Which CeraVe cleanser is best? I tested 4 bestsellers to find out

I put four of CeraVe’s bestselling facial cleansers to the test side by side because I wanted to know which one actually deserved a permanent spot in my routine.I’ve used CeraVe products for years, but I’ve always found the cleanser lineup a little tricky to navigate.The bottles can look similar, while the formulas are designed to do very different things, from removing excess oil to gently cleansing dry skin or helping with breakouts.

Rather than picking one based on the label alone, I decided to use the CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser, Hydrating Facial Cleanser, Renewing SA Cleanser and Acne Control Cleanser and compare how each felt on my skin.I paid attention to the things I notice every day: how well each cleanser washed away sunscreen and oil, whether my skin felt tight afterward, how much lather I got, and whether the formula felt comfortable enough to use regularly.I also looked at the ingredients and the specific skin concerns each cleanser is meant to address.

That made the differences between the four much easier to spot.After testing them side by side, I found that there isn’t one CeraVe cleanser that does everything perfectly.My favorite depends on what I want from my routine, and some formulas stood out much more clearly for specific skin types and concerns.

Here’s how I’d rank each one.I liked this cleanser most when I wanted a fresh, thoroughly cleansed feeling without reaching for something overly aggressive.The foaming texture makes it especially satisfying for removing excess oil, dirt and everyday buildup.

I also liked that my skin felt clean without the stripped feeling I sometimes get from stronger foaming cleansers.My main drawback is that I wouldn’t choose it over the Hydrating Facial Cleanser on days when my skin feels particularly dry or tight.Key ingredients: Ceramides, Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide, Amino Acids, SurfactantsThis was my pick whenever I wanted cleansing to feel like the gentlest step in my routine.I liked it...