CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser

by CeraVe · skin_care

Editor's Take

For dry, reactive skin, this is the drugstore cleanser I’d reach for: excellent barrier manners, though its clean-formula credentials lag well behind its performance.

Four-pillar formula scores

  • Efficacy: 8.2 / 10
  • Modern Tech: 6.8 / 10
  • Clean Beauty: 4.5 / 10
  • Sustainability: 6.9 / 10

The Verdict

CeraVe gets the important part right: gentle, non-foaming cleansing with Glycerin and three ceramides supporting the barrier. Cholesterol and Phytosphingosine make the lipid blend more considered than the usual creamy face wash. The trade-off is limited clean alignment, with PEG-40 Stearate, Polysorbate 20, and Phenoxyethanol in the formula. A strong daily cleanser for dry or easily irritated skin, not a natural-formulation benchmark.

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

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