CeraVe Skin Renewing Nightly Exfoliating Treatment for dry sensitive skin
Glycolic Acid
Lactic Acid
Licorice Root Extract
Ceramide Np
Ceramide Ap
Average
- AverageDry Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for dry sensitive skin; other products fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dry sensitive skin: flakiness, tightness, redness, fine lines, and wrinkles. 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 suitability for your dry skin, as Glycerin and Sodium Hyaluronate provide hydration, but it lacks sufficient emollient and occlusive ingredients for optimal moisture retention.
- The presence of Glycolic Acid and Lactic Acid offers excellent exfoliation, which may be too intense for your dry and sensitive skin, potentially leading to irritation rather than the desired soothing effect.
- The product is safe for your dry and sensitive skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.
How to apply
- Use your exfoliant PM once a week to help with dryness. Start ⏳3 times a week only if your sensitive skin tolerates it well.
- Apply the exfoliant after cleansing and toning, but always before your favorite moisturizer .
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the exfoliant into your skin and avoid any rubbing. Let it absorb ⏱ for a minute before layering.
- Since your skin is reactive and sensitive, apply the exfoliant on completely dry skin for better tolerance.
- Always do a patch test before your first use and avoid the delicate eye area .
People Say
★4.6Overall rating based on 400+ reviewsThis 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
How well does the CeraVe Skin Renewing Nightly Exfoliating Treatment work for dry sensitive skin?
This exfoliant works moderately well for dry sensitive skin because glycolic acid and lactic acid may feel too intense and lead to irritation. A product of this type needs rich moisturizing ingredients and barrier-supporting components to lock in moisture and protect dry sensitive skin.
Which ingredients make this exfoliant a good fit for dry sensitive skin?
Glycerin, sodium hyaluronate, and ceramides help make this exfoliant a good fit by providing hydration and supporting the skin barrier. However, an exfoliant of this type needs richer moisturizing and sealing ingredients to keep dry sensitive skin comfortable and fully protected.
What does Glycolic Acid do for dry sensitive skin?
Glycolic acid can be too harsh for dry sensitive skin and may cause irritation, so this skin type needs gentle calming ingredients and deeply nourishing moisturizers to keep the skin barrier safe and smooth.
Acta Dermato-venereologica, 1995The British Journal of Dermatology, 1997
What does Lactic Acid do for dry sensitive skin?
Lactic acid helps hydrate dry skin, but for sensitive skin it may cause stinging and irritation unless it is formulated with soothing ingredients like colloidal oat or tangerine fruit extract to calm discomfort.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2023Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2021
Where does this exfoliant go in a skincare routine for dry sensitive skin?
This exfoliant treatment goes in the evening routine, starting at once a week to test how your skin reacts. A product of this type for dry and sensitive skin needs extra hydrating ingredients that lock in moisture and soothe irritation.
Can I use this exfoliant with retinol, and in what order?
This exfoliant may be too intense for your dry and sensitive skin, so using it on the same night as retinol can easily lead to irritation. Instead, alternate nights or use retinol in the morning and this treatment at night, making sure to follow with a rich cream that seals in moisture and protects your skin barrier.
How often should I use this exfoliant?
Start by using this exfoliant once a week, and if your skin feels comfortable, you can carefully use it more often. This product works for your dry and sensitive skin, but a product of this type needs extra soothing, softening, and moisture-locking ingredients to keep dry skin calm and hydrated.
Can this exfoliant clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry sensitive skin?
This exfoliant is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts on dry sensitive skin, but the glycolic and lactic acids may cause mild tingling or irritation. A product of this type needs extra hydrating ingredients that trap moisture and soothing elements to keep dry skin calm and comfortable.
Is this exfoliant 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 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, 2017Emulsions containing ceramides 1 and 3 improved skin hydration and reduced transepidermal water loss in sodium lauryl sulfate-irritated skin of fifteen healthy Asian women compared to a control emulsion.
International Journal of Dermatology, 2008Repeated 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, 2020Combining 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, 2015Licochalcone 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, 2015Bioactive 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
Why other products fit dry sensitive skin better
Tocopherol succinate-loaded ethosomal gel increased skin deposition, stability, moisture, and mechanical properties in 13 human subjects compared to a control gel over 12 weeks.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022Hydrogels containing vitamin E-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers exhibited better occlusive properties and long-lasting effects, while vitamin E-loaded nanoemulsions performed a faster skin hydration effect and were selected as more attractive for skin application.
Colloids and Surfaces. B, Biointerfaces, 2019
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.
-
Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
-
Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
-
Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
-
Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
-
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
-
Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
-
Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
-
Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
How does it fit your skin?
Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.