may be too strong for your skin, so spacing them out helps keep your skin comfortable.
How often should I use it?
Start by using this 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 skin adjust to the exfoliating acids while keeping your barrier balanced.
Can this treatment clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?
Yes, this treatment may cause moderate purging as salicylic acid and glycolic acid clear out pores and promote skin renewal. Reviewers mention that drying, peeling, and sticky residue are low, and the formula is unlikely to cause irritation.
BioMed Research International, 2020Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019
Can I use it around the eyes or on my body?
You should avoid using this product around the eyes because the skin there is much thinner and more sensitive than the rest of the face. However, it can be applied to areas on the body with acne, as its exfoliating acids help clear pores while keeping skin balanced.
Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 2002BioMed Research International, 2020
Is this treatment 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
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, 2020Glycolic 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, 2019Twice 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, 2024A 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, 2017Cryotherapy 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, 2010Treatment 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, 2024Topical 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, 2010Repeated 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, 2000Serial 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, 2017Application 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, 2004Topical 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, 1992A 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, 2020Topical 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, 2005
Ingredients
Water, Glycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Niacinamide, Ceramide Np, Ceramide Ap, Ceramide Eop, Carbomer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Triethyl Citrate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Cholesterol, Chlorphenesin, Disodium Edta, Hydroxypropyl Guar, Caprylyl Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Phytosphingosine
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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