CeraVe Cream-to-Water Makeup Melter

CeraVe Cream-to-Water Makeup Melter

Efficacy100/100IrritancyLow

Works for

Cleansing
Carbomer, Sodium lauroyl lactylate + 3 more
Cleanses gently
What the product description says
“Designed to gently remove stubborn and waterproof makeup, this unique formula combines squalane oil and three essential ceramides to cleanse without disrupting the skin barrier.”
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, polyglyceryl-6 polyricinoleate, sodium lauroyl lactylate, 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.

CarbomerEffect: HighHelps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations~0.5–1.2%
Sodium lauroyl lactylateEffect: HighHelps water and oil mix together~0.35–0.75%
CholesterolEffect: HighAn emollient that is naturally found in skin~0.3–0.7%
Polyglyceryl-6 polyricinoleateEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together~0.05–0.25%
Xanthan gumEffect: HighUsed to create a thicker product consistency~0.05–0.25%

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
Isopropyl palmitateHelps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a thicker product consistencyMedium~3.7–5.5%est.
Triethyl citrateUsed as a fragrance. Rarely causes irritationMedium~0.4–0.95%est.
Sodium citrateHelps to control the skin's pH level. Maintains the skin's natural film of amino-lactic acids and oils. Helps to preserve productsMedium~0.35–0.8%est.
Sodium lauroyl lactylateHelps water and oil mix togetherMedium~0.35–0.75%est.
Piroctone olamineA preservativeMedium~0.15–0.6%est.
HydroxyacetophenoneUsed to increase effectiveness of preservativesMedium~0.15–0.55%est.
Citric acidCan work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pHMedium~0.1–0.45%est.
Caprylyl glycolHelps preserve products and creates a nice product textureMedium~0.1–0.45%est.
Polyglyceryl-6 polyricinoleateHelps oil and water mix togetherMedium~0.05–0.25%est.
Benzoic acidA preservativeMedium~0.05–0.25%est.
Comedogenic
1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale
1 flagged
These ingredients have a comedogenic rating of 2 or more on a 0–5 scale; the table shows each one's rating. In leave-on products they can clog pores in acne-prone skin.
IngredientFunctionRatingEst. amount
Isopropyl palmitateHelps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a thicker product consistency3/5~3.7–5.5%est.

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Ingredients

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Water~40–60%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Glycerin~4.4–6.6%
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
Isopropyl palmitate~3.7–5.5%
Comedogenic 3/5Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Comedogenicity
3/5
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a thicker product consistency

More about Isopropyl palmitate
C15-19 alkane~2.7–4.1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product texture

More about C15-19 alkane
Coco-caprylate/caprate~2.1–3.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin without creating a greasy texture

More about Coco-caprylate/caprate
Polyglyceryl-2 isostearate/dimer dilinoleate copolymer~1.8–2.6%
Formula
Squalane~1.5–2.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

An oil naturally present in skin. Works as an emollient to soften the skin and form a protective layer on its surface without a greasy feeling.

More about Squalane
Ceramide np~1.3–2%
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~1.1–1.6%
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~0.9–1.35%
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 eop
Carbomer~0.5–1.2%
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~0.4–0.95%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Used as a fragrance. Rarely causes irritation

More about Triethyl citrate
Sodium chloride~0.4–0.95%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

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

More about Sodium chloride
Sodium citrate~0.35–0.8%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Helps to control the skin's pH level. Maintains the skin's natural film of amino-lactic acids and oils. Helps to preserve products

More about Sodium citrate
Sodium lauroyl lactylate~0.35–0.75%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps water and oil mix together

More about Sodium lauroyl lactylate
Cholesterol~0.3–0.7%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

An emollient that is naturally found in skin

More about Cholesterol
Piroctone olamine~0.15–0.6%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Piroctone olamine
Hydroxyacetophenone~0.15–0.55%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Used to increase effectiveness of preservatives

More about Hydroxyacetophenone
Citric acid~0.1–0.45%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

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

More about Citric acid
Tetrasodium glutamate diacetate~0.1–0.4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Helps stabilize the product formulation

More about Tetrasodium glutamate diacetate
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
Phytosphingosine~0.1–0.45%
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
Polyglyceryl-6 polyricinoleate~0.05–0.25%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Polyglyceryl-6 polyricinoleate
Benzoic acid~0.05–0.25%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Benzoic acid
Ingredient list view

Water, Glycerin, Isopropyl palmitate, C15-19 alkane, Coco-caprylate/caprate, Polyglyceryl-2 isostearate/dimer dilinoleate copolymer, Squalane, Ceramide np, Ceramide ap, Ceramide eop, Carbomer, Triethyl citrate, Sodium chloride, Sodium citrate, Sodium lauroyl lactylate, Cholesterol, Piroctone olamine, Hydroxyacetophenone, Citric acid, Tetrasodium glutamate diacetate, Caprylyl glycol, Phytosphingosine, Xanthan gum, Polyglyceryl-6 polyricinoleate, Benzoic acid

Compare prices

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Amazon USPrice as of 11/7 09:20 GMT
$12.97
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CeraVe
$14.99
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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
CeraVeCream-to-Water Makeup MelterYOUR PRODUCTNaturiumThe Calmer Ceramide Body WashskintificCeramide Low pH Cleanser Facial WashQVCeramides Moisturising Cream
Match—40%35%35%
Price$12.97$14.43+$1.46$13.90+$0.93—
Shared key ingredients—9 of 116 of 1110 of 11
Key difference—Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideSalicylic AcidMineral Oil
Irritancy Low Low Low Low
Drying alcohol————
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Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.

As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.