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Foaming Cleanser
Decode Label Safety Score
Decode Label Safety Badge
Held by the top 12% of everything we score. Awarded on this product's published 8.6/10 — every scoring lane clear, no significant concern, and nothing on the label that its own ingredient list contradicts.
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Methodology v3.1 (updated 8 Oct 2026) — what changed
This CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser is generally well-formulated for a rinse-off product, featuring mild surfactants and beneficial ingredients like niacinamide and ceramides. The primary concern for a subgroup of users is the presence of Phenoxyethanol and Ethylhexylglycerin, which are preservatives that can cause sensitisation in individuals with very sensitive skin or known contact allergies. While the product is designed to be gentle, those with extreme skin sensitivities should exercise caution.
At a glance
From the declared label — not a lab testWhat’s favorable
- Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
- Glycerin
- Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
- Propanediol
- Niacinamide
- +5 more →
Gentle facial cleanser with mild surfactants and skin-benefiting ingredients
This facial cleanser uses mild cleansing agents and includes skin-benefiting ingredients like niacinamide and ceramides, which are good for skin barrier support. It is a rinse-off product, so exposure to ingredients is brief. However, it contains preservatives that may be a concern for individuals with very sensitive skin or known contact allergies.
Concern breakdown
Score out of 10 · higher = fewer concernsHow this product performs on each concern we check for skincare. This is a breakdown of the same evidence behind the score above — not a separate verdict.
What's good
Uses mild, gentle surfactants (Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate) suitable for sensitive skin.
Contains Niacinamide, which supports skin barrier function and has anti-inflammatory benefits.
Includes a blend of ceramides (Ceramide NP, AP, EOP) which are crucial for maintaining a healthy skin barrier.
Glycerin provides effective hydration as a humectant.
Free from harsh sulfates and undisclosed fragrance.
Watch out for
Preservatives Phenoxyethanol and Ethylhexylglycerin may cause sensitisation in individuals with very sensitive skin or contact allergies.
Disodium EDTA — disodium EDTA is a chelating agent that keeps a product stable and clear. It has been flagged in some studies for potential endocrine-disrupting properties; regulatory consensus is not yet established, so it is noted as a low-level concern rather than a confirmed hazard.
TETRASODIUM EDTA — tetrasodium EDTA is a chelating agent that keeps a product stable and clear. It has been flagged in some studies for potential endocrine-disrupting properties; regulatory consensus is not yet established, so it is noted as a low-level concern rather than a confirmed hazard.
Decode Label Analysis
Contains Phenoxyethanol and Ethylhexylglycerin, common preservatives that can be sensitizers for individuals with very sensitive skin or known contact allergies. While generally well-tolerated, caution is advised for this subgroup.
Claim check
Front-of-pack marketing claims checked against this product's actual ingredients and nutrition. "Can't verify" means the label does not provide enough information to check the claim — it is not the same as the claim being false.
The claim specifies suitability for 'Normal to Oily Skin', which is a product designation that cannot be verified from the ingredient list.
The claim describes a functional benefit of cleansing and oil removal without disrupting the skin barrier, which cannot be verified from the ingredient list alone.
The ingredient list includes Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, and Ceramide EOP, which are three types of ceramides.
The ingredient list includes Niacinamide.
The ingredient list includes Sodium Hyaluronate, which is a form of hyaluronic acid.
The ingredient list does not contain any ingredients typically identified as fragrances.
Read straight from the back-of-pack photo — quantities, sections and any disguised terms, so the small print can’t hide behind the marketing.
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1.
WaterAQUA/WATER
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2.
Cocamidopropyl HydroxysultaineCOCAMIDOPROPYL HYDROXYSULTAINE
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3.
GlycerinGLYCERIN
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4.
Sodium Lauroyl SarcosinateSODIUM LAUROYL SARCOSINATE
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5.
PropanediolPROPANEDIOL
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6.
PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl TetrastearatePEG-150 PENTAERYTHRITYL TETRASTEARATE
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7.
NiacinamideNIACINAMIDE
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8.
PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric GlyceridesPEG-6 CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC GLYCERIDES
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9.
Ceramide NPCERAMIDE NP
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10.
Ceramide APCERAMIDE AP
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11.
Ceramide EOPCERAMIDE EOP
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12.
CarbomerCARBOMER
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13.
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl TaurateSODIUM METHYL COCOYL TAURATE
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14.
Sodium BenzoateSODIUM BENZOATE
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15.
Sodium ChlorideSODIUM CHLORIDE
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16.
Sodium Lauroyl LactylateSODIUM LAUROYL LACTYLATE
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17.
Sodium HyaluronateSODIUM HYALURONATE
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18.
CholesterolCHOLESTEROL
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19.
PhenoxyethanolPHENOXYETHANOL
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20.
Disodium EDTADISODIUM EDTA
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21.
Citric AcidCITRIC ACID
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22.
Tetrasodium EDTATETRASODIUM EDTA
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23.
PhytosphingosinePHYTOSPHINGOSINE
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24.
Xanthan GumXANTHAN GUM
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25.
EthylhexylglycerinETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN
In label order — normally largest quantity first. Select a row for the full write-up and sources.
✓ Decode Label Assessment: Favorable ⚠ Decode Label Assessment: Concern Decode Label Assessment: Neutral
Who should take caution
About this ingredient
No detailed safety data in our database yet for this ingredient.
Learn More
Compare with other face wash products
Assessed using the same Decode Label methodology, sorted by score. Each score reflects the information available for that product at the time of assessment.
Also on this shelf
More Face Wash products we've analysed, in name order.
What are the ingredients in Foaming Cleanser?
The label of Foaming Cleanser lists 25 ingredients, in label order: Water, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Glycerin, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Propanediol, PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate, Niacinamide, PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Carbomer, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cholesterol, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid, TETRASODIUM EDTA, Phytosphingosine, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin. Flagged by the analysis: Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA, TETRASODIUM EDTA.
Is Foaming Cleanser safe to use?
Foaming Cleanser scores 8.6/10 on Decode Label (Favorable). This facial cleanser uses mild cleansing agents and includes skin-benefiting ingredients like niacinamide and ceramides, which are good for skin barrier support. It is a rinse-off product, so exposure to ingredients is brief. However, it contains preservatives that may be a concern for individuals with very sensitive skin or known contact allergies.
Why does Foaming Cleanser score 8.6/10?
Flagged in the score: Preservatives Phenoxyethanol and Ethylhexylglycerin may cause sensitisation in individuals with very sensitive skin or contact allergies. Disodium EDTA — disodium EDTA is a chelating agent that keeps a product stable and clear. It has been flagged in some studies for potential endocrine-disrupting properties; regulatory consensus is not yet established, so it is noted as a low-level concern rather than a confirmed hazard. TETRASODIUM EDTA — tetrasodium EDTA is a chelating agent that keeps a product stable and clear. It has been flagged in some studies for potential endocrine-disrupting properties; regulatory consensus is not yet established, so it is noted as a low-level concern rather than a confirmed hazard.
Who should avoid Foaming Cleanser?
The points the analysis notes are most relevant to: Very sensitive skin or contact allergies to preservatives; Avoiding Phenoxyethanol; Avoiding Ethylhexylglycerin.
Are the claims on the Foaming Cleanser pack accurate?
Decode Label checked 6 claims against the ingredient list and nutrition panel. "For Normal to Oily Skin" — can't be verified from the label. "Cleanses and removes oil without disrupting the protective skin barrier of the face and body" — can't be verified from the label.
Answers are generated from this product's own Decode Label analysis — the score, the ingredient list and the label claims shown above. Always check the pack itself for allergen and dietary information.
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About this analysis: Based on declared label information and available evidence. Decode Label does not independently laboratory-test products, and a score is not a regulatory determination or medical advice.
Disclaimer: Safety scores are Decode Label-generated assessments based on publicly available regulatory data (FSSAI, WHO, EFSA, IARC) and peer-reviewed research. They are not a substitute for professional medical advice, and they are not a regulatory determination, a laboratory safety certification or a medical diagnosis. Ingredient safety can vary by individual health conditions, concentration, and usage context. Decode Label is an independent information service and scores every brand by the same rules. No brand pays for or influences its score. Our founder also founded the personal-care brand Botani Bestie (see our story); its products are scored exactly like everyone else's. Data limitations: This assessment is based on the information declared on the product label and the evidence sources above — Decode Label does not independently laboratory-test this product. Ingredient concentrations, sourcing and manufacturing can vary between batches and are not always disclosed. A finding that is not shown here means it was not identified from the available label information, not that it has been ruled out.
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