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CeraVe Hydrating Foaming Oil Cleanser.

CeraVe Hydrating Foaming Oil Cleanser
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About this product

A foaming facial cleanser that starts as an oil and turns into a foam when water is added, designed to cleanse gently while keeping skin hydrated.

Full ingredients

Aqua/​Water, Glycerin, PEG-200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate, Coco-Betaine, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Polysorbate 20, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate, PPG-5-Ceteth-20, PEG-6 Caprylic/​Capric Glycerides, Squalane, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Carbomer, Triethyl Citrate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cholesterol, Citric Acid, Capryloyl Glycine, Hydroxyacetophenone, Caprylyl Glycol, Caprylic/​Capric Triglyceride, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Phytosphingosine, Xanthan Gum, Benzoic Acid

More from CeraVe 53 products · Guru Score 91% →

Guru Score

81%

Yay

8 experts · Strong agreement

What the gurus are saying

Starting as an oil that foams up with water, this cleanser has some gurus calling it a one-step option for makeup that can replace a double cleanse. Others call it a gentle foaming wash that rinses clean, but some gurus warn it can feel drying, since it is mostly foaming agents with little oil. That means those with dry or eczema-prone skin may want to go carefully.
Synthesized from 8 expert reviews · most recent take October 2026

What they liked

  • Removes makeup in one cleanse
  • Doesn't strip or leave residue
  • Economical, a little goes a long way

What they flagged

  • Oil content very low, around one to two percent

Best for

Type

CleansersFoam & mousse

Key actives

Formula notes

Fragrance-freeNo drying alcohol

Where to buy

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Scan it in the shopFree iPhone app. Scores in the aisle.

What the gurus are saying.

Every take we've logged from this product's reviews across YouTube. Click any row to watch the moment they said it.

All takes Yay takes Nay takes Mixed takes Hide sponsored
✓Yay
"One of my all-time favorite cleansers is the Hydrating Foaming Oil Cleanser from CeraVe. If I'm not using a cleansing balm for heavy makeup or waterproof sunscreen, I'll just use this, it gently removes makeup in one step, basically turning a double cleanse into a single cleanse, without leaving the oily residue behind that [...] cleansing balms can leave, while still getting all the makeup off. It's the quickest, easiest, and very affordable way to get all your makeup off."
Top Pick: cleanser
All 5 takes from The Budget Dermatologist
Save Money On A Skincare Routine | 5 Tips From The Budget Derm
"It's right around $12 on Amazon and it's one of my favorites. I am using this all the time right now. This has replaced my double cleanse and turned it into a single cleanse. So for just a few dollars more, if you are somebody who needs two, a double cleanse into water-based cleanser to clean the makeup off your skin and cleanse your skin thoroughly, try this. It's a great budget kind of all-in-one hack to save you a little bit of money."
Amazon Prime Day 2025 Skincare Must Haves! | The Budget Derm
"This is my favorite cleanser lately. I'm on like probably my 10th bottle of this. [...] This has turned my double cleanse into a single cleanse. [...] On days that I have on a full face of makeup, all I need is this. It takes off all of my makeup. I rinse it off. It does not leave any residue on my skin. I don't feel the need to follow this up with another cleanser."
Apply Your Skincare In This Order! | Retinoid Skincare Routine
"This has taken my double cleanse to a single cleanse and really sped up my own routine. I use this to remove my makeup, wash it off my skin, and then I don't have to do any other cleanser after this one. I wear light makeup, and it works very well for that."
BEST OF AMAZON PRIME DAY SKINCARE 2026! | THE BUDGET DERM REVIEWS
"One of my all-time favorite cleansers is the Hydrating Foaming Oil Cleanser from CeraVe. If I'm not using a cleansing balm for heavy makeup or waterproof sunscreen, I'll just use this, it gently removes makeup in one step, basically turning a double cleanse into a single cleanse, without leaving the oily residue behind that [...] cleansing balms can leave, while still getting all the makeup off. It's the quickest, easiest, and very affordable way to get all your makeup off."
My Favorite Skincare Under $20! | The Budget Dermatologist
"This is CeraVe Hydrating Foaming Oil Cleanser. The main reason that I will not stop going back to this particular cleanser is it really has taken my double cleanse to a single cleanse. When you have a lot of makeup on, it's very helpful to do a double cleanse where you first use an oil cleanser to loosen up and remove the makeup and then you follow it up with a water-based cleanser to remove the rest of the oil cleanser and just everything. [...] But this one, honestly, it foams up like an oil."
✓Yay
"It performs like a gentle foaming face wash. It does its job. I'm going to give it a nine out of 10. I think it's a pretty good cleanser."
All 3 takes from Kelly Driscoll
EPIC SKINCARE EMPTIES | Start Fresh Moving Edition
"It performs like a gentle foaming face wash. It does its job. I'm going to give it a nine out of 10. I think it's a pretty good cleanser."
A Full Day of Skincare! AM to PM Routine ☀️🌙
"In the summer my combo skin does tend to get a lot more oily and sometimes you sweat at night too, so I just feel a little bit better in the summer months with a nice foaming cleanser like this one."
Full Day of Skincare! My Summer Weekend Skin, Hair and Makeup Routine! ☀️🌙
"This is the CeraVe Hydrating Foaming Oil Cleanser, which I use as my second cleanse to break up any residue from the cleansing balm, and I am still chugging along on the same bottle. It is not an oil cleanser that breaks down makeup, it is just a foaming cleanser with a little squalane in it, and it feels so good."
✓Yay
"I like this because it's best of both worlds. It's very gentle and moisturizing on the skin, but at the same time you're getting that nice lather and foam that cleanses the skin really nicely. It has the ceramides in here, it also has hyaluronic acid and squalene oil, and this did a really good job to cleanse the skin. I used this as the second cleanse in my nighttime routine and then occasionally in my morning routine."
All 3 takes from Sincerely Miss Ash
BUDGET FRIENDLY DRUGSTORE SKINCARE THAT YOU NEED TO TRY NOW IN 2024 - THESE GIVE THAT "WOW" FACTOR!
"They say this is great for very dry to dry skin types but in my opinion this is perfect for all skin types. [...] From my experience with this, this does not leave any type of residue left behind. It doesn't make your skin feel tight after you have rinsed it off. It really is a wonderful formulation that keeps your skin comfortable. There are three ceramides in here, there's hyaluronic acid and squalene. This ingredient is the one that's going to keep that skin nice and comfortable."
TOP 7 BEST FACIAL CLEANSERS FOR ALL SKIN TYPES | SUMMER 2024 - GENTLE AND NON STRIPPING!
"I have combination skin and I'm acne prone, this doesn't break me out and this is also very gentle, non-stripping and it doesn't leave a film on the skin. I like to use this more at night time as that second cleanse because this really does foam up nicely on the skin and it really ensures that your skin is super clean before you go in with your skin care. A little bit goes a long way because it does foam up and spread across the skin really nicely so you're getting your money's worth here."
BEAUTY EMPTIES 2025 || SKINCARE, MAKEUP AND HAIRCARE PRODUCT'S I'VE USED UP - PROJECT PAN
"I like this because it's best of both worlds. It's very gentle and moisturizing on the skin, but at the same time you're getting that nice lather and foam that cleanses the skin really nicely. It has the ceramides in here, it also has hyaluronic acid and squalene oil, and this did a really good job to cleanse the skin. I used this as the second cleanse in my nighttime routine and then occasionally in my morning routine."
✓Yay
"The CeraVe Hydrating Foaming Cleansing Oil is another nice one, really affordable, probably the most affordable one on this list. [...] This stuff is really nice so you can use it on dry skin or damp skin and cleanse and rinse. [...] A lot of people love this as a one-step cleanser for makeup and then just a gentle cleanse."
All 2 takes from No BS Beauty
La Roche-Posay 🆕 New! Lipikar AP+ Gentle Foaming Cleansing Oil Review
"CeraVe has a cleansing oil I found that one to be okay but this"
Best One Step Do-It-All Evening Cleansers - Favorite Face Cleansers That Remove Makeup & Sunscreen
"The CeraVe Hydrating Foaming Cleansing Oil is another nice one, really affordable, probably the most affordable one on this list. [...] This stuff is really nice so you can use it on dry skin or damp skin and cleanse and rinse. [...] A lot of people love this as a one-step cleanser for makeup and then just a gentle cleanse."
✓Yay
"It's not the least bit drying or irritating. It's very effective at getting makeup off without using an oil cleanser, although if you have heavy makeup this alone might not be enough. Like all of CeraVe's products, it has ceramides, it has hyaluronic acid, it has cholesterol. These are things that in a cleanser can be deposited behind on the skin and don't just rinse off right away, so they can help in making sure that your skin does not become overly dry or stripped with cleansing."
All 23 takes from Dr Dray
*NEW* SKINCARE NOT TO MISS AT WALMART | Dermatologist
"This is the first retailer where I've actually seen the foaming oil cleanser from CeraVe. [...] I have not seen this anywhere. I bought it on Amazon but check out my review on the new CeraVe products if you are intrigued by that. So far I've been liking that one."
Relaxing Day Doing My Skincare And Makeup Routine
"I'm going to come in of course washing my face this morning with the CeraVe Hydrating Foaming Oil Cleanser."
NEW FOR FALL🍂 SKINCARE & HOMEGOODS SHOPPING 🍂
"Coming in with my value size of CeraVe Hydrating Foaming Oil Cleanser"
Getting Ready And Sharing Some Things I Got For Christmas
"I've just been washing my hands with this CeraVe Hydrating Foaming Oil Cleanser, and it works really well in that regard."
*Vlog* TOO MANY PEPTIDES & SHOPPING AT COSTCO
"I use it in the morning to wash my face and then I use it as a hand soap."
My thoughts on SERUMS and DOVE DERMACARE SHAMPOO
"The CeraVe Hydrating Foaming Oil Cleanser has really stood out to me as one of the more innovative new cleansers of the year. By itself it actually removes like my mascara, water resistant sunscreen, without needing a pre-oil cleanse. It says foaming oil but it's not really an oil, but it does work kind of like [...] an all-in-one cleanser. It's just very effective."
Skincare Shopping & Tips For Breakouts *Vlog*
"I'm going to come in and wash my face using the CeraVe Hydrating Foaming Oil Cleanser. [...] I always want to start with lukewarm water. [...] I always just use my fingers in like little soft circles and this ladies and gentlemen is exfoliating right here just washing your face consistently, you know, on a daily basis one to two times daily, the frequencies depending on what your skin tolerates and needs, is actually helping to support exfoliate."
Retinoids Can Help Improve Your Skin In Multiple Ways!
"Get dirtified infections coming in with the cvey Hydrating Foaming Oil Cleanser"
*NEW* CERAVE SKINCARE REVIEWS 2023 @DrDrayzday
"Ultimately I think it's a great cleanser for a variety of skin types. [...] For me personally this one has stood out as a step up in comparison to some of the others in terms of its cleansability, its hydrating properties, and the fact that it removes a lot of the grime on its own but it doesn't leave the skin feeling sensitive. I've gotten a lot of feedback from you guys over the years who have tried CeraVe cleansers and find that they burn and sting."
Eye Serum I Actually Like | Shopping For Xmas Ornaments *Vlog*
"I'm going to wash my face with the CeraVe Hydrating Foaming Oil Cleanser."
Skincare I Am Using For Brighter Eyes | Skincare Vlog
"In the shower I've been washing my face with the CeraVe Hydrating [...] Foaming Oil Cleanser as the second step in my nighttime routine."
Skincare & Shopping | Skincare Vlog
"I'm currently using the CeraVe foaming oil cleanser. I've been using that for months and months and months and it's a great cleanser."
OLAY STRIKES AGAIN | @DrDrayzday *Vlog*
"One of you pointed out in my comments section that CeraVe has come out with a new facial cleanser an oil cleanser so I came over here to see if they have it here"
✨Best Cleansers Of 2023 ✨
"It also does a good job removing cosmetics, never got any like raccoon eye residue left behind. So if you're someone especially who doesn't really use a lot of makeup but you do wear water resistant sunscreen, you might find that this is all you need. [...] This product kind of very nicely bridges the gap between a cleansing oil and a gentle cleanser all in one formula. It's free of fragrance and another thing I really like about this cleanser is it makes a great hand wash."
SPF 30 And Radiant Nature Light Show | Vlog
"The CeraVe Hydrating Foaming Oil Cleanser is nice and hydrating, lightweight, breathable, antioxidant packed, and good for the moisture barrier. [...] I find an oil cleanser [...] to be a superior way to remove eye makeup, mascara, and all that stuff [...] as opposed to a typical cleanser."
MORNING SKINCARE ROUTINE & SHOPPING FOR SKINCARE AT MARSHALLS
"I've been using the Hydrating Foaming Oil Cleanser from CeraVe and I'm really liking this. I also use it as a hand wash. [...] The thing I've been liking about this cleanser though is it's nice and silky, it almost you can almost feel it depositing behind some moisturizing ingredients, which cleansers can do."
Skincare Products I Can't Believe I Used Up
"This lasted a long time for me. I purchased it back in 2023 and used it daily as a second step in my double cleanse routine. I [...] also use this a fair amount to wash my hands and it is wonderful. I [...] really liked it and definitely would repurchase it. [...] It's not drying, it rinses off the skin easily, and by itself without an oil cleanse it actually takes makeup off pretty well. [...] Some really gentle mild cleansers don't really get your mascara off, this does."
Korean Foot Cream I'm Loving!
"I think it's a really nice formula. I've also been using it as a hand wash. I certainly don't experience burning or stinging with this."
Best Skin Care Of 2023
"It's a really efficient cleanser but not only does it remove the dirt and oil and stuff, but it does not leave your skin feeling dry, tight, squeaky clean, stripped of moisture. It also does a good job removing excess sebum from the skin surface, so this is a great option if you have oily skin, but because of the moisturizing ingredients that it leaves behind, it's also a great option if you have dry skin. Wonderful if you have sensitive skin as well."
Best Skincare For Combination Skin
"It does a good job removing oil, gently exfoliating the skin while also replenishing things like ceramides and hyaluronic acid in the skin to really just balance out overall moisture and not be too taxing on the moisture barrier. [...] In my experience, the CeraVe foaming oil cleanser actually takes off makeup really well and my water resistant sunscreens."
DEPUFFING EYE SERUM & SHOPPING AT WALMART
"I've really been enjoying the CeraVe Hydrating Foaming Oil Cleanser and I also have been using it as a hand wash. [...] Harsher soaps don't get your hands any cleaner, they just dry out your skin and lead to irritant hand dermatitis."
RANTING ABOUT FILTERS & WRINKLE SMOOTHING
"I've been using the CeraVe Hydrating Foaming Oil Cleanser and I've actually really been liking it. [...] The cleanser is helping dislodge corneocytes to smooth the skin surface. Gentle cleansers like this are often formulated with things like hyaluronic acid and ceramides that help replenish the moisture barrier so that you're not stripping away."
Skincare Products I Used Up | 2024 Empties
"It's not the least bit drying or irritating. It's very effective at getting makeup off without using an oil cleanser, although if you have heavy makeup this alone might not be enough. Like all of CeraVe's products, it has ceramides, it has hyaluronic acid, it has cholesterol. These are things that in a cleanser can be deposited behind on the skin and don't just rinse off right away, so they can help in making sure that your skin does not become overly dry or stripped with cleansing."
✓Yay
"This one is strictly made for dry to very dry skin. It's going to be really gentle, it's not going to remove excess oil from the skin, it's going to help to hydrate like all CeraVe products. It has essential ceramides in it to help replenish and strengthen the skin barrier. It can also be used as the first step of a double cleanse."
✓Nay
"That's the reason they're able to turn an oil into foam. So you're not going to find much hydration with this, and I would even say the foaming is drying the skin out a little bit. In my experience, oddly enough, considering the CeraVe Hydrating Foaming Oil Cleanser literally says it's for normal to very dry skin, I wouldn't recommend this one for dry, eczema prone skin."
All 2 takes from Dr. Vanita Rattan
I Tested Every Cerave Cleanser For Your Skin - Dr V
"That's the reason they're able to turn an oil into foam. So you're not going to find much hydration with this, and I would even say the foaming is drying the skin out a little bit. In my experience, oddly enough, considering the CeraVe Hydrating Foaming Oil Cleanser literally says it's for normal to very dry skin, I wouldn't recommend this one for dry, eczema prone skin."
BEST & WORST OIL CLEANSERS
"The main ingredient is glycerin plus it's got ceramides. It's actually not much oil to be honest, it's mainly surfactants, which is why you're not going to get that hydrated oil feel that you get from most other oil cleansers. That's actually how it's able to foam. [...] It is fragrance free though and I do like it, so this is one that I would also recommend."
✓Yay
"My favorite CeraVe cleanser is the Hydrating Foaming Oil Cleanser. [...] It starts with an oil-like texture and then transforms into a soft foam when you add water. It contains glycerin, squalane, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides, but with a rinse-off cleanser I'm not choosing it because I expect the ceramides or hyaluronic acid to miraculously transform my skin. I like it because it cleanses well without leaving my skin feeling stripped."
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What the evidence says.

Independent of what the gurus think, this is what the published research supports about the main active ingredients here.

Ceramides

Ceramides are part of the skin's own barrier, and moisturisers built around them have evidence for holding water in and settling the tightness and flaking that come with a damaged barrier.

Source: DermNet

Humectants and emollients

Ingredients like these draw water into the surface layers and slow how fast it leaves. The evidence is for comfort, softness and hydration rather than for changing the structure of the skin.

Source: DermNet

Frequently asked.

What is CeraVe Hydrating Foaming Oil Cleanser?

A foaming facial cleanser that starts as an oil and turns into a foam when water is added, designed to cleanse gently while keeping skin hydrated.

Is CeraVe Hydrating Foaming Oil Cleanser worth it?

Mostly yes. 7 of the 8 gurus who reviewed it give it their stamp of approval, for a Guru Score of 81%.

What is CeraVe Hydrating Foaming Oil Cleanser's Guru Score?

CeraVe Hydrating Foaming Oil Cleanser holds a Guru Score of 81%. That is our read on how warmly the experts talk about it, based on the verdicts of 8 expert reviewers we have collected. At least one expert has named it a Top Pick in its category.

Who is CeraVe Hydrating Foaming Oil Cleanser best for?

CeraVe Hydrating Foaming Oil Cleanser is generally suited to dry skin.

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