Foaming Cleanser

CeraVe Foaming Cleanser is a gel-based face and body wash that deeply cleanses the skin by removing excess oil, dirt, and makeup without over-stripping or leaving skin feeling tight and dry. Formulated with three essential ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide, it works to restore the skin's moisture barrier, attract hydration, and calm the skin as it cleanses. It is developed with dermatologists and designed to remove excess sebum without disrupting the skin's natural protective barrier.

CeraVe Foaming Cleanser is best suited to normal to oily skin. Its oil-controlling formula is particularly effective for those who experience excess shine or find that standard cleansers leave their skin feeling greasy. It is also suitable for combination skin where the T-zone tends to be oilier. Those with dry or very dry skin may find the foaming formula too cleansing for everyday use and may be better served by CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser, which is specifically formulated for dry and sensitive skin types.

CeraVe Foaming Cleanser contains three essential ceramides, which help restore and maintain the skin's natural protective barrier — an important benefit given that many cleansers can disrupt barrier function over time. It also contains hyaluronic acid to help attract and retain moisture in the skin, and niacinamide (vitamin B3) to help calm the skin and support barrier integrity. The formula is fragrance-free, paraben-free, and non-comedogenic, meaning it is designed not to clog pores or cause breakouts.

Yes. CeraVe Foaming Cleanser is effective at removing everyday makeup, excess oil, and daily impurities from the skin. For heavier makeup, particularly waterproof formulas, you may want to use a dedicated makeup remover or cleansing oil as a first step before following with the foaming cleanser as a second cleanse. This double-cleansing approach ensures thorough removal of product build-up while still allowing the foaming cleanser to remove excess oil and refresh the skin.

The key difference lies in the formulas and the skin types they are designed for. CeraVe Foaming Cleanser has a gel-based, foaming formula with oil-controlling properties, making it best suited to normal to oily skin. It effectively removes excess oil, dirt, and makeup. CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser has a non-foaming, cream-based formula that cleanses while adding moisture, making it more appropriate for dry, sensitive, or normal skin. Both contain three essential ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide, and both are fragrance-free and non-comedogenic.

CeraVe Foaming Cleanser can be a suitable choice for oily, acne-prone skin because it effectively removes excess oil and impurities without over-irritating the skin. It is non-comedogenic, meaning it is formulated not to clog pores, and it contains niacinamide, which can help calm the skin. However, it does not contain active acne-fighting ingredients such as salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. If you are looking for a cleanser specifically designed for blemish-prone skin with active treatment ingredients, you may wish to consider CeraVe Blemish Control Cleanser or CeraVe Blemish Clay-to-Foam Cleanser instead.

CeraVe Foaming Cleanser is gentle enough for twice-daily use — morning and evening. For oily skin, cleansing in the morning helps remove overnight sebum build-up, while an evening cleanse removes the day's oil, sunscreen, makeup, and environmental pollutants. If you have combination skin or are using the cleanser on your body, once daily may be sufficient depending on your activity level and skin needs. Avoid over-cleansing, as excessive cleansing — even with gentle formulas — can strip the skin's natural oils and lead to increased oil production.

Yes. CeraVe Foaming Cleanser is suitable for use on both the face and body, making it a versatile option for those who prefer to use the same cleanser across their routine. Its gentle yet effective oil-controlling formula works well on body areas prone to oiliness or congestion, such as the back or chest. Its inclusion of ceramides and hyaluronic acid also means it supports the skin barrier during cleansing rather than disrupting it.