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
Balancing Air Foam Facial Cleanser
face foam cleanser
CeraVe
face foam 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 testIs a foam cleanser developed with dermatologist designed to care for normal to combination skin—especially those managing skin oiliness and dryness at once. This fragrance-free, non-comedogenic foaming facial cleanser gently lifts away dirt, oil, and impurities without disrupting your skin’s natural barrier. Powered by innovative Glycolysine™ Cleansing Technology, it gently cleanses to help with oil control, plus 24-hour hydration in a lightweight, fresh foam. Formulated with three essential ceramides and soothing allantoin, this facial cleanser offers an ultra-gentle yet effective cleanse for all skin types, including sensitive skin.
Balancing Air Foam Facial Cleanser is a watery-light foam 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 very light — essentially a water-and-humectant base with little emollient weight. With almost no emollient load it should absorb quickly and finish close to matte. Hydration is handled by Glycerin, Coco-betaine 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, Coco-betaine, Water and Ceramide NP.
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 Allantoin, Sodium Benzoate and Niacinamide.
On richness alone it suits 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 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.
Boosts collagen and cell turnover to reduce fine lines and wrinkles
Attracts and locks in moisture to keep skin plump and dewy
Calms redness, irritation, and inflammation for sensitive skin
Targets breakouts by reducing bacteria and unclogging pores
Helps unclog pores and reduce blackheads for clearer skin
Regulates sebum production to reduce shine and greasiness
Tightens and refines the look of enlarged pores
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
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.
Urea, (2,5-dioxo-4-imidazolidinyl)-
9th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
Ceramide NP,1,3,4-Octadecanetriol, 2-Octadecanamide,Stearoyl-C18-Phytosphingosine,Stearoyl-4-Hydroxysphinganine
10th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
1,3,4-Octadecanetriol, 2-(2-Hydroxy) Stearamide
11th 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
13th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Triethyl citrate
15th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Salicylic acid
18th 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)-
22nd on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
2-Hydroxy-1,2,3-propanetricarboxylic acid
23rd 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)-
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
Changes how skin behaves rather than how it feels
Sets the thickness, spread and stability of the formula
Softens and smooths by filling gaps between skin cells
Keeps the product free of microbial growth
Forms a film that slows water loss
Sets the acidity the formula needs to work
Dissolves and carries everything else
Calms visible redness and irritation
Draws water into the upper layers of skin
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.
Sodium chloride
4th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
Glycolipids are mixed substances which contain carbohydrates covalently attached to a lipid
5th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
L-Glutamic acid, N-coco acyl derivs., disodium salts
6th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate is the sodium salt of the coconut fatty acid amide of N-methyltaurine. It conforms generally to the formula
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.
Urea, (2,5-dioxo-4-imidazolidinyl)-
9th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
Ceramide NP,1,3,4-Octadecanetriol, 2-Octadecanamide,Stearoyl-C18-Phytosphingosine,Stearoyl-4-Hydroxysphinganine
10th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
1,3,4-Octadecanetriol, 2-(2-Hydroxy) Stearamide
11th 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
12th 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
13th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Triethyl citrate
14th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
L-Glutamic acid, N-coco acyl derivs., monosodium salts
15th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Salicylic acid
16th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Sodium benzoate
17th 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
18th 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)-
19th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Betaines, coco alkyldimethyl
20th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Fatty acids, coco
21st 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
22nd on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
2-Hydroxy-1,2,3-propanetricarboxylic acid
23rd 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)-
24th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Xanthan gum
25th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Poly[imino[(2S)-2-amino-1-oxo-1.6-hexanediyl]]
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 9 key ingredients with Balancing Air Foam Facial Cleanser: Water, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP
SUNGBOON EDITOR
Shares 7 key ingredients with Balancing Air Foam Facial Cleanser: Water, Glycerin, Salicylic Acid, Cholesterol, Ceramide NP
Goodal
Shares 7 key ingredients with Balancing Air Foam Facial Cleanser: Glycerin, Water, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Cholesterol
Anua
Shares 6 key ingredients with Balancing Air Foam Facial Cleanser: Water, Glycerin, Salicylic Acid, Citric Acid, Ceramide NP
Anua
Shares 6 key ingredients with Balancing Air Foam Facial Cleanser: Glycerin, Water, Citric Acid, Allantoin, Niacinamide
Garnier
Shares 5 key ingredients with Balancing Air Foam Facial Cleanser: Water, Glycerin, Salicylic Acid, Niacinamide, Citric Acid
WATER, GLYCERIN, SODIUM CHLORIDE, GLYCOLIPIDS, DISODIUM COCOYL GLUTAMATE, SODIUM METHYL COCOYL TAURATE, NIACINAMIDE, ALLANTOIN, CERAMIDE NP, CERAMIDE AP, CERAMIDE EOP, CARBOMER, TRIETHYL CITRATE, SODIUM COCOYL GLUTAMATE, SALICYLIC ACID, SODIUM BENZOATE, SODIUM LAUROYL LACTYLATE, CHOLESTEROL, COCO-BETAINE, COCONUT ACID, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, CITRIC ACID, PHYTOSPHINGOSINE, XANTHAN GUM, POLYEPSILON-LYSINE, BENZOIC ACID.
NIACINAMIDE, CERAMIDE NP, CERAMIDE AP, CERAMIDE EOP, SALICYLIC ACID, CITRIC ACID.
1. Wet face with lukewarm water. 2. Pump foam into hands and gently massage onto skin in circular motions. 3. Rinse thoroughly and pat dry. 4. Use morning and evening. 5. For best results, follow with your preferred CeraVe moisturizer to lock in hydration. Tip: Keep the bottle upright when dispensing foam for best performance.
Judged on how rich the formula reads from its ingredient list, it suits 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.
No ingredient in this formula is a recognised food source for malassezia, the yeast behind fungal acne.
It contains Salicylic Acid, which are usually reviewed with a doctor during pregnancy. Ask your doctor or midwife before using it.
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 6 are recorded as actives.
CeraVe, a brand based in USA.
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