Foaming cleansers and I have a complicated history. I have dry skin, and for a long time the two things were simply incompatible. Foam meant stripping, stripping meant that tight, faintly punished feeling, and that feeling meant reaching for a moisturiser before I’d even made it to the bathroom mirror. So when the CeraVe Balancing Air Foam Cleanser arrived, seemingly aimed at oilier skin types, I set it aside with polite scepticism and got on with my day.
What is it?
A foaming cleanser designed specifically for normal to combination skin. It promises to control oil while aiding skin hydration.
What Do I Think?
I was wrong to initially snub it, and I’m glad I eventually gave it a proper chance.
CeraVe have built this around what they call Glycolysine Cleansing Technology, combined with three essential ceramides and allantoin, and ten years of research according to the brand. That sounds like marketing language, and perhaps some of it is, but the results on my skin suggest something in the formulation is genuinely working. It cleansed well, left no residue, and my skin afterwards felt refreshed rather than reproachful.
It would not be my choice as a first cleanse at the end of the day. It is not going to shift SPF or a full face of makeup with any conviction, and asking it to do so would be setting it up to fail. Where it genuinely excels is as a morning cleanser, rinsing away the previous evening’s skincare quickly and efficiently and leaving skin in a sensible state for whatever comes next. It would also work well as a second cleanse for those who double cleanse at night.
Would I recommend?
For combination skin it would likely be very good indeed. For dry skin it is, rather unexpectedly, perfectly manageable. Not every product needs to be for everyone, but it’s always worth questioning your assumptions before dismissing something outright. I should have learned that by now.
Brands Product Description
CeraVe Balancing Air Foaming Facial Cleanser for oil control and skin hydration for normal to combination skin with Glycolysine™ Cleansing Technology, 3 essential ceramides, and allantoin.
Born from 10 years of research, CeraVe Balancing Air Foaming Cleanser gently cleanses, hydrates, and controls oil for a protected skin barrier. Powered by our revolutionary Glycolysine™ Cleansing Technology, in combination with 3 essential ceramides and allantoin, this foaming facial cleanser helps control oil for up to 8 hours while hydrating the skin for up to 24 hours for a healthier-looking skin barrier. This gentle face cleanser can be used on all skin types, including sensitive skin. Free of added fragrance, hypoallergenic, and non-comedogenic.
Key Ingredients
- 3 Essential Ceramides – Helps protect the skin’s natural barrier.
- Glycolysine Cleansing Technology – promotes gentle and effective cleansing while improving the skin barrier function.
How I Use It
I like this as a morning cleanse. I’d simply wet my face, apply half a pump of this and massage in.
Would I Repurchase/Buy?
Yes.
How Much?
£15.00 for 150ml
