Versus

CeraVe Foaming Cleanser Versus Shea Moisture African Black Soap Bar

Face Cleanser
Face Cleanser
American Brand United States
American Brand United States

Updated on February 03, 2025

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe face cleansers. They have a total of 2 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin and sensitive skin

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, oils, parabens, silicones or sulfates

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

About this product

About this product

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.

A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.

As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.

Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.

Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.

In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.

This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.

Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.

Learn more about Glycerin
Masking

Chances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt.

This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.

You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.

There is much debate on whether this ingredient is comedogenic. The short answer - comedogenic ratings don't tell the whole story. Learn more about comegodenic ratings here.

The concensus about this ingredient causing acne seems to be divided. Research is needed to understand if this ingredient does cause acne.

Scrubs may use salt as the primary exfoliating ingredient.

Learn more about Sodium Chloride

When to use

1,217 Routines
46% use in am
54% use in pm
98% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
172 Routines
44% use in am
56% use in pm
95% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

CeraVe Foaming Cleanser 25 ingredients

2.9 /5
from 24 ratings
Drying (8) Broke Me Out (7) Doesn't Work (6)
laila.21's avatar

Laila

1 year ago
Review

It was the first western cleanser that i ever used and definitely the last.
Hated how no matter how much i scrub my face it doesn’t feel clean at all, plus it dried my face like hell.
Never buying anything from this brand❌

#expensive
#drying
#irritating
#pilling
Bianca1's avatar

Bianca1

1 year ago
Review

It’s bot the worst cleanser there is, but it’s bad enough. it doesnt even deserve these two starts. instead of helping me with my fungal acne, it’s causing more. i have oily skin and this cleanser dries my skin SO bad. i tried once not to use mosturizer to see if the dry feeling is from the cleanser and it was; my whole face hurt and it was very red and sensitive. i don t recommend this cleanser Show more

#drying
#broke me out
#irritating
#doesn't work

Shea Moisture African Black Soap Bar 15 ingredients

2.5 /5
from 2 ratings
Broke Me Out (1) Doesn't Work (1) Drying (1)
aaahrz's avatar

zahraa

6 months ago
Review

i tested this soap for 3-ish months and while i loved it for my body it’s a skip for the face. drying, stripping, triggered my eczema, triggered my fungal acne, broke me out. i don’t think this is real natural african black soap. if ur looking for african black soap please buy from a real small african/african american owned business instead

#great value
#drying
#broke me out
#irritating