CeraVe Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum for sensitive skin
Superior
- SuperiorNormal Skin Fit
- SuperiorEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
One of the best moisturizers for sensitive skin.
- Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
- American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with sensitive skin: redness, stinging, and reactions to new products. 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 normal skin and goals of reducing redness and irritation is provided by the high concentrations of glycerin and sodium hyaluronate, which hydrate and soothe effectively, complemented by ceramides and cholesterol for optimal barrier repair.
- Panthenol further enhances the soothing and hydrating benefits, ensuring your skin feels comfortable and looks visibly calmer.
- The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the presence of soothing components.
How to apply
- Use this soothing AM and PM routine every day to keep your normal skin calm. Always remember to apply SPF in the morning after your moisturizer.
- Apply your moisturizer after your toner in the morning, and after your serum in the evening. This step locks in hydration and protects your skin.
- Gently press a small amount of the moisturizer evenly across your face. Avoid rubbing to keep your sensitive skin happy and calm.
- You can apply this gentle formula on dry or slightly damp skin for the best comfort. It works wonderfully on clean skin to soothe redness and irritation.
- Do a patch test before your very first use to check your skin's reaction. Avoid getting the product directly into your eyes .
People Say
★4.5Overall rating based on 2.2k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, users frequently praise this serum for its lightweight, gel-cream texture that effectively hydrates without stickiness, making it suitable for sensitive or normal-to-dry skin. However, a notable number of recent reviews mention issues with defective pumps, inconsistent product texture such as clumping or solidifying, and occasional pilling when layered with other products.
Highlights
Lightweight texture Mostly Mentioned
- “absorbs quickly into skin”
- “non-greasy gel-cream”
- “no sticky residue”
- “feels weightless on face”
Effective hydration Often Mentioned
- “skin felt intensely hydrated”
- “plump and hydrated appearance”
- “leaves skin soft and smooth”
- “great for dry patches”
Gentle formula Often Mentioned
- “great for sensitive skin”
- “fragrance-free and non-irritating”
- “doesn't cause breakouts”
- “soothing vitamin B5”
Defective packaging Often Mentioned
- “pump stopped working”
- “dispenser never worked”
- “hard to get product out”
- “broken pump mechanism”
Good for layering Sometimes Noted
- “sits well under makeup”
- “works well under moisturizer”
- “no pilling for me”
- “smooth base for foundation”
Product consistency Sometimes Noted
- “watery with solid chunks”
- “texture like cottage cheese”
- “product had solidified”
- “thick and wax-like”
Texture issues Sometimes Noted
- “balled up on face”
- “pills under sunscreen”
- “silicone texture peels off”
- “clumps when rubbed”
Lack of results Rarely Noted
- “didn't notice a difference”
- “not hydrating enough”
- “dried my skin out”
- “just okay, nothing special”
Sources: lovi.care, walmart.com, target.com, cocooncenter.co.uk, ulta.com, reddit.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes CeraVe Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum one of the best fits for sensitive skin?
This serum is a great fit for sensitive skin because high concentrations of glycerin and sodium hyaluronate hydrate and soothe the skin while reducing redness and irritation. Added ceramides, cholesterol, and panthenol help repair the skin barrier and keep sensitive skin feeling comfortable and calm.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for sensitive skin?
This serum is a great fit for sensitive skin because it contains high concentrations of glycerin and sodium hyaluronate to hydrate and soothe, alongside ceramides, cholesterol, and panthenol to repair your skin barrier and calm redness. Its gentle formula is very unlikely to cause irritation.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002
What does Hyaluronic Acid do for sensitive skin?
Hyaluronic acid helps calm and hydrate sensitive skin while supporting the skin barrier to keep it soft and comfortable. Clinical studies show it improves surface moisture and reduces dryness, roughness, and redness without irritation.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2025Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2018
What do Ceramides do for sensitive skin?
Ceramides help calm and strengthen sensitive skin by improving moisture barriers and reducing discomfort. Topical use is well tolerated and may significantly increase skin hydration while easing stinging or sensitive sensations.
Archives of Dermatological Research, 2018Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2026
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for sensitive skin?
This serum goes in the evening routine after cleansing and toning, and before moisturizing, to keep things simple and safe. It may help your skin feel comfortable and look calmer.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002
Can I use this serum with retinol, and in what order?
Yes, you can use this serum with retinol by applying the serum first to hydrate and soothe, followed by your retinol once the skin is dry. This routine helps keep sensitive skin comfortable and is unlikely to cause irritation.
Cutis, 2006Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
How often should I use this serum?
This serum is used in the evening as part of your routine for sensitive skin. Daily application helps keep your skin calm and hydrated while supporting your skin barrier.
Health Science Reports, 2021Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for sensitive skin?
This serum is unlikely to cause breakouts or clog pores on sensitive skin because it avoids harsh ingredients and features soothing components. It has an excellent safety profile for keeping skin calm and comfortable.
Can I use this serum around the eyes or on my body?
You can use this moisturizing treatment safely around your eyes and on your body because its gentle ingredients suit thin areas and its safety profile is very good without harsh irritants. It helps keep delicate skin hydrated and comfortable, and may reduce redness and irritation on the body.
Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no fragrance and contains drying alcohol (alcohol denat).
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, 2017Topical 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, 2002Topical 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, 2019Moisturizer 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, 2019Panthenyl triacetate (PTA) demonstrated skin de-acetylation into panthenol, stimulated energetic and synthesis metabolic pathways, and achieved a statistically significant improvement in wound healing after 72 hours compared to saline treatment in human volunteers, outperforming panthenol in long-lasting wound healing action.
Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2012A comprehensive topical regimen incorporating niacinamide, Pro-Xylane, and panthenol following PicoWay laser treatment decreased transepidermal water loss, increased hydration and skin elasticity, reduced wrinkles and redness, and improved skin tone in 88 Chinese females compared to a standard care control group.
Lasers in Medical Science, 2026The 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, 2012Wearing 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, 2024Treatment 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, 2007Externally applied substances such as ceramides, hyaluronic acid, licorice extracts, dimethicone, petrolatum, and paraffin wax treat skin disease resulting from damage to the skin barrier.
Clinics in Dermatology, 2012
Ingredients
Water, Glycerin, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Dimethicone, Alcohol Denat, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Ceramide Np, Ceramide Ap, Ceramide Eop, Carbomer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Cholesterol, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium Edta, Isopropyl Myristate, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Xanthan Gum, Phytosphingosine, 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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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
-

Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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