CeraVe
CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
A cream cleanser for normal to dry skin with ceramides and hyaluronic acid; free of added fragrance and accepted by the National Eczema Association.
- Ceramides NP, AP and EOP, hyaluronic acid
- Marketed as fragrance free
- normal skin
- dry skin
Who it's for: Normal and dry skin (brand-listed) · Sold as fragrance free
- No scent flags recorded
- No sensitivity flags recorded
We may earn a commission when you buy through store links on this page, including Amazon. It never changes the facts we list.
Label answers before you buy
Manufacturer source · Label checked . Label facts only, not testing or medical advice: what these answers can't tell you.
Is CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser fragrance-free?
The brand markets it as fragrance free. The ingredient list hasn't been reviewed as a complete formula, so we can't confirm it has no scent ingredients.
Is the cetearyl alcohol in this formula drying?
No. Cetearyl Alcohol and Stearyl Alcohol are fatty alcohols that soften and thicken a formula. They aren't the drying alcohol (ethanol) people try to avoid.
Ingredient-origin notes (not vegan warnings)
- Glycerin: The name does not establish the feedstock. Plant, animal or synthetic sourcing requires supplier or manufacturer evidence. Origin reference
Ingredient-origin reference and limitations · How we record vegan evidence
Compare products using these exclusions · Inspect recorded ingredients · Matching rules and limits
How it compares
- Its label lists no scent ingredients, which is true of 24 of the 51 products in Gel, Foam & Cream Facial Cleansers with a recorded ingredient list.
What it is
CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser is a creamy face wash for normal to dry skin. CeraVe says it removes dirt, oil and makeup without leaving skin tight.
Key ingredients
- Ceramides (NP, AP and EOP): CeraVe says they help restore the skin’s natural barrier, keeping moisture in.
- Hyaluronic acid: Listed as sodium hyaluronate; CeraVe says it supports moisture balance.
- MVE technology: CeraVe’s controlled-release system for hydration.
How to use
Wet your face with lukewarm water, lather the cleanser between your palms, and massage in gentle circles. Rinse, pat dry and follow with moisturizer.
Who should be careful
CeraVe says it’s free of added fragrance, and no fragrance appears on the label. It carries the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance.
What the brand claims
CeraVe says it’s non-comedogenic and developed with dermatologists to help maintain the skin barrier.
Sources
- https://www.cerave.com/skincare/cleansers/hydrating-facial-cleanser (checked 2026-10-23)
We have not tested this product.
What's on the label
| Category | Gel, Foam & Cream Facial Cleansers |
|---|---|
| Brand | CeraVe |
| Form | Cream cleanser |
| When to use | Any time |
| Key ingredients | Ceramides NP, AP and EOP, hyaluronic acid |
| Free from | CeraVe says free of added fragrance |
| Brand says it suits | normal, dry skin |
| Fragrance | Sold as fragrance free |
| Vegan evidence | Vegan status not confirmed. Evidence and limits |
| Worth knowing | No scent or sensitivity flags recorded |
| Full ingredient list | Aqua / Water / Eau, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Peg-40 Stearate, Stearyl Alcohol, Potassium Phosphate, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Carbomer, Glyceryl Stearate, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cholesterol, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA, Dipotassium Phosphate, Tocopherol, Phytosphingosine, Xanthan Gum, Cetyl Alcohol, Polysorbate 20, Ethylhexylglycerin No specific flag recorded Context matters Scent ingredient Sensitivity consideration Linked ingredients are explained in our ingredient glossary. |
| Source | Brand's own product page Checked |
Similar gel, foam & cream facial cleansers
CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser
Salicylic acid, ceramides, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, vitamin D · normal skin · no scent flags recorded
Dermalogica Ultracalming Cleanser
Panthenol, cucumber fruit extract, raspberry fruit extract · normal, dry, sensitive skin · no scent flags recorded
CeraVe Hydrating Micellar Water
oily, dry, combination, sensitive, normal skin · no scent flags recorded
Laneige Water Bank Gentle Gel Cleanser
Blue Hyaluronic Acid, allantoin, and amino acid complex · sensitive skin · no scent flags recorded
More face cleansers on Amazon
Guides that mention this product
Acne during pregnancy: what to stop, what dermatologists suggest, and a simple routine
Pregnancy acne often flares early on. Which acne treatments to stop, which ones dermatologists consider, and a gentle routine to take to your doctor.
Best Face Wash for Acne-Prone Skin
Face washes for acne-prone skin compared by label: salicylic acid, betaine salicylate and tea tree, foaming vs gentle, fragrance, and when a plain wash is the better pick.
Best Face Wash for Men, by Skin Type
Men's face washes compared by label: gentle cream vs foaming gel, charcoal, glycolic and salicylic acid washes, and which list fragrance or aromatic oils.
Best Hydrating Facial Cleanser by Skin Type
Hydrating face cleansers matched to dry, oily, combination, sensitive and mature skin, and to your main goal, using what each brand's label says.
Eczema-Prone Skin: Moisturizers, Cleansers and What to Look For
Moisturizers and cleansers for eczema-prone skin, chosen by label: fragrance-free creams and ointments, colloidal oatmeal, ceramides, and when to see a dermatologist.
How to clear blackheads: what works, what doesn't, and how long it takes
A step-by-step blackhead routine using adapalene, salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide, plus the truth about oil cleansing, scrubs, pore strips and extraction.
Men's Skincare Routine: The Simple Basics
A men's skincare routine needs three steps: a gentle cleanser, a moisturizer for your skin type and morning sunscreen. How to choose each one, plus fragrance-free options.
Pregnancy skincare: which ingredients to avoid, and what to ask your doctor about
Retinoids, including over-the-counter retinol, and hydroquinone top the avoid list in pregnancy. What to use sparingly, what dermatologists suggest instead, and how our flags work.
Side-by-side comparisons
Common questions
Which skin types is it for?
Normal to dry skin.
Does it have the NEA seal?
Yes. CeraVe says it is accepted by the National Eczema Association.