CeraVe

CeraVe Oil Control Gel Creme.

Moisturizers

About this product

A lightweight, oil-control moisturizer designed for oily and acne-prone skin, formulated with niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and silica to hydrate while managing excess oil.

Full ingredients

Aqua/Water/Eau, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Cetearyl Isononanoate, C14-22 Alcohols, Isopropyl Myristate, Zea Mays Starch/Corn Starch, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Carbomer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Triethyl Citrate, Silica, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Cholesterol, Phenoxyethanol, Citric Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Xanthan Gum, Phytosphingosine, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Benzoic Acid, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside

Guru Score

70%

Mixed

8 experts · Strong agreement

What the gurus are saying

This gel cream earns consistent praise for its mattifying effect and lightweight texture, making it a standout for oily skin that needs hydration without heaviness or shine. Niacinamide and oil-absorbing ingredients like silica help regulate oil throughout the day, and dermatologists note it won't exacerbate acne or leave skin feeling sticky. The one caveat: if your skin skews dry, the starch and silica may create a slight film, so you might want to patch-test first or use it only on your oilier zones.

Synthesized from 8 expert reviews · most recent take July 2026

What they liked

Mattifying effect without looking flat
Lightweight texture for oily skin
Matte finish after absorption

What they flagged

Pills and causes peeling under sunscreen
Stinging and burning sensation on some skin

Best for

Oily skin Acne-prone skin

Type

MoisturizersGel

Key actives

Niacinamide Hyaluronic acidCeramides

Formula notes

Fragrance-freeNo drying alcohol

Where to buy

Ulta → Amazon → Google →

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Scan it in the shopFree iPhone app. Scores in the aisle.

What the experts use it for.

The concerns the experts tie this product to, in their own words. Paid and founder takes don't count.

Excess oil and shine4 experts

“Or even the oil control gel cream if you have oilier skin.”

Dr. Daniel Sugai, watch at 8:46

Breakouts and acne1 expert

“If you are someone who feels that whatever moisturizer you use you break out and makes your acne worse, then this product is the one for you.”

Dr. Aanchal MD, watch at 3:15

Irritated or reactive skin1 expert

“This will help in soothing the skin, maintain skin barrier, moisturize the skin without feeling heavy or sticky, and it's not going to exacerbate your acne.”

Dr. Aanchal MD, watch at 3:15

Skin barrier support1 expert

“This will help in soothing the skin, maintain skin barrier, moisturize the skin without feeling heavy or sticky, and it's not going to exacerbate your acne.”

Dr. Aanchal MD, watch at 3:15

Dehydrated skin1 expert

“and hyaluronic acid to moisturize the skin in case it might be dehydrated.”

April Basi, watch at 3:15

What the gurus are saying.

Every take we've logged from this product's reviews across YouTube. Click any row to watch the moment they said it.

All takes Yay takes Nay takes Mixed takes Hide sponsored

Dr. Vanita Rattan

1.23M subs

~Nay

"I don't actually like that product."

Dr. Daniel Sugai

723k subs

~Yay

"CeraVe Oil Control Moisturizing Gel Cream is great for oily skin."

All 5 takes from Dr. Daniel Sugai

The Five Best Anti-Aging Products a Dermatologist Actually Buys

"I also like their nice new oil control gel cream if for people with very oily skin and you want something even lighter weight very similar packaging and the pump is very similar couple swipes and it's gone this one's nice because it also has niacinamide as well so check that one out only $16"

How to Layer Your Skincare Products in an Anti-Aging Skincare Routine

"CeraVe Oil Control Moisturizing Gel Cream is great for oily skin."

Retinoid Irritation Explained by a Dermatologist | Skin Barrier Adaptation Science

"Or even the oil control gel cream if you have oilier skin."

The Truth About Pore Size: Can You Really Shrink Them?

"You can get oil control moisturizing gel cream by CeraVe. This is their newer one, and I haven't talked about this one on the channel, but it has niacinamide and it has hyaluronic acid. It's very lightweight."

The Retinol and Tretinoin Mistakes Derms Want You to Stop Making

"If you have oily skin, you can do CeraVe's Oil Control Gel Creme."

Dr. Aanchal MD

3.50M subs

~Yay

"So all these ingredients make this product a perfect one for those with oily sensitive skin. If you are someone who feels that whatever moisturizer you use you break out and makes your acne worse, then this product is the one for you. This will help in soothing the skin, maintain skin barrier, moisturize the skin without feeling heavy or sticky, and it's not going to exacerbate your acne."

Doctorly

3.59M subs

~Yay

"The oil control moisturizing gel cream, if you have oily skin you're going to love this. That mattifying effect from the starch is great, it's subtle, it won't leave you flat, but it's a great one."

All 2 takes from Doctorly

Products We HATE and LOVE from CeraVe | Doctorly Reviews

"The oil control moisturizing gel cream, if you have oily skin you're going to love this. That mattifying effect from the starch is great, it's subtle, it won't leave you flat, but it's a great one."

Stop Using the WRONG Moisturizer | The Ultimate Guide for Every Skin Type

"Another really good option is the CeraVe oil control moisturizer. It's niacinamide based, which helps control oil, and it also has cornstarch and silica, both oil absorbing ingredients. The risk [...] is if you're on the drier side, you'll notice almost like a film that forms on the skin, but if you're oily, it really does help to regulate oil throughout the day."

Abbey Yung

887k subs

~Yay

"I was worried [...] it would leave my skin feeling under-hydrated, but [...] as a daytime moisturizer my skin feels plenty hydrated and moisturized, [...] and it absolutely does help with shine control, which is incredible because I can't think of another moisturizer that does that in the same way. [...] It still lets my skin do skin things, [...] my oils still come through enough that my skin looks plump and hydrated, but it stops it right before it starts looking oily."

April Basi

72k subs

~Yay

"The first product I love from CeraVe for oily skin is their Oil Control Moisturizing Cream. This one also has MVE technology, which is great for releasing the ingredients over time to moisturize the skin. It also has an oil control technology, which is a mix of silica that helps to absorb extra oil from the skin. There's also niacinamide, which helps to control excess oil, and hyaluronic acid to moisturize the skin in case it might be dehydrated."

No BS Beauty

89k subs

~Mixed

"It feels nice, it's not terribly tacky. I mean, it's a little tacky but it doesn't feel greasy or anything. I would say overall it's a pretty matte finish. It's not like [...] that silicone feeling you get with a really silicone-y type primer. [...] This doesn't have that. It feels pretty nice. I'll see how it works under and over other skincare products, but so far, good first impressions."

Dr Dray

2.69M subs

~Nay

"The texture is a bit different, the product spreads easily on the skin. [...] For me personally, this is a new experience with a CeraVe product, I've never had this issue before, but [...] this actually caused me some discomfort applying it. [...] I feel a little tingle and a little bit of warmth, especially on my cheeks, which is an area where you have a high density of blood vessels. [...] It's uncomfortable, almost like the beginnings of wanting to itch."

All 2 takes from Dr Dray

*NEW* CeraVe Oil Control Moisturizing Gel-Cream Review

Skin care tips | Skin care at Sprouts | 🎄Tree Decorating | Vlog @DrDrayzday

"Their lightweight facial moisturizer is pretty good."

What the evidence says.

Independent of what the gurus think, this is what the published research supports about the main active ingredients here.

Niacinamide

Niacinamide has evidence behind it for redness, uneven tone and supporting the skin barrier, and it is usually well tolerated even by skin that reacts to most things.

Source: DermNet

Ceramides

Ceramides are part of the skin's own barrier, and moisturisers built around them have evidence for holding water in and settling the tightness and flaking that come with a damaged barrier.

Source: DermNet

Humectants and emollients

Ingredients like these draw water into the surface layers and slow how fast it leaves. The evidence is for comfort, softness and hydration rather than for changing the structure of the skin.

Source: DermNet

Frequently asked.

What is CeraVe Oil Control Gel Creme?

A lightweight, oil-control moisturizer designed for oily and acne-prone skin, formulated with niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and silica to hydrate while managing excess oil.

Is CeraVe Oil Control Gel Creme worth it?

The gurus are split. 5 of the 8 gurus give it their stamp of approval while 2 would skip it, which lands it in the middle at a Guru Score of 70%.

What is CeraVe Oil Control Gel Creme's Guru Score?

CeraVe Oil Control Gel Creme holds a Guru Score of 70%. That is our read on how warmly the experts talk about it, based on the verdicts of 8 expert reviewers we have collected.

Who is CeraVe Oil Control Gel Creme best for?

CeraVe Oil Control Gel Creme is generally suited to oily skin and acne-prone skin.

What is CeraVe Oil Control Gel Creme good for, according to the experts?

In their reviews, experts say CeraVe Oil Control Gel Creme is good for excess oil and shine (4 experts), breakouts and acne (1 expert), irritated or reactive skin (1 expert), skin barrier support (1 expert) and dehydrated skin (1 expert).

Is CeraVe Oil Control Gel Creme good for excess oil and shine?

4 experts who reviewed CeraVe Oil Control Gel Creme say it is. Dr. Daniel Sugai put it this way: “Or even the oil control gel cream if you have oilier skin.”