CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser

Evidence-led ingredient analysis, a transparent clean score out of 100 and cleaner, effective alternatives at three price levels.

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CeraVe

Hydrating Cleanser

Cleanser · Budget: £12.00

4.6 (18,500 reviews)· across Boots, LookFantastic, Amazon UK, Superdrug

Verified against manufacturer INCI

Ingredients: Verified against manufacturer INCI

Last verified: 29 Aug 2026 · source

An exceptionally gentle, non-foaming cleanser rich in essential skin-barrier lipids and free from added fragrance.

Hazard categories

93Safe / Clean
Safe / Clean93 · Safe / Clean ✓

Selenssa score out of 100

Formulation score is fixed across Selenssa · Community effectiveness awaiting more reports

Based on publicly available ingredients, following our methodology. Not medical advice — always check the physical label, especially for allergies. How we score →

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Shareable page: selenssa.com/product/cerave-hydrating-cleanser

Highly recommended as a dependable, budget-friendly daily cleanser for dry and barrier-compromised skin types.

Be cautious if

Users who prefer a deep-foaming cleanse or require single-step heavy waterproof makeup removal.

Against your clean standard

Yes. Passes clean standards easily with no EDCs, harsh sulfates, parabens, or fragrance present.

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Where this score comes from

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Score history

No score changes have been recorded for this product yet.

Think something here is wrong? Report a correction · How we score

Does CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser contain parabens, sulfates or fragrance?

A straight yes or no for the ingredient groups people most often want to avoid, checked against this product's published formulation.

  • Free from parabens

    Preservatives; the longer-chain ones (propyl, butyl) carry the endocrine questions.

  • Free from sulfates (sls / sles)

    Strong cleansing agents that can strip a compromised barrier.

  • Free from silicones

    Slip and occlusion; cyclic silicones (D4/D5/D6) are the environmentally restricted ones.

  • Free from fragrance / parfum

    Undisclosed fragrance blends are the most common trigger for sensitised skin.

  • Free from essential oils

    Naturally derived, but among the most frequently reported contact allergens.

  • Contains drying alcohol

    Found: phenoxyethanol. Fine in small amounts for texture; high up the list it can dehydrate.

  • Free from formaldehyde releasers

    Preservatives that slowly release formaldehyde.

  • Free from chemical uv filters of concern

    Restricted or debated filters with endocrine or reef-persistence questions.

Is CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser non-comedogenic?

This formulation contains 1 ingredient commonly associated with clogged pores — cetearyl alcohol. That does not make it unsuitable for everyone: comedogenicity depends on concentration, the rest of the formula and your own skin. If you are acne-prone, patch test or choose one of the alternatives below.

Is CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser safe for sensitive skin?

Generally a reasonable choice for sensitive skin.

  • No fragrance or parfum in the list
  • Contains a drying alcohol
  • No ingredients flagged for irritation risk

CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser full ingredients list

24 ingredients analysed, in the order Selenssa assessed them. Concentration generally falls as you move down the 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.

The actives doing the work: Ceramides & Cholesterol (Rebuilds and maintains the natural lipid barrier.); Sodium Hyaluronate (Provides immediate surface hydration during wash.); Glycerin (Sustains hydration preventing post-wash tightness.); Tocopherol (Provides antioxidant protection to formula lipids.).

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