Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer for oily skin
Avobenzone
Octocrylene
Glycerin
Niacinamide
Tocopheryl Acetate Vitamin EAverage
- HighOily Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for oily skin; other sunscreens fit it better.
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
- Offers moderate suitability for your oily skin as niacinamide helps regulate sebum production and glycerin provides essential hydration. Panthenol Vitamin B5 and Vitamin E also contribute to soothing and protecting your skin.
- The inclusion of avobenzone and octocrylene ensures excellent sun protection, shielding your oily skin from UV damage.
- The product is safe for your oily skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the presence of soothing components like Panthenol Vitamin B5 and Vitamin E.
How to apply
- Use this moisturizing sunscreen daily in your AM routine. Reapply every two hours when exposed to direct sun.
- Apply this moisturizing sunscreen as the final step of your morning routine after your moisturizer.
- Smooth an even layer of the moisturizing sunscreen over your face and neck, avoiding harsh rubbing.
- Apply the moisturizing sunscreen onto clean, dry skin for the best protection and even coverage.
- Avoid the immediate eye area and discontinue use if any irritation occurs.
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
How well does Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer work for oily skin?
Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer works moderately well for oily skin, as glycerin provides essential hydration and niacinamide helps regulate shine. To best fit oily skin, a product of this type needs to hydrate effectively without adding extra grease, maintain a lightweight and non-clogging feel, and offer safe daily sun protection.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017
Which ingredients make this moisturizer a good fit for oily skin?
Niacinamide helps control excess oil, and glycerin provides necessary hydration without making your skin greasy. Panthenol and vitamin E also soothe your skin and protect it. Oily skin of this type needs a lightweight product that hydrates without clogging pores while offering safe, non-greasy sun protection.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
What does Avobenzone do for oily skin?
Avobenzone protects outdoor skin from the sun, but for oily skin, it needs to be paired with lightweight hydrators and oil-controlling ingredients to keep skin clear and shine-free.
What does Octocrylene do for oily skin?
Octocrylene is a UV filter that helps protect your skin from sun damage without disrupting normal skin bacteria or causing breakouts. It is generally safe for daily use on oily skin, though it can occasionally act as an allergen for some people.
Archives of Dermatological Research, 2024Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2019
Where does this moisturizer go in a skincare routine for oily skin?
This moisturizer goes in the morning step of your skincare routine, right after your hydrating toner and before your sunscreen. Oily skin works best with products that offer lightweight hydration from ingredients like glycerin and niacinamide while helping keep shine under control.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2020The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017
Can I use it with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this moisturizer with retinol by applying the moisturizer first to help soothe your skin and reduce potential dryness. This routine step is unlikely to cause irritation because the product contains calming ingredients like vitamin B5 and vitamin E.
How often should I use this moisturizer?
You can use this moisturizer daily in the morning as part of your routine. Daily application helps keep your oily skin hydrated and protected from the sun without causing irritation.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Health Science Reports, 2021
Can it clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?
This moisturizer is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts on oily skin, as it avoids harsh ingredients and features soothing components like panthenol and vitamin E. Oily skin often benefits from products of this type that include lightweight hydration from glycerin alongside oil-controlling ingredients like niacinamide.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025
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 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 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, 2017Encapsulating avobenzone in low-porosity TiO2-embedded mesoporous silica (TiO2/SBA-S) reduced cutaneous avobenzone absorption from 0.76 to 0.50 nmol/mg while providing effective pollutant adsorbability, UVA protection, and a two- to three-fold reduction in photoaged skin cytokines/chemokines compared to the non-treatment control.
European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2023A 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, 2025Encapsulation 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, 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, 2024Early 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, 2015The 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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PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
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Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
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Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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