Formula · 9.6

Brand · 7.9

CeraVe · foaming cleanser, three ceramides · US

CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser

CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
9.6

LabReadAI label score

How the score is calculated
  • Actives and evidence0.9Actives with strong evidence: 2 of 3
  • Active concentration1.0Actives sit above the 1 % line — by list order a working concentration is 93 % likely
  • Completeness for the purpose1.0For “hydration” — 97 %; below threshold: niacinamide (vitamin b3); a formula with one main purpose
  • Tolerance1.0Rinse-off product; debatable groups: parabens (skin test positive in 1 of 100 tested)
  • adults
  • pregnancyallowed per the leaflet
  • oily skin
  • acne-prone
  • atopic skin
  • dry skin
  • children
  • sensitive skinat 10 % flushing is possible
  • rosaceaask a dermatologist
  • prone to contact allergya rare but known allergen
Free from:
  • alcohol (alcohol denat) · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “denatured alcohol” group — evaporates fast and degreases; frequent contact can dry the skin — a tolerance question, not a regulatory one; does not clog pores
  • sulfates (SLS/SLES) · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “ammonium laureth sulfate (ALES), ammonium lauryl sulfate (ALS), sodium coco-sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), sodium myreth sulfate, TEA-lauryl sulfate” group — a cleansing surfactant from the sulfate family but with an ethoxylated chain: it cleanses more gently than lauryl sulfate. Still not for those looking for a sulfate-free product.
  • formaldehyde releasers · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “formaldehyde releasers” group — preservatives that slowly release formaldehyde; allowed at low levels but a frequent cause of contact allergy
  • isothiazolinones (MIT/MCI) · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “isothiazolinone preservatives (MIT/MCI)” group — preservatives; banned in EU leave-on products and limited in rinse-off (0.0015%) — a frequent cause of contact allergy
  • fragrance · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “fragrance and its allergens” group — the fragrance and its aromatic components; the EU requires 26 of them to be listed separately — matters to people allergic to fragrance, does not affect how the product works
  • mineral oils and petrolatum · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “petrolatum and mineral oils” group — purified cosmetic-grade petroleum products: form a protective barrier film; safety is established, a preference question; 0–2 of 5 (depends on the raw-material source), cosmetic white oil per DiNardo (2005) is non-comedogenic
  • soap · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “potassium soap (potassium cocoate), plant soap base (sodium palmate, sodium cocoate), tallow soap base (sodium tallowate)” group — liquid soap: fatty acids boiled with alkali. It cleanses well, but its acidity is around 9-10 against 5 for skin, which is why it often leaves tightness. The product is rinsed off, so the question is tolerance.
  • silicones · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “silicones” group — form a smooth film and shine; inert and not absorbed — a preference question, not a safety one
  • gelatin in the coating · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “vegetarian coating” group — a plant-based tablet coating instead of gelatin; it keeps moisture out and makes swallowing easier
  • toning dyes · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “violet toning dyes” group — direct dyes that settle on the hair surface and cancel the yellow cast of blonde; they wash out in 1–3 washes and leave a lilac tint if left too long; HC Blue 2 and Disperse Violet 1 are known contact allergens of hair dyes
  • tar · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “wood (birch) tar” group — a traditional remedy for dandruff and itching with a sharp smell; it reduces flaking, but can irritate a sensitive scalp and dries the hair
What for: Hydrating products draw water into the upper skin layer (glycerin, hyaluronate, panthenol, ectoin) — one humectant is enough. Without barrier ingredients (niacinamide, ceramides, oils) the effect does not last.
When:
  • when washing, rinsed off
  • morning
  • evening
morning and evening, on clean skin
When to expect an effect: tone, pores — 4–8 weeks; sebum — 2–4; barrier, dryness — 2–4 weeks; hydration — immediately; lasting effect — 2–4 weeks
What is normal: mild flushing in the first days at high concentration

Ingredients — 21 component · 3 work

What works: 3 of 21 ingredients: niacinamide, ceramides, hyaluronic acid. Hydrating products draw water into the upper skin layer (glycerin, hyaluronate, panthenol, ectoin) — one humectant is enough. Without barrier ingredients (niacinamide, ceramides, oils) the effect does not last.

Strengths: actives and evidence, active concentration, completeness for the purpose, tolerance

Questions: parabens: methylparaben, propylparaben — preservatives; methyl- and ethylparaben are recognised as safe at permitted levels, propyl- and butyl- are limited by the EU to 0.14 %; a frequent buyer question rather than proven harm

  • Ceramides + Hyaluronic acid — reinforce each otherhyaluronate draws moisture in, ceramides keep it
  • Ceramides + skin-identical components — reinforce each otherceramides with cholesterol and fatty acids restore the barrier better than alone
  • Niacinamide (vitamin B3) + Ceramides — reinforce each otherniacinamide boosts the skin own ceramide production, added ceramides rebuild the barrier from outside
  • Aqua/Water/Eau base: coating, fillers · water — the solvent and base; listed first because there is more of it than anything else; in supplements — part of the capsule shell
  • Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine base: coating, fillers · an amphoteric surfactant related to cocamidopropyl betaine: it works in hard water too, with steady foam.
  • Glycerin base: coating, fillers · a humectant: coats the tablet, holds moisture in creams and shampoos; does not clog pores
  • Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate base: coating, fillers · a mild anionic surfactant built on the amino acid sarcosine: it foams well in toothpastes and cleansers.
  • PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate base: coating, fillers · cleanse and bind water with oils; milder than the sulfate ones
  • Niacinamide works · the active ingredient — what the product is for; form: niacinamide
  • PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides base: coating, fillers · mono- and diglycerides of caprylic and capric acids (a coconut-oil fraction): a light emollient and co-emulsifier, a relative of caprylic/capric triglyceride
  • Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate base: coating, fillers · a mild taurine-based surfactant: thick foam and good tolerance even in facial cleansers.
  • Propylene Glycol base: coating, fillers · humectants and solvents — hold water and help actives dissolve
  • Ceramide NP works · the active ingredient — what the product is for; form: ceramides NP, AP, EOP
  • Ceramide AP works · the active ingredient — what the product is for; form: ceramides NP, AP, EOP
  • Ceramide EOP works · the active ingredient — what the product is for; form: ceramides NP, AP, EOP
  • Carbomer base: coating, fillers · hold the texture: gels, creams and foam do not separate
  • Methylparaben questions · preservatives; methyl- and ethylparaben are recognised as safe at permitted levels, propyl- and butyl- are limited by the EU to 0.14 %; a frequent buyer question rather than proven harm
  • Sodium Chloride base: coating, fillers · tune the acidity and texture; salt is a common shampoo thickener
  • Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate base: coating, fillers · a mild surfactant and emulsifier from lactic acid and a fatty acid: it binds water with oils and cleanses lightly.
  • Cholesterol base: coating, fillers · amino acids, lipids and sugars akin to the skin’s own components — support for its barrier
  • Disodium EDTA base: coating, fillers · bind hard-water metals so the formula stays stable and the foam works
  • Propylparaben questions · preservatives; methyl- and ethylparaben are recognised as safe at permitted levels, propyl- and butyl- are limited by the EU to 0.14 %; a frequent buyer question rather than proven harm
  • Citric Acid base: coating, fillers · acidity regulator
  • Tetrasodium EDTA base: coating, fillers · bind hard-water metals so the formula stays stable and the foam works
  • Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid works · the active ingredient — what the product is for; form: hydrolyzed
  • Phytosphingosine base: coating, fillers · amino acids, lipids and sugars akin to the skin’s own components — support for its barrier
  • Xanthan Gum base: coating, fillers · hold the texture: gels, creams and foam do not separate

CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser is a product whose active ingredient is niacinamide (vitamin b3) + ceramides + hyaluronic acid. The concentration is not declared, but the active sits above the 1 % line in the list — a working share is likely. The effect is supported by studies: niacinamide (vitamin b3), ceramides. The effect is moderately supported: hyaluronic acid. The formula has 21 ingredients, 3 of which do the work; the rest is the formula base. Worth noting: Methylparaben, Propylparaben (preservatives; methyl- and ethylparaben are recognised as safe at permitted levels, propyl- and butyl- are limited by the EU to 0.14 %; a frequent buyer question rather than proven harm). Well-matched pairs in the formula: ceramides + hyaluronic acid; ceramides + skin-identical components; niacinamide (vitamin b3) + ceramides. Hydrating products draw water into the upper skin layer (glycerin, hyaluronate, panthenol, ectoin) — one humectant is enough. Without barrier ingredients (niacinamide, ceramides, oils) the effect does not last. By the list, no alcohol (alcohol denat), sulfates (SLS/SLES), formaldehyde releasers, isothiazolinones (MIT/MCI), fragrance, mineral oils and petrolatum, soap, silicones, gelatin in the coating, toning dyes, tar. Suitable for: adults, pregnancy, oily skin, acne-prone, atopic skin, dry skin, children. sensitive skin, rosacea, prone to contact allergy — ask a doctor. Use: morning and evening, on clean skin. When to expect an effect: tone, pores — 4–8 weeks; sebum — 2–4. Label score — 9.6 out of 10 (actives with strong evidence: 2 of 3; actives sit above the 1 % line — by list order a working concentration is 93 % likely; for “hydration” — 97 %; below threshold: niacinamide (vitamin b3); a formula with one main purpose; rinse-off product; debatable groups: parabens (skin test positive in 1 of 100 tested)).

Who it does not suit

When to stop: persistent burning — stop; tightness in dry air — apply under a cream

Is this product right for your skin?

The score describes the formula, not your skin: the same product dries one person and saves another. Describe your skin type, reactions and goals, attach a photo of the ingredient list or the product — we will go through every ingredient and say whether it suits you, what to pair it with and what to avoid.

Cosmetic ingredient checkDecode my tests

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