Product review
CeraVe Hydrating Foaming Oil Cleanser
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If you want the barrier benefits of a squalane cleanser but prefer a foam, this is the accessible answer. CeraVe pairs squalane with its trademark three ceramides and hyaluronic acid in a foaming oil, so it lathers lightly yet rinses hydrating rather than squeaky.
At 8 oz for a drugstore price, cost per use is negligible, and the ceramide base makes it a sensible everyday cleanser for dry and sensitive skin. Squalane isn't the headline here — it's one of several supporting actives — but it's genuinely in the formula, doing its emollient job.
Two caveats: squalane sits 9th of 33 on the published list, behind the surfactant system, and reviewers describe it as too light to take off heavy makeup on its own. It is fragrance-free (an earlier version of this review said otherwise, which was wrong; the brand's published list carries no fragrance or parfum). If you want a squalane-first cleanse that melts off sunscreen and makeup, The Ordinary's balm is the better match.
The specs
A foaming oil with squalane, three ceramides and hyaluronic acid — cleanses while supporting the barrier.
Formulated as non-comedogenic and fragrance-free; the ceramide base suits dry and sensitive skin.
What we like
- Squalane plus three essential ceramides
- Foams yet stays hydrating, not squeaky
- Large 8 oz bottle, very low cost per use
Keep in mind
- Squalane is 9th of 33, behind the surfactant system, not the headline
- Too light for heavy makeup on its own; reviewers use it as a second cleanse
Who should skip it: Skip it if you want a squalane-first (rather than surfactant-first) cleanser, or a one-step remover for a full face of makeup.
Frequently asked questions
Does CeraVe Foaming Oil Cleanser contain squalane?
Yes — it combines squalane with three ceramides and hyaluronic acid in a foaming oil base, which is why it cleanses without stripping.
Is CeraVe Foaming Oil Cleanser good for dry skin?
It's formulated for dry to very dry skin: the ceramides and squalane help it foam gently while supporting the moisture barrier, and the published list carries no fragrance.