CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser Versus Proactiv Deep Cleansing Face Wash
Updated on February 03, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe face cleansers. They have a total of 6 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any oils, parabens or silicones
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 Hydrating Facial Cleanser 24 ingredients
Proactiv Deep Cleansing Face Wash 29 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser 24 ingredients
Proactiv Deep Cleansing Face Wash 29 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
PEG-40 Stearate
Emulsifying
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Potassium Phosphate
BufferingCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Behentrimonium Methosulfate
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Cholesterol
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Disodium EDTA
Dipotassium Phosphate
BufferingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, PEG-40 Stearate, Stearyl Alcohol, Potassium Phosphate, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Carbomer, Glyceryl Stearate, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cholesterol, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA, Dipotassium Phosphate, Tocopherol, Phytosphingosine, Xanthan Gum, Cetyl Alcohol, Polysorbate 20, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Distearyl Phthalic Acid Amide
EmollientSynthetic Wax
Abrasive
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing
Citric Acid
Buffering
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Coconut Acid
Cleansing
Menthol
Masking
PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate
Emulsifying
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Disodium EDTA
Isopropyl Alcohol
Solvent
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Sulfite
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Chromium Hydroxide Green
Water, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Distearyl Phthalic Acid Amide, Synthetic Wax, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Jojoba Esters, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Citric Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Coconut Acid, Menthol, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ascorbic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Isopropyl Alcohol, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Sulfite, Potassium Sorbate, Parfum, Chromium Hydroxide Green
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 WaterStearyl Alcohol is a type of fatty alcohol from stearic acid. It is a white, waxy compound used to emulsify ingredients.
Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
They are usually derived from natural fats and oils and therefore do not have the same drying or irritating effect as solvent alcohols. FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Stearyl AlcoholPhenoxyethanol 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.
Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTACetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Its main roles are:
Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholEthylhexylglycerin (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 Hydrating Facial Cleanser 24 ingredients
Proactiv Deep Cleansing Face Wash 29 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser 24 ingredients
This was hydrating, but that's where the positives end. For a "hydrating" cleanser this has THREE harsh irritating alcohols and two of them are in the first five ingredients (they're in higher concentrations than most of the other ingredients). I was upset to realize this was probably causing my breakouts. CeraVe's quality really tanked and most people who are using them probably don't realize Show more
It doesnt do its job of cleansing at all feels more like a lotion that sits on top of your skin more than anything
I use it as a milky lotion to melt makeup at the end of the day before using another cleanser
