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CeraVe Makeup Removing Cleanser Balm for acne-prone skin

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes

CeraVe Makeup Removing Cleanser Balm

Average

  • AverageCombination Skin Fit
  • AverageEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

Works for acne-prone skin; other pre-cleansers fit it better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with acne-prone skin: breakouts, blackheads, and post-acne marks. 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

  • Offers moderate suitability for combination skin as jojoba seed oil provides emollient action, but it lacks sufficient ingredients for optimal oil control, which is not ideal for your acne, blemishes, and breakouts.
  • The cleanser effectively dissolves makeup and impurities with ethylhexyl palmitate and peg-20 glyceryl triisostearate, offering general cleansing benefits that you will notice.
  • The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation for your combination skin due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.

How to apply

  • Use this makeup remover PM as the first step of your evening routine to clear away dirt and oil. Start 3x/week and work up to daily use if your combination skin tolerates it well.
  • Apply this makeup remover before cleansing and using the rest of your skin products. This ensures all makeup and impurities are fully washed away.
  • Gently press a small amount of the makeup remover onto your face using a soft cotton pad. Avoid rubbing the skin too harshly to prevent irritation.
  • Apply the makeup remover on dry skin to easily dissolve makeup and clear out blemishes. There is no need to dampen your face beforehand.
  • Do a patch test before first use to ensure your skin reacts well. Avoid the delicate eye area while applying.

People Say

★4.5Overall rating based on 8.0k+ reviews

Based on a very large amount of data, this balm is highly recommended by users with sensitive and dry skin for its effective makeup removal without stripping moisture. While most users find it excellent for all types of makeup, a significant number of reviews mention the small product size relative to its price and a plastic-like smell despite the product being fragrance-free.

Highlights

  • Hydrating and non-stripping Mostly Mentioned
    • “Leaves skin soft”
    • “does not dry out face”
    • “feels moisturizing”
  • Small size, poor value Mostly Mentioned
    • “Tiny jar (1.3 oz)”
    • “expensive for amount”
    • “finishes too quickly”
  • Effective makeup removal Often Mentioned
    • “Dissolves waterproof mascara”
    • “melts long-wear foundation”
    • “removes stubborn residue”
  • Gentle on sensitive skin Often Mentioned
    • “No stinging”
    • “non-irritating formula”
  • Pleasant texture Sometimes Noted
    • “Melts quickly into oil”
    • “silky consistency”
    • “spreads easily”
  • Causes blurry vision Sometimes Noted
    • “Cloudy eyes after use”
    • “filmy vision”
    • “oil gets in eyes”
  • Leaves oily residue Sometimes Noted
    • “Leaves greasy film”
    • “requires double cleansing”
    • “hard to rinse off completely”
  • Unpleasant smell Sometimes Noted
    • “Smells like plastic”
    • “chemical odor”
    • “lard-like scent”

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

Questions and answers

How well does the CeraVe Makeup Removing Cleanser Balm work for acne-prone skin?

This cleanser balm works okay for acne-prone skin, though other products fit it better. It melts away makeup easily, but it lacks the oil control needed to properly manage breakouts. A better makeup remover for this skin needs soothing plant extracts and lightweight hydrators like squalane or hyaluronic acid.

Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for acne-prone skin?

This cleanser works for acne-prone skin because it contains jojoba seed oil and ceramides that help support skin health while you wash. However, it lacks oil-control ingredients, so an acne-prone skin type needs a makeup remover with soothing plant extracts, squalane, or hyaluronic acid to properly handle breakouts and keep oily areas clear.

What do Ceramides do for acne-prone skin?

Ceramides help acne-prone skin by restoring a weak water barrier, which is often damaged and low in these protective lipids in people with acne. Using them helps reduce dryness, redness, and irritation caused by acne treatments while keeping the skin calm and smooth.

Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023Archives of Dermatological Research, 1995

What does Ceramide AP do for acne-prone skin?

Ceramide AP helps restore the skin barrier, which is often weakened by acne treatments, and reduces dryness, redness, and flaking. Using it alongside your acne routine may also lower inflammatory breakouts and make your skin feel more calm and smooth.

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

Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?

This makeup remover goes in the evening routine and weekly routine before your cleanser, but it lacks sufficient ingredients for oil control, so acne-prone skin needs a product that includes ingredients focused on oil control.

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

You can use this makeup remover in your evening routine before your cleanser and treatment, but this type of product for acne-prone skin needs ingredients for oil control.

How often should I use this cleanser?

You can use this makeup remover in your evening routine to wash away makeup before cleansing your skin. It has a very safe formula that is unlikely to cause irritation, but an acne-prone skin type needs oil-control ingredients to properly manage breakouts.

Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?

This cleanser is an average fit for your skin, as it lacks enough ingredients for oil control, which is not ideal for your breakouts. An acne-prone skin type needs a cleanser with oil-balancing and purifying ingredients to keep pores clear.

Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.

What the research says

  • 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

  • Topical application of jojoba wax reduced LPS-induced secretion of IL-6, IL-8, and TNFα by approximately 30% and increased the synthesis of pro-collagen III and hyaluronic acid compared to untreated skin in an ex-vivo human skin organ culture model.

    Frontiers in Pharmacology, 2024

  • Topical jojoba oil application in male mice decreased exercise-induced pro-inflammatory gene expression (Il-1b and Il-6 in soleus, Il-1b in gastrocnemius) compared to untreated exercised mice.

    Biomolecules, 2025

  • Topical application of an antioxidant serum containing 15% ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid, and 1% tocopherol prevented particulate matter-induced degradation of extracellular matrix components, inflammation, and oxidative stress in the skin of 15 female volunteers compared to untreated controls.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025

  • Dermatological products containing d-alpha tocopheryl acetate showed non-comedogenic potential with less than a 50% increase in microcomedones in 12 healthy male subjects compared to octyl palmitate.

    Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications, 2021

  • Topical application of an antioxidant mix containing 15% ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid, and 1% tocopherol prevented PM and UV-induced skin barrier perturbation, lipid peroxidation, inflammatory markers, MMP9 activation, and Type I collagen loss in 15 healthy females compared to untreated exposed skin.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

Why other pre-cleansers fit acne-prone skin better

  • Co-delivery of paeonol and madecassoside via nanoemulsions improved transdermal delivery, promoted barrier repair proteins, inhibited inflammatory cytokine secretion in cellular and 3D models, and reduced transepidermal water loss and acne in human facial skin compared to free components.

    Molecules, 2023

Ingredients

Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Polyethylene, Peg-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, Water, Ceramide Np, Ceramide Ap, Ceramide Eop, Carbomer, Triethyl Citrate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Cholesterol, Simmondsia Chinensis Jojoba Seed Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopherol, Caprylyl Glycol, Phytosphingosine, Xanthan Gum, Polysorbate 20, Benzoic Acid, Peg-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Ppg-26-Buteth-26, Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil

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.

  • Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Co-founder, Medical Director

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer

  • Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Co-founder, CEO and CTO

    PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex

  • Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Medical Board

    Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine

  • Aishani Shah, MD

    Aishani Shah, MD

    Medical Board

    Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD

  • Asya Zubkova, MS

    Asya Zubkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member

  • Hanna Kurets, MD

    Hanna Kurets, MD

    Medical Board, Medical Advisor

    Dermatology MD

  • Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Medical Board

    Dermatology and diagnostic consultant

  • Victoria Derkova, MS

    Victoria Derkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist

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How does it fit your skin?

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

QR code: get the Lovi app
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