CeraVe
Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser
face cleanser
CeraVe
face cleanser
Added Last edited
Fit by skin type
General, ingredient-based — not your personalized match.
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Take the skin testCeraVe Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser, developed with dermatologists, begins as a cream before transforming to a soft foam when you begin to lather it on the skin with water, and effectively removes dirt and makeup without stripping the skin’s natural moisture or leaving it feeling tight and dry. This gentle, fragrance-free formula features 3 essential ceramides that work together to lock in skins moisture and help restore your skin’s protective barrier, amino acids and hyaluronic acid. MVE technology encapsulates ceramides to ensure efficient delivery within the skin’s barrier and slow release over time.
Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser is a lightweight cleanser from CeraVe, a brand based in USA. Its job is UV protection, with the rest of the formula working on hydration. The ingredient list runs to 60 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, Coco-betaine and Sodium PCA, humectants that pull water into the upper layers of skin rather than sealing it there.
It is a mineral sunscreen, filtering with Titanium Dioxide. Between them those filters cover UVB and UVA II. They stop short of UVA I (340–400 nm), the deepest ageing wavelengths, so this is not a broad-spectrum filter system by the strictest reading. Every filter in the formula is photostable, so its protection does not fall away over the first hour in the sun — reapplication is still about sweat, water and rubbing rather than degradation.
Hydration: Very high. Ingredients that pull and hold water in the upper layers of skin, and here that comes from Glycerin, Coco-betaine, Sodium PCA and Sodium Hyaluronate.
On richness alone it suits Balanced 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, oil control, brightening and tone 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. It carries UV filters, so it belongs in your morning routine.
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
Targets breakouts by reducing bacteria and unclogging pores
Helps unclog pores and reduce blackheads for clearer skin
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.
Mineral filter system · does not reach UVA I
Strong UVB and short-UVA protection, but it stops before UVA I — a mineral formula leaning on titanium dioxide alone needs zinc oxide beside it for deep UVA.
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.
L-2-Pyrrolidone-5-carboxylic acid
8th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
Oxirane, methyl-, polymer with oxirane, hexadecyl ether
14th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–3% of the formula.
Aspartic acid
15th 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
16th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–3% of the formula.
1,3,4-Octadecanetriol, 2-(2-Hydroxy) Stearamide
17th 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
21st on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Stearic acid, monoester with glycerol
22nd on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Oleic acid, monoester with glycerol
23rd on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Glycine
25th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Alcohols, C16-18
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
Every filter in this formula is photostable
"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.
CI 77891
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 60 ingredients on the label.
Lifts oil and dirt, or holds oil and water together
Sets the thickness, spread and stability of the formula
Draws water into the upper layers of skin
Softens and smooths by filling gaps between skin cells
Changes how skin behaves rather than how it feels
Sets the acidity the formula needs to work
Keeps the product free of microbial growth
Forms a film that slows water loss
Binds trace metals that would otherwise spoil the formula
Loosens or dissolves dead surface cells
Dissolves and carries everything else
Changes how the product smells or looks
Absorbs or scatters ultraviolet light
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 Methyl Cocoyl Taurate is the sodium salt of the coconut fatty acid amide of N-methyltaurine. It conforms generally to the formula
4th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
Betaines, coco alkyldimethyl
5th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
Fatty acids, coco, 2-sulfoethyl esters, sodium salts
6th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
Sodium chloride
7th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
L-2-Pyrrolidone-5-carboxylic acid
8th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
Oxirane, methyl-, polymer with oxirane, hexadecyl ether
9th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), .alpha.-(1-oxooctadecyl)-.omega.-hydroxy- (100 mol EO average molar ratio)
10th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
2,2-Bis(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-propanediol, ethoxylated, tetraoctadecanoates (150 mol EO average molar ratio)
11th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–3% of the formula.
Mono-, di- and triglycerides, C8-10, ethoxylated (6 mol EO average molar ratio)
12th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–3% of the formula.
12-Hydroxyoctadecanoic acid, homopolymer, diesters with .alpha.-hydro-.omega.-hydroxypoly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl) (30 mol EO average molar ratio)
13th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–3% of the formula.
CI 77891 is classed chemically as an inorganic colour (see also INCI: Titanium dioxide). It conforms to the formula
14th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–3% of the formula.
Aspartic acid
15th 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
16th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–3% of the formula.
1,3,4-Octadecanetriol, 2-(2-Hydroxy) Stearamide
17th 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
18th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–3% of the formula.
Sorbitan, isooctadecanoate
19th 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
20th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Ethylene distearate
21st on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Stearic acid, monoester with glycerol
22nd on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Oleic acid, monoester with glycerol
23rd on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Glycine
24th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), .alpha.-tridecyl-.omega.-hydroxy; Isotridecanol, ethoxylated
25th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Alcohols, C16-18
26th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Docosyltrimethylammonium methyl sulphate
27th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
2-Amino-3-hydroxybutanoic acid
28th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Sodium hydroxide
29th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Salicylic acid
30th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Sodium 5-oxo-2-pyrrolidinecarboxylate
31st on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Sodium lactate
32nd on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
L-Arginine
33rd 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
34th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
2-Amino-3-hydroxypropanoic acid
35th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Sodium benzoate
36th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
2-Amino-3-methylbutanoic acid
37th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Hyaluronic acid, sodium, salt
38th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
2-Pyrrolidinecarboxylic acid, (S)-
39th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
L-Isoleucine; DL-allo-Isoleucine; 2-Amino-3-methylpentanoic acid
40th 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)-
41st on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
2-Phenoxyethanol
42nd on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Alanine
43rd on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
3-Phenyl-L-alanine
44th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Fatty acids, coco
45th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Coco-Glucoside is the product obtained by the condensation of coconut alcohol with glucose.
46th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
1,2-Propanediol, 3-(4-chlorophenoxy)-
47th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Disodium dihydrogen ethylenediaminetetraacetate
48th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Urea, (2-Hydroxyethyl)-
49th 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
50th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer is a copolymer of sodium hydroxyethyl acrylate and acryloyldimethyl taurate monomers
51st 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
52nd 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)-
53rd on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Xanthan gum
54th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Histidine
55th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
C10-30 alkyl propenoate, polymer with propenoic acid, butenoic acidand/or alkyl propenoates, product with propenyl sucrose ether or propenyl 2,2-dihydroxymethyl-1,3-propanediol
56th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Acrylic acid/acrylamide/methacrylamidopropyltrimonium chloride copolymer
57th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
2-Propenamide, polymer with N, N-dimethyl-N-2-propenyl-2-propen-1-aminium chloride and 2-propenoic acid
58th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Sorbitan, monooctadecanoate, poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl) derivs.
59th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
1,2-Propanediol, 3-(2-ethylhexyloxy)
60th 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.
Round Lab
Shares 6 key ingredients with Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser: Water, Glycerin, Citric Acid, Ceramide NP, Glycine
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Shares 6 key ingredients with Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser: Water, Glycerin, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP
CeraVe
Shares 6 key ingredients with Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser: Water, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Sodium Hyaluronate
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Shares 6 key ingredients with Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser: Water, Glycerin, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP
Garnier
Shares 6 key ingredients with Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser: Water, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Ppg-5-ceteth-20, Citric Acid
CeraVe
Shares 5 key ingredients with Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser: Water, Glycerin, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP
WATER, GLYCERIN, SODIUM METHYL COCOYL TAURATE, COCO-BETAINE, SODIUM COCOYL ISETHIONATE, SODIUM CHLORIDE, PCA, PPG-5-CETETH-20, PEG-100 STEARATE, PEG-150 PENTAERYTHRITYL TETRASTEARATE, PEG-6 CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC GLYCERIDES, PEG-30 DIPOLYHYDROXYSTEARATE, CI 77891, ASPARTIC ACID, CERAMIDE NP, CERAMIDE AP, CERAMIDE EOP, SORBITAN ISOSTEARATE, CARBOMER, GLYCOL DISTEARATE, GLYCERYL STEARATE, GLYCERYL OLEATE, GLYCINE, TRIDECETH-6, CETEARYL ALCOHOL, BEHENTRIMONIUM METHOSULFATE, THREONINE, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, SALICYLIC ACID, SODIUM PCA, SODIUM LACTATE, ARGININE, SODIUM LAUROYL LACTYLATE, SERINE, SODIUM BENZOATE, VALINE, SODIUM HYALURONATE, PROLINE, ISOLEUCINE, CHOLESTEROL, PHENOXYETHANOL, ALANINE, PHENYLALANINE, COCONUT ACID, COCO-GLUCOSIDE, CHLORPHENESIN, DISODIUM EDTA, HYDROXYETHYL UREA, CITRIC ACID, HYDROXYETHYL ACRYLATE/SODIUM ACRYLOYLDIMETHYL TAURATE COPOLYMER, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, PHYTOSPHINGOSINE, XANTHAN GUM, HISTIDINE, ACRYLATES/C10-30 ALKYL ACRYLATE CROSSPOLYMER, POLYQUATERNIUM-53, POLYQUATERNIUM-39, POLYSORBATE 60, ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN, BENZOIC ACID.
CERAMIDE NP, CERAMIDE AP, CERAMIDE EOP, SALICYLIC ACID, SODIUM HYALURONATE, CITRIC ACID.
Wet skin with lukewarm water, massage cleanser into skin in a gentle, circular motion, and rinse well. Avoid direct contact with eyes; if contact occurs, rinse thoroughly with water.
Judged on how rich the formula reads from its ingredient list, it suits Balanced 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.
8 ingredients could feed malassezia: Peg-100 Stearate, Peg-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate, Peg-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Glycol Distearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Glyceryl Oleate, Polysorbate 60. That describes the yeast's food supply, not a prediction that they will cause a breakout.
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 60 ingredients, of which 6 are recorded as actives.
CeraVe, a brand based in USA.
It filters UV with Titanium Dioxide (titanium dioxide).
Not in the strictest sense. Its filters stop short of UVA I (340–400 nm), the deepest ageing wavelengths.
Possibly. It filters with mineral UV filters, which sit on the surface and can leave a visible cast on deeper skin tones, especially at high SPF.
It contains none of the filters named in the Hawaii and Key West reef legislation (oxybenzone and octinoxate). "Reef safe" is not a regulated term, so treat that as a fact about the filter list rather than a certification.
Yes. Let it set for a couple of minutes before foundation so it does not pill, and reapply over makeup with a stick or powder rather than rubbing more in.
Every two hours of sun exposure, and immediately after swimming, sweating heavily or towelling off.
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