Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser for acne-prone skin
Glycerin
Niacinamide
Panthenol Vitamin B5
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
High
- HighCombination Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
A great choice for acne-prone skin; a few cleansers fit it even better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with acne-prone skin: breakouts, blackheads, and post-acne marks. 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
- Highly suitable for your combination skin, this cleanser effectively addresses your acne and blemishes with niacinamide to reduce inflammation and regulate oil production, while glycerin provides essential hydration to balance both oily and dry areas.
- The formulation offers excellent cleansing for your acne-prone skin, utilizing cocamidopropyl betaine and disodium laureth sulfosuccinate to thoroughly clear pores without causing irritation.
- This product is safe for your skin, as it contains no harsh ingredients and includes soothing components like niacinamide.
How to apply
- Could be used as part of your AM and PM routine. Start using it 3 times a week and build up to daily use if your skin tolerates it.
- This cleanser is the first step in your morning routine and the second step after your pre-cleanser in the evening. Always follow up with a toner and moisturizer .
- Gently massage a small amount of the cleanser onto your face in circular motions. Avoid harsh rubbing to keep your skin calm.
- Apply the cleanser on slightly damp skin to help it work effectively against breakouts. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water .
- Avoid the immediate eye area and do a patch test before your first use to check for any sensitivity.
People Say
★4.6Overall rating based on 1.4k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, users consistently praise this cleanser as a gentle, non-stripping option ideal for sensitive, combination, and oily skin types, noting that it effectively removes dirt and oil without disrupting the moisture barrier. While the majority report softer, balanced skin, a subset of long-time users expressed dissatisfaction with the recent formula change, citing issues with the new scent and occasional irritation.
Highlights
Gentle and non-stripping Mostly Mentioned
- “cleans without stripping”
- “doesn't leave skin tight”
- “gentle enough for daily use”
- “skin feels soft”
- “no over-scrubbed sensation”
Safe for sensitive skin Often Mentioned
- “no redness or irritation”
- “great for sensitive skin”
- “doesn't cause breakouts”
- “hypoallergenic formula”
Dermatologist recommended Sometimes Noted
- “recommended by my derm”
- “staple brand”
- “trusted for years”
- “doctor suggested”
- “classic skincare staple”
Effective daily cleansing Sometimes Noted
- “removes excess oil”
- “reliable everyday face wash”
- “skin feels fresh”
- “good morning cleanser”
- “minimizes pores”
Poor makeup removal Sometimes Noted
- “doesn't remove mascara”
- “struggles with heavy makeup”
- “need a second cleanse”
- “leaves residue behind”
- “not for waterproof makeup”
Scent complaints Sometimes Noted
- “smells like masking fragrance”
- “scent is too strong”
- “smells like chemical/glue”
- “preferred the old smell”
- “weird perfume odor”
Hydrating ingredients Rarely Noted
- “contains niacinamide”
- “hydrating glycerin”
- “leaves skin moisturized”
- “vitamin B5 included”
- “helps moisture barrier”
Drying for some Rarely Noted
- “dried out my cheeks”
- “skin felt tight”
- “caused flaky patches”
- “not hydrating enough”
- “stripped my natural oils”
Formula change irritation Rarely Noted
- “new formula burns”
- “caused stinging”
- “face turned red”
- “broke me out”
- “irritated my eyes”
Texture issues Rarely Noted
- “feels slimy”
- “leaves a film”
- “hard to rinse off”
- “too runny”
- “lotion-like consistency”
Sources: lovi.care, ulta.com, influenster.com, walmart.com, cetaphil.com, byrdie.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser a great fit for acne-prone skin?
This cleanser is a great fit because it uses niacinamide to reduce inflammation and balance oil while glycerin delivers essential hydration. It also gently clears pores without causing irritation thanks to cocamidopropyl betaine and disodium laureth sulfosuccinate.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for acne-prone skin?
This cleanser is a great fit for your acne-prone skin because niacinamide calms inflammation and balances oil, while glycerin keeps your face hydrated. Additionally, gentle cleansing ingredients like cocamidopropyl betaine and disodium laureth sulfosuccinate help clear out pores without causing irritation.
What does Glycerin do for acne-prone skin?
Glycerin helps keep acne-prone skin hydrated and calm without clogging pores or feeling heavy. It supports the skin barrier so it stays soft and smooth while handling everyday treatments.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2008International Journal of Toxicology, 2019
What does Niacinamide do for acne-prone skin?
Niacinamide helps acne-prone skin by reducing both inflamed and uninflamed breakouts and calming redness. It is also very helpful for keeping oily skin balanced by cutting down on excess oil production, and it is well tolerated by most people.
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?
This cleanser is used both morning and night as a foundational step in your daily routine to clear pores and balance your skin. Using a mild cleanser daily helps improve overall skin health and supports your skin barrier.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2020
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cleanser with retinol by using the cleanser first to wash your face before applying your retinol treatment. Using a gentle cleanser helps clear pores and keeps skin calm without causing irritation when you use strong treatments.
How often should I use this cleanser?
This cleanser is a great fit for your acne-prone skin and is designed for daily use both morning and night. Using a gentle cleanser regularly helps clear pores and calm breakouts without causing irritation, keeping your skin balanced and comfortable.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2020
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to clog your pores or cause breakouts, as it thoroughly clears pores and reduces inflammation with niacinamide without using harsh ingredients.
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
This cleanser is a great fit because it cleans pores and calms acne-prone skin with gentle ingredients like niacinamide and glycerin. The safe and non-irritating formula makes it suitable for use on the body, though extra care should be taken near the sensitive eye area.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
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, 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 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, 2021Topical 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, 2008Topical 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, 2005Topical dexpanthenol acts as a moisturizer, improves stratum corneum hydration, accelerates wound healing and epidermal regeneration, reduces erythema, and improves symptoms of skin irritation compared to vehicle or no pretreatment.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002Moisturizer containing 5% panthenol, madecassoside, and copper-zinc-manganese decreased adverse reactions and downtime after ablative fractional carbon dioxide laser resurfacing with comparable efficacy to 0.02% triamcinolone acetonide cream in 20 subjects.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019Topical dexpanthenol formulated in lipophilic vehicles improved stratum corneum hydration and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to vehicle control in humans.
Arzneimittel-Forschung, 2000The cytotoxic effect of sodium lauryl sulphate on normal human keratinocytes was significantly decreased when combined with cocamidopropyl betaine, Tween 20, and Tween 80 at concentrations well below the critical micelle concentration.
Skin Pharmacology and Applied Skin Physiology, 2003
Ingredients
Water, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Panthenol, Niacinamide, Pantolactone, Acrylates C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Benzoate, Masking, Sodium Chloride, Citric 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.
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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
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