CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser for Oily Skin, 16 oz

What it is

CeraVe's Foaming Facial Cleanser is a gel-to-foam formula developed with dermatologists to remove excess oil, dirt, and makeup without compromising the skin's protective barrier. It delivers niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and three essential ceramides at the same time it cleanses, making it more than a simple rinse-off step. The result is a thorough cleanse that leaves oily skin feeling clean and balanced rather than tight or stripped.

Who it's for

This cleanser is best suited for oily, combination, and acne-prone skin types that need a formula capable of cutting through excess sebum twice a day. It also works well for anyone managing clogged pores or recurring breakouts who still wants barrier-supporting ingredients baked into their routine from the very first step.

Those with dry or sensitized skin should skip it — the foaming surfactant system is efficient at lifting oil, and that efficiency can translate to a tight, uncomfortable feeling on complexions that don't produce much sebum to begin with. Reactive or eczema-prone skin types may also find the lather too aggressive.

How to use it

Use morning and evening as the first active step in your routine, after rinsing with water. Wet your face with lukewarm water, dispense a small amount onto damp fingertips, and work into a lather before massaging gently across the face in circular motions — avoid the eye area. Rinse thoroughly, then continue with toner, serum, or moisturizer. If you double-cleanse after wearing sunscreen or makeup, this works well as the second, water-based cleanse following an oil-based remover.

Key ingredients

• Niacinamide (Vitamin B3): Helps regulate sebum production over time and supports an even skin tone. With consistent use, it is also associated with strengthening the skin barrier and reducing the visible appearance of enlarged pores.
• Hyaluronic Acid: A humectant that pulls moisture into the upper layers of skin. Its inclusion here offsets some of the drying effect a foaming formula might otherwise leave behind.
• Ceramides (1, 3, 6-II): Lipids that occur naturally in a healthy skin barrier. Replenishing them during cleansing — not just during moisturizing — helps maintain the protective layer that keeps irritants out and water in. This is a meaningful formulation choice, not a marketing afterthought.

Pros & cons

• Removes excess oil effectively without leaving a greasy or heavy residue
• Fragrance-free and non-comedogenic
• Niacinamide and ceramides actively support barrier function while you cleanse
• Gentle enough for twice-daily use on oily skin
• Exceptionally well-reviewed — 4.8 out of 5 across more than 102,000 ratings
• The 16 oz size means fewer reorders for daily users

• The foaming surfactant system is too drying for dry, normal-dry, or sensitized complexions
• Contains no exfoliating actives, so it won't address texture or congested pores on its own
• Acne-prone users will likely need a separate targeted treatment alongside it

How it compares

If your skin runs dry or normal rather than oily, CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser for Normal to Dry Skin shares the same ceramide-and-hyaluronic-acid backbone in a non-foaming formula that won't pull moisture from skin that isn't producing excess sebum. For oily or breakout-prone skin that also needs help with clogged pores and surface texture, alternating this cleanser with CeraVe Renewing Salicylic Acid Cleanser a few times per week layers in pore-clearing salicylic acid without abandoning the brand's barrier-first approach.

The verdict

The CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser earns its reputation as a dermatologist-recommended daily staple for oily and acne-prone skin. The combination of niacinamide, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid means it does more than dissolve surface oil — it works to support barrier integrity at a step many routines treat as throwaway. That said, it is not a treatment product; if your skin needs active exfoliation or targeted acne care, you'll want additional steps in your lineup. As a daily cleanser that respects the skin barrier while genuinely keeping excess oil in check, it is a well-earned recommendation for the right skin type.