Best overallCult favoriteDerm favorite

Hydrating Facial Cleanser

A fragrance-free, non-foaming ceramide cleanser that cleans without tightness — the default pick for normal to dry and sensitive skin.

8.6

Excellent

Beauty score

#1 of 8 cleansers

Community

—/10

Format: Cleanser
Size: 12 fl oz
Price per oz: $1.33 / oz
Price tier: Drugstore

Fragrance-freeHydrating Barrier repair Dryness relief Irritation-free

Made for: Normal skin · Dry skin · Sensitive skin

Key ingredients:Ceramides Hyaluronic acid Glycerin

Check price on Amazon Shop on TikTok Shop1664 sold

Also at

Brand site$15.99 UUlta Beauty

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Last reviewed November 2, 2026 by our editors · How we score

The verdict

A fragrance-free, non-foaming ceramide cleanser that cleans without tightness — the default pick for normal to dry and sensitive skin.

CeraVe's Hydrating Facial Cleanser is a non-foaming lotion wash with three ceramides, hyaluronic acid and glycerin, made for normal to dry skin and carrying the National Eczema Association Seal. Testers at Reviewed named it their best overall face wash after it washed off CC cream and mascara without a separate makeup remover and left skin soft. Dermatologist creators repeatedly recommend it for dry and sensitive skin. The main caveat is the texture: it barely lathers, which was the only complaint from Reviewed's tester.

Best for

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

What we love

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
Low price per ounce in a pump bottle that lasts

Worth knowing

Barely lathers, which some people dislike in a face wash
Some Reddit users say it does not rinse clean and leaves a film
Not strong on makeup; users pair it with a cleansing balm for that
Made for normal to dry skin, so very oily skin may prefer CeraVe's foaming version

How it scored

The breakdown.

Five factors, weighted for formulas. Here’s our working.

8.6Excellent

Beauty score out of 10. Brands can’t pay for placement — ever.

Results30%8.5
Reviewed's testers found it removed CC cream and mascara without a separate remover and left skin soft, and dermatologist creators consistently endorse it for dry and sensitive skin.
Formula & ingredients20%8.8
Three ceramides, cholesterol, hyaluronic acid and glycerin in a fragrance-free, non-comedogenic base with the NEA Seal is a textbook barrier-friendly cleanser formula.
Texture & experience15%7.7
The lotion texture spreads easily and Reviewed's tester found skin soft and clean after rinsing, but it barely lathers and some Reddit users say it leaves a film.
Value20%9.3
At the brand's $15.99 list price for 12 fl oz it is among the cheapest dermatologist-favorite cleansers per ounce, and a pump or two per wash is enough.
Community love15%8.8
It is one of the most-reviewed cleansers on YouTube and is widely recommended on r/SkincareAddiction, though some users there prefer La Roche-Posay's version and complain of a lingering film.

Beauty profile

Inside the bottle.

Texture

Non-foaming lotion-like cream that spreads easily and does not lather

Format

Cleanser

Fragrance

Fragrance-free

Size

12 fl oz / 355 ml

Key ingredients

Ingredient encyclopedia →

What’s in it: Three ceramides (NP, AP, EOP) delivered with CeraVe's MVE controlled-release technology, plus sodium hyaluronate, glycerin, cholesterol and phytosphingosine; no percentages published.

How to use

Wet skin with lukewarm water, lather the cleanser between the palms and massage onto the face in gentle circular motions, then rinse well and pat dry.

Free from (brand-stated)

fragrance

Claims & certifications

National Eczema Association Seal
Non-comedogenic
Fragrance-free

Full ingredient list (INCI)24 ingredients · key actives highlighted · as listed by the brand

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

Formulas change. Always check the packaging, and patch-test if your skin is reactive.

Official product page

Creator video reviews

Watch it in action.

Real reviews, try-ons and wear tests from independent creators — verified with TikTok and YouTube and labelled when sponsored.

We don’t pay creators for reviews, and they don’t pay us. Nothing from TikTok or YouTube loads until you press play.

What people say

Straight from the source.

Verbatim from Reddit, forums, blogs and the beauty press — linked, so you can read the whole thread.

4 verbatim quotes · 1 positive · 2 mixed · 1 critical

Reviewed

my face felt incredibly soft and clean after rinsing the formula away. In fact, it washed away every drop of my signature makeup look

Brigitt EarleyReviewed · 2025-01Source

Reviewed

If I had any complaint about this face cleanser, it’s that it didn’t lather as much as I personally prefer, but that’s to be expected, considering it’s described as a non-foaming face wash.

Brigitt EarleyReviewed · 2025-01Source

r/SkincareAddiction

I use the cerave hydrating cleanser, it’s gentle but not great at taking make up off. I use elf cleansing balm for that.

u/ohsheeeeeeshhr/SkincareAddiction · 2026-103Source

r/SkincareAddiction

i'd skip the cerave hydrating cleanser, a lot of people find it doesn't rinse clean and leaves a weird film.

u/WarWest3993r/SkincareAddiction · 2026-103Source

Price & value

Is it worth it?

Typical price

$15.99

for 12 fl oz / 355 ml

Per ounce

$1.33

DrugstoreMid-rangePrestigeLuxury

About 41% less per ounce than the typical cleansers we review. Our value score: 9.3/10 for a drugstore pick.

Price checked November 2026 at a non-Amazon retailer. Prices change — retailers show the current one.

Where to buy

Check price on Amazon Shop on TikTok Shop1664 sold Buy from the brand$15.99 USee it at Ulta

We may earn a commission when you buy through links on this page. It never affects our scores or what we recommend. How we make money

Community

What members noticed.

Ratings, skin types and the benefits people actually saw — logged on the Benefit Wheel.

No member ratings yet.

Tried it? Your score — and your skin or hair type — helps the next person decide.

Highlighted: what it’s built to do.

Discussion

No discussions yet.

Tried CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser? Ask a question or share how it’s working for your skin or hair — you’ll be the first.

FAQ

Good questions.

Does CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser remove makeup?

CeraVe says it removes dirt, oil and even makeup. Reviewed's tester found it washed off CC cream and mascara without a separate remover, but for heavy, waterproof or long-wear makeup and sunscreen, an oil or balm first cleanse is the more thorough option.

Is it suitable for oily or acne-prone skin?

The brand makes it for normal to dry skin and labels it non-comedogenic. A dermatologist quoted on CeraVe's page says it can work for oily skin too, but CeraVe sells a Foaming Facial Cleanser specifically for normal to oily skin.

Does it contain fragrance?

No. CeraVe lists it as free of added fragrance, and it carries the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance.

Why doesn't it foam?

It is a non-foaming, lotion-style cleanser, so it relies on gentle surfactants and emollients rather than lather. Reviewed's tester noted the lack of lather but found skin felt soft and clean after rinsing.

Sources we checked (8)