Versus

Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser Versus Curel Foaming Facial Wash

Face Cleanser
Face Cleanser
American Brand United States
Japanese Brand Japan

Updated on April 01, 2025

Overview

What they are

These products are both face cleansers. They have a total of 3 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for dry skin and brightening skin

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, oils, 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

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant 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

Benefits

Concerns

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

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
Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

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 Glycerin

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 EDTA

When to use

4,038 Routines
41% use in am
59% use in pm
97% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
180 Routines
43% use in am
57% use in pm
98% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser 12 ingredients

3.4 /5
from 70 ratings
Great Value (26) Works Well (23) Drying (23)
kyniwi's avatar

kyniwi

1 year ago
Review

Good for fungal acne but it’s pretty drying. I have dry skin so it’s not the best for me. I’ll be finishing the bottle I have then switching out for something less drying. It’s been good on my fungal acne journey, plus it’s not irritating on my sensitive skin. It’s got simple ingredients but yeah.. drying.

#great value
#drying
#no scent
Skincareghost's avatar

The Ghost Of Skincare

5 months ago
Review

This was my first cleanser on my journey to finally caring for my skin.
I chose this for my rosacea affected skin as it was hailed as the most gentle minimal ingredient cleanser I could get by MANY!
I went into this product full of hope and left it covered in the worst break out I’ve ever had; Miserable with skin that felt tight & dry everywhere. I also suffered increased redness and Show more

#drying
#broke me out
#irritating

Curel Foaming Facial Wash 15 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 4 ratings
Great Value (1) Hydrating (1) No Scent (1)
lotusrietveld1's avatar

Lotus Rietveld

1 month ago
Review

Love this cleanser i am on accutane and i can use this morning and night it does not strip my skin its like a creamy consistensy and i love it

#hydrating
JadeMcleod_6's avatar

JadeMcleod_6

1 year ago
Review

Cleans but doesn't strip my skin