What pros say: The fact that it is so gentle, and doesn't have active ingredients, is exactly why dermatologists love this stuff. “It's a basic gentle cleanser, so it's not necessarily going to clear acne or target signs of aging, but dermatologists often recommend it for this exact reason,” Shah says.
Cetaphil is a gentle skincare brand that has been recommended and trusted by doctors and dermatologists for over 70 years, and is used by millions with sensitive skin around the world to improve the resilience of their skin.
Both CeraVe and Cetaphil are recommended by dermatologists. In fact, dermatologists warn that the real good creams for your skin are the creamy rich creams, with no fragrances and cerave and cetaphil are part of these products.
What's the problem? The ingredients include 3 different parabens (known to cause endocrine disruption and linked to breast cancer), propylene glycol (increases chemical penetration into your skin and bloodstream) and sodium lauryl sulfate (known to cause skin irritation).
Overall, there is no clear winner. It just depends on the needs of your own skin. If you experience dry skin, oily skin, acne-prone skin then CeraVe might be the clear choice. However, if you experience sensitive skin the Cetaphil is the better option.
But you might be surprised by how much there truly is to know about the brand—or why its products are highly recommended by both dermatologists and influencers alike. Fun Fact: CeraVe's name is a nod to the three ceramides that are found in every single one of its products.
Final Verdict. Sliding into first place, the best face wash overall is La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser. The dermatologist-approved formula is extra-gentle and super-hydrating, effortlessly dissolving sebum and makeup while reinforcing the skin barrier.
Deep cleans to clear breakouts without overdrying, this cleanser starts working immediately to unclog blocked pores to reduce acne blemishes, blackheads, and whiteheads while maintaining skin's moisture barrier. In a 12-week clinical study, 96% said this cleanser leaves skin feeling refreshed.
Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Cerave Moisturizing Lotion
The combination of ingredients like polyglyceryl-3-diisostearate and cetyl alcohol both can contribute to some pretty serious breakouts.
Cetaphil too has a good moisturizing cream that calms eczema but unlike CeraVe which contains the ceramides in their formula to properly hydrate skin, Cetaphil does not provide enough hydrating properties to fully combat eczema on your skin. Therefore, CeraVe is certainly the better product to choose to manage eczema.
Dermatologists recommend CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser for people with acne as it works to cleanse the skin and remove oil, without disrupting the skin's protective barrier. It won't clog pores or dry the skin out, and contains niacinamide and ceramides to help calm and moisturize irritated skin.
All three parabens, sodium lauryl sulfate, and propylene glycol are the ingredients that we should avoid using on our skin. This brand does not contain any single beneficial ingredient for our skin. Parabens are a set of preservatives being phased out for likely health risks as it can lead to breast cancer.
It hydrates well and soothes the skin. The Cetaphil lotion has non-comedogenic properties which allow it to be used by people with acne and oily skin as it does not clog the pores or cause breakouts. It is light on the skin and is absorbed without causing build-up.
This gentle yet highly effective blend of brightening, soothing and moisturizing ingredients helps to lighten and even skin tone and preserve the skin barrier without irritation.
If you're looking for a quick answer, Cerave is better for those who deal with dry skin and Cetaphil is more geared towards those with sensitive skin. Not to say they can't work for either skin type, of course. Cetaphil is also the older brand, having been around for longer.
This cleanser dissolves dirt, oil and most makeup without stripping the skin's natural oils. It's also non-comedogenic, meaning it won't clog your pores. Whether you have oily, sensitive or combination skin, the brand claims the cleanser is suitable for all skin types.
The Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser is great for teens because it's fragrance free and soap free and can gently wash away dirt and grime from the day. It can actually be used on the whole body, which makes it an ideal all-purpose cleanser, too.
You should moisturize your skin twice a day with an oil free moisturizer, like Cetaphil, that will not clog your pores and lead to acne breakouts. It is best to apply it to damp skin right after cleansing to lock in the moisture.
Cetaphil Moisturizer is described as a non-comedogenic product. Non-comedogenic means it is made using ingredients that won't clog pores. However, certain individuals with acne-prone skin have still experienced clogged pores and acne breakouts after using Cetaphil.
Salicylic acid can be helpful for all types of acne.” Salicylic acid is a go-to OTC ingredient for acne since it dissolves the dead skin cells in clogged pores, helping treat existing acne and prevent future breakouts.
Generally, dermatologists and estheticians recommend washing your face both morning and night, but it's also important to take your skin type into consideration as well as lifestyle factors.
What customers say: Plenty of customers agree that Cetaphil is one of the better cleansers on the market. On MakeupAlley, the cleanser has an average rating of 3.5 out of 5. Though the soap-free formula means it doesn't foam, the majority of users say it's moisturizing and it keeps their skin feeling squeaky-clean.