Cerave Hydrating Cleanser review

What is it

A non-foaming cleanser that removes dirt, oil, and makeup while moisturizing, softening, and repairing the skin barrier.

How to use

Apply to wet skin and massage gently in circular motion. Rinse thoroughly with water and pat dry.

First Impression

Fragrance-free and has a light milky texture that feels lovely on the skin. Cleanses without irritating or drying, but I’m doubtful of its ability to remove makeup.

Best suited for

Normal to dry skin, or those with damaged skin barriers (tretface anyone?)

Size & Price

3oz – $5; 8oz – $6.34; 12oz – $7 (no these prices don’t make sense)

Where to buy

Amazon, DermStore, Ulta

Ingredients

Purified Water, Glycerin, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ceramide 3, Ceramide 6-II, Ceramide 1, Hyaluronic Acid, Cholesterol, Polyoxyl 40 Stearate, Glyceryl Monostearate, Stearyl Alcohol, Polysorbate 20, Potassium Phosphate, Dipotassium Phosphate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Cetyl Alcohol, Disodium EDTA, Phytosphingosine, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum
full analysis on CosDNA

Look at all those ceramides at the top of the list, followed by hyaluronic acid and cholesterol! Honestly I doubt if these lovely ingredients will have a huge impact on your skin, considering how long the cleanser actually sits on your face for (30 seconds? 1 minute?), but every little bit helps right?

Depending on your stance on parabens, you may hate this cleanser as it contains 2 types, with propylparaben having a 7 on EWG. But again, the cleanser is only on your face for so long, and with the parabens near the end of the ingredient list, I wouldn’t worry too much about it.

PS: I don’t know why Behentrimonium Methosulfate is listed as a preservative in CosDNA, but it’s not. It’s actually a gentle emulsifying agent that’s extracted from canola oil and gives skin a soft powdery touch.

Overall Experience

The CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser pretty much checks off everything I look for in a cleanser, and then some. It’s affordable, pH balanced, gentle, non-stripping, and has lovely skin repairing ingredients. I wouldn’t count on this (or any non-oil cleanser really) to remove makeup, but since I double cleanse anyway, it actually works out really well as a second cleanser.

Some people breakout from using this cleanser, probably due to its various fatty alcohol (cetearyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol). So if your skin doesn’t like fatty alcohol, I would avoid this cleanser. Personally I’ve had no problems whatsoever, but YMMV.

Final Verdict