CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser

CeraVe
38 Poor
$15.97 · 16 fl oz
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Summary

CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser scores 38/100. The foaming variant relies on Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate (a surfactant with documented trace-nitrosamine potential) and PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate (residual 1,4-dioxane risk), making it the least-clean of the brand's standard cleansers despite the niacinamide + ceramide deck.

At a glance

Beneficial ingredients 3
Harmful ingredients 4
Owned by L'Oréal SA
Category Skin Care

Key ingredients 7

Niacinamide
Good

Niacinamide (vitamin B3) is a well-tolerated, evidence-backed ingredient that calms inflammation, supports the skin barrier, and helps regulate sebum production.

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Ceramides (NP, AP, EOP)
Good

Ceramides are lipids naturally present in the skin barrier; topical application helps restore and maintain barrier function. CeraVe's three-ceramide complex is a well-formulated barrier-supporting blend.

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Hyaluronic Acid / Sodium Hyaluronate
Good

Sodium hyaluronate is a humectant that attracts and holds water in the skin. It is well tolerated, non-irritating, and a meaningful addition to a daily moisturizer.

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Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
Bad

Anionic surfactant that can form trace nitrosamines (NDELA) during manufacture or storage when combined with nitrosating agents — a concern flagged by the IARC as probable human carcinogens.

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PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate
Bad

PEG-derived viscosity modifier. As with all polyethylene glycols, manufacturing can leave 1,4-dioxane (EPA probable human carcinogen) as a residual contaminant unless vacuum-stripped.

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Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
Neutral

Coconut-derived amphoteric surfactant. Gentler than its cousin cocamidopropyl betaine but synthesised from the same dimethylaminopropylamine pathway, so impurities (DMAPA, amidoamine) can drive contact dermatitis in sensitive users.

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Phenoxyethanol
Bad

Synthetic preservative restricted by the EU at higher use levels over infant neurotoxicity concerns. Generally tolerated but a known sensitiser; some peer-reviewed studies report toxicity to human gland cells at approved concentrations.

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