CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser - EU Versus Cetaphil Hydrating Foaming Cream Cleanser - Europe
Updated on April 09, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe face cleansers. They have a total of 9 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain niacinamide
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing and dark spots
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, 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
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser 25 ingredients
Cetaphil Hydrating Foaming Cream Cleanser 20 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser 25 ingredients
Cetaphil Hydrating Foaming Cream Cleanser 20 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Coco-Betaine
CleansingPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate
CleansingPEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate
Emulsifying
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Acrylates Copolymer
Citric Acid
Buffering
Capryloyl Glycine
CleansingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Hydroxide
BufferingNiacinamide
Smoothing
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCeramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Water, Glycerin, Coco-Betaine, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Sodium Chloride, Acrylates Copolymer, Citric Acid, Capryloyl Glycine, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Niacinamide, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Ceramide NP, Phenoxyethanol, Ceramide AP, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ceramide EOP
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingGlycerin
Humectant
Glycol Distearate
Emollient
Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin ConditioningPantolactone
HumectantAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
Masking
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Water, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Glycerin, Glycol Distearate, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Pantolactone, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Arginine, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Chloride, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Citric Acid
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterGlycerin 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 GlycerinPropylene Glycol is an odorless, colorless liquid. As a humectant, it helps skin retain moisture. It also aids in delivering active ingredients.
Another role of this ingredient is preventing a product from melting or freezing. Propylene glycol also adds antimicrobrial properties to a product, elongating product lifespan.
This ingredient is considered an organic alcohol and commonly added into both cosmetics and foods.
Those with sensitive skin or conditions may develop a rash when using this ingredient.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolChances 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 ChlorideCitric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and even out skin tone.
If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidNiacinamide has emerged as an all-star ingredient due to its many benefits.
It is known to treat acne by reducing inflammation. It also helps fade dark-spots and strengthen the skin by promoting the growth of the ceramide barrier.
Other benefits include smoothing wrinkles and minimizing redness.
The cherry on top? Niacinamide can also help build keratin, a protein that keeps skin firm.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
Niacinamide can be mixed with other ingredients to boost benefits. For instance, it has shown to be effective when used with copper, folic acid, and zinc to treat acne.
Learn more about NiacinamidePhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Xanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan GumEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser 25 ingredients
Cetaphil Hydrating Foaming Cream Cleanser 20 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser 25 ingredients
Probably good for most people. It helped for my acne at first but i found out that i dont tolerate hyaluronic acid very well and so the cleanser started irritating my skin after a while
this cleanser irritated my skin so bad😭. So, it technically cleansed my skin but after rinsing it off, my skin started to itch and stretch and also got a bit red. I did some research and I’ve found out that there is Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, which can be aggressive for sensitive skin. Anyway, it didn’t work for me and so won’t be repurchasing
Cetaphil Hydrating Foaming Cream Cleanser 20 ingredients
Best water based cleanser ive tried! super gentle and non stripping, lathers and foams beautifully, and you only need to use the smallest ammount so the bottle lasts ages! im sure there are less stripping cleanser out there but i cant find a better one that foams (im not sure of the reason but i tend to breakout after using non-foaming cleansers - possibly due to residue im unable to remove?) Show more
