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CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion for sensitive skin

Superior

  • SuperiorNormal Skin Fit
  • HighEffectiveness
  • ExcellentSafety

One of the best moisturizers for sensitive skin.

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 concerns with redness and irritation is provided by niacinamide and ceramides, which work to reduce inflammation and strengthen your skin barrier. Glycerin and sodium hyaluronate further enhance moisturization and support skin hydration, complementing the barrier repair actions.
  • The formulation is exceptionally safe for your sensitive skin, as it avoids harsh ingredients and includes soothing components like niacinamide and ceramides to minimize any risk of irritation.
  • This product offers excellent moisturizing and barrier-enhancing benefits, making it a highly effective choice for your skin's needs.

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

★4.6Overall rating based on 60.0k+ reviews

Based on a very large amount of data, this moisturizer is highly praised for its lightweight, non-greasy texture and its effectiveness in repairing the skin barrier without causing breakouts, making it a favorite for oily, acne-prone, and sensitive skin. While most users find it gentle and effective, a moderate number of users with very dry skin report it's not hydrating enough for nighttime use, and a low number experience mild stinging or have concerns about potential formula changes.

Highlights

  • Lightweight & non-greasy Mostly Mentioned
    • “Sinks right into your skin”
    • “Leaves no greasy residue”
    • “Perfect under makeup”
  • Barrier-repairing ingredients Often Mentioned
    • “Helped repair my moisture barrier”
    • “Niacinamide calms my redness”
    • “Great ingredients for the price”
  • Safe for acne-prone skin Often Mentioned
    • “Never breaks me out”
    • “The only moisturizer that doesn't clog my pores”
    • “Safe for my acne-prone skin”
  • Fragrance-free & gentle Sometimes Noted
    • “No strong scent”
    • “Great for sensitive skin”
  • Not moisturizing enough Sometimes Noted
    • “Not enough for winter dryness”
    • “Need to layer it with something heavier”
    • “Skin felt tight after an hour”
  • Packaging issues Rarely Noted
    • “Pump stopped working halfway through”
    • “Hard to open”
    • “Bottle is too small for the price”
  • Reformulation concerns Rarely Noted
    • “New formula is watery”
    • “Used to be better”
    • “Caused breakouts after they changed it”
  • Stinging sensation Rarely Noted
    • “Burned my face instantly”
    • “Stings around my eyes”
    • “Caused redness and heat”

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

Questions and answers

What makes CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion one of the best fits for sensitive skin?

This lotion is one of the best fits because it uses ceramides and niacinamide to calm redness and strengthen your skin barrier. Glycerin and sodium hyaluronate also help boost hydration, while the gentle formula avoids harsh ingredients to keep sensitive skin comfortable.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

Which ingredients make this cream a good fit for sensitive skin?

This cream is a great fit for sensitive skin because it includes niacinamide and ceramides, which help calm redness and strengthen your skin barrier. Glycerin and sodium hyaluronate further boost moisture while keeping the formula very safe and gentle against irritation.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

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

What does Niacinamide do for sensitive skin?

Niacinamide helps calm sensitive skin by strengthening the skin barrier and reducing redness and irritation. It is very well tolerated and may improve overall comfort and resilience with regular use.

Cutis, 2005Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2004

Where does it go in a skincare routine for sensitive skin?

This product goes in the evening routine as a treatment step, applied after your cleanser and soothing toner and before your moisturizer. It is very safe for sensitive skin because it avoids harsh ingredients and includes soothing components like niacinamide and ceramides.

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

You can use this cream with retinol, and applying it before or after helps keep your skin calm and hydrated. Barrier-repair ingredients like ceramides support your skin against potential dryness and irritation from retinoids.

Cutis, 2006Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023

How often should I use it?

This product fits your sensitive skin exceptionally well because it avoids harsh ingredients and uses niacinamide and ceramides to calm redness and irritation. It is safe for daily use to keep your skin moisturized and comfortable.

Dermatology, 2003

Can this cream clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for sensitive skin?

This cream is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts on sensitive skin because its formula avoids heavy, pore-blocking ingredients. It is designed to soothe and calm easily irritated skin while providing gentle moisture.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

Can I use it around the eyes or on my body?

You can use this moisturizing treatment around your eyes and on your body, as its soothing formula is exceptionally safe for sensitive skin. It helps keep thin areas hydrated and comfortable without irritation.

Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 2002Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

Is this cream 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
  • 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 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
  • Phytosphingosine demonstrates anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory activity with excellent clinical results in acne vulgaris.

    International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2007
  • Phytosphingosine increased filaggrin metabolism and skin hydration in human skin by stimulating filaggrin biosynthesis and degradation leading to natural moisturizing factor formation.

    Archives of Dermatological Research, 2017
  • Phytosphingosine inhibits melanin synthesis in cultured melan-a cells and a reconstructed human skin model by modulating MITF through suppression of gene expression and induction of protein degradation.

    Journal of Dermatological Science, 2017

Ingredients

Water, Glycerin, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Niacinamide, Cetearyl Alcohol, Potassium Phosphate, Ceramide Np, Ceramide Ap, Ceramide Eop, Carbomer, Dimethicone, Ceteareth-20, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cholesterol, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium Edta, Dipotassium Phosphate, 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?

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