CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser Review: Would Users Buy It Again?
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. If you buy through links on this page we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. How this review was made: We did not test this product in person. This verdict is based on our analysis of retailer ratings, beauty forum reviews and review summaries, all listed at the end of this article. Our method.
A gentle cleanser most dry and sensitive skin types keep rebuying
Walmart shoppers rate CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser 4.6 out of 5 across about 10,600 ratings, with 91% giving four or five stars. Users praise how soft and comfortable skin feels afterwards, the lack of fragrance and the value of the big bottles. The main limits: it doesn't foam, which some people find odd, and it struggles with heavy makeup, mascara and sunscreen. A smaller group still finds it drying. For normal to dry skin, it is an easy repeat buy, ideally paired with a makeup remover.
Check current price on Amazon → Prices and availability change often, so we don't list them here.Buy it again if you…
- have normal, dry or sensitive skin
- want a fragrance-free, non-foaming wash
- want a simple morning cleanser or a second cleanse after removing makeup
Skip it if you…
- want a rich, foamy lather
- need one product to remove heavy or waterproof makeup
- have very oily skin and like a squeaky-clean feel
This review summarizes user experiences and is not medical advice. If you have acne, eczema, rosacea or another skin condition, talk to a dermatologist. Reactions to skincare vary from person to person.
CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser is a lotion-like, non-foaming face wash for normal to dry skin. It contains three ceramides, hyaluronic acid and glycerin, and is fragrance-free, paraben-free and non-comedogenic, according to the Walmart listing. It also carries the National Eczema Association seal.
We looked at retailer ratings, a beauty forum and review summaries to see how it holds up with daily use.
What owners say, at a glance
Bars show our editorial summary of how consistently owners praise or complain about each area across all sources — not a lab measurement.
The key details
| Texture | Lotion-like, non-foaming |
|---|---|
| Made for | Normal to dry skin, including sensitive skin |
| Notable ingredients | Ceramides 1, 3 and 6-II, hyaluronic acid, glycerin |
| Fragrance | Fragrance-free |
| Other claims | Non-comedogenic, paraben-free, National Eczema Association seal |
| Use | Face and body, morning and night |
What users love
What users complain about
How it holds up over time
This cleanser has been on the market for years, and its high Walmart ratings and steady repurchase rate on MakeupAlley suggest people keep coming back. The biggest long-term caveat is not the formula but its limits: if you wear full makeup or water-resistant sunscreen, most users pair it with a remover or an oil cleanser first.
Tips from users
- Use it as a second cleanse after a makeup remover or micellar water.
- Use it morning and night, on face or body, as the listing suggests.
- Try the oily-skin sister product (CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser) if you want more lather.
Pros and cons
What owners love
- Gentle, comfortable feel for dry and sensitive skin
- Fragrance-free and non-comedogenic
- Ceramides, hyaluronic acid and glycerin
- Large bottles last a long time
- Very high retailer ratings
What owners complain about
- No lather, which some users dislike
- Doesn't remove heavy makeup or sunscreen well
- A minority still find it drying
Other options users compare
These gentle cleansers come up most often next to CeraVe Hydrating.
| Product | Texture | Consider it if… | |
|---|---|---|---|
| CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser (this review) | Lotion, non-foaming | You have normal to dry skin and want ceramides | See on Amazon |
| Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser Read our review | Light lotion | You want an even simpler, very mild wash | See on Amazon |
| La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser | Cream | You want another dermatologist-brand creamy cleanser | See on Amazon |
Looking for a gentle everyday face wash?
Check sizes and current availability on Amazon.
Frequently asked questions
Does CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser foam?
No. It's a lotion-like, non-foaming cleanser, which some users take time to get used to.
Does it remove makeup?
It handles light makeup, but users say it struggles with heavy makeup, mascara and sunscreen. Many use a remover first.
Is it good for oily skin?
It's made for normal to dry skin. CeraVe's foaming version is aimed at normal to oily skin.
Is it fragrance-free?
Yes, according to the retailer listing.
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Sources we analyzed
- Walmart: CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser — ratings, ingredients, claims, review themes
- MakeupAlley: CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser — repurchase rate, praise and complaints
- ShopSavvy: CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser summary — praise and complaint themes
Figures reflect each source as of October 13, 2026 and may change. We summarize owner feedback in our own words and do not reproduce retailer reviews.