# CeraVe Hydrating vs Foaming Cleanser

**Question answered:** Should I choose CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser or Foaming Facial Cleanser?

**Short answer:** Choose Hydrating Facial Cleanser if your skin is normal to dry or feels tight after washing; it's a cream wash free of added fragrance. Choose Foaming Facial Cleanser if your skin is normal to oily and you like a gel that foams; it adds niacinamide and lists parabens. Both have CeraVe's three ceramides and hyaluronic acid.

By Nora Ellison. Published 2026-10-23. Data is taken from manufacturer labels; the products have not been tested.

## What this means for you

### Start with what you notice

Notice how your face feels 20 minutes after washing: tight and dry, comfortable, or already shiny. That's the deciding factor between these two.

### The ingredient names, translated

Both cleansers use surfactants to lift oil and dirt, plus ceramides and hyaluronic acid to help skin hold water. The Hydrating cleanser is a cream that barely foams; the Foaming cleanser is a gel that lathers. Foam isn't a measure of how clean you get. Cream and gel describe the format, not proven gentleness.

### How to decide

- Tight, flaky or sensitive after washing? Hydrating Facial Cleanser.
- Shiny by midday and like a lather? Foaming Facial Cleanser.
- Avoid parabens? Foaming lists methylparaben and propylparaben; the Hydrating cleanser's recorded list doesn't.

### What to expect

Either should leave skin clean without stripping it. Neither treats acne or other skin conditions. We haven't tested either product.

General guidance, not a test of these products: [AAD: face washing 101](https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-basics/care/face-washing-101). Each product's label source is linked on its product page.

## Format and skin type decide it

[CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser](product:cerave-hydrating-facial-cleanser) is a cream cleanser for normal to dry skin. CeraVe says it removes dirt, oil and makeup without leaving skin tight. It has ceramides NP, AP and EOP and hyaluronic acid, is free of added fragrance, and carries the National Eczema Association's Seal of Acceptance.

[CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser](product:cerave-foaming-facial-cleanser) is a gel that foams, for normal to oily skin. It has the same three ceramides and hyaluronic acid, plus niacinamide. CeraVe claims 12-hour oil control, though its page doesn't say how that was measured.

Those are format and positioning differences. Neither label proves one is gentler or cleans better, and we haven't tested either.

## Label differences worth knowing

The Foaming cleanser lists methylparaben and propylparaben; the Hydrating cleanser's recorded list doesn't. If you're avoiding parabens, that's a concrete reason to choose Hydrating. If you're avoiding fragrance, only the Hydrating cleanser carries an explicit "free of added fragrance" claim.

For more options by skin type, see our [men's face wash guide](/articles/best-face-wash-for-men/) and [acne face wash guide](/articles/best-face-wash-for-acne/).

## Manufacturer sources

- [CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser](https://www.cerave.com/skincare/cleansers/hydrating-facial-cleanser)
- [CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser](https://www.cerave.com/skincare/cleansers/foaming-facial-cleanser)

Sources and label-check dates are recorded on the product pages.

| Product | Key ingredients | Skin types | Fragrance | Flagged ingredients | Size | Source | Buy |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser](https://dermalguide.com/products/cerave-hydrating-facial-cleanser/) | Ceramides NP, AP and EOP, hyaluronic acid | normal, dry | Marketed as fragrance free | No flags recorded; not a safety guarantee | Brand doesn't list it | [Manufacturer label](https://www.cerave.com/skincare/cleansers/hydrating-facial-cleanser), checked 2026-10-23 | [Amazon (affiliate)](https://link.amazon/B07wbcLSC) |
| [CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser](https://dermalguide.com/products/cerave-foaming-facial-cleanser/) | Ceramides, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid | normal, oily | No scent flags recorded in our glossary | No flags recorded; not a safety guarantee | Brand doesn't list it | [Manufacturer label](https://www.cerave.com/skincare/cleansers/foaming-facial-cleanser), checked 2026-10-23 | [Amazon (affiliate)](https://link.amazon/B0dgzjcAB) |

## Which to choose

Consider CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser when: Your skin is normal to dry, or feels tight after a foaming wash; You want a wash free of added fragrance with the National Eczema Association seal.

Consider CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser when: Your skin is normal to oily and you like a gel that foams; You're comfortable with the parabens on its label.


## Questions

### Which CeraVe cleanser is better for oily skin?

CeraVe positions the Foaming Facial Cleanser for normal to oily skin and the Hydrating Facial Cleanser for normal to dry skin.

### Do both contain ceramides?

Yes. Both list ceramides NP, AP and EOP and hyaluronic acid. The Foaming cleanser also lists niacinamide.

### Are they fragrance free?

CeraVe says the Hydrating cleanser is free of added fragrance. The Foaming cleanser page we checked doesn't make that claim, though no fragrance appears on its recorded list.