CeraVe Skin Renewing Gel Oil for combination skin

Ceraplex 5-Ceramide Blend
Sunflower Oil
Glycerin
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Average
- AverageCombination Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for combination skin; other moisturizers fit it 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
- This product offers moderate moisturizing and barrier repair for your combination skin, as ceramides and sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer enhance barrier resilience.
- While glycerin and sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer provide humectant action, the formula lacks targeted ingredients for optimal oil control on your oily areas.
- The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.
How to apply
- Use this moisturizer in your AM and PM routine every day to control shine. Always pair with SPF in the morning.
- Apply this moisturizer after your cleanser and toner, right before your morning SPF.
- Gently press a small amount of the moisturizer into your skin and avoid harsh rubbing. Let it ⏳absorb for a minute.
- Apply the moisturizer on slightly damp skin to help it lock in moisture better. This keeps your combination skin balanced.
- Avoid the eye area when applying the moisturizer. Do a patch test before your first use.
People Say
★4.6Overall rating based on 5.6k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this product is highly recommended for dry, normal, and mature skin types, delivering significant hydration and a radiant glow. Its unique gel-to-oil texture is frequently praised for softening and plumping the skin. However, those with oily or acne-prone skin should be aware that the finish can appear too shiny and may potentially clog pores.
Highlights
Intense hydration Often Mentioned
- “Provides moisture without feeling heavy.”
- “Keeps skin soft, hydrated, and smooth.”
- “Relief for dry, tight skin within minutes.”
Radiant glow Often Mentioned
- “Leaves skin with a healthy shine.”
- “Leaves a beautiful dewy glow.”
- “Skin was glowing and felt smooth, soft, and plump.”
Gentle formula Sometimes Noted
- “Fragrance-free and gentle on sensitive skin.”
- “Contains ceramides to support skin barrier.”
- “Non-comedogenic for many users.”
Unique texture Sometimes Noted
- “Gel-to-oil texture feels luxurious and lightweight.”
- “Transforms into an oil during application.”
- “Doesn't drip or make a mess.”
Too shiny Sometimes Noted
- “Dewy finish is too shiny for oily skin.”
- “Can leave a residue.”
- “Takes a long time to absorb.”
Potential breakouts Rarely Noted
- “Caused breakouts for my acne-prone skin.”
- “Contains ingredients that can trigger acne.”
- “Not ideal for those prone to clogged pores.”
Product pilling Rarely Noted
- “Can pill under certain sunscreens.”
- “Does not layer well with some water-based products.”
Small size Rarely Noted
- “One-ounce bottle is smaller than typical CeraVe sizing.”
- “Expensive for the amount provided.”
Sources: lovi.care, walmart.com, cerave.com, dermapproved.com, musingsofamuse.com, youtube.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does CeraVe Skin Renewing Gel Oil work for combination skin?
CeraVe Skin Renewing Gel Oil works moderately well for combination skin by delivering barrier-supporting ceramides and hydration, though it lacks targeted ingredients to control oily shine. To work best for this skin type, a product needs effective moisturizing and brightening ingredients that reduce oily shine without any risk of irritation.
Which ingredients make this moisturizing treatment a good fit for combination skin?
Ceramides, glycerin, and sunflower oil make this moisturizing treatment a good fit by helping to keep combination skin soft and hydrated. To fully fit this skin type, a product of this type also needs ingredients that actively control oil and reduce shine.
What does Ceraplex do for combination skin?
Ceraplex helps keep combination skin smooth and hydrated by supporting the natural moisture barrier with ceramides. This helps balance dry areas and is unlikely to clog pores, though combination skin also needs lightweight hydration and gentle balancing ingredients to stay calm.
What does Sunflower Oil do for combination skin?
Sunflower oil helps keep combination skin smooth and hydrated while protecting its natural barrier. It is unlikely to clog pores and may help keep the skin calm and balanced.
Where does this moisturizing treatment go in a skincare routine for combination skin?
This moisturizing treatment goes in the evening routine after cleansing and before your moisturizer. It is unlikely to cause irritation because the formula lacks harsh ingredients.
Can I use this moisturizing treatment with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this moisturizing treatment with retinol by applying the moisturizer before your retinol to help protect your skin from dryness and irritation. This product has an excellent safety profile with no harsh ingredients, but combination skin also needs targeted oil control for oily areas.
How often should I use this moisturizing treatment?
You can use this moisturizing treatment daily to keep your skin soft and hydrated. A product of this type for combination skin needs balancing ingredients that provide moisture while helping control oil on oily areas.
Can this moisturizing treatment clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for combination skin?
This moisturizing treatment is unlikely to cause breakouts or purging for combination skin, as it has a very safe formula with no harsh or prohibited ingredients. However, it may feel a bit too shiny on your oily areas and needs to include targeted oil-control ingredients to work best for this skin type.
Can I use this moisturizing treatment around the eyes or on my body?
You can safely use this moisturizing treatment on the body and around the eyes since it is very gentle and unlikely to cause irritation. Because the skin around the eyes and on parts of the body can be quite thin, a product of this type needs soothing barrier-strengthening ingredients like ceramides and gentle plant oils to keep skin soft and protected.
Is this moisturizing treatment fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol. Cetyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol, which soften the skin.
What the research says
Application of Body Lotion for 5 weeks on cosmetic dry skin improved barrier properties, increased levels of cholesterol, ceramides, and long-chain fatty acids, increased beneficial skin bacteria, and enhanced microbiome functional potential compared to baseline.
Scientific Reports, 2022A 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, 2017The 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, 2020Ten 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, 2001Niacinamide/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, 2012Topical 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, 2011Topical 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, 2022Treatment 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
Ingredients
Water, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Glycerin, Caprylic Capric Glycerides, Propylheptyl Caprylate, Sucrose Laurate, Sucrose Stearate, Ceramide Np, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide Ap, Ceramide Eop, Ceramide Eos, Ceteareth-25, Behenic Acid, Helianthus Annuus Extract Sunflower Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Cholesterol, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract Rosemary Leaf Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopherol Vitamin E, Chlorphenesin, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Sucrose Palmitate, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone, Caprooyl Phytosphingosine, Caprooyl Sphingosine, Pentylene Glycol, Cetyl Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Rice Bran Extract
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
How does it fit your skin?
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