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CeraVe Foaming Cleanser Bar for oily skin

High

  • HighOily Skin Fit
  • HighEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

A great choice for oily skin; a few cleansers fit it even better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily skin: shine, enlarged pores, blackheads, and blemishes. 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 oily skin as niacinamide and zinc PCA help regulate sebum production, while kaolin absorbs excess oil to combat oily shine.
  • Sodium cocoyl isethionate and ceramide NP provide excellent cleansing and support the skin barrier, enhancing overall skin health.
  • The formula is safe for your skin, containing no harsh ingredients that could cause irritation.

How to apply

  • Use your cleanser AM and PM every day to keep your skin fresh. Always make sure to follow with a good SPF in the morning.
  • Apply your cleanser as the first step in the morning or the second step in the evening before your toner.
  • Gently massage a small amount onto your face using circular motions, then rinse well with water .
  • You can apply this cleanser safely on damp skin for a refreshing and easy wash.
  • Avoid getting the product directly into your eyes and stop use if irritation occurs.

People Say

★4.3Overall rating based on 1.5k+ reviews

Based on a very large amount of data, this solid cleanser is widely praised by users with oily and acne-prone skin for effectively removing excess oil without stripping the moisture barrier, often described as a gentle yet effective alternative to the liquid version. While historically a favorite for its longevity and eco-friendly format, recent reviews highlight significant consistency issues with some bars failing to lather.

Highlights

  • Gentle & non-stripping Mostly Mentioned
    • “doesn't dry skin”
    • “no tight feeling”
    • “skin feels soft”
    • “gentle on sensitive skin”
  • Effective oil control Often Mentioned
    • “clears acne breakouts”
    • “reduces midday shine”
    • “balances oily T-zone”
    • “leaves skin matte”
  • Long-lasting value Often Mentioned
    • “lasts for months”
    • “saves money”
    • “better value than liquid”
    • “bar never ends”
  • Eco-friendly & travel-safe Sometimes Noted
    • “no plastic waste”
    • “great for travel”
    • “no liquid spills”
    • “compact for gym bag”
  • Key ingredients Sometimes Noted
    • “love the niacinamide”
    • “kaolin clay helps”
    • “fragrance-free formula”
    • “good for sensitive skin”
  • Inconsistent lather Sometimes Noted
    • “doesn't lather at all”
    • “bad batch”
    • “formula changed”
    • “feels like wax”
  • Drying for some Rarely Noted
    • “too drying”
    • “skin felt tight”
    • “caused flaking”
    • “need moisturizer after”
  • Messy storage Rarely Noted
    • “gets mushy quickly”
    • “leaves residue”
    • “needs soap dish”
    • “dissolves if wet”
  • Poor makeup removal Rarely Noted
    • “doesn't remove mascara”
    • “need double cleanse”
    • “struggles with foundation”
    • “not for heavy makeup”

Sources: lovi.care, amazon.com, walmart.com, target.com, ulta.com, walgreens.com, and more

Questions and answers

What makes CeraVe Foaming Cleanser Bar a great fit for oily skin?

CeraVe Foaming Cleanser Bar is a great fit for oily skin because niacinamide and zinc PCA help regulate oil, while kaolin absorbs extra shine. Sodium cocoyl isethionate and ceramide NP gently clean without upsetting your skin barrier.

Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2007Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2022

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

This cleanser is a great fit because niacinamide and zinc PCA help regulate oil production, and kaolin clay absorbs excess shine. It also includes ceramides and sodium cocoyl isethionate to gently clean while keeping your skin barrier strong and healthy.

Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2007Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2022

What do Ceramides do for oily skin?

Ceramides help keep oily skin balanced by strengthening the skin barrier and retaining essential moisture without clogging pores. When paired with ingredients like niacinamide, they may also help improve skin texture and reduce blemishes. To work well for oily skin, this type of product needs lightweight hydrators and pore-balancing ingredients.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2004

What does Niacinamide do for oily skin?

Niacinamide helps balance oily skin by significantly reducing excess oil production and shine. It is well tolerated and may improve skin texture without clogging pores.

Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, 2006Antioxidants, 2021

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

This cleanser goes as the first step in your morning routine and the second step in your evening routine after removing makeup. It gently cleans your skin without harsh ingredients that could cause irritation.

The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2007

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

You can use this cleanser with retinol by applying the cleanser first and following it with your retinol treatment once your skin is dry. This gentle cleanser washes away dirt while supporting your skin barrier, which helps keep your skin calm and lowers the chances of irritation when using stronger treatments.

Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2007

How often should I use this cleanser?

You can use this cleanser twice a day as part of your morning and evening routine. Its mild formula cleans well while supporting your skin barrier without causing irritation.

Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2007Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2022

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

This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores, cause breakouts or trigger purging on oily skin. It contains kaolin clay to absorb excess oil and is made without harsh ingredients, making it safe for your skin.

Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2007

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

You can use this cleanser on your body and around your eyes because its gentle formula is safe and unlikely to cause irritation. The mild cleansing ingredients do not disturb the skin barrier, making it well-suited for both body skin and the thin skin around the eyes.

Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2007Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2022

Is this cleanser 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 lipid mixture enriched by ceramide NP with fatty acids of diverse chain lengths significantly improved skin barrier recovery rate, stratum corneum integrity, and hydration compared to a vehicle cream in healthy adult male volunteers with corticosteroid-impaired skin.

    Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2022
  • Emulsions containing ceramides 1 and 3 improved skin hydration and reduced transepidermal water loss in sodium lauryl sulfate-irritated skin of fifteen healthy Asian women compared to a control emulsion.

    International Journal of Dermatology, 2008
  • Sodium cocoyl isethionate micelles are too large to penetrate stratum corneum aqueous pores, resulting in significant steric hindrance that prevents skin barrier perturbation and explains its skin mildness.

    Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2007
  • A facial cream containing Centella asiatica leaf extract, ceramide NP, and panthenol reduced mean SS-10 scores by 66% and 76% after 2 and 4 weeks in Chinese females with sensitive skin, providing effective soothing and barrier-repairing properties with mild adverse events.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025
  • 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
  • Vectorization of high molecular weight hyaluronic acid with clay enabled its penetration into deeper skin layers and led to a significant clinical reduction in fine lines in the crow's feet area compared to placebo after 28 days.

    Skin Research and Technology, 2024
  • Twice-weekly use of a clay mask over 4 weeks in 75 adults with oily or combination skin improved acne-related outcomes, sebum content, skin evenness, hydration, and reduced dryness and irritation.

    Skin Research and Technology, 2023
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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

Ingredients

Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Stearic Acid, Water, Sodium Isethionate, Ci 77891 Titanium Dioxide, Kaolin, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Potassium Phosphate, Ceramide Np, Ceramide Ap, Ceramide Eop, Carbomer, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Zinc Pca, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Ceteareth-20, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Methyldihydrojasmonate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cholesterol, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium Edta, Dipotassium Phosphate, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Phytosphingosine, Xanthan Gum, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Ethylhexylglycerin

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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Prices checked 6 Nov 2026

How does it fit your skin?

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