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Cetaphil Gentle Oil-Free Makeup Remover for combination skin

High

  • HighCombination Skin Fit
  • HighEffectiveness
  • ExcellentSafety

A great choice for combination skin; a few pre-cleansers fit it even better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with combination skin: an oily T-zone, enlarged pores, and dry cheeks. 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

How to apply

  • Use this makeup remover PM as the first step of your evening routine to clear away excess oil.
  • Apply this makeup remover before your regular cleanser to effectively break down heavy makeup and dirt.
  • Gently wipe the makeup remover across your face using a soft cotton pad, avoiding harsh rubbing.
  • Use the makeup remover on completely dry skin to help dissolve surface oils and impurities best.
  • Avoid direct contact with the eyes while using this makeup remover.

People Say

★4.6Overall rating based on 4.5k+ reviews

A significant number of users report that it leaves an oily film requiring a second cleanse and find the bottle design dispenses too much product at once.

Highlights

  • Removes waterproof makeup Mostly Mentioned
    • “dissolves waterproof mascara”
    • “takes off long-wear eyeliner”
    • “removes heavy foundation”
  • Gentle on eyes Often Mentioned
    • “no stinging”
    • “doesn't burn eyes”
    • “great for contact lens wearers”
  • Leaves oily residue Often Mentioned
    • “greasy film”
    • “oily after-feel”
    • “blurry vision”
  • Fragrance-free Sometimes Noted
    • “no scent”
    • “neutral smell”
    • “good for allergies”
  • Non-drying formula Sometimes Noted
    • “leaves skin soft”
    • “conditioning feel”
    • “not stripping”
  • Poor bottle design Sometimes Noted
    • “spills easily”
    • “opening too wide”
    • “wastes product”
  • Requires rinsing Sometimes Noted
    • “must wash off”
    • “residue lingers”
    • “needs second cleanse”
  • Price per ounce Rarely Noted
    • “small bottle”
    • “expensive for size”
    • “runs out fast”

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

Questions and answers

What makes Cetaphil Gentle Oil-Free Makeup Remover a great fit for combination skin?

This makeup remover is a great fit because it gently clears away makeup and impurities using cleansing agents while providing balancing hydration with glycerin and aloe vera. Plant extracts like ginseng and green tea help support oily shine concerns, and soothing ingredients like cucumber keep your skin calm and safe.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Clinical Pharmacology, 2018

Which ingredients make this makeup remover a good fit for combination skin?

This makeup remover is a great fit for your combination skin because it uses glycerin and aloe vera to provide balancing hydration, along with plant extracts that help calm oily shine. It also relies on gentle cleansers to lift away makeup without upsetting your skin.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Clinical Pharmacology, 2018

What does Aloe Vera do for combination skin?

Aloe vera helps keep combination skin hydrated without making it oily. It increases skin water content while supporting the skin barrier.

Skin Research and Technology, 2006

What does Panax Ginseng do for combination skin?

Panax ginseng helps keep combination skin smooth and calm by supporting the skin barrier and managing irritation. It may also improve moisture levels and help protect against daily skin damage.

Journal of Ginseng Research, 2021Journal of Ginseng Research, 2020

Where does this makeup remover go in a skincare routine for combination skin?

This makeup remover goes in your evening routine as the first step before cleansing. It effectively removes makeup and impurities while providing balancing hydration and supporting oily shine concerns.

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

You can use this makeup remover in the evening before your cleanser and retinol treatment, as its gentle ingredients are safe and unlikely to irritate your skin. Using a well-tolerated makeup remover helps clear impurities without disrupting your routine.

How often should I use this makeup remover?

You can use this makeup remover in your evening routine whenever you wear makeup or sunscreen, as it is a great fit for your combination skin. It effectively removes impurities while providing balancing hydration and soothing benefits without harsh ingredients.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

Can this makeup remover clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for combination skin?

This makeup remover is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for combination skin, as it features soothing ingredients like aloe and cucumber and avoids harsh substances that typically trigger irritation. Glycerin helps provide balanced hydration without leaving skin heavy.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Clinical Pharmacology, 2018

Is this makeup remover fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (benzyl 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, 2017
  • An anti-acne hydrogel containing Aloe barbadensis, Garcinia mangostana, and Camellia sinensis extracts showed superior antiacne and antiblotch activities compared to 1% clindamycin gel in sixty subjects with mild-moderate acne.

    Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019
  • A cream combining propolis, tea tree oil, and Aloe vera reduced erythema scars, acne severity index, and total lesion count better than erythromycin cream in sixty patients with mild to moderate acne vulgaris compared to placebo.

    Clinical Pharmacology, 2018
  • Topical aloe vera gel significantly accelerated split-thickness skin graft donor-site healing compared to placebo in 12 patients, but showed no significant difference in pain relief.

    Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2018
  • Topical application of Aloe vera cream reduced postoperative pain at rest and during defecation, accelerated wound healing at two weeks, and decreased analgesic requirements in patients after open hemorrhoidectomy compared to placebo.

    Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2010
  • Formulations containing 0.10%, 0.25%, and 0.50% freeze-dried Aloe vera extract increased stratum corneum water content compared with the vehicle in 20 female subjects, while transepidermal water loss was not modified.

    Skin Research and Technology, 2006
  • Enzyme-modified ginseng extract cream significantly reduced the global photo-damage score and various roughness measures including total roughness, smoothness depth, and arithmetic roughness average compared to placebo in 23 human subjects.

    Rejuvenation Research, 2015
  • A red ginseng hydrogel formulation with 1,2-hexanediol promoted selective growth of Staphylococcus epidermidis and decreased Cutibacterium acnes in 20 female subjects.

    Journal of Ginseng Research, 2022
  • A 1% fermented black ginseng cream significantly reduced eye wrinkles and brightened skin color in twenty-three human subjects compared to control cream and baseline.

    Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health. Part A, 2020
  • Topical green tea extract significantly improved clinical symptoms, tear breakup times, and meibomian gland health compared to standard treatment in patients with dry eye and Meibomian Gland Dysfunction.

    Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research, 2017
  • Topical low-dose green tea extract reduces UVB-induced p53 expression and apoptosis in human skin keratinocytes compared to placebo.

    Experimental Dermatology, 2009
  • Topical application of green tea extract encapsulated chitosan microparticles improved skin elasticity, melanin index, and facial wrinkles compared to a placebo in female volunteers without causing skin irritation.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022
  • Transgenic cucumber expressing poly-γ-glutamic acid synthesis genes increased water content by 6-14%, reduced water loss by 11-12%, decreased facial wrinkles and roughness by 19.58% and 24.97%, decreased skin melanin by 5.27%, and improved facial elasticity in human skin and zebrafish compared to controls.

    International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2024
  • Copper Oxide nanoparticles synthesized using cucumber extract exhibited antibacterial, antifungal, UV protection, and reactive-oxygen species inhibition properties with low cellular toxicity and skin-rejuvenating effects when incorporated into skin cream.

    Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders Drug Targets, 2021
  • Topical treatment with Holothuria parva extract gel showed significant wound contraction compared to the negative control in full-thickness wounded rats.

    The International Journal of Lower Extremity Wounds, 2024
  • 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

Ingredients

Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dipropylene Glycol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycerin, Potassium Phosphate, Dipotassium Phosphate, Poloxamer 184, Benzalkonium Chloride, Tetrasodium Edta, Benzyl Alcohol, Sodium Chloride, Citric Acid, Allantoin

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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