This post will be reviewing the Cerave Hydrating Foaming Oil Cleanser.
The first time I saw this cleanser was when it was launched a few months ago when I was stocking up on shower oils and accidentally came across it. I immediately thought it was for the body, so I bought it. I was so excited to use it and hoped it would perform like my trusted Bioderma Atoderm Shower Oil. Unfortunately, it didn’t. I didn’t find it hydrating enough for my body, so I figured I use it for my face.
This is a new inclusion to the range of Cerave cleansers. So far, I’ve used the following:
A couple of other Cerave cleansers are not available here in the U.K. These include:
As someone with dry acne-prone skin, I’m despondent about these cleansers not available here because they could have been a game-changer for my acne.
Without further ado, let’s get into this review!
First Impressions of the Cerave Hydrating Foaming Oil Cleanser
According to Cerave:
CeraVe Hydrating Foaming Oil Cleanser is a daily cleanser, and its unique foaming oil formula gently cleanses while providing a nourishing comfort that leaves skin on the face & body looking healthy and feeling refreshed.
Developed with dermatologists, CeraVe Hydrating Foaming Oil Cleanser with 3 Essential Ceramides, Glycerin & Hyaluronic Acid, gently and effectively removes dirt, oil and impurities from the skin at an optimal pH, while providing up to 24-hour hydration.
Also containing Triglyceride and Squalane – ingredients that can be found naturally in the skin – the unique formula maintains the skin barrier and keeps skin comfortable without feeling greasy.
Non-comedogenic. Fragrance free. Gynecologist-tested.
For Face & Body. Suitable for normal to very dry skin. Also suitable for sensitive skin, baby skin and atopic-prone skin.
Ingredient List
Asides from the base formula of three essential Ceramides, Hyaluronic Acid, Phytosphingosine and Cholesterol, this cleanser is also formulated with Squalane and Triglyceride. They are both emollients that moisturize the skin and keep it feeling soft and smooth.
If you decide to use this cleanser on your face, rest assured that it is also alcohol, essential oil and fragrance-free.
Packaging, Texture & Consistency
Packaged in Cerave’s signature 236ml pump bottle, this cleanser has an oily gel to foam consistency. A lot of people initially confused it with an oil cleanser. You know, the one you use to take off makeup and sometimes wipe off with a warm towel. Yes, that! Anyway, this is a second cleanser as opposed to a first cleanser. Water is its first ingredient, and as such, it emulsifies immediately on application. If you’re familiar with Shower Oils, they work the same way.
This cleanser is targeted at people with Normal to Very Dry Skin types, including babies and atopic-prone skin, which is a type of eczema. So, it’s very gentle and nourishing.
Price & Availability
To my knowledge, this cleanser is only available in the UK/EU market. I feel Cerave is trying to tap into the Shower Oil market, which several French Pharmacy brands dominate. It is available in 236 ml and 473 ml, and you can get it from your local drugstore. Otherwise, buy it online.
Review of the Cerave Hydrating Foaming Oil Cleanser
As I mentioned earlier, I used this cleanser on my body first, and I didn’t like it. It’s not too bad; I just didn’t like how my skin felt afterwards. It wasn’t as hydrating as I hoped it would be. Then I used it on my face, and it still wasn’t hydrating. At this point, the most hydrating Cerave cleanser is the Foaming Cleanser which is ironically formulated for oily skin.
Performance
On application, this cleanser lathers gently. The intensity depends on whether you use the cleanser on damp or dry skin. On damp skin, the lather is decent with soft bubbles. It is gentle enough for a quick morning cleanse. But if you want to take off leftover sunscreen and makeup at night, I suggest you use this cleanser on dry skin immediately after taking off your oil cleanser. That is when you get the full lather in action. In terms of its cleansing abilities, it’s as great as the other two foaming cleansers. But in terms of hydration, I’m not a fan, and this is coming from someone with dry, dehydrated skin.
Overall, I think Cerave needs to consult the French Pharmacy brands, specifically Bioderma, on formulating a banging Cleansing/Shower Oil.
In Conclusion
Is the Cerave Hydrating Foaming Oil Cleanser necessary? Not really! If it is targeted at people with atopic-prone skin, there are so many better alternatives on the market that cleanse the same way. Some of which include:
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