CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
by CeraVe · skin_care
Editor's Take
For dry, cranky skin, this is the drugstore bottle that earns its shelf space, though clean-beauty shoppers will spot the old petrochemical helpers.
Four-pillar formula scores
- Efficacy: 8.8 / 10
- Modern Tech: 7.5 / 10
- Clean Beauty: 4.5 / 10
- Sustainability: 3.5 / 10
The Verdict
On performance, CeraVe earns its strong efficacy alignment here: Glycerin, Ceramide NP, Cholesterol, and Phytosphingosine support the barrier while the creamy, non-foaming base avoids that squeaky-clean punishment. The technology side is Modern, with MVE-style lipid deposition helping the ceramides stay relevant after rinsing. Clean beauty is where it loses ground, since Phenoxyethanol, PEG-40 Stearate, Polysorbate 20, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, and EDTA put it far from strict natural standards, while sustainability lands at Lower Sustainability Fit. Still, for dry, reactive, or tretinoin-tired skin, this is a credible daily cleanser, not a green-beauty darling.
Full INCI list
Aqua/Water/Eau, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Peg-40 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Polysorbate 20, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Phosphate, Disodium Edta, Dipotassium Phosphate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Ceramide Np, Ceramide Ap, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Tocopherol, Ceramide Eop