Paula's Choice Oil-Reducing Cleanser vs CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser Bar

Paula's Choice

CeraVe

A face cleanser, for barrier repair and smoothing.

A face cleanser built around Ceramide and Hyaluronic acid, for barrier repair and hydration.

Face cleanser

17 ingredients

31 ingredients

Brand price

USD 28.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site

Brand price

Not recorded · brand's site

No retailer listed yet

Brand country not recorded

Brand from United States

At a Glance

They come out differently on Silicone-free; that row is shaded. Tap any answer to see why.

Fatty alcohol1
Waxy fatty alcohols used as emollients and thickeners; unrelated to drying alcohol.
Cetearyl Alcohol

Fatty alcohol2
Waxy fatty alcohols used as emollients and thickeners; unrelated to drying alcohol.
Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol
Ceramide3
Skin-identical lipids that hold the barrier together.
Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP
Vitamin E1
Tocopherols — fat-soluble antioxidants.
Tocopherol
Hyaluronic acid1
Hyaluronic acid and its salts; a humectant that binds water to the skin.
Sodium Hyaluronate

May Trigger Acne3
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Cetearyl Alcohol, Hexylene Glycol, Stearic Acid
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis6
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycol Distearate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sodium Lauroamphoacetate, Stearic Acid
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris3
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Cetearyl Alcohol, Hexylene Glycol, Stearic Acid
May Worsen Oily Skin1
May increase shine or excess oil.
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil

Show highlights for:

Water
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate (in both products)
Cleansing
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Sodium Lauroamphoacetate
Cleansing
- Fatty acids (stearic, oleic, lauric)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Stearic Acid (in both products)
Cleansing
2-3 / 0
- Fatty acids (stearic, oleic, lauric)
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- Possibly animal-derived
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Glycerin (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
Glycol Distearate
Emollient
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
0 / 0
- Plant oils and butters (coconut, olive, shea)
- Plant or mineral oil
- Barrier Repair
- Hydrating
- May Worsen Oily Skin
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Acrylates Copolymer
Film Forming
Cetearyl Alcohol (in both products)
Emollient
2 / 1
- Fatty alcohol
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient

Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate (in both products)
Cleansing
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Stearic Acid (in both products)
Cleansing
2-3 / 0
- Fatty acids (stearic, oleic, lauric)
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- Possibly animal-derived
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Aqua
Solvent
0 / —
Sodium Isethionate
Cleansing
CI 77891
Colorant
0-1 / —
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
Cleansing
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Potassium Phosphate
Buffering
0-1 / —
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
- Ceramide
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- Barrier Repair
- Hydrating
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
- Ceramide
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- Barrier Repair
- Hydrating
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
- Ceramide
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- Barrier Repair
- Hydrating
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate
Cleansing, Hair Conditioning, Cleansing
Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate →
Stearic Acid
Cleansing, Emulsion Stabilising, Fragrance, Refatting, Cleansing, Emulsifying
Stearic Acid may be plant, synthetic or animal depending on the supplier.
Learn more about Stearic Acid →
Glycerin
Denaturant, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Humectant, Oral Care, Perfuming, Humectant, Skin Protecting, Solvent, Viscosity Controlling
Glycerin may be plant, synthetic or animal depending on the supplier.
Learn more about Glycerin →
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emulsion Stabilising, Opacifying, Emollient, Cleansing, Emulsifying, Foam Boosting, Viscosity Controlling
Cetearyl Alcohol isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl Alcohol →
Sodium Chloride
Bulking, Fragrance, Oral Care, Viscosity Controlling
Sodium chloride
Learn more about Sodium Chloride →
Xanthan Gum
Binding, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming, Skin Conditioning, Cleansing, Emulsifying, Viscosity Controlling
Xanthan gum
Learn more about Xanthan Gum →
Disodium EDTA
Chelating, Viscosity Controlling
Disodium dihydrogen ethylenediaminetetraacetate
Learn more about Disodium EDTA →
Phenoxyethanol
Antimicrobial, Preservative
Phenoxyethanol is the aromatic ether alcohol that conforms to the formula:
Learn more about Phenoxyethanol →