Review: CeraVe Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser

Where to purchase: Look Fantastic: LINK / Cult Beauty: LINK / Target: LINK / Beauty Bay: LINK / Ulta: LINK

Price: £14.50

Volume: 236ml

Made in: France

What is it + What does it do?: A Cream-to-Foam cleanser that aims to gently cleanse the skin without stripping the skin of its natural moisture. This contains Ceramides, Amino Acids + Hyaluronic acid to maintain the skin’s barrier and lock in moisture.

Supposedly Good for: Normal-Dry Skins

What I think: I would agree. I do think Oily-Combination Skins would also enjoy this, particularly in the Winter. I am not entirely sure VERY dry skins would like to use this foaming cleanser in very dry weather.

Vegan?: The brand isn’t certified vegan but this cleanser technically doesn’t contain animal-derived ingredients.

Cruelty-Free?: Still sells in China

How long does it last after opening?: 12 Months.

EU allergen-free?: Yes

Malesezzia suitable?: No

pH: 5.4

Packaging: Plastic bottle with a pump mechanism. You can twist the top to ”lock” and ”unlock”. Just 1 pump, pumps a lot of product out (lasts a while).

Directions: ”Wet the skin and massage the cleanser into the skin in gentle motions. Rinse well” (From HERE).

How I use it: I use this to wash off SPF or sweat after working out. I would not use it for makeup removal really, unless I was using it in a second step of a makeup-dissolving routine. 1-2 pumps is enough to dispense a good amount of product to cover the face.

Note: This contains Amino Acids (Natural Moisturising Factors – see explanation HERE) + Ceramides to attract and retain moisture, and to help restore and maintain the skin’s natural barrier.

Key Ingredients: Salicylic Acid (Anti-blemish + Exfoliant – reduces the look of pores + soothing) / Phytosphingosine (Anti-blemish – this is part of the skin lipids + is part of the skin’s natural defence mechanism) / Hyaluronic Acid + Glycerin + PCA + Sodium PCA + Histidine + Urea + Sodium Lactate (Hydrating / Moisturising) / Ceramide NP + Ceramide NP + Ceramide EOP + Cholesterol (maintain the skin’s natural moisture barrier) / Glycine, Threonine, Arginine, Serine, Valine, Proline, Isoleucine, Alanine + Phenylalanine, Phytosphingosine, Histidine (Natural Moisturising Factors).

Surfactants (i.e. the cleansing ingredients): Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Coco-Betaine, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, PPG-5-Ceteth-20, PEG-100 Stearate, PEG-6 Caprylic/​Capric Glycerides, Trideceth-6, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Coconut Acid, Coco-Glucoside, Polysorbate 60

Full Ingredients: AQUA / WATER / EAU, 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 / TITANIUM DIOXIDE, 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

NOTE: The Incidecoder have a full ingredient breakdown HERE

Texture: This is a cream cleanser so this definitely feels like a smooth cream when gliding along the skin. I would still recommend wetting the skin or wetting the product before rubbing on the skin to avoid any stickiness [See swatch video below].

Emulsifies when water is added?: Doesn’t turn extremely milky, this turns half-milky and half-bubbly.

Easy to wash off?: As long as you add enough water, yes.

Easy to rub / massage into the skin?: Yes, when water is added.

• As you can see

Does this Sting if the Skin has been Irritated / Sensitised by Shaving/Heavy Retinol Use?: This did not sting for me.

Summer or Winter?: for Dry Skins, this is great for all seasons. For Oilier skins, this may be more suitable for the Winter.

Turns milky when water is added?: This doesn’t turn very milky, but when water is added, this is relatively easy to wash off (it’s a cream texture).

Video Swatch:

• As you can see,

Fragrance?: Fragrance + EO Free

Good at removing makeup? – Makeup Removal Test

How long have I been using this?: 2-3 Months

Will I use until Completion?: Yes

How Long will that take?: 4-6 Months (This is a big bottle!)

The Effect?: Initially: quite soothing while massaging into the skin thanks to its creaminess. Post-cleanse, my skin doesn’t feel painfully tight, but not intensely nourished (neutral, but this could feel slightly tightening for those with very dry skins, ESPECIALLY in the winter).

What I like:

• Fragrance + EO Free
• Did not leave my skin painfully tight and dry
• Relatively affordable and for a big ml
• Relatively easy to massage and wash off
• Did not worsen my skin’s condition

What I don’t like:

• Not the best at makeup removal (I’m including this here because the brand claims this is a good makeup remover on the bottle)
• I don’t think this is as hydrating as their hydrating cleanser or the Purito Defence Cleanser or the HaruHaru Wonder Black Rice Cleanser

Overall Rating and Conclusion: 4 (nearly 3.9) / 5 – This cleanser works well for those with sensitive skin who NEED a foaming cleanser (i.e. you like the sensation). I’m glad this is unscented. This is gentle enough and did not leave my skin painfully dry. No, it’s not the best makeup remover, but it does a good job of removing my SPF and sweat from the gym. I like that it’s relatively affordable and in a big bottle. I don’t think this is as hydrating as their hydrating cleanser (Review HERE) or the Purito Defence Barrier pH Cleanser (Review HERE) or the HaruHaru Wonder Black Rice Cleanser (Review HERE).

Would I repurchase?: I would prefer to purchase the CeraVe Hydrating cleanser instead.

Dupe?: The Cetaphil – Hydrating Foaming Cream Cleanser is also Fragrance + EO Free and is aimed not only at Dry to Normal Skins, but also specifically, Sensitive Skins.

Available at: Ulta: LINK / Look Fantastic: LINK

• The CeraVe – Hydrating Cleanser for Normal to Dry Skin (Swatches + Review HERE) is unscented (does not foam up however).

Available at: Ulta: LINK / Beauty Bay: LINK / Dermstore: LINK

• The Ordinary’s – Glycolipid Cream Cleanser – Swatches + Review HERE is Vegan + Cruelty-Free, Fragrance + EO Free, but does not foam up.

Available at: The Ordinary: LINK / Cult Beauty: LINK / Asos: LINK

• The Laneige – Cream Skin Milk Oil Cleanser (Swatches + Review HERE or HERE)

Available at: Beauty Bay: LINK / Selfridges: LINK

• The Hero Cosmetics Gentle Milky Cleanser (Swatches + Review HERE)

Available at: Hero Cosmetics: LINK

My Skin Type: I am acne prone and have slightly dehydrated combo skin. My skin is usually tight where the cheeks and eye area is and the outer parts of my face. My T zone is oily. My skin isn’t a fan of thick/heavy formulas so I opt for lightweight formulas to prevent it from clogging up. My skin doesn’t like essential oils either and I try to avoid fragrance when I can.

Disclaimer: I am a skincare enthusiast and not a skin expert. I am not qualified to give out dermatological advice. This type of advice should only be given by a medical practitioner. Upon trying / using any of the reviewed products on the blog, please follow the manufacturer’s instructions and warnings and please seek medical advice if needed.

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