CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser ingredients, decoded
What CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser is mostly made of, which ingredients do the work and what to watch for — based on the ingredient list the brand publishes.
A non-foaming cleanser for normal to dry skin that removes dirt without tightness, using three ceramides and hyaluronic acid to support the moisture barrier.
What it targets
Based on which ingredients are in it, how high up the list they are, and whether they are key actives.
Key ingredients
Ceramide: one of the lipids that hold skin cells together and keep water in.
Ingredient guide →The salt form of hyaluronic acid; the version most products actually use.
Ingredient guide →Worth knowing
Nothing in particular stood out.
What most of it is made of
- WaterBase
- GlycerinHumectant
- Cetearyl AlcoholFatty alcohol
- Peg-40 StearateEmulsifier
- Stearyl AlcoholFatty alcohol
1% line: from Phenoxyethanol (#16) onward, ingredients are probably at 1% or less. Phenoxyethanol is limited to 1% in the EU, and ingredients at 1% or less may be listed in any order. Products made only for other markets can use more.
Full ingredient list, decoded (24)
| 1 | Water정제수The base of most creams and toners; dissolves the water-loving ingredients. | Base |
| 2 | Glycerin글리세린A classic humectant that draws water into the outer skin layer. Well tolerated by almost everyone. | Humectant |
| 3 | Cetearyl Alcohol세테아릴알코올Fatty alcohol blend that thickens creams and stabilises emulsions. | Fatty alcohol |
| 4 | Peg-40 Stearate피이지-40스테아레이트Emulsifier or solubiliser that keeps oil and water mixed. | Emulsifier |
| 5 | Stearyl Alcohol스테아릴알코올Fatty alcohol thickener and softener. | Fatty alcohol |
| 6 | Potassium Phosphate포타슘포스페이트Adjusts or buffers the pH of the formula. | pH adjuster |
| 7 | Ceramide NP세라마이드엔피Ceramide: one of the lipids that hold skin cells together and keep water in.Ingredient guide → | |
| 8 | Ceramide AP세라마이드에이피Ceramide: one of the lipids that hold skin cells together and keep water in.Ingredient guide → | |
| 9 | Ceramide EOP세라마이드이오피Ceramide: one of the lipids that hold skin cells together and keep water in.Ingredient guide → | |
| 10 | Carbomer카보머Gelling agent that creates clear gels. | Thickener / texture |
| 11 | Glyceryl Stearate글리세릴스테아레이트Emulsifier that keeps oil and water mixed. | Emulsifier |
| 12 | Behentrimonium Methosulfate베헨트라이모늄메토설페이트Conditioning emulsifier that leaves a soft, smooth feel. | Emulsifier |
| 13 | Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate소듐라우로일락틸레이트Emulsifier or solubiliser that keeps oil and water mixed. | Emulsifier |
| 14 | Sodium Hyaluronate소듐하이알루로네이트The salt form of hyaluronic acid; the version most products actually use.Ingredient guide → | Humectant |
| 15 | Cholesterol콜레스테롤Barrier lipid that works together with ceramides and fatty acids.Ingredient guide → | |
| 1% line — probably 1% or less below this point | ||
| 16 | Phenoxyethanol페녹시에탄올The most common preservative. The EU caps it at 1%, so everything listed after it is at 1% or less. | Preservative |
| 17 | Disodium EDTA다이소듐이디티에이Binds metal ions so the formula stays stable. | Chelating agent |
| 18 | Dipotassium Phosphate다이포타슘포스페이트Adjusts or buffers the pH of the formula. | pH adjuster |
| 19 | Tocopherol토코페롤Vitamin E. Antioxidant that also protects oils in the formula from going rancid. | Antioxidant |
| 20 | Phytosphingosine피토스핑고신Ceramide building block with soothing properties. | |
| 21 | Xanthan Gum잔탄검Natural gum thickener. | Thickener / texture |
| 22 | Cetyl Alcohol세틸알코올Fatty alcohol that thickens and softens; not drying like ethanol. | Fatty alcohol |
| 23 | Polysorbate 20폴리솔베이트20Emulsifier that keeps oil and water mixed. | Emulsifier |
| 24 | Ethylhexylglycerin에틸헥실글리세린Preservative booster, usually paired with phenoxyethanol. | Preservative |
Based on the ingredient list the brand publishes; formulas can change and differ by country. The order shows relative amounts, not exact percentages. General information, not medical advice.
Ingredient list as published on the brand’s official website. Formulas change and can differ by country, so check the list on your pack too. General information, not medical advice.