CeraVe Intensive Moisturizing Lotion for oily skin
Hydro-Urea
3 Essential Ceramides
Shea Butter
Hyaluronic Acid
Warning
- AverageOily Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- RiskySafety
A poor match for oily skin; the moisturizers alongside fit it better.
- Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
- American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002
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 excellent moisturizing for your oily skin due to the presence of glycerin and hyaluronic acid, which hydrate and plump effectively, but these ingredients are largely irrelevant for managing oily shine.
- While the formula is safe for your oily skin and free from harsh ingredients, it lacks sufficient components for strong oil control.
How to apply
- Could be used as part of your AM or PM routine every day to keep your face fresh.
- Apply this moisturizer after cleansing and toning, but right before your SPF in the morning.
- Gently press a small amount into your skin and let it absorb fully.
- Apply on clean, slightly dry skin to help control that oily shine.
- Avoid the eye area and do a quick patch test before your first use.
People Say
★4.7Overall rating based on 400+ reviewsThis lotion is highly praised by users with dry, itchy, or flaky skin for its ability to provide deep, long-lasting hydration without the heavy grease associated with traditional intensive creams. The inclusion of 5% Hydro-Urea is frequently highlighted as a key differentiator that helps smooth rough texture and relieve itchiness, though it can cause temporary stinging on broken or sensitive skin.
Highlights
Fast Absorption Mostly Mentioned
- “Sinks in quickly”
- “Non-greasy finish”
- “Dries down faster than expected”
Deep Hydration Often Mentioned
- “Keeps skin moisturized all day”
- “Effective for winter dryness”
- “Restores moisture barrier”
Lightweight Feel Often Mentioned
- “Richer than daily lotion but feels light”
- “Breathable”
- “Not sticky”
Itch Relief Sometimes Noted
- “Soothes itchy skin”
- “Comfortable on tight skin”
Texture Improvement Sometimes Noted
- “Smooths rough patches”
- “Reduces flakiness”
- “Softens "alligator skin"”
Stinging sensation Sometimes Noted
- “Burns on open sores”
- “Stings broken skin”
- “Temporary tingling”
Price/Value Rarely Noted
- “Expensive for size”
- “Small bottle”
- “Higher cost than standard lotion”
Residue Rarely Noted
- “Can feel tacky initially”
- “Slightly shiny finish”
- “Greasy if over-applied”
Scent Rarely Noted
- “Faint "chemical" smell”
- “Medicinal odor”
Sources: lovi.care, hometesterclub.com, reddit.com, ulta.com, target.com, staples.com, and more
Questions and answers
Why does Lovi advise against CeraVe Intensive Moisturizing Lotion for oily skin?
This moisturizer is a poor match for your oily skin because it lacks sufficient components for strong oil control. A suitable product for this skin type needs peptides, lightweight hydrating agents, and barrier-supporting ingredients that do not contribute to excess oiliness or breakouts.
Which ingredients make this moisturizer a poor fit for oily skin?
This moisturizer is a poor fit for oily skin because it contains heavy ingredients like shea butter and petrolatum, which can feel too thick and do not help control oily shine. Oily skin needs a moisturizer of this type to include a lightweight texture with hydrating agents and peptides, along with ingredients that manage oil and support the skin barrier without clogging pores.
What does Hydroxyethyl Urea do for oily skin?
Hydroxyethyl Urea helps keep oily skin soft and smooth without feeling heavy or greasy. It draws moisture into your skin while remaining light and comfortable for daily wear.
What do Ceramides do for oily skin?
Ceramides help keep oily skin balanced by strengthening the skin barrier and retaining essential moisture without clogging pores. When paired with ingredients like niacinamide, they may also help improve skin texture and reduce blemishes. To work well for oily skin, this type of product needs lightweight hydrators and pore-balancing ingredients.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2004
Where does this moisturizer go in a skincare routine for oily skin?
This moisturizer is not a great match for oily skin because it lacks oil-controlling ingredients, even though it is safe and hydrating. Oily skin needs a moisturizer with ingredients that target excess shine.
Can I use this moisturizer with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this moisturizer with retinol to help keep your skin comfortable and reduce dryness. Apply the retinol first, let it absorb, and then smooth on your moisturizer.
How often should I use this moisturizer?
This moisturizer is a poor match for your oily skin because it lacks oil control components, so you should avoid using it and instead look for a lightweight, oil-free formula with ingredients like niacinamide or salicylic acid to help balance excess shine.
Can this moisturizer clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?
This moisturizer is unlikely to cause purging, but it may feel heavy and lacks strong oil control for oily skin. To manage oily skin properly, a product of this type needs lightweight hydrators and oil-absorbing ingredients like niacinamide or salicylic acid.
Can I use this moisturizer around the eyes or on my body?
You can use this moisturizer around the eyes and on your body, as its safe formula is well tolerated by delicate and thicker skin regions. Studies show that similar moisturizing creams hydrate effectively and improve skin texture in periorbital and body areas without irritation.
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, 2017Topical 40% urea cream achieved improvement in less time and showed superiority over 12% ammonium lactate lotion in skin roughness, fissure reduction, thickness, and dryness at day 14 in patients treated for moderate to severe xerosis.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002Topical treatment with K101 achieved a significantly higher mycological cure rate compared to placebo in patients with ≤50% nail involvement (27.2% vs 10.4%), while showing early visible improvements in nail appearance and no safety issues.
Mycoses, 2012A combination cream of stimu-tex AS and saccharide isomerate reduced erythema, increased skin capacitance, and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to placebo in 20 subjects after fractional CO2 laser procedure without causing serious adverse events.
Lasers in Medical Science, 2025A skin barrier restoring cream with shea butter, silkflo, and vitamin E increased type I procollagen synthesis, enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity, decreased reactive oxygen species generation, and promoted hyaluronic acid production in H2O2-stimulated human keratinocyte cells compared to untreated cells.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2025Topical 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, 2019
Ingredients
Water, Glycerin, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ceteareth-20, Ceramide Np, Ceramide Ap, Ceramide Eop, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Dimethicone, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Petrolatum, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Potassium Phosphate, Disodium Edta, Dipropylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, 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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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
How does it fit your skin?
Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.