CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser vs La Roche Posay Hydrating Cleanser

Both CeraVe and La Roche Posay make hydrating cleansers suitable for dry and sensitive skin.

There are some slight differences in ingredients, but the main difference comes down to your personal preferences on how they make your skin feel.

CeraVe hydrating facial cleanser can be a bit heavier, and some users report that it leaves a film on skin. La Roche Posay hydrating facial cleanser is lighter, but some users report that it’s too drying.

However, I did not have these experiences, and I like them both! Since I’m acne prone, I’d probably go for La Roche Posay’s.

This article will explain everything you need to know about CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser vs La Roche Posay Hydrating Cleanser and which one is right for you.

CeraVe is my favorite drugstore brand! I far prefer CeraVe to Cetaphil, and their hydrating facial cleanser is an awesome choice for normal skin or dry skin. Honestly, even oily skin can get away with it if you don’t need active ingredients.

Key Ingredients

Glycerin and sodium hyaluronate

These ingredients are humectants similar to hyaluronic acid which help:

• Bind water into your skin

• Support your skin’s protective barrier

• Soothe dry skin

Humectants are great in a hydrating facial cleanser for treating dehydrated and dry skin

Ceramides

Although this is a hydrating facial cleanser and not a moisturizer, ceramides can help skin lock in and retain moisture. In fact, CeraVe is known for their patented delivery system (MEV) and for formulating with ceramides.

Ceramides are great moisturizing ingredients for supporting your protective skin barrier and protecting that essential moisture!

Benefits

CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser is a great face wash for cleansing your face of dirt, sweat, and other impurities without stripping your skin barrier of its natural moisture.

Skin Types

CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser is ideal for very dry skin and sensitive skin. Additionally, it can also complement a routine for oily skin if you’re also using harsh active ingredients like salicylic acid.

Pairs Well With…

This hydrating facial cleanser pairs well with any facial moisturizing lotion, but my favorites include CeraVe Moisturizing Cream or CeraVe Lotion.

Key Ingredients

Thermal Spring Water

La Roche Posay is known for their formulations with prebiotic thermal spring water which helps retain skin’s natural moisture.

This ingredient keeps your skin hydrated and won’t leave your skin feeling stripped after cleansing.

Benefits

La Roche Posay Toleriane hydrating gentle cleanser is gentle enough to cleanse your skin and be used with anti-aging treatments like salicylic acid or a retinol face serum.

Skin Types

Any sensitive skin type, combo skin, normal to dry skin

Comparison: CeraVe vs. La Roche Posay Hydrating Cleanser

Ingredients

CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser is heavy on humectants and formulated with glycerin and sodium hyaluronate. La Roche Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser is formulated with prebiotic thermal spring water and niacinamide.

Both facial cleanser formulas include essential ceramides and separate preservative systems. For example, CeraVe uses potassium phosphate in their formula while La Roche Posay uses EDTA, among other ingredients.

Skin Types

In general, hydrating cleansers are ideal for:

• Dry skin

• Sensitive skin

• Dehydrated skin

Because of the gentle face cleanser formulas, both products support your skin’s natural barrier and won’t overstrip your natural oils.

Additionally, either gentle face wash can be suitable for acne prone skin if you are using treatments such as Differin or benzoyl peroxide.

Fragrance

Both hydrating facial cleansers are fragrance free, making them suitable to protect your skin barrier for even ultra sensitive skin types.

Removing Makeup

I find that the CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser works better as a makeup remover than La Roche Posay. I have a very dry skin type and CeraVe got all the little bits of makeup and excess oil off my skin’s surface without stripping my skin too much.

However, you can always try an oil cleanser before your regular cleanser if you prefer the latter!

Customer Reviews

In general, customers seem love both products.

They’re both highly rated with plenty of favorable reviews across websites and social media sites. In fact, these drugstore brands and products have almost cult-like followings.

CeraVe vs. La Roche Posay: Which hydrating cleanser is better for you?

If skin comfort is important to you, you may be better off with La Roche Posay. Some users report that CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser leaves a film on their face.

That being said, I did not have this experience and think both are normal skin and dry skin suitable. Also, if you wear makeup, I think you’ll prefer CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser.

However, if you have acne prone skin, you may be better off choose one of the gentle face wash alternatives I’ve listed below.

Alternative Cleanser for Other Skin Types

Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser

If you deal with excess oil, the Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser may be more suitable for you.

CeraVe Renewing Salicylic Acid Cleanser

Formulated with salicylic acid, this is a great choice for acne prone or blemish prone skin. Salicylic acid gets into your pores and helps get rid of dullness associated with dead skin cells.

Vanicream Gentle Cleanser

Vanicream makes probably my favorite gentle cleanser of all time.

I have dry, acne prone skin, so a good face wash is essential. This one leaves my skin feeling clean without being overly dry from stripping my skins moisture.

It can also be good for combination skin and skin sensitivity!

Finally, Vanicream is beloved by the National Eczema Association for how it gently cleanses without disrupting your skin’s barrier.

Frequently Asked Questions