CeraVe Acne Foam Cream Cleanser contains 30 ingredients. INCI: Benzoyl PeroxideBrilliant!, Water, GlycerinBrilliant!, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Coco-Betaine, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sodium Chloride, PEG-100 Stearate and 22 more (Show all)
All the Positive
Ceramides/Vitamins/Retinoids 2Niacinamide, Phytosphingosine
Moisturisers 9Glycerin, PEG-100 Stearate, Carbomer, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phenoxyethanol, Propanediol, Phytosphingosine, Ethylhexylglycerin
Acne fighting and prevention 10Benzoyl Peroxide, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Coco-Betaine, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sodium Chloride, Niacinamide, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Phenoxyethanol, Phytosphingosine, Ethylhexylglycerin
Antioxidants and Anti-aging 2Niacinamide, Sodium Hyaluronate
Softening7
Glycerin#3
PEG-100 Stearate#8
PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate#9
Glyceryl Stearate SE#14
Sodium Hyaluronate#20
Cholesterol#22
Ethylhexylglycerin#30
Soothing2
Niacinamide#15
Phytosphingosine#28
Hair structure improvement1
Origin: chemical
Role: Antiacne agent, Oxidizing agent
Cleansing
Acne fighting
EWG Rating [ 3 ]

Bad for dry skin
Benzoyl Peroxide is very effective against acne. It destroys Propionibacterium acnes - a bacteria that causes this problem. That's why it works so great. It also helps to renew and exfoliate dead cells helping to make the skin cleaner. You can find this component in many anti-acne products.
BUT you should avoid this component if you have dry skin. Even people with oily skin notice that it dries the skin hard. Be careful!
Origin: organic
Role: Fragrance ingredient, Hair conditioning, Humectant, Solvent, Viscosity controlling agent
Moisturizing
Softening
Hair structure improvement
Hair gloss
EWG Rating [ 1 ]
CIR Rating [ A ]

Good for dry skin
Glycerin is one of the most outstanding and helpful skincare components. It's used a lot and it's researched very well. Many scientific researches confirm the safety and the efficiency of the component. It's one of the best moisturizers. Molecules of Glycerin can absorb water and deliver it into deep layers of the skin making it hydrated.
Origin: chemical
Role: Skin conditioning agent, Antistatic agent, Cleansing agent, Foam booster, Hair conditioning, Surfactant, Viscosity controlling agent
Cleansing
Antiseptic
EWG Rating [ 1 ]
CIR Rating [ B ]
[ Show all ingredients ]
Origin: organic
Role: Cleansing agent, Hair conditioning, Surfactant
Cleansing
Malassezia unsafe
EWG Rating [ 1 ]
CIR Rating [ B ]
Origin: organic
Role: Flavoring agent, Viscosity controlling agent
Antiseptic
EWG Rating [ 1 ]
Sodium Chloride is a very famous ingredeint also known as Salt. Yes, it’s the same salt you can find on your table. In cosmetics, it is used as a preservative helping the product to live longer. It is also used as a peeling agent in different scrubs. Human contact with this element since ancient times and that's why it is 100% safe.
Origin: chemical
Role: Cleansing agent, Surfactant
Moisturizing
Softening
Malassezia unsafe
PEG
EWG Rating [ 1 ]
CIR Rating [ A ]
Peg-100 Stearate is a good emulsifier that makes the ingredients mix nicely. It also makes the skin soft and moisturized. Peg-100 Stearate is also known for its cleansing effect. CIR Expert Panel marked this ingredient as safe.
Origin: chemical
Role: Emulsifying agent, Surfactant
Softening
Malassezia unsafe
PEG
EWG Rating [ 3 ]
Origin: No information
Role: No information
Origin: No information
Role: No information
#12Ceramide EOP
Origin: No information
Role: No information
Origin: chemical
Role: Emulsion stabilizer, Gel forming, Viscosity controlling agent
Moisturizing
EWG Rating [ 1 ]
CIR Rating [ A ]
Carbomer is used for formulation purposes. It helps to control the viscosity and flow of a product. It’s considered safe but only if it’s well purified. Poorly purified carbomers may contain benzol which may lead to irritation.
Origin: chemical
Role: Emulsifying agent, Surfactant
Moisturizing
Softening
Comedogenic rating [ 3 ]
EWG Rating [ 1 ]
CIR Rating [ A ]

Bad for oily skin
Glyceryl Stearate SE is a nice moisturizing ingredient. It hydrates the upper layers of the skin and fills small wrinkles. In haircare products, it's used for making hair softer.
Origin: chemical
Role: Skin conditioning agent, Hair conditioning, Smoothing
Antioxidant
Acne fighting
Pore Shrinking
Soothing
Anti-aging
Lightening
Elasticity improvement
EWG Rating [ 1 ]
Niacinamide is a form of Vitamin B3 and it’s a superman in cosmetics. This ingredient is researched very well. It has a lot of positive reviews from scientists and experts. It's very important for healthy skin. The lack of this vitamin can cause dryness, itching, and sun sensitivity. The component removes small wrinkles and fine lines, heals wounds, and prevents the forming of cancer cells. It also makes the skin tone even by removing dark spots. It increases ceramide synthesis which increases the overall health of your skin. It fights acne and lowers pores.
Researches say that 4-5% of Niacinamide is the most effective concentration for skincare use.
Origin: chemical
Role: Emulsifying agent, Surfactant
EWG Rating [ 1 ]
CIR Rating [ B ]
Origin: chemical
Role: Emollient, Emulsifying agent, Emulsion stabilizer, Foam booster, Surfactant, Viscosity controlling agent
Comedogenic rating [ 2 ]
EWG Rating [ 1 ]
CIR Rating [ A ]
Cetearyl Alcohol is used mostly for formulation purposes. It’s a very good emulsifier and emulsion stabilizer. It helps the ingredients mix better and it makes the product spread on your skin evenly. It also makes the product thicker. It doesn’t belong to harmful alcohols and it will not dry your skin.
Origin: organic
Role: Buffering agent, Chelating agent, Masking
EWG Rating [ 1 ]
CIR Rating [ A ]
Sodium Citrate is a water-soluble soft organic surfactant with strong stabilizing and conditioning effects. It helps to produce foam and lowers the negative impact of hard water on your skin and hair. It also helps to regulate the pH level of the product. It’s a natural ingredient and it’s safe for most people. It’s used in food (additive number E331).
Origin: chemical
Role: Buffering agent
EWG Rating [ 1 ]
CIR Rating [ B ]
Sodium Hydroxide is used mostly for formulation purposes. It helps to hold the pH level of a product. It also works as a chemical exfoliator that removes dead cells. Usually concentration of this component is low in skin care products and it’s used mostly for adjusting pH.
Origin: No information
Role: Skin conditioning agent, Humectant
Moisturizing
Softening
Anti-aging
Rejuvenation
EWG Rating [ 1 ]
CIR Rating [ A ]

Good for dry skin
Sodium Hyaluronate is an amazing component! It plays very important role in skin hydration process. It helps to maintain water balance and lower water loss. Scientists have found a direct dependence between the level of Sodium Hyaluronate in cells and skin aging. That's why this component is so much important. It must be in your routine if you want to have a healthy and fresh looking skin.
Some people think that Sodium Hyaluronate and Hyaluronic acid are different names of the same component, but it is not entirely correct. Hyaluronic acid is a different chemical but with similar effects. Actually, Sodium Hyaluronate is used in cosmetics much more often because it’s more stable and has much better resistance to oxidation.
Origin: chemical
Role: Emulsifying agent, Surfactant
Cleansing
EWG Rating [ 1 ]
Origin: chemical
Role: Skin conditioning agent, Emollient, Emulsifying agent, Emulsion stabilizer, Stabilising, Viscosity controlling agent
Softening
EWG Rating [ 1 ]
CIR Rating [ A ]
Origin: chemical
Role: Fragrance ingredient, Preservative
Moisturizing
Antiseptic
EWG Rating [ 2 ]
CIR Rating [ A ]
Phenoxyethanol is one of the most popular preservatives. It kills bacteria and makes the product live longer. European Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 allowed this component in cosmetics at a maximum concentration of 1%. Clinical studies showed that the component doesn’t irritate the skin and doesn’t make it sensitive. According to the CLP Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 it’s not toxic.
Origin: chemical
Role: Solvent, Viscosity controlling agent
Moisturizing
Hair conditioning
EWG Rating [ 2 ]
Propanediol is a good solvent, emollient and humectant. It helps to moisturize the skin and prevent moisture loss. In haircare products, it conditions hair and improves absorption of the product.
Origin: organic
Role: Skin conditioning agent, Emollient, Hair conditioning, Humectant
EWG Rating [ 1 ]
CIR Rating [ A ]
Caprylyl Glycol is a vey popular skincare ingredient. It makes the product spread better and feel better on your skin. It’s a preservative and it improves the effect of other preservatives. It’s also a humectant which helps to retain water. It’s good for keeping your skin in good shape. But manufacturers use it as a supporting component rather than the main one.
Origin: organic
Role: Skin conditioning agent, Binding, Emulsifying agent, Emulsion stabilizer, Gel forming, Surfactant, Viscosity controlling agent
EWG Rating [ 1 ]
CIR Rating [ A ]
Xanthan Gum is used as a thickener or rheology modifier and emulsion stabilizer. It doesn’t provide any notable skin-related effects and is used mostly for formulation purposes. It makes the product’s texture smooth and even. It’s a naturally-derived thickener. Notable fact: it can also be found in the food you eat every day, so it is 100% safe.
Origin: chemical
Role: Cleansing agent, Emulsifying agent, Surfactant
Sulfates
EWG Rating [ 1 ]
Origin: chemical
Role: Skin conditioning agent, Hair conditioning
Moisturizing
Acne fighting
Soothing
Antiseptic
Protection
EWG Rating [ 1 ]
Origin: chemical
Role: Emulsion stabilizer, Film former, Viscosity controlling agent
AcrylatesC10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic non-toxic gel used mostly for formulation purposes. It helps manufacturers to achieve the necessary texture of the product (it makes the product thicker). It also has sight healing and antistatic activity.
Origin: chemical
Role: Skin conditioning agent, Deodorant
Moisturizing
Softening
Antiseptic
Deodorant
EWG Rating [ 2 ]
CIR Rating [ A ]
Ethylhexylglycerin makes the skin softer, smoother and more hydrated. It acts deeply but without any heavy or sticky feeling. In haircare products, it works as a conditioner and scalp cleanser. It is safe but only in concentration below 8% in rinse-off products and below 2% in leave-on products. Can be an irritator in higher concentrations. In general, this component is great if you see it somewhere at the bottom of the list.