CeraVe Makeup Removing Cleanser Balm for dry sensitive skin
Ceramide Np
Ceramide Ap- Ceramide Eop
Jojoba Seed Oil
Tocopherol
High
- HighDry Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- HighSafety
A great choice for dry sensitive skin; a few pre-cleansers fit it even better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dry sensitive skin: flakiness, tightness, redness, fine lines, and wrinkles. 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 excellent makeup removal for your dry and sensitive skin, as ethylhexyl palmitate and peg-20 glyceryl triisostearate effectively dissolve impurities without causing irritation. Ceramides and Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil provide essential hydration and barrier support, directly addressing your dry or flaky skin concerns.
- The formula's inclusion of phenoxyethanol and tocopherol further supports skin health by offering antioxidant benefits and mild preservation.
- This product is safe for your skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.
How to apply
- Use your makeup remover PM as the first step of your evening routine. Start 3×/week daily use if your dry skin tolerates it well.
- Apply this makeup remover before your regular cleanser, toner, and moisturizer. It prepares your face for a thorough double-cleansing routine.
- Gently press a small amount onto your skin using a soft cotton pad. Avoid rubbing to protect your sensitive and flaky skin.
- Apply the makeup remover on completely dry skin to ensure better tolerance and comfort. This prevents any extra irritation for reactive skin types.
- Avoid the sensitive eye area and do a patch test before your very first use to prevent irritation.
People Say
★4.5Overall rating based on 8.0k+ reviewsBased 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
What makes CeraVe Makeup Removing Cleanser Balm a great fit for dry sensitive skin?
This cleanser balm is a great fit because ethylhexyl palmitate and peg-20 glyceryl triisostearate dissolve makeup without causing irritation, while ceramides and jojoba seed oil keep dry, sensitive skin hydrated. Tocopherol and phenoxyethanol further help support skin health with antioxidant benefits.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for dry sensitive skin?
This cleanser is a great fit because ethylhexyl palmitate and peg-20 glyceryl triisostearate melt away makeup while ceramides and jojoba seed oil hydrate and protect dry skin. Tocopherol also helps support overall skin health with gentle antioxidant benefits.
What do Ceramides do for dry sensitive skin?
Ceramides help hydrate dry sensitive skin and strengthen its outer barrier to reduce water loss and calm irritation. Using a product with ceramides often improves skin comfort and makes the skin feel much softer.
International Journal of Dermatology, 2008Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2016
What does Ceramide AP do for dry sensitive skin?
Ceramide AP helps lock in moisture and calm dry sensitive skin by repairing the outer skin barrier. Using this ingredient helps reduce water loss and keeps skin feeling smooth and comfortable.
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for dry sensitive skin?
This makeup remover is used in your evening routine as the first step before cleansing, and once a week in your weekly routine before cleansing. It is a great fit because it removes makeup gently while ceramides and jojoba seed oil keep your skin soft and calm without irritation.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this makeup remover in your evening routine before cleansing when using retinol, helping to gently wash away makeup while supporting your skin barrier. Using barrier-friendly cleansers helps keep dry, sensitive skin comfortable and less prone to irritation during retinoid use.
How often should I use this cleanser?
You can use this makeup remover in the evening whenever you wear makeup, as part of your nighttime routine. It is a great fit for your dry sensitive skin because it gently washes away impurities while adding hydration and supporting your skin barrier.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry sensitive skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for dry sensitive skin because its ingredients dissolve impurities without irritation while supporting your skin barrier. It also has a safe profile with no harsh ingredients.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
A topical serum containing vitamin C, vitamin E, and raspberry leaf cell culture extract improved skin color, elasticity, radiance, smoothness, scaliness, and wrinkles compared to the untreated contralateral side in fifty female volunteers.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Clay 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, 2012Topical 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, 2024Topical 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, 2025Topical 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
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.
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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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