Cetaphil Daily Hydrating Lotion for combination skin

Sodium Hyaluronate
Glycerin
Hydroxyethyl Urea
Cetyl Alcohol
Caprylyl Glycol
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
- Offers moderate suitability for your combination skin, as Hydroxyethyl Urea and Glycerin provide excellent hydration to combat dryness and plump the skin. However, it lacks sufficient ingredients for optimal oil control, which is a key concern for your oily shine.
- The formula is safe for your combination skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.
- While it offers general skincare benefits like hydration, its functionality is limited in addressing your primary concern of oily shine.
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
★4.5Overall rating based on 2.5k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, users with combination and sensitive skin highly praise this lotion for its lightweight, oil-free formula that absorbs instantly without clogging pores.
Highlights
Lightweight fast absorbing Mostly Mentioned
- “Absorbs quickly into skin without residue”
- “Super lightweight”
- “Doesn't leave my face feeling greasy or sticky”
Good for sensitive skin Often Mentioned
- “Gentle and mild”
- “Doesn't cause breakouts”
- “Perfect for sensitive eyes”
Non-greasy oil-free Often Mentioned
- “Never leaves my skin oily”
- “No greasy residue”
- “Great for my T-zone”
Works well under makeup Sometimes Noted
- “Layers really well under makeup”
- “Foundation goes on smoother”
- “Doesn't pill under sunscreen”
Not moisturizing enough Sometimes Noted
- “Skin felt dehydrated after 30 minutes”
- “Too thin for winter”
- “Need to apply multiple layers”
Pump packaging issues Rarely Noted
- “Pump stops working”
- “Hard to get the bottom 20% out”
- “Defective dispenser”
Rare burning irritation Rarely Noted
- “Harsh burning sensation”
- “Left my skin red”
- “Stung my sensitive areas”
Watery texture Rarely Noted
- “Very watery”
- “Runny consistency”
- “Feels more like a serum”
Sources: lovi.care, walmart.com, target.com, cetaphil.com, ulfa.com, amazon.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Cetaphil Daily Hydrating Lotion work for combination skin?
This moisturizer works moderately well for combination skin because ingredients like glycerin and sodium hyaluronate provide good hydration, but it lacks enough oil-control ingredients for oily shine. Combination skin needs products with effective brightening and moisturizing ingredients to reduce oily shine while keeping skin balanced without irritation.
Which ingredients make this moisturizer a good fit for combination skin?
Sodium Hyaluronate, Glycerin, and Hydroxyethyl Urea make this moisturizer a good fit because they provide deep hydration to combat dryness and plump the skin. However, combination skin also needs ingredients for oil control and brightening to fully address oily shine.
What does Hyaluronic Acid do for combination skin?
Hyaluronic acid is a great fit for combination skin because it quenches dry areas with a boost of hydration while keeping oily zones balanced. Regular use helps smooth out fine lines and makes your skin feel soft and plump without causing irritation.
Dermatology and Therapy, 2021Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2011
What does Glycerin do for combination skin?
Glycerin helps keep combination skin soft and smooth by pulling moisture in and keeping it there. It improves hydration and supports your skin barrier, which is unlikely to cause irritation.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2008Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
Where does this moisturizer go in a skincare routine for combination skin?
This moisturizer goes toward the end of your morning and evening skincare routines, after your cleanser, toner, and any treatments. It is safe and provides good hydration for your skin, though combination skin also needs ingredients that help control excess oil and shine.
Can I use this moisturizer with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this moisturizer with retinol, applying it after your retinol treatment to help reduce dryness and irritation. This product is unlikely to cause irritation since it avoids harsh ingredients, though a product for combination skin also needs ingredients to manage oily shine.
How often should I use this moisturizer?
You can use this moisturizer twice a day, in both your morning and evening routines, to help keep your skin hydrated. Regular daily application supports skin moisture and barrier function.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2026
Can this moisturizer clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for combination skin?
This moisturizer is safe and unlikely to cause breakouts or irritation on your combination skin because it lacks harsh ingredients, though it also lacks oil-controlling ingredients to manage oily shine.
Can I use this moisturizer around the eyes or on my body?
You can safely use this moisturizer around the eyes and on your body, as its gentle formula is unlikely to cause irritation. Because the skin around the eyes is exceptionally thin, keeping it well hydrated helps maintain a smooth and soft texture.
Is this moisturizer 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
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, 2017A preservative system containing 1,2-hexanediol and caprylyl glycol showed no delayed Type IV dermal sensitivity reactions in 200 subjects when tested as a 15% mixture in carbomer gel and in a cosmetic formulation.
Cutaneous and Ocular Toxicology, 2009Topical 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, 2019The 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, 2012A soap-free cleansing lotion containing cetyl alcohol and sodium cocoyl apple amino acids reduced skin surface impurities and improved skin hydration, barrier function, and skin tone in 27 healthy adult subjects over 30 days.
Cureus, 2025
Ingredients
Water, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Peg-100 Stearate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Homarine Hcl, Sodium Pca, Cetyl Alcohol, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Acrylates C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Erythritol, Glycine Soja Oil, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Tocopherol
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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