CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser

CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser

Efficacy100/100IrritancyLow·91% recommend (53 reviews)

Works for

Cleansing
Cetearyl alcohol, Stearyl alcohol + 9 more
Cleanses gently
What the product description says
“Developed with dermatologists, CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser is a unique formula that cleanses, hydrates and helps restore the protective skin barrier with three essential ceramides (1, 3, 6-II).”
Source: Target
Genuinely delivered — behentrimonium methosulfate, cetearyl alcohol, and cetyl alcohol all meet effective levels, helping water and oil mix together for gentle cleansing without stripping the skin.
Cetearyl alcoholEffect: HighA non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture~3.2–4.8%
Stearyl alcoholEffect: HighAn emollient that helps soften the skin~2–3%
Cetyl alcoholEffect: HighA non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together~1.7–2.5%
Peg-40 stearateEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together~1.4–2.1%
Behentrimonium methosulfateEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together~1.2–1.8%
Glyceryl stearateEffect: HighAn emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together~1–1.5%
Polysorbate 20Effect: HighHelps oil and water mix together~0.6–1.4%
Sodium lauroyl lactylateEffect: HighHelps water and oil mix together~0.2–0.75%
CholesterolEffect: HighAn emollient that is naturally found in skin~0.15–0.5%
CarbomerEffect: HighHelps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations~0.05–0.2%
Xanthan gumEffect: HighUsed to create a thicker product consistency~0.05–0.3%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
4 flagged ingredients
Low risk
We flag 4 ingredients with irritancy potential; the product's overall irritancy is low. The table lists each ingredient's own rating.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Behentrimonium methosulfateHelps oil and water mix togetherMedium~1.2–1.8%est.
EthylhexylglycerinA preservativeMedium~0.45–1.1%est.
Disodium edtaStabilizes the product formulationMedium~0.35–0.8%est.
Sodium lauroyl lactylateHelps water and oil mix togetherMedium~0.2–0.75%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
Cetearyl alcoholA non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture2/5~3.2–4.8%est.

User reviews

Would you recommend?
91%·yes

48 of 53 community members would buy it again.

91% would9% wouldn't
  • atinia01· Dec 2024Recommends

    A good cleanser that didn't give me any trouble!

  • KimiD· Aug 2024Recommends

    A good choice for everyday AM cleanser. Price v value is very good. I will continue in my routine and will try to use in the PM.

  • SusieQue· Jun 2024Doesn't recommend

    Cerave Hydrating Cleanser heated up on my skin and caused a burning sensation. My skin barrier is fine so I’m guessing it’s because my sensitive, rosacea prone skin didn’t agree with either an ingredient, or an ingredient combination.

What reviewers noticed
Marker shows the average response

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~4.2–6.3%
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
Cetearyl alcohol~3.2–4.8%
Comedogenic 2/5
Irritation risk
Low
Comedogenicity
2/5
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture

More about Cetearyl alcohol
Phenoxyethanol~0.5–1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products

More about Phenoxyethanol
Stearyl alcohol~2–3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

An emollient that helps soften the skin

More about Stearyl alcohol
Cetyl alcohol~1.7–2.5%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

A non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together

More about Cetyl alcohol
Peg-40 stearate~1.4–2.1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Peg-40 stearate
Behentrimonium methosulfate~1.2–1.8%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Behentrimonium methosulfate
Glyceryl stearate~1–1.5%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together

More about Glyceryl stearate
Polysorbate 20~0.6–1.4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Polysorbate 20
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.45–1.1%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Ethylhexylglycerin
Potassium phosphate~0.4–0.9%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Helps regulate the pH of the formulation

More about Potassium phosphate
Disodium edta~0.35–0.8%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Stabilizes the product formulation

More about Disodium edta
Dipotassium phosphate~0.35–0.75%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to adjust the pH of the product

More about Dipotassium phosphate
Sodium lauroyl lactylate~0.2–0.75%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps water and oil mix together

More about Sodium lauroyl lactylate
Ceramide np~0.2–0.7%
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~0.15–0.65%
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 ap
Phytosphingosine~0.15–0.6%
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
Cholesterol~0.15–0.5%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingCleansing

An emollient that is naturally found in skin

More about Cholesterol
Sodium hyaluronate~0.1–0.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin

More about Sodium hyaluronate
Xanthan gum~0.05–0.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Used to create a thicker product consistency

More about Xanthan gum
Carbomer~0.05–0.2%
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
Tocopherol~0.05–0.15%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Anti-oxidationAnti-agingAnti-inflammatoryMoisturizing

Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself

More about Tocopherol
Ceramide eop~0.05–0.2%
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
Ingredient list view

Water, Glycerin, Cetearyl alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Stearyl alcohol, Cetyl alcohol, Peg-40 stearate, Behentrimonium methosulfate, 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

Compare prices

Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.

Target3 fl oz
$4.39
Buy
Target8 fl oz
$12.49
Buy
Walmart
$13.68
Buy
Target12 fl oz
$13.69
Buy
Amazon USPrice as of 11/9 03:24 GMT
$15.48
Buy

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

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
CeraVeHydrating Facial CleanserYOUR PRODUCTThayersNatural remedies hydrating milky face washe.l.f. CosmeticsPure Skin CleanserGarnier Green LabsAmino-Berry Ultra Soothing Cream Cleanser with Amino Acids + Super Berry Blend
Match—37%34%33%
Price$13.68———
Shared key ingredients—8 of 1712 of 177 of 17
Key difference——NiacinamideThreonine
Irritancy Low Low Low Low
Drying alcohol————
View product Shop Shop Shop

More alternatives: Naturium The Calmer Ceramide Body WashQV Ceramides Moisturising Cream

Cheaper alternatives? See how this stacks up against similar formulas.
We compare ingredient profiles across our catalog — pick the closest match for your budget.
Open dupe finder
CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
CeraVeHydrating Facial Cleanser

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

As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.