Here's Why Everyone’s Talking About CeraVe's Effective (and Affordable) Cleansers

With countless different cleanser options on the market nowadays, it can feel super overwhelming trying to find a formula that not only suits all your skin’s needs — but that also doesn’t break the bank. Thankfully, the good folks at CeraVe have several wallet-friendly face washes to choose from, all of which were developed with dermatologists to ensure their quality and efficacy are up to par. You’ve probably already seen them all across social media – thanks #DermTok – but you may be wondering which one is best suited for you. Let us break it down for you.

How It Started

The CeraVe story actually begins in 2005 when experts noticed that many skin conditions such as acne, eczema, psoriasis, and dry skin all had one thing in common: a compromised skin barrier. As such, they’ve loaded their formulas with three essential ceramides — 1, 3, and 6-11 to be precise — to help restore and maintain the integrity of the skin barrier, which is super crucial to help the skin lock in moisture. Their formulas also utilize the brand’s patented time-release MVE delivery technology, which helps provide all-day hydration so skin stays soft, supple, and smooth.

What Sets CeraVe Apart

As a brand that is literally developed with dermatologists, they make sure that their formulas are safe and gentle enough for all skin types, even sensitive and acne-prone. This key factor is what ultimately sets CeraVe apart from the myriad other mass skin care brands on the market; you can really trust that their formulas are legit and do exactly what they claim to. “Finding the right cleanser for your skin type can sometimes be difficult, especially if you have a particular skin concern,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Katie Beleznay, MD. “I often encourage my patients to look for formulas that are fragrance-free and non-comedogenic to minimize potential skin irritation.”

Which CeraVe Cleanser Is Right for You?

For normal to dry skin types:

The brand’s Hydrating Cleanser soothes and nourishes normal to dry skin types with the aforementioned ceramides, as well as hyaluronic acid and glycerin. The weightless creamy formula is also fragrance-free and non-comedogenic, making it a great option for those with sensitive or reactive skin.

For normal to oily skin types:

For those with oily complexions, CeraVe’s Foaming Cleanser is a must-have, as it deeply cleans the skin and whisks away excess oil — without stripping the skin of its natural sebum, which plays a role in keeping your complexion calm and balanced. The gel-based emulsion contains skin-calming niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides to soothe and hydrate the epidermis and keep it from getting dry or tight.

For an all-in-one cleansing solution:

Last but not least, you have the Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser, which as the name suggests, starts off as a cream before morphing into a decadent foam that breaks down dirt, oil, and even stubborn face makeup and sunscreen. Despite being a deep-cleaning formula, it’s still ultra-soothing and helps the skin hold in moisture thanks to water-attracting amino acids.

All this to say: No matter what you’re looking for in a cleanser, CeraVe has got you covered with their gentle, affordable formulas that were developed with derms. Your skin – and wallet – will thank you.