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CeraVe Ultra-Light Moisturizing Gel for dry skin

High

  • AverageDry Skin Fit
  • HighEffectiveness
  • ExcellentSafety

A great choice for dry skin; a few moisturizers fit it even better.

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

  • Offers excellent moisturizing for your dry skin, as glycerin and sodium hyaluronate provide effective hydration and plumping. Niacinamide further supports skin barrier function and soothes dryness.
  • The formula contains ceramides and cholesterol, which are beneficial for reinforcing your dry skin's natural barrier and preventing moisture loss.
  • The product is safe for your dry skin, containing no harsh ingredients and including soothing components like glycerin and niacinamide.

How to apply

  • Could be used as part of your AM or PM routine. Start using it 3 times a week and work your way up to daily use.
  • Apply your moisturizer after your toner and before your sunscreen in the morning. At night, use it as the final step after your serum.
  • Gently press a small amount of the moisturizer into your skin. Avoid rubbing to keep your dry skin happy.
  • Apply the moisturizer on slightly damp skin to help lock in extra hydration. This is great for soothing dry and flaky areas .
  • Avoid the sensitive eye area and do a 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 dry skin?

CeraVe Ultra-Light Moisturizing Gel is a great fit for dry skin because glycerin and sodium hyaluronate draw in moisture while ceramides and cholesterol help lock it in. Niacinamide further soothes dryness and supports your natural skin barrier.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Scientific Reports, 2022

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

This moisturizer is a great fit for dry skin because it contains glycerin and sodium hyaluronate to draw in hydration, alongside ceramides, cholesterol, and niacinamide to reinforce your natural moisture barrier and soothe tightness. These ingredients work together to keep dry skin feeling soft and comfortable while preventing moisture loss throughout the day.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Scientific Reports, 2022

What do Ceramides do for dry skin?

Ceramides help keep dry skin soft by strengthening the outer barrier and locking in hydration. This improvement in barrier integrity reduces dryness and protects against irritation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2022Dermatologic Therapy, 2019

What does Niacinamide do for dry skin?

Niacinamide helps dry skin by strengthening the skin barrier, increasing hydration, and reducing water loss. It supports ceramide production and helps keep the surface smooth and calm. This ingredient tends to be very well tolerated and is unlikely to irritate dry skin.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2004Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026

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

Apply this moisturizer in the morning after your cleanser and hydrating toner, and in the evening after your cleanser and treatment. Daily moisturizing helps significantly improve visual dryness and restore hydration in dry skin.

The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

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

You can use this moisturizer with retinol by applying it before your retinol at night to help keep your dry skin calm and comfortable. Using a barrier-supporting moisturizer alongside active treatments is unlikely to cause irritation and helps your skin adjust smoothly.

Cutis, 2006Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2012

How often should I use this moisturizer?

This moisturizer is a great fit for dry skin, so you can use it daily as part of your morning and evening routine. Applying it regularly helps keep your skin hydrated and supports your natural skin barrier.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Health Science Reports, 2021

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

This moisturizer is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for dry skin. It contains soothing and hydrating ingredients like glycerin and niacinamide that help keep your skin calm and balanced without heavy oils.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

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

Yes, you can use this moisturizer around your eyes and on your body because its gentle formula safely hydrates and supports the skin barrier. The ingredients like glycerin, ceramides, and sodium hyaluronate provide effective moisture and protection for delicate or dry areas.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Scientific Reports, 2022

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
  • Niacinamide significantly decreased hyperpigmentation and increased skin lightness compared with vehicle alone after 4 weeks of use in women by inhibiting melanosome transfer.

    The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002
  • 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
  • A dimethicone skin protectant lotion significantly decreased visual scoring and transepidermal water loss compared to vehicle control and SLS-only treated sites in 12 healthy humans exposed to sodium lauryl sulfate.

    Skin Research and Technology, 2000
  • 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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