Head to head
Hydrating Facial Cleanser vs Gentle Facial Cleanser
CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser edges out Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser, 8.6 to 8.4. It wins on results, formula and value, while the Gentle Facial Cleanser is stronger on texture and feel.
Benefit fingerprints
What each one does.
CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser
Side by side
Every detail, compared.
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- Hydrating
- Barrier repair
- Dryness relief
- Irritation-free
- Irritation-free
- Makeup removal
- Double cleansing
- • Dry, normal and sensitive skin that feels tight after cleansing
- • A gentle second cleanse or morning wash
- • Eczema-prone skin looking for an NEA-accepted cleanser
- • Sensitive, dry or eczema-prone skin that reacts to fragrance and botanicals
- • A second cleanse after an oil or balm
- • Skin using tretinoin or other strong actives
- Fragrance-free formula with three ceramides, hyaluronic acid and the National Eczema Association Seal
- Cleans without the tight, stripped feeling that foaming washes can leave
- Reviewed's testers found it removed light makeup and mascara on its own
- Short, fragrance-free formula without botanical extracts or essential oils, carrying the National Eczema Association Seal
- Soap-free, pH-balanced and non-comedogenic, according to Vanicream
- Widely recommended on r/SkincareAddicts and r/tretinoin as a no-burn wash for irritated or retinoid-treated skin
- Barely lathers, which some people dislike in a face wash
- Some Reddit users say it does not rinse clean and leaves a film
- Some users find it isn't enough to remove sunscreen on its own, and Vanicream says waterproof makeup may need a second cleanse
- No barrier extras such as ceramides or niacinamide, unlike CeraVe's or La Roche-Posay's gentle washes
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Affiliate links — we may earn a commission. How we make money
FAQ
Quick answers.
Which is better, Hydrating Facial Cleanser or Gentle Facial Cleanser?
CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser edges out Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser, 8.6 to 8.4. It wins on results, formula and value, while the Gentle Facial Cleanser is stronger on texture and feel.
Which is better value?
CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser works out to about $1.33 / oz and Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser to about $1.62 / oz, based on typical non-Amazon retail prices when we last checked.
How do you score them?
Both are scored on the same five-factor rubric (results, formula & ingredients, texture & experience, value, community love), using the formula or specs, verified creator reviews, community consensus and value. Brands can’t pay for placement.