1st on the list, which puts it at an estimated 30–80% of the formula.
Aqua (EU),Deionized Water,Distilled Water,Micromatrix Fractile AN,Onsen-Sui (JPN),Purified Water
CeraVe
Acne Clay To Foam Cleanser
face cleanser
CeraVe
face cleanser
Added Last edited
Fit by skin type
General, ingredient-based — not your personalized match.
See how this fits your skin
Take the skin test and I'll show you how suitable this product is for you.
Take the skin testCeraVe Acne Clay-to-Foam Cleanser is a multi-use, 3-in-1 clay face wash that helps visibly reduce the appearance of pores, cleanses and controls shine, and helps maintain your skin barrier. This versatile clay facial cleanser transforms from clay to a fresh-cleaning foam with 2% salicylic acid, to help clear acne breakouts and help prevent new ones from forming, as well as three essential ceramides and glycerine.
Acne Clay To Foam Cleanser is a lightweight cleanser from CeraVe, a brand based in USA. The formula is built mainly around hydration. The ingredient list runs to 26 ingredients, each broken down in full below.
By its ingredient list the formula reads as light: water and humectants lead, with emollients kept lower in the order. Hydration is handled by Glycerin, Beta-glucan and Water, humectants that pull water into the upper layers of skin rather than sealing it there.
Hydration: High. Ingredients that pull and hold water in the upper layers of skin, and here that comes from Glycerin, Beta-glucan, Water and Glyceryl Stearate SE.
Oil control: Moderate. Ingredients that moderate sebum or absorb shine, and here that comes from Kaolin, Niacinamide and Triethyl Citrate.
Barrier support: Moderate. Lipids and repair signals that support skin barrier integrity, and here that comes from Niacinamide, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP and Ceramide EOP.
Soothing: Moderate. Ingredients aimed at visible redness and reactivity, and here that comes from Beta-glucan, Sodium Benzoate, Niacinamide and Chitosan.
On richness alone it suits Balanced, Combination (oily) and Oily skin best, and is the least natural fit for Dry and Combination (dry) skin. Nothing in the list is flagged as a common irritant, which is a reasonable starting point for reactive skin — though a patch test is still the only way to know.
The formula contributes little or nothing on antioxidant protection, cell renewal and firmness signalling. That is not a fault — most products are not meant to do everything — but if one of those is your priority, this is not the product that will address it.
Reading the full list, the formula is fragrance-free, essential-oil-free, no drying alcohol, paraben-free, silicone-free and microplastic-free. Those claims come from the ingredient list itself, not from the packaging.
It can be used morning and evening. In a routine it goes first step. Use on damp skin and rinse thoroughly. Follow with a toner or essence while skin is still slightly damp.
This summary is generated from the product's ingredient list. It is not a review, it is not the brand's own marketing claims, and it does not replace advice from a dermatologist.
Drawn purely from the ingredient list
Scored on how rich or light the formula reads from its INCI order.
No ingredient in this formula carries a common-irritant flag, making it a reasonable option for reactive skin. A patch test is still recommended, as individual skin reactivity varies.
Based on the curated benefits documented for this product's ingredients.
Attracts and locks in moisture to keep skin plump and dewy
Boosts collagen and cell turnover to reduce fine lines and wrinkles
Calms redness, irritation, and inflammation for sensitive skin
Regulates sebum production to reduce shine and greasiness
Tightens and refines the look of enlarged pores
Brightens and balances complexion for a more uniform appearance
None of the ingredients in this formula are associated with these benefits. This is not unusual, as most products are designed to target a limited number of concerns.
The actives, UV filters and benefit-carrying ingredients in this formula, in the order they are listed.
1st on the list, which puts it at an estimated 30–80% of the formula.
Aqua (EU),Deionized Water,Distilled Water,Micromatrix Fractile AN,Onsen-Sui (JPN),Purified Water
2nd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.
Glycerine ;Glycerol (INN); Glycerol (RIFM); Glycerolum (EP); Glycyl Alcohol; 1,2,3-Propanetriol; 1,2,3-Trihydroxypropane
3rd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.
Naturally occurring substances, kaolin (CI 77004)
5th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
Octadecanoic acid, reaction products with 1,2,3-propanetriol (1:1), neutralized
6th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
Hexadecan-1-ol
7th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
Niacinamide (vitamin B3) is a gentle skincare active that repairs the skin barrier, calms redness, controls oil and evens tone at 2–5%. Official IUPAC name: **3-Pyridinecarboxamide**
9th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
Carrageenan Carrageenin Chondrus Chondrus Crispus (Carrageenan)
10th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
beta-Glucan is a polysaccharide consisting of b(1-3) linked glucose chains carrying b(1-6) linked glucose sidechains
11th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–3% of the formula.
Ceramide NP,1,3,4-Octadecanetriol, 2-Octadecanamide,Stearoyl-C18-Phytosphingosine,Stearoyl-4-Hydroxysphinganine
12th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–3% of the formula.
1,3,4-Octadecanetriol, 2-(2-Hydroxy) Stearamide
13th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–3% of the formula.
Ceramide EOP,1,3,4-Octadecanetriol, 2-Stearoyloxyheptacosamide,Stearoyloxyheptacosanoyl-C18-Phytosphingosine,Stearoyloxyheptacosanoyl-4-Hydroxysphinganine
15th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Triethyl citrate
Each axis is scored from the ingredients present and how high up the list they sit.
Ingredients that pull and hold water in the upper layers of skin
Lipids and repair signals that support skin barrier integrity
Ingredients that mop up free radicals from UV and pollution
Ingredients that moderate sebum or absorb shine
Ingredients that act on uneven tone and post-inflammatory marks
Ingredients aimed at visible redness and reactivity
Retinoids, acids and enzymes that speed surface turnover
Peptides and growth factors that signal for collagen support
"Active" here means an ingredient carrying a recorded active type or a recognised UV filter.
Solvents, emollients, texture agents and preservatives — the formula that carries the actives.
Read from the full ingredient list. A brand's own claim may differ.
Judged by the same curated rules our routine checker uses. It reads the ingredients, not the label.
Best kept to separate routines — one in the morning, one at night, or on alternate days.
Can be layered, but the combination raises the irritation risk. Go slowly.
Can be layered, but the combination raises the irritation risk. Go slowly.
Can be layered, but the combination raises the irritation risk. Go slowly.
Can be layered, but the combination raises the irritation risk. Go slowly.
Can be layered, but the combination raises the irritation risk. Go slowly.
This product is the "Cleanse" step.
Flags to check, not verdicts. None of this is medical advice — if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or treating a skin condition, ask a doctor.
Most ingredients do more than one job, so these counts add up to more than the 26 ingredients on the label.
Lifts oil and dirt, or holds oil and water together
Sets the thickness, spread and stability of the formula
Changes how skin behaves rather than how it feels
Softens and smooths by filling gaps between skin cells
Sets the acidity the formula needs to work
Draws water into the upper layers of skin
Forms a film that slows water loss
Keeps the product free of microbial growth
Dissolves and carries everything else
Binds trace metals that would otherwise spoil the formula
Loosens or dissolves dead surface cells
Every ingredient on the label, in order, with what it does and roughly how much of it is likely to be there.
1st on the list, which puts it at an estimated 30–80% of the formula.
Aqua (EU),Deionized Water,Distilled Water,Micromatrix Fractile AN,Onsen-Sui (JPN),Purified Water
2nd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.
Glycerine ;Glycerol (INN); Glycerol (RIFM); Glycerolum (EP); Glycyl Alcohol; 1,2,3-Propanetriol; 1,2,3-Trihydroxypropane
3rd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.
Naturally occurring substances, kaolin (CI 77004)
4th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
Fatty acids, coco, 2-sulfoethyl esters, sodium salts
5th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
Octadecanoic acid, reaction products with 1,2,3-propanetriol (1:1), neutralized
6th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
Hexadecan-1-ol
7th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
Niacinamide (vitamin B3) is a gentle skincare active that repairs the skin barrier, calms redness, controls oil and evens tone at 2–5%. Official IUPAC name: **3-Pyridinecarboxamide**
8th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
Glycolipids are mixed substances which contain carbohydrates covalently attached to a lipid
9th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
Carrageenan Carrageenin Chondrus Chondrus Crispus (Carrageenan)
10th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
beta-Glucan is a polysaccharide consisting of b(1-3) linked glucose chains carrying b(1-6) linked glucose sidechains
11th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–3% of the formula.
Ceramide NP,1,3,4-Octadecanetriol, 2-Octadecanamide,Stearoyl-C18-Phytosphingosine,Stearoyl-4-Hydroxysphinganine
12th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–3% of the formula.
1,3,4-Octadecanetriol, 2-(2-Hydroxy) Stearamide
13th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–3% of the formula.
Ceramide EOP,1,3,4-Octadecanetriol, 2-Stearoyloxyheptacosamide,Stearoyloxyheptacosanoyl-C18-Phytosphingosine,Stearoyloxyheptacosanoyl-4-Hydroxysphinganine
14th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
2-Propenoic acid, polymer with 2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)propane-1,3-diol 2-propenyl ether
15th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Triethyl citrate
16th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Sodium hydroxide
17th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Sodium benzoate
18th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Sodium 2-(1-carboxylatoethoxy)-1-methyl-2-oxoethyl laurate
19th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Cholest-5-en-3-ol (beta)-
20th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Octane-1,2-diol
21st on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
L-Aspartic acid, N,N'-1,2-ethanediylbis-, trisodium salt
22nd on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Propanoic acid, 2-hydroxy-
23rd on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Chitin, deacylated
24th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
1,3,4-Octadecanetriol, 2-amino-, (2S, 3S, 4R)-
25th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Xanthan gum
26th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Benzoic acid
Products in the same category that share this formula's distinguishing ingredients.
CeraVe
Shares 7 key ingredients with Acne Clay To Foam Cleanser: Water, Glycerin, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP
Benton
Shares 6 key ingredients with Acne Clay To Foam Cleanser: Water, Cetyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Ceramide NP, Beta-glucan
CeraVe
Shares 6 key ingredients with Acne Clay To Foam Cleanser: Water, Glycerin, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP
CeraVe
Shares 5 key ingredients with Acne Clay To Foam Cleanser: Water, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Triethyl Citrate
CeraVe
Shares 5 key ingredients with Acne Clay To Foam Cleanser: Water, Glycerin, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP
Dr. Ceuracle
Shares 5 key ingredients with Acne Clay To Foam Cleanser: Water, Glycerin, Kaolin, Beta-glucan, Ceramide NP
WATER, GLYCERIN, KAOLIN, SODIUM COCOYL ISETHIONATE, GLYCERYL STEARATE SE, CETYL ALCOHOL, NIACINAMIDE, GLYCOLIPIDS, CARRAGEENAN, BETA-GLUCAN, CERAMIDE NP, CERAMIDE AP, CERAMIDE EOP, CARBOMER, TRIETHYL CITRATE, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, SODIUM BENZOATE, SODIUM LAUROYL LACTYLATE, CHOLESTEROL, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, TRISODIUM ETHYLENEDIAMINE DISUCCINATE, LACTIC ACID, CHITOSAN, PHYTOSPHINGOSINE, XANTHAN GUM, BENZOIC ACID.
NIACINAMIDE, CERAMIDE NP, CERAMIDE AP, CERAMIDE EOP, LACTIC ACID.
As a clay face wash: Start with damp skin, apply a small amount and gently massage in circular motions, allow the clay to transform into a foam, and rinse thoroughly with warm water. As a clay mask: Apply a thin, even layer onto damp skin 1-2 times a week, leave on for 10 minutes, and rinse with warm water. As an overnight spot treatment: Apply as needed directly onto clean, dry blemishes; in the morning, use it as a clay face wash to lather away the spot treatment while cleansing the rest of your face.
Judged on how rich the formula reads from its ingredient list, it suits Balanced, Combination (oily), Oily skin best. It is the least natural fit for Dry, Combination (dry) skin.
No ingredient in this formula carries a common-irritant flag, making it a reasonable option for reactive skin. A patch test is still recommended, as individual skin reactivity varies.
One ingredient could feed malassezia: Glyceryl Stearate SE. That describes the yeast's food supply, not a prediction that it will cause a breakout.
Nothing in this formula is on the standard pregnancy-caution list. That is not medical clearance — check anything you use daily with your doctor or midwife.
Yes. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is fragrance-free.
No. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is no drying alcohol.
Yes. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is silicone-free.
No. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is essential-oil-free.
Yes. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is paraben-free.
It layers well with Azelaic acid, Copper peptides, Bakuchiol, Niacinamide, Hyaluronic acid, Ceramides. Take more care combining it with Retinoids (retinol, retinal), Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid), AHAs (glycolic, lactic), BHA (salicylic acid), PHAs (gluconolactone), Benzoyl peroxide — use them in separate routines or on alternate days.
Use it morning and evening, first step.
It lists 26 ingredients, of which 5 are recorded as actives.
CeraVe, a brand based in USA.
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