CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser vs Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser
5 shared ingredients · CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser 19 ingredients · Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser 5 ingredients
Where the two ingredient lists differ
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser · 19
- COCAMIDOPROPYL HYDROXYSULTAINE
- SODIUM LAUROYL SARCOSINATE
- PEG-150 PENTAERYTHRITYL TETRASTEARATE
- PEG-6 CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC GLYCERIDES
- SODIUM METHYL COCOYL TAURATE
- PROPYLENE GLYCOL
- CERAMIDE NP
- Ceramide AP
- Ceramide EOP
- CARBOMER
- METHYLPARABEN
- SODIUM CHLORIDE
- SODIUM LAUROYL LACTYLATE
- CHOLESTEROL
- DISODIUM EDTA
- PROPYLPARABEN
- TETRASODIUM EDTA
- Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid
- PHYTOSPHINGOSINE
Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser · 5
In both (5)
What has been studied about those differences
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
- CERAMIDE NP Skin effectThe Effectiveness and Safety of a Skin Care Product With Centella asiatica Leaf Extract, Ceramide NP, and Panthenol in Subjects With Sensitive Skin: A Prospective, Observational Study
In 88 women with sensitive skin, a face cream containing Centella asiatica leaf extract, ceramide NP and panthenol lowered the SS-10 symptom score by 66% at week 2 and 76% at week 4, with irritation, tautness, itching and redness all significantly reduced.
Human trial · 2025 · 88 people · women with sensitive skin · Chinese women with sensitive skin applying the cream to the whole face, followed up at day 2, weeks 1, 2 and 4. · Observational and self-controlled.
- CERAMIDE NP Skin effectMonocentric, Vehicle-Controlled, Double-Blind Study to Assess the Short- and Long-Term Effects of a Ceramide NP C15-Containing Emollient on the Skin Microbiome and the Skin Barrier Function in Sensitive Skin
In a randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled split-body trial of 50 people with sensitive skin, an emollient containing Ceramide NP C15 significantly reduced transepidermal water loss in participants with an impaired skin barrier over 6 weeks.
Human trial · 2026 · 50 people · people with sensitive skin · People with sensitive skin applying the emollient in a split-body design for 6 weeks; the barrier improvement was clearest in those whose barrier was already impaired. · Exploratory; both the ceramide formulation and the vehicle improved subjective symptoms, and the significant TEWL reduction was seen specifically in the impaired-barrier subgroup.
- CERAMIDE NP Skin effectThe 24-hr, 28-day, and 7-day post-moisturizing efficacy of ceramides 1, 3, 6-II containing moisturizing cream compared with hydrophilic cream on skin dryness and barrier disruption in senile xerosis treatment
In adults with mild-to-moderate xerosis (senile xerosis), a cream containing ceramides 1, 3, 6-II improved stratum corneum hydration, transepidermal water loss and skin pH more than a hydrophilic cream, measured at 24 hours and after 28 days of twice-daily use.
Human trial · 2019 · 24 people · adults (91.7% female, mean age ~55) with mild-to-moderate senile xerosis · Leave-on moisturizers for dry skin. The study enrolled adults with mild-to-moderate xerosis. · Small single-site study (24 participants), split-site comparison on the shins, 28 days. It shows the tested formula outperformed a basic hydrophilic cream on measured skin parameters.
- CERAMIDE NP Skin effectEfficacy of ceramides and niacinamide-containing moisturizer versus hydrophilic cream in combination with topical anti-acne treatment in mild to moderate acne vulgaris: A split face, double-blinded, randomized controlled trial
In 40 people with mild-to-moderate acne all using topical benzoyl peroxide plus adapalene, a moisturiser with ceramides and niacinamide significantly improved non-inflammatory, inflammatory and total acne lesions on that side of the face versus a hydrophilic cream after 8 weeks, and decreased cutaneous irritation.
Human trial · 2024 · 40 people · patients with mild-to-moderate acne, all on topical anti-acne treatment · People on topical anti-acne medication who add a moisturiser alongside treatment, in a split-face, double-blind, randomized design for 8 weeks. · All participants used prescription/OTC anti-acne drugs (5% benzoyl peroxide + 0.1% adapalene). TEWL, hydration, sebum, pH and other biophysical measures stayed close between the two creams. This is adjunctive care.
Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser
- PANTHENOL Skin effectThe Effectiveness and Safety of a Skin Care Product With Centella asiatica Leaf Extract, Ceramide NP, and Panthenol in Subjects With Sensitive Skin: A Prospective, Observational Study
In 88 women with sensitive skin, a face cream containing Centella asiatica leaf extract, ceramide NP and panthenol lowered the SS-10 symptom score by 66% at week 2 and 76% at week 4, with irritation, tautness, itching and redness all significantly reduced.
Human trial · 2025 · 88 people · women with sensitive skin · Chinese women with sensitive skin applying the cream to the whole face, followed up at day 2, weeks 1, 2 and 4. · Observational and self-controlled.
- PANTHENOL Skin effectA cream containing linoleic acid, 5% dexpanthenol and ceramide in the treatment of atopic dermatitis
In 38 children with atopic dermatitis, a cream containing linoleic acid, 5% dexpanthenol and ceramide improved SCORAD significantly more than a 5% urea cream after 4 weeks (P = 0.043); both groups improved from baseline.
Human trial · 2024 · 38 people · children with atopic dermatitis (37 completed) · Children with mild-to-moderate atopic dermatitis applying the cream twice daily for 4 weeks in a randomised, double-blind, bilateral paired design. · Both interventions were non-prescription moisturisers: this is emollient / basic skin care. Small sample (37 completed); stratum corneum hydration and time to remission stayed close between groups.
- PANTHENOL Skin effectEfficacy and safety of a cream containing panthenol, prebiotics, and probiotic lysate for improving sensitive skin symptoms
In 110 people with facial sensitive skin, a cream containing panthenol used twice daily for 28 days significantly increased stratum corneum moisture and reduced erythema index, redness (a* value) and transepidermal water loss.
Human trial · 2024 · 110 people · people with facial sensitive skin · People with facial sensitive skin applying the cream twice daily for 28 days. · Panthenol was combined with prebiotics and a probiotic lysate.
- PANTHENOL Skin effectEvaluation of the Efficacy and Safety of a Panthenol-Enriched Mask for Skin Barrier Recovery After Facial Laser Treatment: Results of a Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Study
After facial non-ablative fractional laser treatment, a panthenol mask lowered the erythema and pigmentation indices on days 3, 7 and 14 against a saline dressing, raised stratum corneum moisture, and reduced transepidermal water loss over the same days. Sebum content was also higher in the mask group on days 7 and 14.
Human trial · 2025 · 60 people · Adults recovering from facial non-ablative fractional laser treatment · Skin recovering from 1550 nm and 1927 nm non-ablative fractional laser on the face. Both groups received standard post-procedure care. · The mask also contained madecassoside and bisabolol. It is one trial of 60 people, all recovering from the same procedure, and the published grant list includes L'Oreal Dermatological Beauty China (La Roche-Posay).
The situations those studies looked at
What to watch for
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
- COCAMIDOPROPYL HYDROXYSULTAINE IrritationCosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database
Cleansing surfactants remove surface oil along with dirt, which can leave skin feeling tight or dry.
Official ingredient listing · Rinse-off cleansers. Mildness depends on the whole surfactant system. · Ingredient database · SODIUM LAUROYL SARCOSINATE · COCAMIDOPROPYL HYDROXYSULTAINE · SODIUM METHYL COCOYL TAURATE · Surfactant mildness is a property of the blend. · Ingredient database · SODIUM LAUROYL SARCOSINATE · COCAMIDOPROPYL HYDROXYSULTAINE · SODIUM METHYL COCOYL TAURATE
- SODIUM LAUROYL SARCOSINATE IrritationCosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database
Cleansing surfactants remove surface oil along with dirt, which can leave skin feeling tight or dry.
Official ingredient listing · Rinse-off cleansers. Mildness depends on the whole surfactant system. · Ingredient database · SODIUM LAUROYL SARCOSINATE · COCAMIDOPROPYL HYDROXYSULTAINE · SODIUM METHYL COCOYL TAURATE · Surfactant mildness is a property of the blend. · Ingredient database · SODIUM LAUROYL SARCOSINATE · COCAMIDOPROPYL HYDROXYSULTAINE · SODIUM METHYL COCOYL TAURATE
- SODIUM METHYL COCOYL TAURATE IrritationCosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database
Cleansing surfactants remove surface oil along with dirt, which can leave skin feeling tight or dry.
Official ingredient listing · Rinse-off cleansers. Mildness depends on the whole surfactant system. · Ingredient database · SODIUM LAUROYL SARCOSINATE · COCAMIDOPROPYL HYDROXYSULTAINE · SODIUM METHYL COCOYL TAURATE · Surfactant mildness is a property of the blend. · Ingredient database · SODIUM LAUROYL SARCOSINATE · COCAMIDOPROPYL HYDROXYSULTAINE · SODIUM METHYL COCOYL TAURATE
- METHYLPARABEN SensitizationCosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database
Parabens are preservatives whose permitted concentration is capped by regulation; contact allergy is documented but uncommon.
Official ingredient listing · Any product preserved with parabens. · Ingredient database · METHYLPARABEN · PROPYLPARABEN
Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser
- PANTHENOL SensitizationPantothenic Acid as an Unexpected Cause of Hypersensitivity to Sensitive or Atopic Skin Care Products - A Narrative Review
Panthenol is treated as non-allergenic, this review argues that frequent exposure, especially on damaged skin, can produce hypersensitivity to it. The likely route is a delayed (type IV) contact reaction; immediate and mixed reactions remain possible. Proposes patch testing with the patient's own product and with panthenol 5% in petrolatum.
Review article · 2026 · People with atopic or damaged skin using panthenol-containing products · People who use panthenol products repeatedly, particularly those with atopic or damaged skin - the group the author says is most exposed. · A single-author narrative review. The mechanism it proposes is stated as likely. Read it as a reason to keep panthenol on the list of possible allergens.
Both ingredient lists and where they came from
Ingredient list from: CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser — brand product page · last checked 2026-10-12
Ingredient list from: Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser — brand product page · last checked 2026-10-12