CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser for sensitive skin
Sodium Hyaluronate
Ceramide Np
Ceramide Ap- Ceramide Eop
Cholesterol
Superior
- SuperiorNormal Skin Fit
- SuperiorEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
One of the best cleansers for sensitive skin.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with sensitive skin: redness, stinging, and reactions to new products. 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 normal skin and goals of reducing redness and irritation is provided by ceramides and sodium hyaluronate, which hydrate and support your skin barrier. Glycerin and cholesterol further enhance this by providing humectant and emollient actions, complementing the barrier repair. The product is safe for your sensitive skin due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the inclusion of soothing components like ceramides and glycerin.
How to apply
- Use your cleanser in the AM and PM routines every day. Start using it daily since your sensitive skin needs gentle care.
- Apply this first in your morning and evening skincare routine before toner and moisturizer. This clears away dirt without upsetting your skin.
- Gently massage a small amount onto your face using soft circles. Avoid any rough rubbing to keep redness away.
- Apply the cleanser on slightly damp skin to help it wash away impurities softly. Clean skin feels fresh and comfortable afterwards.
- Avoid getting the cleanser in your eyes and do a quick patch test before first use. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water.
People Say
★4.6Overall rating based on 23.2k+ reviewsMany users report it helps with flakiness and soothes irritation, even alongside acne treatments. Some users dislike the lotion-like texture, finding it leaves a film or is insufficient for removing heavy makeup.
Highlights
Non-stripping hydration Mostly Mentioned
- “face feels plump and hydrated”
- “doesn't leave skin squeaky or tight”
- “saved my moisture barrier”
Extremely gentle Often Mentioned
- “perfect for sensitive skin”
- “great while using retinol/Accutane”
Poor makeup removal Often Mentioned
- “doesn't take off waterproof makeup”
- “need to double cleanse”
- “leaves residue of foundation”
Beneficial ingredients Sometimes Noted
- “love the ceramides for repair”
- “hyaluronic acid helps retain moisture”
- “fragrance-free is a huge plus”
Creamy texture Sometimes Noted
- “feels like washing with lotion”
- “smooth and silky application”
- “very comforting on dry patches”
"Unclean" feeling Sometimes Noted
- “feels like rubbing lotion on dirt”
- “skin doesn't feel clean after”
- “leaves a waxy film”
Burning sensation Rarely Noted
- “burned my face instantly”
- “stung my sensitive skin”
- “caused redness and heat”
Caused breakouts Rarely Noted
- “gave me deep cystic acne”
- “clogged my pores immediately”
- “caused tiny whiteheads”
Sources: lovi.care, walmart.com, ulta.com, target.com, cerave.com, reddit.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser one of the best fits for sensitive skin?
This cleanser is an excellent fit because ceramides and sodium hyaluronate hydrate and support your skin barrier while helping to reduce redness and irritation. Glycerin and cholesterol further enhance this by keeping skin smooth and comfortable, and the formula is safe for sensitive skin due to the absence of harsh ingredients.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for sensitive skin?
Ceramides and sodium hyaluronate make this cleanser a great fit by keeping your skin hydrated and supporting your protective barrier while you wash. Glycerin and cholesterol help calm redness and irritation, and the formula avoids harsh ingredients to keep your sensitive skin safe.
What does Hyaluronic Acid do for sensitive skin?
Hyaluronic acid helps calm and hydrate sensitive skin while supporting the skin barrier to keep it soft and comfortable. Clinical studies show it improves surface moisture and reduces dryness, roughness, and redness without irritation.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2025Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2018
What do Ceramides do for sensitive skin?
Ceramides help calm sensitive skin by strengthening the protective barrier, which may reduce discomfort and sensitivity over time. This type of product works best when it contains properly dissolved ceramides combined with soothing ingredients to support the skin without causing irritation.
Archives of Dermatological Research, 2018Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2026
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for sensitive skin?
This cleanser goes in your routine in both the morning and the evening. Using a mild cleanser helps keep your sensitive skin clean without stripping away moisture.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cleanser with retinol by using the cleanser first on damp skin, letting it dry completely, and then applying your retinol treatment. Using a gentle cleanser that contains ceramides and glycerin helps support your skin barrier and may reduce dryness and irritation while you use retinol.
How often should I use this cleanser?
You can use this cleanser daily in both your morning and evening routines. A gentle cleanser used regularly helps keep your skin hydrated while supporting your natural skin barrier.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for sensitive skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for sensitive skin. Reviewers rarely report breakouts, and the formula is designed to be gentle without harsh ingredients that typically upset sensitive areas.
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
Yes, you can use this cleanser around the eyes and on your body because its gentle formula and hydrating ingredients are well-suited for thinner skin areas. It helps cleanse delicate skin safely without causing irritation or disrupting your skin barrier.
Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 2002Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol. Cetearyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, and cetyl alcohol are fatty alcohols, 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, 2017Topical 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, 2019Botulinum toxin-A encapsulated in phosphatidylcholine/cholesterol nanoliposomes delivered transdermally achieved a diffusion depth of 380 μm and showed a nonsignificant advantage in relieving post-acne scarring compared to hyaluronic acid hydrogel treatment in 12 facial patients.
Journal of Materials Science. Materials in Medicine, 2024Topical application of cholesterol sulfate increases stratum corneum thickness and inhibits protease-induced cell dissociation by competitively inhibiting serine proteases in mice and human stratum corneum.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 1998Topical lovastatin treatment impairs the recovery of cutaneous permeability barrier function and stratum corneum cholesterol levels after acetone disruption in mice, an effect normalized by simultaneous treatment with mevalonate or cholesterol.
The Journal of Clinical Investigation, 1990
Ingredients
Water, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Peg-40 Stearate, Stearyl Alcohol, Potassium Phosphate, Ceramide Np, Ceramide Ap, Ceramide Eop, Carbomer, Glyceryl Stearate, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cholesterol, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium Edta, Dipotassium Phosphate, Tocopherol, Phytosphingosine, Xanthan Gum, Cetyl Alcohol, Polysorbate 20, 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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Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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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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