Versus

The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm Versus CeraVe Hydrating Cream-To-Foam Cleanser - USA

Face Cleanser
Face Cleanser
British Brand United Kingdom
American Brand United States

Updated on February 03, 2025

Overview

What they are

These products are both vegan and reef safe face cleansers. They have a total of 4 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, reducing pores and scar healing

Free From

They both do not contain any parabens or silicones

What's Inside

They both contain fragrances

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
Hydrating Cream-To-Foam Cleanser

Water

Skin Conditioning

Glycerin

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate

Cleansing
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Coco-Betaine

Cleansing

Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate

Cleansing

Sodium Chloride

Masking
Can worsen Dry Skin IconBad for Acne Prone Skin IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

PCA

Humectant

PPG-5-Ceteth-20

Emulsifying

PEG-100 Stearate

0 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate

Emulsifying
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides

Emulsifying

PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate

Emulsifying
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

CI 77891

Cosmetic Colorant

Aspartic Acid

Masking

Ceramide NP

Skin Conditioning
Ceramide IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

Ceramide AP

Skin Conditioning
Ceramide IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

Ceramide EOP

Skin Conditioning
Ceramide IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

Sorbitan Isostearate

Emulsifying
1-2 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Carbomer

Emulsion Stabilising
1 / 0

Glycol Distearate

Emollient
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Glyceryl Stearate

Emollient
1 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Glyceryl Oleate

Emollient
Fragrance IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Glycine

Buffering
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Trideceth-6

Emulsifying

Cetearyl Alcohol

Emollient
2 / 1 Fatty Alcohol IconMay worsen Oily Skin IconBad for Acne Prone Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Behentrimonium Methosulfate

Sulfate Icon

Threonine

Sodium Hydroxide

Buffering

Salicylic Acid

Masking
BHA IconPreservative IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps fight Acne IconHelps brighten skin IconCan worsen Dry Skin IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Sodium PCA

Humectant
0 / 0

Sodium Lactate

Buffering

Arginine

Masking
Good for Scar Healing IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate

Emulsifying

Serine

Masking

Sodium Benzoate

Masking
Preservative Icon

Valine

Masking

Sodium Hyaluronate

Humectant
0 / 0 Hyaluronic Acid Icon

Proline

Skin Conditioning

Isoleucine

Skin Conditioning

Cholesterol

Emollient
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Phenoxyethanol

Preservative
Preservative Icon

Alanine

Masking

Phenylalanine

Masking

Coconut Acid

Cleansing
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Coco-Glucoside

Cleansing

Chlorphenesin

Antimicrobial
Preservative Icon

Disodium EDTA

Hydroxyethyl Urea

Humectant

Citric Acid

Buffering
AHA IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer

Emulsion Stabilising

Caprylyl Glycol

Emollient

Phytosphingosine

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation Icon

Xanthan Gum

Emulsifying

Histidine

Humectant

Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer

Emulsion Stabilising

Polyquaternium-53

Polyquaternium-39

Polysorbate 60

Emulsifying
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Ethylhexylglycerin

Skin Conditioning

Benzoic Acid

Masking
Preservative IconMay worsen Eczema Icon

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Emollient, Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising

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 Alcohol

This ingredient is derived from caprylic and capric acids. It is an emulsifier with emollient properties.

According to the manufacturer, it is hydrophilic and soluble in aqueous solutions (water). They also state this ingredient is stable in a medium pH range (~5 - 8).

As an emulsifier, it helps make oils and oil-soluble ingredients more soluble in water.

Learn more about PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides
Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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 Water
Preservative

Phenoxyethanol 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.

When to use

1,115 Routines
18% use in am
82% use in pm
93% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
2,197 Routines
44% use in am
56% use in pm
97% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm 19 ingredients

3.0 /5
from 28 ratings
Great Value (9) Works Well (8) Oily (5)
Lapaki's avatar

Lapaki

1 year ago
Review

Well, it is gentle, but I didn't like the experience. Usually, my cleansing balms and oils emulsify as soon as I start adding water on my face, and wash off nicely. However, this one somehow doesn't... Even after double cleansing. Perhaps a stronger second cleanser would help, but my skin only tolerates milky washes/cleansers. I would have given it three stars, but the strong, off-putting smell Show more

#great value
#heavy
ang200's avatar

💋

9 months ago
Review

Don't buy this if u have acne prone skin. I used it for so long without realizing it was breaking me out and now i have so many black and whiteheads .

#drying
#broke me out
#strong scent
#doesn't work

CeraVe Hydrating Cream-To-Foam Cleanser 60 ingredients

3.5 /5
from 27 ratings
Works Well (12) Great Value (9) No Scent (8)
AshN.'s avatar

AshN.

1 year ago
Review

(Used 2020-2023) 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 Show more

#great value
#hydrating
#light
#no scent
alexandraalvarez's avatar

Alex Alvarez

9 months ago
Review

My skin can be sensitive to cleansers. This one is the only cleanser that I’ve never had an issue with. I also love how well it lathers!

#hydrating
#no scent
#works well