CeraVe Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum for oily skin
Superior
- SuperiorOily Skin Fit
- SuperiorEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
One of the best moisturizers for oily skin.
- Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
- The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017
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
- Excellent suitability for your oily skin as glycerin and sodium hyaluronate provide optimal hydration without exacerbating oiliness, effectively addressing oily shine.
- Panthenol and ceramides further support skin barrier function and offer soothing benefits, enhancing overall skin health.
- The product is safe for your skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the presence of beneficial components.
How to apply
- Could be used as part of your AM or PM routine every day to keep your face fresh.
- Apply this moisturizer after cleansing and toning, but right before your SPF in the morning.
- Gently press a small amount into your skin and let it absorb fully.
- Apply on clean, slightly dry skin to help control that oily shine.
- Avoid the eye area and do a quick patch test before your first use.
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 oily skin?
This serum is a great fit because glycerin and sodium hyaluronate give oily skin the moisture it needs without leaving it greasy or shiny. Ceramides and vitamin B5 also help keep your skin barrier strong and calm.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for oily skin?
Glycerin and sodium hyaluronate make this serum a great fit for oily skin because they provide optimal hydration without making shine worse. Panthenol and ceramides also support your skin barrier and soothe your skin without causing irritation.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017
What does Hyaluronic Acid do for oily skin?
Hyaluronic acid helps oily skin by reducing extra oil and sebum production without causing irritation. Clinical studies show it successfully balances oil levels while keeping the skin comfortable.
What do Ceramides do for oily skin?
Ceramides help balance and strengthen oily skin by supporting the natural barrier and keeping moisture locked in without feeling heavy. They may also help calm irritation and reduce blemishes when used as part of a regular daily routine.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2004
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for oily skin?
This serum goes in your evening routine, applied before your moisturizer. It is unlikely to cause irritation on oily skin, as glycerin and sodium Hyaluronate provide lightweight hydration without adding shine.
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 help keep your skin calm and hydrated. Using a barrier-supporting moisturizer alongside retinol helps reduce dryness and irritation while keeping your skin smooth.
How often should I use this serum?
This serum fits well into an evening routine, where you can apply it daily after cleansing and toning. It is gentle on your skin, and you are unlikely to experience irritation.
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?
This serum is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for oily skin because its hydrating ingredients provide moisture without adding heavy oils or greasy shine. It also helps soothe the skin safely without harsh ingredients that typically trigger irritation.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
Can I use this serum around the eyes or on my body?
This serum is safe to use around the eyes and on the body because its hydrating ingredients and lightweight texture suit thin skin and broader areas alike without causing irritation. Clinical studies show that similar formulations with hyaluronic acid and panthenol effectively moisturize delicate facial zones and support skin recovery.
Polymers, 2023American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002
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, 2017A new topical panthenol-containing emollient significantly improved transepidermal water loss reduction, stratum corneum hydration, and intercellular lipid lamellae length compared with control in healthy subjects without negatively impacting bacterial viability.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 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, 2002A panthenol-enriched mask significantly decreased erythema and hyperpigmentation, increased sebum and stratum corneum moisture, and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to a saline dressing in 60 subjects undergoing facial laser treatment.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025Topical 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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