Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer for combination skin
Avobenzone
Octocrylene
Glycerin
Niacinamide
Tocopheryl Acetate Vitamin EHigh
- HighCombination Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- HighSafety
A great choice for combination skin; a few sunscreens fit it even better.
- Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
- The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017
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
- Highly suitable for your combination skin, this moisturizer effectively balances oiliness with niacinamide and provides essential hydration with glycerin, addressing your oily shine concern.
- The inclusion of panthenol vitamin B5 further supports skin hydration and barrier function, complementing the seboregulating effects for overall skin comfort.
- The product is safe for your skin, containing no harsh ingredients and offering excellent sun protection with avobenzone and octocrylene.
How to apply
- Apply this moisturizing sunscreen AM daily to protect your skin and control shine. Reapply as needed throughout the day.
- Use it as the final step of your morning routine after applying your moisturizer. It combines hydration and sun protection in one.
- Gently smooth a nickel-sized amount evenly over your face, avoiding harsh rubbing. Let it absorb fully before putting on makeup.
- Apply it directly to clean, dry skin for the best oil-controlling finish. Ensure your face is completely dry so the product sets properly.
- Avoid the immediate eye area during application. Do a patch test before your first use to check for any sensitivity.
People Say
★4.3Overall rating based on 3.5k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, users with sensitive and combination skin frequently praise this moisturizer for being lightweight and non-irritating, often noting it provides effective hydration without clogging pores or causing acne breakouts. A notable subset of users experiences a burning or stinging sensation upon application, and those with darker skin tones often report a visible white cast, particularly with the SPF 35 and SPF 50 versions.
Highlights
Gentle for sensitive skin Often Mentioned
- “Great for my acne-prone skin, doesn't cause breakouts.”
Lightweight & non-greasy Often Mentioned
- “Glides on smoothly and absorbs quickly without leaving residue.”
- “Feels light on the skin, not heavy or sticky like other sunscreens.”
- “Perfect for under makeup because it isn't oily.”
Effective hydration Sometimes Noted
- “Keeps my dry patches moisturized all day.”
- “Leaves my skin feeling soft and plump.”
- “Good balance of moisture for my combination skin.”
Fragrance-free Sometimes Noted
- “Love that it has no strong perfume smell.”
- “Great for people sensitive to scents.”
- “Doesn't clash with my perfume.”
Burning sensation Sometimes Noted
- “Stings my face immediately after applying.”
- “Causes a burning feeling around my eyes.”
- “Had to wash it off because the burning wouldn't stop.”
White cast Sometimes Noted
- “Leaves a purple/white film on my dark skin.”
- “Takes a long time to rub in so I don't look pale.”
- “The SPF 50 version makes me look like a ghost.”
Eye irritation Rarely Noted
- “Makes my eyes water if I get it anywhere near them.”
- “Migrates into my eyes and stings badly.”
- “Can't use it on my forehead because it runs into my eyes.”
Greasy finish Rarely Noted
- “Left my face looking shiny and oily by midday.”
- “Felt like a layer of grease sitting on top of my skin.”
- “Too heavy for my very oily skin type.”
Sources: lovi.care, walmart.com, ulta.com, cetaphil.com, amazon.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer a great fit for combination skin?
Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer is a great fit because it balances oily shine with niacinamide while keeping your skin soft and hydrated using glycerin and panthenol vitamin B5. It is also safe for your skin, containing no harsh ingredients and offering excellent sun protection with avobenzone and octocrylene.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
Which ingredients make this moisturizer a good fit for combination skin?
Niacinamide and glycerin make this moisturizer a great fit for your combination skin because they balance oily shine while providing essential hydration. Panthenol vitamin B5 also helps support skin moisture and barrier function for overall comfort.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002
What does Avobenzone do for combination skin?
Avobenzone helps protect combination skin from sun damage, but it is best used in a stable formulation because it can break down under sunlight. Encapsulating this ingredient or combining it with photostability boosters may reduce skin irritation and improve safety.
European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2023Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology. B, Biology, 2015
What does Octocrylene do for combination skin?
Octocrylene is a UV filter that protects combination skin from sun damage without clogging pores or disrupting the skin's natural balance. It is unlikely to cause irritation or significantly affect the skin's healthy bacteria, though products of this type also benefit from added antioxidants to help reduce environmental stress.
Where does this moisturizer go in a skincare routine for combination skin?
This moisturizer goes in the morning routine after a hydrating toner and before your sunscreen. It helps balance oiliness and keeps your skin comfortable throughout the day without feeling heavy.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2020The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017
Can I use this moisturizer with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this moisturizer with retinol by applying your retinol treatment first in your evening routine, followed by this moisturizer to lock in hydration and keep your skin calm. Using a hydrating moisturizer with barrier-supporting ingredients like panthenol helps reduce the dryness and irritation often caused by retinol.
How often should I use this moisturizer?
You can use this moisturizer daily in the morning as part of your routine. Applying it regularly helps balance oiliness while keeping your skin hydrated and protected from the sun.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Health Science Reports, 2021
Can this moisturizer clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for combination skin?
This moisturizer is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts on combination skin, as it balances oiliness with niacinamide and provides lightweight hydration with glycerin and panthenol. Some reviewers do mention a greasy finish or burning sensation, so it may feel a bit rich depending on your skin.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002
Is this moisturizer 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, 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, 2025The application of a sunscreen formulation containing ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, ethylhexyl salicylate, methyl anthranilate, and octocrylene does not significantly affect critical acne-related species such as Cutibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis, refuting the induction of facial dysbiosis in men.
Archives of Dermatological Research, 2024Encapsulation of ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate and butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane in lipid microparticles significantly reduced their in vivo human skin penetration compared to nonencapsulated filters.
Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2011Microencapsulation of the BMDBM/HP-beta-CD complex in lipid microparticles significantly decreased the percutaneous penetration of the UV filter into the stratum corneum of human volunteers compared to the non-encapsulated sunscreen agent.
Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis, 2011Following human skin application of an O/W emulsion containing 2% BMDBM loaded in lipospheres, 15% of the sunscreen accumulated in the uppermost layers of the stratum corneum without remarkably modifying skin permeation compared to unencapsulated sunscreen.
Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2008Incorporating rosmarinic acid into sunscreens enhanced the in vivo SPF of octocrylene by over 157% and reduced lipid peroxidation in the human stratum corneum.
Antioxidants, 2025Early application of sunscreen after ablative fractional skin resurfacing significantly increased the sensitization rate of the UV-filter, octocrylene, and the sunscreen compared to intact skin.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2015Dermal sunscreen exposure in 20 healthy volunteers led to plasma concentrations of avobenzone, octocrylene, and its metabolite CDAA reaching up to 11 μg/L, 25 μg/L, and 1352 μg/L, respectively.
Environment International, 2019The 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, 2012Topical 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, 2021Topical 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, 2008Topical 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, 2005Topical 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, 2025Dermatological 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, 2021Topical 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
Ingredients
Water, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Panthenol Vitamin B5, Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene, Isopropyl Palmitate, Silica, Niacinamide, Cetearyl Olivate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Sorbitan Olivate, Tocopheryl Acetate Vitamin E Acetate, Caprylyl Glycol, Acrylates C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Palmitic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Leontopodium Extract Leontopodium Alpinum Extract, Stearic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Rice Extract Lees Extract, Propanediol, Sodium Hydroxide, Adenosine, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Myristic Acid, Buddleja Davidii Leaf Extract, Thymus Vulgaris Leaf Extract, Tocopherol Vitamin E, Avobenzone, Octocrylene
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
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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