🇨🇦Canada

CeraVe Micellar Cleansing Water for oily skin

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

CeraVe Micellar Cleansing Water

Average

  • HighOily Skin Fit
  • AverageEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

Works for oily skin; other products fit it better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily skin: shine, enlarged pores, blackheads, and blemishes. 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 cleansing for your oily skin, as Poloxamer 184 and Glycerin effectively remove impurities while niacinamide and ceramides support seboregulation and barrier repair. This combination provides general skincare benefits supportive for oily skin.
  • The formula is highly suitable for oily skin due to the presence of niacinamide for seboregulation and ceramides for barrier repair, ensuring good compatibility.
  • The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation for your oily skin due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the presence of soothing components.

How to apply

  • Use your micellar water for both AM and PM routines. Start using it daily since your skin is not sensitive.
  • Apply the micellar water after cleansing and before toner. Follow up with your regular moisturizer or SPF.
  • Pour a small amount onto a cotton pad and gently wipe it across your face. Avoid harsh rubbing to protect your skin.
  • Apply the micellar water on dry skin to easily remove excess oil and shine. Clean skin helps the product work better.
  • Avoid the sensitive eye area during application. Do a quick patch test before your very first use.

People Say

★4.5Overall rating based on 3.5k+ reviews

Based 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

How well does CeraVe Micellar Cleansing Water work for oily skin?

CeraVe Micellar Cleansing Water works reasonably well for oily skin by cleaning away dirt and oil without causing irritation. Because it contains heavier components that may not match what oily skin ideally needs, this skin type often benefits more from a formula with lightweight cleansers, oil-controlling ingredients, and pore-clearing extracts.

Antioxidants, 2021Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

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

Niacinamide and ceramides make this cleanser a good fit for oily skin by helping control excess oil and keeping your skin barrier strong. Glycerin also helps clean and hydrate without leaving your face greasy.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

What does Niacinamide do for oily skin?

Niacinamide helps balance oily skin by significantly reducing excess oil production and shine. It is well tolerated and may improve skin texture without clogging pores.

Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, 2006Antioxidants, 2021

What do Ceramides do for oily skin?

Ceramides help keep oily skin balanced by strengthening the skin barrier and locking in moisture without feeling heavy. They are unlikely to clog pores and may help calm irritation, making them a good fit if your skin is both oily and prone to breakouts.

International Journal of Dermatology, 2008Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

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

This micellar water fits into an oily skin routine as a makeup remover in the evening, while other products fit this skin better by needing stronger oil control and deep pore cleansing ingredients.

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

You can use this cleanser before applying retinol, as its gentle ingredients help clean your oily skin safely without causing extra irritation. To get a better fit for oily skin, this type of product needs ingredients that thoroughly balance oil and clear pores.

How often should I use this cleanser?

This micellar water works for your oily skin, though other products fit it better because oily skin needs stronger oil control and targeted ingredients to balance shine. It is unlikely to irritate your skin and can be used daily as part of your regular routine.

International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2020Antioxidants, 2021

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

This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for oily skin, as it contains gentle cleansing agents and soothing components with a very low risk of irritation. Oily skin works best with products that provide oil control and deep pore cleansing to thoroughly remove excess oil.

Is this cleanser 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, 2017

  • Topical treatment of nicotinamide, alone or in combination with other active ingredients, reduces the progression of skin aging and hyperpigmentation in clinical trials while being well tolerated.

    Antioxidants, 2021

  • 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

  • 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

  • Niacinamide/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.

  • 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

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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 Canada.

How does it fit your skin?

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