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CeraVe Makeup Removing Cleanser Balm for dry skin

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

CeraVe Makeup Removing Cleanser Balm

Superior

  • SuperiorDry Skin Fit
  • SuperiorEffectiveness
  • ExcellentSafety

One of the best pre-cleansers for dry skin.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dry skin: flakiness, tightness, dehydration, 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

  • Excellent suitability for your dry skin as ceramides and cholesterol support your skin barrier function and hydration, while ethylhexyl palmitate and peg-20 glyceryl triisostearate effectively dissolve makeup and impurities.
  • Jojoba seed oil and phytosphingosine further nourish and soothe your dry or flaky skin, enhancing overall comfort and barrier repair.
  • The product is safe for your skin, containing no harsh ingredients and featuring beneficial components like ceramide and jojoba seed oil.

How to apply

  • Use this makeup remover in your PM routine every evening to gently clean your face. Always pair with a gentle cleanser afterward.
  • Apply this makeup remover as a pre-cleanser step before using your regular cleanser and moisturizer.
  • Gently wipe a small amount of makeup remover across your face using a soft cotton pad. Avoid any harsh rubbing on dry or flaky skin.
  • Apply the makeup remover directly onto dry skin to easily dissolve makeup without stripping your natural moisture. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water.
  • Avoid direct contact with your eyes and do a patch test before first use. Discontinue use if irritation occurs.

People Say

★4.5Overall rating based on 8.0k+ reviews

Based on a very large amount of data, this balm is highly recommended by users with sensitive and dry skin for its effective makeup removal without stripping moisture. While most users find it excellent for all types of makeup, a significant number of reviews mention the small product size relative to its price and a plastic-like smell despite the product being fragrance-free.

Highlights

  • Hydrating and non-stripping Mostly Mentioned
    • “Leaves skin soft”
    • “does not dry out face”
    • “feels moisturizing”
  • Small size, poor value Mostly Mentioned
    • “Tiny jar (1.3 oz)”
    • “expensive for amount”
    • “finishes too quickly”
  • Effective makeup removal Often Mentioned
    • “Dissolves waterproof mascara”
    • “melts long-wear foundation”
    • “removes stubborn residue”
  • Gentle on sensitive skin Often Mentioned
    • “No stinging”
    • “non-irritating formula”
  • Pleasant texture Sometimes Noted
    • “Melts quickly into oil”
    • “silky consistency”
    • “spreads easily”
  • Causes blurry vision Sometimes Noted
    • “Cloudy eyes after use”
    • “filmy vision”
    • “oil gets in eyes”
  • Leaves oily residue Sometimes Noted
    • “Leaves greasy film”
    • “requires double cleansing”
    • “hard to rinse off completely”
  • Unpleasant smell Sometimes Noted
    • “Smells like plastic”
    • “chemical odor”
    • “lard-like scent”

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

Questions and answers

What makes CeraVe Makeup Removing Cleanser Balm one of the best fits for dry skin?

This cleanser balm is an excellent fit because ceramides and cholesterol support your skin barrier function and hydration while dissolving makeup and impurities. Jojoba seed oil and phytosphingosine further nourish and soothe dry or flaky skin, enhancing overall comfort and barrier repair.

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2002Frontiers in Pharmacology, 2024

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

This cleanser is a great fit for your dry skin because it contains ceramides and cholesterol to support your moisture barrier, along with jojoba seed oil and phytosphingosine to nourish and soothe dry spots. These ingredients help keep your skin comfortable and hydrated while you wash away makeup.

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2002Frontiers in Pharmacology, 2024

What do Ceramides do for dry skin?

Ceramides help strengthen your skin barrier and lock in moisture to keep dry skin feeling soft and smooth. By restoring essential lipids, they may also reduce water loss and soothe irritation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2022Dermatologic Therapy, 2019

What does Ceramide AP do for dry skin?

Ceramide AP helps restore the moisture barrier in dry skin by improving hydration and protecting against water loss. It supports overall skin repair and helps keep the skin smooth and comfortable.

Experimental Dermatology, 2025American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2003

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

This makeup remover goes as the first step in your evening routine and your weekly routine to gently take off makeup before you cleanse. It is a great fit for your dry skin because ceramides, cholesterol, and jojoba seed oil support your skin barrier and hydration while melting away impurities.

The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2002

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

You can use this makeup remover in your evening routine before cleansing and applying your retinol, as it gently dissolves makeup while supporting your skin barrier. This product is safe and unlikely to irritate dry skin because it contains soothing jojoba seed oil and helpful ceramides.

Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2002

How often should I use this cleanser?

You can use this makeup remover in the evening whenever you wear makeup, as part of your nighttime or weekly routine for dry skin. It contains ceramides and jojoba seed oil that help keep your dry skin soft and comfortable while gently melting away makeup and impurities.

The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022Frontiers in Pharmacology, 2024

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

This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts on dry skin, as it contains no harsh ingredients and is gentle enough for your skin type. Jojoba seed oil and ceramides help nourish your skin while keeping it calm and comfortable.

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2002Frontiers in Pharmacology, 2024

Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.

What the research says

  • Topical application of an emulsion containing a complete mixture of ceramides III, IIIB, VI, phytosphingosine, cholesterol, and linoleic acid significantly accelerated barrier recovery after SLS damage and improved skin hydration after acetone treatment in human volunteers compared to an emulsion containing only two types of ceramides.

    Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2002

  • Topical application of jojoba wax reduced LPS-induced secretion of IL-6, IL-8, and TNFα by approximately 30% and increased the synthesis of pro-collagen III and hyaluronic acid compared to untreated skin in an ex-vivo human skin organ culture model.

    Frontiers in Pharmacology, 2024

  • Clay jojoba oil facial masks reduced total skin lesions by a mean of 54% after 6 weeks in 133 participants with acne-prone, lesioned skin and mild acne compared to baseline.

    Forschende Komplementarmedizin, 2012

  • Topical jojoba oil application in male mice decreased exercise-induced pro-inflammatory gene expression (Il-1b and Il-6 in soleus, Il-1b in gastrocnemius) compared to untreated exercised mice.

    Biomolecules, 2025

  • Nanolipidgel formulations with argan or jojoba oil and humectants demonstrate good sensory attributes, instrumental properties, and moisturizing efficacy for cosmetic application.

    International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2014

  • Topical application of an antioxidant serum containing 15% ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid, and 1% tocopherol prevented particulate matter-induced degradation of extracellular matrix components, inflammation, and oxidative stress in the skin of 15 female volunteers compared to untreated controls.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025

  • Dermatological products containing d-alpha tocopheryl acetate showed non-comedogenic potential with less than a 50% increase in microcomedones in 12 healthy male subjects compared to octyl palmitate.

    Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications, 2021

  • Topical application of an antioxidant mix containing 15% ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid, and 1% tocopherol prevented PM and UV-induced skin barrier perturbation, lipid peroxidation, inflammatory markers, MMP9 activation, and Type I collagen loss in 15 healthy females compared to untreated exposed skin.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

Ingredients

Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Polyethylene, Peg-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, Water, Ceramide Np, Ceramide Ap, Ceramide Eop, Carbomer, Triethyl Citrate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Cholesterol, Simmondsia Chinensis Jojoba Seed Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopherol, Caprylyl Glycol, Phytosphingosine, Xanthan Gum, Polysorbate 20, Benzoic Acid, Peg-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Ppg-26-Buteth-26, Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil

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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How does it fit your skin?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.

QR code: get the Lovi app
Download on theApp Store Get it onGoogle Play