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CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser tube and box
CeraVe

Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser

Cleanser 148 ml
8.4OUT OF 10
Great formula

Formula has a high safety profile. Suitable for most skin types.

26
Safe
2
Caution
0
Higher risk

Score breakdown

Safety10/10
Barrier support6.9/10
Acne-safe10/10
Active treatment3.5/10

Our verdict

Unlike most of CeraVe's cleansers, this one earns the word 'active' — benzoyl peroxide sits first on the ingredient list, meaning it is present at a genuinely treatment-relevant level rather than a rinse-off gesture. Benzoyl peroxide is the single most effective over-the-counter acne ingredient because it kills acne-causing bacteria through oxidation, a mechanism bacteria cannot build resistance to. What makes this formula notable is how much support surrounds that active: the familiar ceramide-cholesterol complex, niacinamide and sodium hyaluronate all work to offset benzoyl peroxide's biggest downside — its tendency to dry out and irritate skin. A touch of glycolic acid adds mild exfoliation on top. It is a genuinely well-engineered attempt to make a notoriously harsh active more tolerable as a cleanser. Two things to know regardless: benzoyl peroxide bleaches fabric and hair on contact, so use white towels and be careful near hairlines, and even in a rinse-off format it can dry out sensitive skin, so start every other day rather than twice daily. For active, inflamed breakouts, it is one of the more thoughtfully formulated options available.

At a glance

What it does
hydrationbarrier supportbrighteningexfoliation
Best for
acne-prone skindry and dehydrated skinmost skin types
Not enough for
active anti-aging treatment

Key ingredients

Ceramide NPreinforces the protective barrierCeramide APreinforces the protective barrierCeramide EOPreinforces the protective barrierNiacinamideevens skin tone and strengthens the barrier

Full ingredient list (28)

Benzoyl Peroxide (10%)WaterGlycerinPropylene GlycolCocamidopropyl HydroxysultaineSodium C14-16 Olefin SulfonateXanthan GumPotassium HydroxideCeramide NPCeramide APCeramide EOPCarbomerNiacinamideGlycolic AcidSodium ChlorideSodium CitrateSodium HyaluronateSodium Lauroyl LactylateSodium HydroxideCholesterolPhenoxyethanolPropanediolCitric AcidTetrasodium EDTADiethylhexyl Sodium SulfosuccinatePhytosphingosineEthylhexylglycerinBenzoic Acid

Colour indicates our safety assessment for each ingredient — green is well-tolerated, amber warrants caution, red is higher-risk. Tap any ingredient to read its full profile.

Frequently asked

Will benzoyl peroxide in a cleanser still work if it's rinsed off quickly?
Yes, more than you'd expect. Benzoyl peroxide acts quickly and even brief contact during cleansing delivers a meaningful antibacterial effect, which is why benzoyl peroxide washes are a well-established treatment format, not just a gentler alternative to leave-on formulas.
Will this bleach my towels?
Yes, benzoyl peroxide can bleach fabric, hair and colored towels on contact, wet or dry. Use white towels and washcloths with this product, and rinse your hands well after use to avoid transferring it to colored fabric.
How often should I use it?
Start with every other day to see how your skin tolerates it, since benzoyl peroxide can be drying even as a rinse-off cleanser. If your skin handles it well, you can build up to daily use. Follow with a moisturizer, since dryness is the most common side effect.
What is the score based on?
The score comes from the same Pure Moonlight ingredient analyzer used across the whole site. It weighs safety, barrier support, acne and comedogenic risk, and active-ingredient strength, so this product's score is directly comparable to any ingredient page here.

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