Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Cetaphil Hydrating Foaming Cream Cleanser US versus CeraVe Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser .
Last updated on December 10, 2023. Published on December 07, 2022
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe face cleansers. They have a total of 12 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin and reducing pores
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, oils, parabens or silicones
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.
Face Cleanser
Face cleansers are used to remove makeup, dead skin cells, pollutants, oil, dirt, and/or clean out pores on the skin. Face cleansers may specialize in having one function (exa. just removing makeup) or may have multiple functions (exa. Removing makeup and cleaning pores).
Face Cleanser
Face cleansers are used to remove makeup, dead skin cells, pollutants, oil, dirt, and/or clean out pores on the skin. Face cleansers may specialize in having one function (exa. just removing makeup) or may have multiple functions (exa. Removing makeup and cleaning pores).
Price
Ingredient Info
Cetaphil Hydrating Foaming Cream Cleanser 20 ingredients
CeraVe Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser 60 ingredients
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Silicon Free
This product is free of silicons 🎉
Fragrance Free
This product is free of fragrances 🎉
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Oil Free
This product is free of oils 🎉
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Not Cruelty Free
This product is not cruelty-free 😥
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Silicon Free
This product is free of silicons 🎉
Contains Fragrance
Ingredients in this product that are forms of fragrance:
Contains Sulfate
Ingredients in this product that are types of sulfate:
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Oil Free
This product is free of oils 🎉
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Vegan
This product is vegan 🎉
Not Cruelty Free
This product is not cruelty-free 😥
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Cetaphil Hydrating Foaming Cream Cleanser 20 ingredients
CeraVe Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser 60 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
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Benefits
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Concerns
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Notable Ingredients
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Benefits
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Concerns
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
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Join SkinSortIngredients Compared
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Cetaphil Hydrating Foaming Cream Cleanser 20 ingredients
CeraVe Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser 60 ingredients
Water • Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate • Glycerin • Glycol Distearate • Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate • Cocamidopropyl Betaine • Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate • Cetearyl Alcohol • Phenoxyethanol • Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer • Arginine • Propylene Glycol • Sodium Chloride • Xanthan Gum • Ethylhexylglycerin • Niacinamide • Panthenol • Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder • Pantolactone • Citric Acid
Water • Glycerin • Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate • Coco-Betaine • Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate • Sodium Chloride • PCA • Ppg-5-Ceteth-20 • Peg-100 Stearate • Peg-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate • Peg-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides • Peg-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate • CI 77891 • Aspartic Acid • Ceramide NP • Ceramide AP • Ceramide EOP • Sorbitan Isostearate • Carbomer • Glycol Distearate • Glyceryl Stearate • Glyceryl Oleate • Glycine • Trideceth-6 • Cetearyl Alcohol • Behentrimonium Methosulfate • Threonine • Sodium Hydroxide • Salicylic Acid • Sodium PCA • Sodium Lactate • Arginine • Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate • Serine • Sodium Benzoate • Valine • Sodium Hyaluronate • Proline • Isoleucine • Cholesterol • Phenoxyethanol • Alanine • Phenylalanine • Coconut Acid • Coco-Glucoside • Chlorphenesin • Disodium EDTA • Hydroxyethyl Urea • Citric Acid • Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer • Caprylyl Glycol • Phytosphingosine • Xanthan Gum • Histidine • Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer • Polyquaternium-53 • Polyquaternium-39 • Polysorbate 60 • Ethylhexylglycerin • Benzoic Acid
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are
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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterCetaphil Hydrating Foaming Cream Cleanser US contains this as ingredient number 1.
CeraVe Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 1.
Sodium cocoyl isethionate is a natural ingredient from the fatty acids of coconut oil. It is a surfactant and helps with cleansing the skin.
By binding to water and oil, it helps gently clean skin. It also helps the spreadability of the product.
Sodium cocoyl isethionate is also added to help create foam without drying the skin. However, this is depending on the amount of Sodium cocoyl isethionate.
Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Sodium Cocoyl IsethionateCetaphil Hydrating Foaming Cream Cleanser US contains this as ingredient number 2.
CeraVe Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 5.
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 GlycerinCetaphil Hydrating Foaming Cream Cleanser US contains this as ingredient number 3.
CeraVe Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 2.
Glycol Distearate serves as a pearlizing or opacifying agent in cosmetic products.
It's often included in cleansers and haircare products to give them a lustrous or shimmering appearance.
It is derived from stearic acid, a natural fatty acid commonly found in vegetable oils and animal fats.
Glycol Distearate isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Glycol DistearateCetaphil Hydrating Foaming Cream Cleanser US contains this as ingredient number 4.
CeraVe Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 20.
Cetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.
Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholCetaphil Hydrating Foaming Cream Cleanser US contains this as ingredient number 8.
CeraVe Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 25.
Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and 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.
Cetaphil Hydrating Foaming Cream Cleanser US contains this as ingredient number 9.
CeraVe Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 41.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken and improve the texture of products.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is also an emulsifier. Due to its properties, it can prevent water and oil ingredients from separating.
Cetaphil Hydrating Foaming Cream Cleanser US contains this as ingredient number 10.
CeraVe Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 55.
Arginine is an amino acid that is important for human development. Your body uses is it to produce hair keratin and skin collagen.
As a cosmetic ingredient, Arginine has antioxidant properties and can also help repair damaged skin. This ingredient is derived either synthetically or from animals.
Arginine isn't fungal acne safe when used in the presence of other lipids (fats, fatty acids, oils, esters, etc). Oils and fats occur naturally within the skin, so take caution when using Arginine if you're prone to fungal acne.
Learn more about ArginineCetaphil Hydrating Foaming Cream Cleanser US contains this as ingredient number 11.
CeraVe Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 32.
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 ChlorideCetaphil Hydrating Foaming Cream Cleanser US contains this as ingredient number 13.
CeraVe Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 6.
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 GumCetaphil Hydrating Foaming Cream Cleanser US contains this as ingredient number 14.
CeraVe Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 53.
Ethylhexylglycerin (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.
Cetaphil Hydrating Foaming Cream Cleanser US contains this as ingredient number 15.
CeraVe Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 59.
Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
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.
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 look more even.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidCetaphil Hydrating Foaming Cream Cleanser US contains this as ingredient number 20.
CeraVe Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 49.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
Cetaphil Hydrating Foaming Cream Cleanser 20 ingredients
CeraVe Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser 60 ingredients
Usage
Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.
When to use
Cetaphil Hydrating Foaming Cream Cleanser 20 ingredients
CeraVe Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser 60 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
CeraVe Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser 60 ingredients
(Using since 2020) This is one of my most reliable products since the start of my skincare journey and I've not switched to any other cleansers because of it. I've never experience issues with irritation or breaking out when using this...
(Using since 2020) This is one of my most reliable products since the start of my skincare journey and I've not switched to any other cleansers because of it. I've never experience issues with irritation or breaking out when using this product as there is no harsh fragrance and it's non-comedogenic. Aside from being a solid budget buy, it's very hydrating as a cleanser as my skin does not feel stripped after using it, and it does a great job at removing makeup (I even use this to clean my brushes). I would personally recommend this as a well-rounded cleanser for dry skin.
Quite hydrating
Helped me maintain a healthy skin barrier and gave nive hydration, otherwise my skin was still quite oily and mad many breakouts after usign this for 1 month
Quite hydrating
Helped me maintain a healthy skin barrier and gave nive hydration, otherwise my skin was still quite oily and mad many breakouts after usign this for 1 month
Great for dry skin!!
I used the normal Hydrating Facial Cleanser for over 2 years, I found my skin never felt clean and it made it feel extremely dry, I decided to try this one and its so much better!!!!! My skin doesn't feel stripped or...
Great for dry skin!!
I used the normal Hydrating Facial Cleanser for over 2 years, I found my skin never felt clean and it made it feel extremely dry, I decided to try this one and its so much better!!!!! My skin doesn't feel stripped or dry after using this, I use it after an oil cleanser and my skin always feels clean, definitely recommend.
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Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Cetaphil Hydrating Foaming Cream Cleanser US.
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