Vanicream Cleansing Bar Versus CeraVe Foaming Cleanser Bar (Normal to Oily Skin)
Updated on February 03, 2025
Overview
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances or parabens
What's Inside
They both contain 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
Vanicream Cleansing Bar 18 ingredients
CeraVe Foaming Cleanser Bar (Normal to Oily Skin) 33 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Vanicream Cleansing Bar 18 ingredients
CeraVe Foaming Cleanser Bar (Normal to Oily Skin) 33 ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingStearic Acid
Cleansing
Water
Skin ConditioningCoconut Acid
Cleansing
Sodium Isethionate
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingSodium Laurate
CleansingSorbitol
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Simethicone
Emollient
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Petrolatum
Emollient
Ceteareth-20
Cleansing
PEG-30 Stearate
Emulsifying
PEG-20
HumectantTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingStearic Acid
Cleansing
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Isethionate
CleansingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantKaolin
Abrasive
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingPotassium Phosphate
BufferingCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingGlycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Zinc PCA
Humectant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Ceteareth-20
Cleansing
Behentrimonium Methosulfate
Methyldihydrojasmonate
MaskingSodium Chloride
Masking
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Cholesterol
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Disodium EDTA
Dipotassium Phosphate
BufferingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientPhytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Stearic Acid, Water, Sodium Isethionate, CI 77891, Kaolin, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Potassium Phosphate, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Carbomer, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Zinc PCA, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Ceteareth-20, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Methyldihydrojasmonate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cholesterol, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA, Dipotassium Phosphate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Phytosphingosine, Xanthan Gum, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Ethylhexylglycerin
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ceteareth-20 is an emulsifier and cleansing agent. It is derived from cetearyl alcohol, a fatty alcohol.
As an emulsifier, Ceteareth-20 prevents oil and water from separating. It is also a surfactant. Surfactants help gather oil, pollution, and dirt to be washed away.
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 AlcoholChances 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 ChlorideSodium cocoyl isethionate is a natural ingredient from coconut oil. It is an ultra gentle cleanser that gives a nice foam without drying the skin or impacting the skin barrier.
The amount of foam created depends on the amount of sodium cocoyl isethionate used in the product.
This ingredient also helps improve the spreadability of a product.
Learn more about Sodium Cocoyl IsethionateWe don't have a description for Sodium Isethionate yet.
Stearic Acid is a fatty acid. It is an emollient, emulsifier, and texture enhancer.
As an emollient, stearic acid helps soften skin. It aids the skin's protective barrier by preventing water loss. It also provides a gentle cleansing effect without stripping away natural oils.
Stearic acid may also be used to enhance the texture of products. It can add volume and stabilize ingredients such as water and oil. This can help water and oil ingredients from separating.
Sources of stearic acid include animal or vegetable fats/oils such as coconut or shea. It can be naturally found in butter, cocoa butter, shea butter, vegetable fats, and animal tallow.
This ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic AcidWater. 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 WaterIngredient Ratings
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