🇨🇦Canada

Cetaphil Hydrating Foaming Cream Cleanser for combination skin

Average

  • AverageCombination Skin Fit
  • AverageEffectiveness
  • ExcellentSafety

Works for combination skin; other cleansers fit it better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with combination skin: an oily T-zone, enlarged pores, and dry cheeks. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.

Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works

Lovi Assistant explains

  • Offers moderate benefits for your oily shine and combination skin, as niacinamide and glycerin hydrate and help regulate oil production. Panthenol further supports humectant action, though stronger ingredients for effective oil control are lacking.
  • The cleansing agents, sodium cocoyl isethionate and cocamidopropyl betaine, are present in concentrations that effectively cleanse pores, providing moderate cleansing action.
  • The product is safe for your combination skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the presence of soothing components like niacinamide and panthenol.

How to apply

  • Use this cleanser AM and PM as part of your daily routine. Start 3×/week and build up to daily use if your skin tolerates it well.
  • Apply this cleanser as the very first step in your morning routine and right after your pre-cleanser in the evening.
  • Gently massage a small amount of cleanser onto your skin using circular motions. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water.
  • For the best results , apply the cleanser directly onto slightly damp skin to help lift away excess oil.
  • Avoid the immediate eye area and do a patch test before your first use to check for any sensitivity.

People Say

★4.6Overall rating based on 1.5k+ reviews

Based on a very large amount of data, this cleanser is highly recommended for dry and sensitive skin types, effectively cleansing without stripping moisture. Users frequently praise its gentle, hydrating, and soothing properties, along with its unique cream-to-foam texture. A moderate number of users note that it may not remove heavy or waterproof makeup effectively on its own.

Highlights

  • Gentle & non-stripping Mostly Mentioned
    • “non stripping”
    • “skin feels fresh not tight”
    • “gentle on sensitive skin”
  • Cream-to-foam texture Often Mentioned
    • “rich lather”
    • “feels soft”
    • “creamy to foam”
  • Hydrating after-feel Often Mentioned
    • “leaves skin hydrated”
    • “moisturizing feel”
    • “no dry tight feeling”
  • Soothing ingredients Sometimes Noted
    • “calming blemishes”
    • “contains niacinamide”
    • “soothing aloe”
  • Weak makeup removal Sometimes Noted
    • “may not remove heavy makeup”
    • “struggles with waterproof”
    • “need dedicated remover first”
  • Pump efficiency Rarely Noted
    • “need more than one pump”
    • “pump dispenses small amount”
    • “used two pumps”
  • Texture issues Rarely Noted
    • “slippery emulsion-like”
    • “bit heavy”
    • “film left behind”
  • Unpleasant scent Rarely Noted
    • “medicinal scent”
    • “faint chemical smell”
    • “smell isn't pleasant”

Sources: lovi.care, walmart.com, influenster.com, cetaphil.com, beautycrew.com.au, ulta.com, and more

Questions and answers

How well does Cetaphil Hydrating Foaming Cream Cleanser work for combination skin?

Cetaphil Hydrating Foaming Cream Cleanser works moderately well for combination skin by cleaning pores and helping balance moisture and shine with glycerin and niacinamide. It is unlikely to cause irritation, but cleansers for this skin work best when they include stronger oil-control ingredients and multiple soothing extracts that support the moisture barrier for both oily and dry areas.

Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for combination skin?

Niacinamide, glycerin, and panthenol make this cleanser a good fit because they hydrate the skin and help balance oil production without causing irritation. To work best for combination skin, a cleanser of this type needs stronger oil-controlling ingredients alongside soothing components that manage both oily and dry areas effectively.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002

What does Glycerin do for combination skin?

Glycerin helps keep combination skin soft and smooth by pulling moisture in and keeping it there. It improves hydration and supports your skin barrier, which is unlikely to cause irritation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2008Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

What does Niacinamide do for combination skin?

Niacinamide helps balance oily areas by reducing excess shine and pore size while keeping dry patches hydrated and smooth. It also works to calm redness and even out skin tone, making it very suitable for combination skin.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for combination skin?

This cleanser goes in the morning and evening routine, used as the main wash before toner and moisturizer. A combination skin type like yours needs a gentle cleanser that clears pores while pairing with stronger ingredients to manage oil effectively.

The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022

Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?

You can use this cleanser with retinol by applying it before your retinol treatment in your evening routine. Using gentle cleansers alongside retinol helps keep skin comfortable and is unlikely to cause irritation.

How often should I use this cleanser?

You can use this cleanser daily in the morning and evening as part of your routine. It gently cleans pores and hydrates combination skin without causing irritation, though this skin type also needs stronger ingredients for effective oil control.

The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002

Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for combination skin?

This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts on combination skin due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the inclusion of soothing components. While it cleanses pores effectively and hydrates, combination skin often needs stronger ingredients for effective oil control and shine management.

American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017

Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?

Yes, you can use this cleanser around the eyes and on your body as its gentle formula cleans safely without harsh ingredients. To properly care for combination skin, a product of this type needs stronger ingredients for effective oil control alongside hydrating components.

American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017

Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol, which soften the skin.

What the research says

  • Topical dexpanthenol acts as a moisturizer, improves stratum corneum hydration, accelerates wound healing and epidermal regeneration, reduces erythema, and improves symptoms of skin irritation compared to vehicle or no pretreatment.

    American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002
  • A new topical panthenol-containing emollient significantly improved transepidermal water loss reduction, stratum corneum hydration, and intercellular lipid lamellae length compared with control in healthy subjects without negatively impacting bacterial viability.

    The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017
  • A panthenol-enriched mask significantly decreased erythema and hyperpigmentation, increased sebum and stratum corneum moisture, and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to a saline dressing in 60 subjects undergoing facial laser treatment.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025
  • A topical gel containing chitosan, chlorhexidine, allantoin, and dexpanthenol significantly reduced postoperative pain, trismus, swelling, and analgesic consumption, while improving wound healing after third molar surgery compared to a placebo.

    Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral Y Cirugia Bucal, 2020
  • A single application of a moisturizing fluid containing hyaluronic acid 1%, glycerin 5%, and Centella asiatica stem cells extract significantly increased skin hydration by 29% and reduced transepidermal water loss at 24 hours compared to baseline and an untreated control site in twenty healthy women.

    Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
  • The emollient V0034CR significantly reduced TEWL compared to vehicle and vehicle plus glycerol, and significantly increased corneometry scores compared to vehicle and vehicle plus petrolatum in healthy volunteers with dry skin, demonstrating combined barrier function improvement from petrolatum and hydration improvement from glycerol.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020
  • Ten days of treatment with a cream containing 20% glycerin significantly increased skin hydration measured by corneometer values in 17 healthy volunteers compared to a placebo cream, but showed no influence on transepidermal water loss or skin sensitivity to an irritating surfactant.

    International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2001
  • Topical post-laser application of human adipocyte-derived mesenchymal stem cell media combined with niacinamide significantly improved wrinkle index, melanin index, patient satisfaction, and investigator esthetic improvement scores compared to vehicle cream in patients with aging skin.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021
  • Topical nicotinamide prevented solar-simulated UV-induced immunosuppression in healthy volunteers, and men experienced immunosuppression at solar-simulated UV doses three times lower than those required for women.

    The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2008
  • Topical 5% niacinamide applied twice daily for 12 weeks reduced fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmented spots, red blotchiness, and skin sallowness, and improved skin elasticity compared to vehicle control in 50 female white subjects with facial photoaging.

    Dermatologic Surgery, 2005
  • Moisturizer containing 5% panthenol, madecassoside, and copper-zinc-manganese decreased adverse reactions and downtime after ablative fractional carbon dioxide laser resurfacing with comparable efficacy to 0.02% triamcinolone acetonide cream in 20 subjects.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019
  • Topical dexpanthenol formulated in lipophilic vehicles improved stratum corneum hydration and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to vehicle control in humans.

    Arzneimittel-Forschung, 2000
  • Hyaluronic acid, hyaluronic acid plus dexpanthenol, and isotonic saline nasal sprays all significantly improved dry nose symptoms over four weeks in 240 patients, with hyaluronic acid plus dexpanthenol providing superior nasal moisturisation compared to the other two.

    Auris, Nasus, Larynx, 2020
  • A cream combining propolis, tea tree oil, and Aloe vera reduced erythema scars, acne severity index, and total lesion count better than erythromycin cream in sixty patients with mild to moderate acne vulgaris compared to placebo.

    Clinical Pharmacology, 2018
  • Topical aloe vera gel significantly accelerated split-thickness skin graft donor-site healing compared to placebo in 12 patients, but showed no significant difference in pain relief.

    Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2018
  • Topical application of Aloe vera cream reduced postoperative pain at rest and during defecation, accelerated wound healing at two weeks, and decreased analgesic requirements in patients after open hemorrhoidectomy compared to placebo.

    Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2010

Why other cleansers fit combination skin better

  • A botanical face cleanser with hops and willow bark extract continuously reduced skin sebum levels without reactive seborrhea after treatment in 21 healthy volunteers compared to a sodium laureth sulfate cleanser, with neither cleanser causing skin irritation.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019
  • Combined ascorbyl palmitate and sodium ascorbyl phosphate treatment significantly reduced facial sebum secretions in healthy female volunteers compared to a placebo control over 90 days.

    Drug Research, 2017

Ingredients

Water, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Glycerin, Glycol Distearate, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Acrylates C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Arginine, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Chloride, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Pantolactone, Citric Acid

Behind this fit score

Lovi calculates every fit score from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.

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Prices checked 13 Oct – 3 Nov 2026

The Lovi Fit is the same in every country; only the stores and prices differ, and the ones here are for Canada.

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