CeraVe Balancing Air Foam Facial Cleanser

CeraVe Balancing Air Foam Facial Cleanser

Efficacy100/100IrritancyLow

Works for

Cleansing
Disodium cocoyl glutamate, Sodium methyl cocoyl taurate + 7 more
Cleanses gently
What the product description says
“Balancing Air Foam Facial Cleanser”
Source: CeraVe

This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin. It uses a combination of mild cleansing agents (carbomer, cholesterol, coco-betaine, coconut acid, disodium cocoyl glutamate, sodium cocoyl glutamate, sodium lauroyl lactylate, sodium methyl cocoyl taurate, xanthan gum) and should be able to cleanse the skin gently. Still keep in mind that any cleansing can disrupt the skin barrier, and most people do not need to cleanse their skin more than once per day.

Even though this formulation is mild, the following cleansing agents could trigger an irritation or allergy for some people: coco-betaine, sodium methyl cocoyl taurate

Disodium cocoyl glutamateEffect: HighHelps water and oil mix together and works as a cleansing agent~2.1–3.2%
Sodium methyl cocoyl taurateEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together. Can be used as cleansing agent~1.9–2.9%
Coco-betaineEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together and works as a cleansing agent. Can be allergenic~0.5–1.1%
Sodium cocoyl glutamateEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together~0.4–0.95%
CarbomerEffect: HighHelps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations~0.4–1%
Coconut acidEffect: High~0.2–0.75%
Sodium lauroyl lactylateEffect: HighHelps water and oil mix together~0.15–0.7%
CholesterolEffect: HighAn emollient that is naturally found in skin~0.15–0.65%
Xanthan gumEffect: HighUsed to create a thicker product consistency~0.05–0.25%
Exfoliation
Not advertised by the brand · Salicylic acid, Allantoin
Works well

This product can help exfoliate the skin. In other words, it helps break down the bonds between dead cells on the surface of the skin and speed up the skin turnover. Skin often appears softer and brighter after exfoliation, but overdoing it can result in disrupted skin barrier. The following ingredient is doing the exfoliating job in this product: salicylic acid.

Salicylic acidKey activeEffect: HighUsed for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)~0.3–0.7%
AllantoinEffect: LowHelps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated~1.1–1.7%
Anti-blemish
Not advertised by the brand · Niacinamide, Salicylic acid + 2 more
Works well

This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: niacinamide, salicylic acid. These ingredients is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.

NiacinamideHeroEffect: HighIs proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture. The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production~1.4–2.1%
Salicylic acidHeroEffect: HighUsed for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)~0.3–0.7%
AllantoinEffect: LowHelps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated~1.1–1.7%
PhytosphingosineEffect: LowA type of lipid that is naturally present in skin. It might help in repairing skin barrier function and has anti-bacterial effect~0.1–0.4%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
10 flagged ingredients
Low risk
We flag 10 ingredients with irritancy potential; the product's overall irritancy is low. The table lists each ingredient's own rating.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Sodium methyl cocoyl taurateHelps oil and water mix together. Can be used as cleansing agentHigh~1.9–2.9%est.
Salicylic acidUsed for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)High~0.3–0.7%est.
Coco-betaineHelps oil and water mix together and works as a cleansing agent. Can be allergenicHigh~0.5–1.1%est.
Disodium cocoyl glutamateHelps water and oil mix together and works as a cleansing agentMedium~2.1–3.2%est.
Triethyl citrateUsed as a fragrance. Rarely causes irritationMedium~0.35–0.85%est.
Sodium cocoyl glutamateHelps oil and water mix togetherMedium~0.4–0.95%est.
Sodium lauroyl lactylateHelps water and oil mix togetherMedium~0.15–0.7%est.
Caprylyl glycolHelps preserve products and creates a nice product textureMedium~0.1–0.45%est.
Citric acidCan work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pHMedium~0.1–0.3%est.
Benzoic acidA preservativeMedium~0.05–0.2%est.
Comedogenic
Clean of flagged comedogenic ingredients
None flagged

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Water~40–60%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Glycerin~3.9–5.9%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant

More about Glycerin
Sodium chloride~3.7–5.5%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures

More about Sodium chloride
Glycolipids~2.7–4.1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Glycolipids
Disodium cocoyl glutamate~2.1–3.2%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps water and oil mix together and works as a cleansing agent

More about Disodium cocoyl glutamate
Sodium methyl cocoyl taurate~1.9–2.9%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together. Can be used as cleansing agent

More about Sodium methyl cocoyl taurate
Niacinamide~1.4–2.1%
Hero · Anti-blemish
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Evens skin toneAnti-agingMoisturizingAnti-blemishReduces irritationAnti-inflammatoryAntibacterialReduces redness

Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture. The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production

More about Niacinamide
Allantoin~1.1–1.7%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-inflammatoryReduces irritationReduces rednessAnti-blemishExfoliation

Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated

More about Allantoin
Ceramide np~1.1–1.6%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingReduces irritationAnti-inflammatory

A type of lipid similar to ceramides naturally present in skin. Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and supports the skin barrier function to keep it hydrated. Can help to prevent inflammation in skin

More about Ceramide np
Ceramide ap~0.85–1.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Reduces irritationMoisturizingAnti-inflammatory

A type of lipid similar to ceramides naturally present in skin. Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and supports the skin barrier function to keep it hydrated. Can help to prevent inflammation in skin

More about Ceramide ap
Ceramide eop~0.55–1.25%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingReduces irritationAnti-inflammatory

A type of lipid similar to ceramides naturally present in skin. Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and supports the skin barrier function to keep it hydrated. Can help to prevent inflammation in skin

More about Ceramide eop
Carbomer~0.4–1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Helps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations

More about Carbomer
Triethyl citrate~0.35–0.85%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Used as a fragrance. Rarely causes irritation

More about Triethyl citrate
Sodium cocoyl glutamate~0.4–0.95%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Sodium cocoyl glutamate
Salicylic acid~0.3–0.7%
Hero · Anti-blemishIrritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-blemishExfoliationAnti-inflammatoryAntibacterialEvens skin tone

Used for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)

More about Salicylic acid
Sodium benzoate~0.25–0.5%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative

More about Sodium benzoate
Sodium lauroyl lactylate~0.15–0.7%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps water and oil mix together

More about Sodium lauroyl lactylate
Cholesterol~0.15–0.65%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

An emollient that is naturally found in skin

More about Cholesterol
Coco-betaine~0.5–1.1%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together and works as a cleansing agent. Can be allergenic

More about Coco-betaine
Coconut acid~0.2–0.75%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing
More about Coconut acid
Caprylyl glycol~0.1–0.45%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture

More about Caprylyl glycol
Citric acid~0.1–0.3%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH

More about Citric acid
Phytosphingosine~0.1–0.4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-inflammatoryAnti-blemish

A type of lipid that is naturally present in skin. It might help in repairing skin barrier function and has anti-bacterial effect

More about Phytosphingosine
Xanthan gum~0.05–0.25%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Used to create a thicker product consistency

More about Xanthan gum
Polyepsilon-lysine~0.05–0.2%
Formula
Benzoic acid~0.05–0.2%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Benzoic acid
Ingredient list view

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

Compare prices

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Amazon USPrice as of 11/5 15:24 GMT
$12.39
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CeraVe
$18.99
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Dermstore8 fl. oz
$18.99
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Worth comparing, line by line.

Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.

Side-by-side comparison of this product against its closest alternatives
CeraVeBalancing Air Foam Facial CleanserYOUR PRODUCTMixaAnti-Imperfection Comfort CleanserVERSODeep Cleanse Gel Nettoyant MoussantOlayHydrating Facial Cleanser, Hyaluronic Acid, for Normal Skin, Fragrance-Free
Match—77%73%73%
Price$18.99$7.25−$11.74$40.00+$21.01$7.43−$11.56
Shared key ingredients—4 of 173 of 173 of 17
Key difference—SqualaneZinc PcaPalmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Irritancy Low Low Low Low
Drying alcohol————
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Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 15 studies and safety reviews.

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CeraVe Balancing Air Foam Facial Cleanser
CeraVeBalancing Air Foam Facial Cleanser

Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.

As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.