CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser by CeraVe
CeraVe

Foaming Facial Cleanser

Face Cleansers

53/100
Medium risk

Pregnancy-focused rating

This formula needs extra consideration during pregnancy. Review the flagged ingredients with your healthcare professional.

24 of 24 ingredients rated

Is it suitable during pregnancy?

MamaSkin rates the recorded formula for CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser as Medium risk (53/100). Discuss the flagged ingredients with a qualified healthcare professional before using this formula during pregnancy.

Why this rating?

The recorded formula includes 2 ingredient entries with risk flags: Methylparaben (Medium risk), Propylparaben (Medium risk). These are ingredient-level flags; they do not replace the stored product assessment or account for every formulation detail.

24 of 24 ingredient entries on this page have a recorded score, evidence summary and source text. That describes documentation coverage, not proof that the finished formula has been clinically tested during pregnancy.

How we assess products

Ingredient breakdown

The recorded formula, with evidence behind each rating. Unmatched ingredients are marked Not assessed in grey.

Ingredient ratings and evidence

Higher-risk flags first. Open an ingredient for evidence.

Methylparaben

Medium risk

Methylparaben is a preservative with weak endocrine activity in some experimental systems. After reviewing the available endocrine and toxicology evidence, SCCS/1652/23 concluded that methylparaben is safe in cosmetics up to 0.4% as acid, including up to 0.4% within permitted ester mixtures whose total does not exceed 0.8%. Pregnancy-specific human outcome data for repeated topical exposure remain limited. MamaSkin retains Medium Risk as a deliberately conservative pregnancy policy, not because SCCS found compliant cosmetic use unsafe.

Sources: SCCS/1652/23: Opinion on Methylparaben, final 14 December 2023 with 2024 corrigendum https://health.ec.europa.eu/publications/methylparaben-cas-no-99-76-3-ec-no-202-785-7_en; CIR: Amended Safety Assessment of Parabens as Used in Cosmetics https://www.cir-safety.org/supplementaldoc/amended-safety-assessment-parabens-used-cosmetics-0

Propylparaben

Medium risk

Propylparaben is a preservative in the paraben family. The main concern is endocrine activity signals (oestrogenic activity in some assays) and conservative risk management around aggregate exposure; pregnancy-specific outcome data for topical cosmetic exposure are limited. The medium-risk signal is endocrine-related uncertainty and limited pregnancy-specific evidence rather than a confirmed pregnancy-specific toxicity endpoint.

Sources: CIR: Amended safety assessment of parabens in cosmetics https://www.cir-safety.org/supplementaldoc/amended-safety-assessment-parabens-used-cosmetics-0

Water

No known risks

Water (Aqua) is the standard purified water used as a cosmetic solvent. It has no pregnancy-specific risk in normal topical use.

Sources: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Water, https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/sectors/cosmetics/cosmetic-ingredient-database/cosing-glossary-ingredients_en

Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine

No known risks

An amphoteric cleansing and foam-supporting surfactant. Cosmetic safety reviewers concluded that sultaines, including cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine, are safe in current practices when formulas are non-irritating and impurities and nitrosamine formation are controlled. Rare contact allergy remains possible.

Sources: CIR: Safety Assessment of Sultaines as Used in Cosmetics https://www.cir-safety.org/sites/default/files/sultaines_0.pdf

Glycerin

No known risks

Glycerin is a widely used humectant that supports hydration and the skin barrier, with a long safety record and no known pregnancy or breastfeeding concerns in topical cosmetic use.

Sources: CIR; EU/UK Cosmetics Regulation

Show all 24 ingredients

Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate

No known risks

An anionic cleansing surfactant. Cosmetic safety reviewers concluded that sodium lauroyl sarcosinate is safe in rinse-off cosmetics and in leave-on products up to 5%, provided it is not used in ways that promote nitrosamine formation or inhalation. No pregnancy-specific concern was identified under those conditions.

Sources: CIR: Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Cocoyl Sarcosine and Related Sarcosinates https://cir-reports.cir-safety.org/view-attachment?id=915a3c2f-8e74-ec11-8943-0022482f06a6

PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate

No known risks

An ethoxylated ester used as a thickener and emulsifier. Cosmetic safety reviewers concluded that PEG-150 pentaerythrityl tetrastearate is safe in current practices. Manufacturing should control ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane residues.

Sources: CIR: PEG Pentaerythrityl Esters final assessment, June 2014; December 2025 Quick Reference Table https://cir-safety.org/sites/default/files/QRT-Update-Dec2025.pdf

Niacinamide

No known risks

Niacinamide (vitamin B3) is widely used for barrier support and tone/texture benefits, and is generally considered safe in pregnancy and breastfeeding when used topically at cosmetic concentrations.

Sources: CIR; EU/UK Cosmetics Regulation

PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides

No known risks

An ethoxylated glyceride used as a surfactant, solubiliser or emollient. Cosmetic safety reviewers concluded that PEG-6 caprylic/capric glycerides are safe in current practices when formulated to be non-irritating. Manufacturing should control ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane residues.

Sources: CIR: PEGylated oils and glycerides final assessment, December 2014; December 2025 Quick Reference Table https://cir-safety.org/sites/default/files/QRT-Update-Dec2025.pdf

Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate

No known risks

A mild anionic surfactant derived from fatty acids and methyltaurate, used mainly in cleansers and shampoos. Cosmetic safety reviewers concluded that the reviewed taurate surfactants, including sodium methyl cocoyl taurate, are safe in current cosmetic use when formulated to be non-irritating. No pregnancy-specific concern is identified for normal topical exposure.

Sources: CIR: Safety Assessment of Alkyl Taurate Amides and Taurate Salts https://cir-safety.org/sites/default/files/taurat122015FR.pdf

Propylene Glycol

No known risks

Propylene glycol is a common solvent and humectant with a long history of use; it is not considered a pregnancy or breastfeeding concern in topical cosmetics, though some individuals may experience irritation in leave-on products.

Sources: CIR; EU/UK Cosmetics Regulation

Ceramide NP

No known risks

Skin-identical barrier lipid used to support the stratum corneum and reduce dryness. Reviewed cosmetic safety sources support normal topical use, with no pregnancy- or breastfeeding-specific topical signal identified in the material reviewed.

Sources: CIR: Safety Assessment of Ceramides as Used in Cosmetics; EU CosIng / cosmetics regulatory inventory

Ceramide AP

No known risks

Skin-identical barrier lipid used to support barrier function and reduce dryness. Reviewed cosmetic safety sources support normal topical use, with no pregnancy- or breastfeeding-specific topical signal identified in the material reviewed.

Sources: CIR: Safety Assessment of Ceramides as Used in Cosmetics; EU CosIng / cosmetics regulatory inventory

Ceramide EOP

No known risks

Skin-identical barrier lipid used to support barrier structure and reduce dryness. Reviewed cosmetic safety sources support normal topical use, with no pregnancy- or breastfeeding-specific topical signal identified in the material reviewed.

Sources: CIR: Safety Assessment of Ceramides as Used in Cosmetics; EU CosIng / cosmetics regulatory inventory

Carbomer

No known risks

Polymer thickener used to create gel textures. Large-molecule ingredient with negligible systemic absorption.

Sources: Cosmetic Ingredient Review (US); Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (EU)

Sodium Chloride

No known risks

Sodium chloride is used to adjust viscosity and texture in formulations; topical cosmetic use is considered low concern with no known pregnancy or breastfeeding risks.

Sources: CIR; EU/UK Cosmetics Regulation

Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate

No known risks

An emulsifier and surfactant made from lauric and lactic-acid components. Cosmetic safety reviewers concluded that alkyl lactyl lactates, including sodium lauroyl lactylate, are safe in current practices when formulated to be non-irritating and non-sensitising. No pregnancy-specific concern was identified for normal cosmetic use.

Sources: CIR: Safety Assessment of Alkyl Lactyl Lactates as Used in Cosmetics https://www.cir-safety.org/sites/default/files/alkylL062019final.pdf

Cholesterol

No known risks

Skin-conditioning lipid used in barrier-support formulas, often alongside ceramides and fatty acids. Normal topical cosmetic use has no known pregnancy- or breastfeeding-specific concern identified in reviewed cosmetic references.

Sources: CIR cosmetic ingredient safety references for cholesterol and related sterols; EU CosIng / cosmetics regulatory inventory

Disodium EDTA

No known risks

Disodium EDTA is a chelating agent used to improve formula stability and performance; it is considered low concern in topical cosmetic use, with no known pregnancy or breastfeeding risks at typical concentrations.

Sources: CIR; EU/UK Cosmetics Regulation

Citric Acid

No known risks

pH adjuster used in small amounts to maintain product stability. Not associated with pregnancy-specific concerns.

Sources: Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (EU); European cosmetics regulatory framework

Tetrasodium EDTA

No known risks

Chelating agent used to stabilise formulations; minimal dermal absorption and no known pregnancy or breastfeeding risks at typical cosmetic concentrations.

Sources: CIR; EU/UK Cosmetics Regulation

Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid

No known risks

Humectant and skin-conditioning ingredient in the hyaluronate family. Reviewed cosmetic safety sources support current cosmetic use, with no pregnancy- or breastfeeding-specific topical concern identified in the material reviewed.

Sources: CIR: Safety Assessment of Hyaluronates as Used in Cosmetics; EU CosIng / cosmetics regulatory inventory

Phytosphingosine

No known risks

Skin-conditioning lipid used in barrier-support formulas, commonly alongside ceramides and cholesterol. Reviewed cosmetic ingredient references do not identify a pregnancy- or breastfeeding-specific concern for normal topical use.

Sources: CIR cosmetic ingredient safety references for sphingolipids/skin-conditioning lipids; EU CosIng / cosmetics regulatory inventory

Xanthan Gum

No known risks

Natural polysaccharide thickener used for stability and texture. Not associated with pregnancy-specific concerns.

Sources: European cosmetics regulatory framework

Full recorded ingredient list

Water, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Glycerin, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate, Niacinamide, PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Propylene Glycol, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Carbomer, Methylparaben, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Cholesterol, Disodium EDTA, Propylparaben, Citric Acid, Tetrasodium EDTA, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Phytosphingosine, Xanthan Gum

Ingredient ratings refreshed 1 October 2026. Formulas vary by market and can change. Always compare with your packaging.

Questions about this assessment

Why does CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser have a Medium risk rating?

The recorded formula includes 2 ingredient entries with risk flags: Methylparaben (Medium risk), Propylparaben (Medium risk). These are ingredient-level flags; they do not replace the stored product assessment or account for every formulation detail. The product score is a stored assessment, not a clinical safety guarantee.

Does the niacinamide rating cover every ingredient in this product?

No. Niacinamide appears in the recorded formula, but its individual rating applies to that ingredient, not automatically to the whole product. Check the other ingredient ratings, any grey Not assessed entries and the stored product assessment. A niacinamide percentage or a product name is not a substitute for checking the full list.

Has every ingredient in CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser been assessed?

24 of 24 ingredient entries on this page have a recorded score, evidence summary and source text. That describes documentation coverage, not proof that the finished formula has been clinically tested during pregnancy.

Does this assessment apply to my CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser?

Only if the ingredient list on your packaging matches the recorded formula shown here. Formulas can differ by market and change over time. Compare the full list, not just the product name; report a mismatch if it differs.

Does this pregnancy assessment also establish breastfeeding suitability?

No. This page presents a pregnancy-focused product assessment. Do not infer a breastfeeding conclusion from its score or label; breastfeeding requires a separate assessment of the formula and how it is used.