Is Cerave CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser Sulfate-Free Safe?
Review the flags Standard: Sulfate-Free
Fails standards
1 of 20 flagged (1 high-risk, 0 watchlist) — Score 7.0/10
Cosmetiqly Score 7.0/10
Flagged ingredients & clinical citations (1)
The following ingredients in this formulation conflict with Sulfate-Free standards:
Sodium Laureth Sulfate HIGH Concern
Ethoxylated sulfate surfactant; milder than SLS but capable of stripping lipid barriers when unbuffered in leave-on or sensitive applications.
Citation: Robinson VC, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, et al. Final report of the amended safety assessment of sodium laureth sulfate and related salts of sulfated ethoxylated alcohols. Int J Toxicol. 2010;29(4 Suppl):151S-161S.
Complete INCI formulation (20 ingredients)
Deduplicated| # | Ingredient | Status for Sulfate-Free |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aqua/Water | Pass |
| 2 | Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine | Pass |
| 3 | Glycerin | Pass |
| 4 | Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate | Pass |
| 5 | PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate | Pass |
| 6 | Niacinamide | Pass |
| 7 | Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate | Pass |
| 8 | Ceramide NP | Pass |
| 9 | Ceramide AP | Pass |
| 10 | Ceramide EOP | Pass |
| 11 | Sodium Chloride | Pass |
| 12 | Carbomer | Pass |
| 13 | Sodium Hydroxide | Pass |
| 14 | Sodium Laureth Sulfate | Flagged (HIGH) |
| 15 | Phytosphingosine | Pass |
| 16 | Cholesterol | Pass |
| 17 | Xanthan Gum | Pass |
| 18 | Tocopherol | Pass |
| 19 | Ethylhexylglycerin | Pass |
| 20 | Phenoxyethanol | Pass |
Evaluated alternative Cleanser options (10/10 Score)
The following formulations in this category have been individually evaluated and contain zero Sulfate-Free flags:
Other safety checks for CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
Data Provenance & Reviewer Information
- Data Source: Open Beauty Facts · Barcode:
0085275710434(Verify on Source) - Last Data Verification: 2026-11-13
- Editorial Supervisor: Cosmetiqly Research Team, Editorial Team
- Report an Error: If an ingredient list is inaccurate, submit a correction with product packaging proof (72-hour SLA).
Important Disclaimer: This review is an automated toxicological and dermatological screening for educational purposes. It is not medical or dermatological advice. Chemical safety depends on user skin condition and exact concentration. Always patch-test new products.