nextbest

See what everyone's saying

Compare · Cleansers

Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser vs Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser: which is better?

Both are gentle-leaning cleansers, but one is better for sunscreen removal while the other gets more praise for calming sensitive skin.

The quick answer

Depends what you need

  • Rated about the same — 78 vs 81 nextscore

CeraVe Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser is better for breaking down sunscreen and makeup, while Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser is better for a softer, more calming cleanse.

Choose Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser if

  • you want one-step sunscreen removal
  • you dislike a classic foaming wash

Choose Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser if

  • you want a lotiony, non-foaming cleanse
  • you prioritize a gentler daily cleanse

At a glance

Hydrating Cream-to-Foam CleanserCetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser
$0.02/ml$0.02/ml
78 · 108 verdicts81 · 174 verdicts
—Niacinamide

What Reddit says

Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser

What Reddit likes

  • Ceramides and glycerin in a one-step sunscreen wash
  • Removes makeup and daily sunscreen without much fuss
  • Foams up without feeling like classic harsh foaming wash

Watch out for

  • Drying for a lot of dry or tretinoin-thinned skin
  • Can sting, burn, or irritate sensitive and rosacea-prone faces
  • Some acne-prone users break out or get blackheads from it
See the Reddit threads on Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser

What Reddit likes

  • Non-foaming, lotiony cleanse
  • Glycerin plus panthenol helps keep dryness down
  • Studies found topical niacinamide can help acne

Watch out for

  • Niacinamide trips some people up
  • Can still sting on reactive skin
  • Not enough for heavy sunscreen or makeup alone
See the Reddit threads on Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser
Compare full ingredient lists · 7 in common

In both · 7

  1. Aqua/Water/Eau
  2. Glycerin
  3. Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate
  4. Cetearyl Alcohol
  5. Sodium Benzoate
  6. Citric Acid
  7. Xanthan Gum

Only in Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser · 53

  1. Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
  2. Coco-Betaine
  3. Sodium Chloride
  4. PCA
  5. PPG-5-Ceteth-20
  6. PEG-100 Stearate
  7. PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate
  8. PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides
  9. PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate
  10. CI 77891/Titanium Dioxide
  11. Aspartic Acid
  12. Ceramide NP
  13. Ceramide AP
  14. Ceramide EOP
  15. Sorbitan Isostearate
  16. Carbomer
  17. Glycol Distearate
  18. Glyceryl Stearate
  19. Glyceryl Oleate
  20. Glycine
  21. Trideceth-6
  22. Behentrimonium Methosulfate
  23. Threonine
  24. Sodium Hydroxide
  25. Salicylic Acid
  26. Sodium PCA
  27. Sodium Lactate
  28. Arginine
  29. Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
  30. Serine
  31. Valine
  32. Sodium Hyaluronate
  33. Proline
  34. Isoleucine
  35. Cholesterol
  36. Phenoxyethanol
  37. Alanine
  38. Phenylalanine
  39. Coconut Acid
  40. Coco-Glucoside
  41. Chlorphenesin
  42. Disodium EDTA
  43. Hydroxyethyl Urea
  44. Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
  45. Caprylyl Glycol
  46. Phytosphingosine
  47. Histidine
  48. Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
  49. Polyquaternium-53
  50. Polyquaternium-39
  51. Polysorbate 60
  52. Ethylhexylglycerin
  53. Benzoic Acid

Only in Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser · 3

  1. Panthenol
  2. Niacinamide
  3. Pantolactone

We use cookies to improve your experience. Learn more