CeraVe vs The Ordinary — side by side, no bias.
Our pick
Foaming Facial Cleanser
8.8/10 · CeraVe
| Foaming Facial Cleanser | Squalane Cleanser | |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | CeraVe | The Ordinary |
| Category | cleanser | cleanser |
| Editor Rating | 8.8/10 ★ | 8.3/10 |
| Category | cleanser | cleanser |
| Texture | Lightweight gel-to-foam | Solid balm-to-emulsion |
| Finish | Squeaky-clean, not stripped | Soft, comforted |
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| Verdict | The CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser's oily-skin sister. Same three-ceramide barrier philosophy, gel-to-foam texture, and an added kick of niacinamide. Removes excess oil without the squeak-and-tightness of harsh sulfate cleansers. The reason it works for oily skin where most foaming cleansers don't: the ceramide/cholesterol/fatty acid stack rebuilds the lipid barrier as the surfactants strip the surface oil, so you finish washed but not stripped. Pair with the Hydrating Cleanser as PM-AM if you have combination skin — this is why the CeraVe duo is the most-recommended cleanser pairing in dermatology. | An emollient balm cleanser at the price of a foaming one. Squalane Cleanser melts on contact with skin, dissolves makeup and SPF efficiently, then emulsifies with water into a milky lotion that rinses clean. Nothing flashy — but most balm cleansers in this format cost $35–45, and this is $14.50. For dry, sensitive, and mature skin or anyone tired of double-cleansing aggressively, this is a quiet hero. Fragrance-free, no essential oils, no irritants. Just squalane + safflower + behenyl alcohol doing their job. |
