Compare · Cleansers
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser vs Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel Cleanser: which is better?
Both foaming cleansers suit oily, acne-prone skin, but one centers on barrier support while the other leans into oil control with more sensitivity concerns.
The quick answer
Depends what you need
- Rated about the same — 68 vs 69 nextscore
- More reviewed: CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser — 199 vs 47 verdicts
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser leans safer for barrier-minded daily cleansing, while La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel Cleanser leans harder into oil control and acne-focused cleansing.
Choose CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser if
- you want a basic foaming cleanse with barrier-supporting ingredients
- you have oily or combination skin and avoid easy tightness
Choose Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel Cleanser if
- you want a simple gel wash for oilier, acne-prone skin
- your skin tolerates stronger foaming cleansers better


La Roche-Posay
Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel Cleanser
See alternatives$0.04/ml · 399.8 ml
At a glance
| CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser | Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel Cleanser |
|---|---|
| $0.05/ml | $0.04/ml |
| 68 · 199 verdicts | 69 · 47 verdicts |
| Niacinamide, Ceramides | — |
What Reddit says
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
What Reddit likes
- Foams up and rinses clean
- Niacinamide plus ceramides for a basic barrier-supporting cleanse
- Works well on oily or combo skin
Watch out for
- Can feel drying or tight fast
- Breaks out some acne-prone and sensitive users
- Rosacea and eczema folks report stinging or flare-ups
Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel Cleanser
What Reddit likes
- Zinc PCA and glycerin in a simple gel wash
- Cuts oil without feeling like a sludge cleanse
- A longtime acne routine staple for some users
Watch out for
- Daily use can leave skin tight, dry, and red
- Fragrance and stronger surfactants bug sensitive skin
- Too harsh once tretinoin or barrier damage enters the chat
Compare full ingredient lists · 4 in common
In both · 4
- Aqua / Water / Eau
- Glycerin
- Sodium Chloride
- Citric Acid
Only in CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser · 20
- Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
- Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
- PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate
- Niacinamide
- PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides
- Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
- Propylene Glycol
- Ceramide Np
- Ceramide Ap
- Ceramide Eop
- Carbomer
- Methylparaben
- Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
- Cholesterol
- Disodium EDTA
- Propylparaben
- Tetrasodium EDTA
- Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
- Phytosphingosine
- Xanthan Gum
Only in Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel Cleanser · 17
- Sodium Laureth Sulfate
- Hexylene Glycol
- Coco-Betaine
- PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate
- Punica Granatum Pericarp Extract
- Zinc PCA
- PEG-8
- Sodium Citrate
- Sodium Hydroxide
- Caprylyl Glycol
- Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
- Maltodextrin
- Pentylene Glycol
- Tocopherol
- Sodium Benzoate
- Phenoxyethanol
- Parfum/Fragrance