I didn’t realise cleansing should become part of my daily skincare routine… Let me explain. On the days when I don’t wear makeup or leave the house, I wasn’t cleansing my face before going to bed. I didn’t realise I still needed to wash the day away from all sorts of dirt that accumulated on my skin during the day. This includes any skincare I put on in the morning; SPF, moisturiser, etc.
I wanted to make sure a cleanser is gentle, and doesn’t strip my skin of all the oils it needs – this is why I decided to try the Cerave cleanser for normal – oily skin.
I started seeing ads for CeraVe foaming cleanser and decided to do some research. I have sensitive skin on my face – acne-prone, oily T zone, normal and sensitive bits, so I’m always careful what I put on it. I’ve tried lotions including moisturisers for oily skin have completely dried out my skin – or made the oiliness worse.
From reading the reviews on Amazon (all 89524 of them!) mostly positive. Some say the cleanser didn’t work for them, or caused a reaction. This is always going to happen with some people, unfortunately, but as long as it’s not many, I’m happy to try.
The benefits of the Cerave normal to oily cleanser:
Developed with dermatologists, this non-drying face wash for normal to oily skin deeply cleanses, removes excess oil, and refreshes your skin without disrupting the skin barrier. This gel-based facial cleanser is an effective, yet gentle way to cleanse and care for your normal to oily skin.
From cerave.com
- It’s great for: Normal to oily skin
- It’s non-comedogenic: It doesn’t include core-clogging ingredients
- Contains niacinamide: Helps to calm down the skin
- Contains ceramides: Helps to maintain the skin’s barrier
- It’s fragrance-free
What are the ingredients?
It’s non-comedogenic so it won’t clog pores and contains niacinamide which is great for skin – it calms it down and is gentle.
Aqua / Water / Eau, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Glycerin, 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 Chloride, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Cholesterol, Disodium EDTA, Propylparaben, Citric Acid, Tetrasodium EDTA, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Phytosphingosine, Xanthan Gum.
When do you use the cleanser?
I use it at night to take off make-up (not eye make-up). It foams really easily and you don’t need much.
I double cleanse using another cleanser as well as this one. I haven’t noticed or suffered any reactions. My skin feels extremely clean, but not stripped of my natural oils.
How much is it?
I bought the 236ml size for £9.50 from boots.com – it’s now £12.50. It’s a medium-sized bottle and has lasted me over 3 months with more to go. This is from using every day.
The travel size 88g is £6.50.
- Buy the cleanser here from Amazon – £8.75 for 236ml.
Are they an ethical brand?
No – they test on animals as they sell in China where animal testing is required by law. However, on their website, they say they don’t test on animals:
No, CeraVe products are not tested on animals and they are cruelty free.
This is in their FAQs but unfortunately they do test when required to by law – e.g. in China
Some of their products are vegan, so they don’t include animal products – but it’s not clear from cerave.com which products are and which aren’t vegan.
Would you recommend it?
There’s no denying that this brand is fantastic – they offer a huge range for many different skin types and our issues. They have great reviews – on boots.com, this product is 4.5/5 with 795 reviews.
There’s just one thing I’m not a fan of – they aren’t a cruelty-free brand.
LAST EDITED: March 2022 | CATEGORY: Skincare
Hi, I’m Rachael — a blogger, digital product creator, and optimisation enthusiast. I write about beauty, tech tips, and simple ways to make life easier, sharing honest reviews and practical advice. When I’m not writing, you’ll find me running, reading thrillers, or experimenting with new skincare.
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