Hydrating Facial Cleanser — Reddit Reviews
by CeraVe
Updated October 30, 2026
Ceramides and hyaluronic acid cushion dry, tight skin; residue frustrates acne-prone users.
What the community says
A non-foaming cream cleanser with ceramides, glycerin, and sodium hyaluronate, built for dry or tret-irritated skin. It is a sensible barrier-reset wash, though oily or clog-prone users may hate the lotion feel, lingering film, and weak makeup removal.
What this means for you
Backed by 29 threads from r/SkincareAddiction, r/AsianBeauty and 4 more.
Read the threads ↓What people love
- Non-foaming cream texture for dry skin
- Ceramides and hyaluronic acid support barrier comfort
- Fragrance-free, basic formula
Watch out for
- Leaves a film and may not feel fully clean
- Triggers clogged pores or breakouts for some acne-prone users
- Can sting, burn, or worsen redness
Product details
Concerns
Product Traits
Key Ingredients
How to use it
From Reddit routinesWhat the science says vs. what Reddit says
Skin Barrier
Some evidence
Ceramides: 2 studies tested it directly. See all 15 studies
On Reddit: Neck dryness prompts a switch when the skin starts drying up. 18 mentions
What the studies found
Dehydration
Some evidence
Hyaluronic Acid: 2 studies tested it directly. See all 3 studies
On Reddit: As a second cleanse, it’s a staple for people who find other washes too drying. 37 mentions
Eczema
Not proven yet
Few or mixed studies. This claim isn't established.
Ceramides: 5 studies tested it directly. See all 13 studies
On Reddit: Body-care routines pair it with creams, which one user credits with easing flares. 10 mentions
What the studies found
- The results were split, so there is no clear answer yet on whether ceramides help eczema
- Some studies found ceramide creams improved eczema symptoms
- Some studies found ceramides worked about as well as other moisturizers, not better
- One study found a ceramide moisturizer helped the skin hold more water
Research context, not treatment advice. Studies are about the ingredient, not necessarily this exact product.
Real Reddit threads — 1,203 mentions across 29 threads
CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser on Reddit, in one place — 29 threads from r/SkincareAddiction, r/AsianBeauty and 4 more, summarized.
“You can start using gentle facial cleansers (cerave, cetaphil)”
Mentioned
“i used to use cerave cleanser, azealic acid, and cerave PM moisturizer.”
Mentioned
“I guess that should be hold for now?”
Mentioned
“Cerave Hydrating facial cleanser”
Positive
“But switching to Cerave hydrating wash from Cetaphil made my skin less irritated & less prone to breakouts.”
Positive
“Personally, I felt the hydrating cleanser was more hydrating. It helped ease irritation brought about by the tazorac.”
Positive
“morning * cerave hydrating facial cleanser”
Positive
“evening * cerave hydrating facial cleanser”
Positive
“my routine for dermarolling: wash my face with my normal cleanser (listed below), dermaroll”
Positive
“- Wash my face with Cerave hydrating cleanser (did you expect anything else?😋)”
Positive
“So here is my really BASIC routine:”
Positive
“✨AM✨”
Positive
“The products that I used were Cerave moisturizing cleanser”
Positive
“Cerave moisturizing cleanser, vaseline (eyes, lips and corners of the nose)”
Positive
“It was really trial and error”
Positive
“AM: Cerave hydrating cleanser, drop of Hada Labo premium”
Positive
“Routine (cleanse + toner + moisturize +/- SPF, I rarely use actives due to sensitivity)”
Positive
“AM: Cerave hydrating cleanser, drop of Hada Labo premium (it spreads really well)”
Positive
Dupes & Alternatives
Often paired with
Products Redditors use alongside this one
CeraVe
Mentioned together in 32 threads
“Am: Cerave hydrating facial cleanser Cerave Daily moisturizer lotion”
— r/acne
Vanicream
Mentioned together in 22 threads
“right now I use cerave Cream to Foam Cleanser, cerave Hydrating Cleanser, Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer”
Vanicream
Mentioned together in 17 threads
“I use Cerave hydrating cleanser and vanicream moisturizing cream”
The Ordinary
Mentioned together in 14 threads
“Gentle cleanser (CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser) Niacinamide serum (The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%)”