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CeraVe Ultra-Light Moisturizing Gel for oily acne-prone skin

High

  • HighOily Skin Fit
  • HighEffectiveness
  • ExcellentSafety

A great choice for oily acne-prone skin; a few moisturizers fit it even better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily acne-prone skin: shine, breakouts, blemishes, and enlarged pores. 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 formulation offers high suitability for your oily skin, as niacinamide helps regulate oil production and sodium hyaluronate provides essential hydration without clogging pores. Glycerin further enhances this moisturizing effect, plumping the skin and addressing your concerns of acne, blemishes, and breakouts.
  • The presence of ceramides and cholesterol supports your skin barrier function, contributing to overall skin health and resilience.
  • The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the inclusion of soothing components.

How to apply

  • Use this AM and PM routine every day to help clear your skin. Always remember to finish with SPF in the morning.
  • Apply the moisturizer after your cleanser and toner, right before your SPF during the day.
  • Gently press a small amount into your skin and avoid rubbing to keep pores clear.
  • Apply on clean, slightly damp skin to help the product absorb better and control oil.
  • Avoid the sensitive eye area and do a simple patch test before your first use.

People Say

★4.7Overall rating based on 3.9k+ reviews

Based on a very large amount of data, this gel moisturizer is highly recommended for oily, combination, and acne-prone skin, providing essential hydration without pore clogging or sticky residue. Users frequently note its weightless, refreshing feel and instant absorption, which helps maintain the skin barrier and control shine, especially in humid conditions. Some users find the quantity to be small for the price and insufficient for dry skin types.

Highlights

  • Extremely lightweight Mostly Mentioned
    • “feels like water”
    • “weightless on skin”
    • “barely there”
    • “super thin gel”
  • Fast absorption Often Mentioned
    • “sinks in immediately”
    • “dries instantly”
    • “no waiting to apply makeup”
    • “disappears into skin”
  • Non-greasy finish Often Mentioned
    • “matte finish”
    • “no sticky residue”
    • “oil-free feel”
    • “doesn't look shiny”
  • Small quantity Often Mentioned
    • “tiny tube”
    • “finished in 2 weeks”
    • “wish it was bigger”
    • “travel size amount”
  • Gentle & non-irritating Sometimes Noted
    • “didn't break me out”
    • “soothing on sensitive skin”
    • “no fragrance irritation”
    • “calms redness”
  • Great for layering Sometimes Noted
    • “no pilling under makeup”
    • “works well with sunscreen”
    • “smooth base for foundation”
    • “layers over serums”
  • Not for dry skin Sometimes Noted
    • “not moisturizing enough”
    • “skin felt tight later”
    • “need a second layer”
    • “too light for winter”
  • Poor value Sometimes Noted
    • “expensive for the size”
    • “pricey per ounce”
    • “not worth the cost”
    • “cash grab”
  • Packaging issues Rarely Noted
    • “pump is finicky”
    • “hard to get last drops”
    • “tube feels half empty”
    • “wasteful plastic”

Sources: lovi.care, cerave.com, ulta.com, target.com, walmart.com, dermstore.com, and more

Questions and answers

What makes CeraVe Ultra-Light Moisturizing Gel a great fit for oily acne-prone skin?

This moisturizer is a great fit because niacinamide helps balance oil production while sodium hyaluronate and glycerin deliver light hydration that does not clog pores. Ceramides and cholesterol further support your skin barrier, and the formula is unlikely to cause irritation.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

Which ingredients make this moisturizer a good fit for oily acne-prone skin?

Niacinamide and sodium hyaluronate make this moisturizer a great fit for oily acne-prone skin because niacinamide helps balance oil and sodium hyaluronate provides lightweight moisture without clogging pores. Glycerin further plumps the skin while ceramides and cholesterol support your skin barrier.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

What do Ceramides do for oily acne-prone skin?

Ceramides help restore the protective barrier of oily, acne-prone skin, which often lacks these vital lipids and suffers from moisture loss and irritation. Using products with ceramides supports skin hydration, calms redness, and improves overall texture while managing breakouts.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2023

What does Niacinamide do for oily acne-prone skin?

Niacinamide helps balance oil production, calms redness, and is unlikely to irritate oily, acne-prone skin while improving blemishes. Clinical tests show it reduces excess oil and helps clear up both inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne breakouts.

Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, 2006Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

Where does this moisturizer go in a skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin?

This moisturizer goes as the final step in the morning before sunscreen and in the evening after your treatment. Using a moisturizer helps hydrate your skin and support your skin barrier without clogging pores.

The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2020

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

Yes, you can use this moisturizer with retinol by applying the retinol first and following it with the moisturizer. This routine helps keep your skin calm and hydrated while lowering the likelihood of irritation.

Cutis, 2006Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2012

How often should I use this moisturizer?

You can use this moisturizer twice a day as part of your morning and evening routine. Regular daily application helps keep your skin hydrated and supports your skin barrier without clogging pores or causing irritation.

Health Science Reports, 2021Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

Can this moisturizer clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily acne-prone skin?

This moisturizer is a great fit for your oily acne-prone skin because niacinamide helps control oil and sodium hyaluronate provides lightweight moisture without clogging pores. It is very unlikely to cause breakouts or irritation since the formula avoids harsh ingredients and includes soothing components that keep your skin calm and balanced.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

Can I use this moisturizer around the eyes or on my body?

Yes, you can safely use this lightweight moisturizer around your eyes and on your body to keep your skin hydrated. Its gentle formulation with ceramides and sodium hyaluronate is unlikely to cause irritation while supporting moisture retention.

Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 2002Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

Is this moisturizer 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, 2017
  • 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, 2022
  • 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
  • Topical 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, 2011
  • Topical 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, 2022
  • Treatment 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
  • 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
  • Wearing an N95 mask alone compared to using dimethicone cream or hydrocolloid dressing caused more adverse skin reactions among 73 military health care workers, with no significant differences in fit test failure rates between groups.

    Military Medicine, 2024
  • Treatment with a moisturizer containing dimethicone and glycerine increased epidermal thickness by 0.019 mm, improved barrier function by decreasing transepidermal water loss by 13%, decreased melanin intensity, and induced keratins 6 and 16 in fifteen women with moderately photoaged forearms.

    Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, 2007

Ingredients

Water, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Propanediol, Dimethicone, Isononyl Isononanoate, Ceramide Np, Ceramide Ap, Ceramide Eop, Carbomer, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Triethyl Citrate, Silica, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Cholesterol, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopherol, Chlorphenesin, Caprylyl Glycol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Biosaccharide Gum-1, 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.

How does it fit your skin?

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How does it fit your skin?

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