Which scores higher with the experts?
Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser holds a Guru Score of 80%, just ahead of CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser at 79%. The first draws on 22 independent expert reviews, the second on 23. On the experts' own numbers that puts Gentle Skin Cleanser in Yay territory and Foaming Facial Cleanser in Yay.
What do the experts say about Gentle Skin Cleanser?
Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser carries a Guru Score of 80% from 22 independent experts. This cleanser earns consistent praise for its gentle, non-stripping formula that works across sensitive, dry, combination and even oily skin without triggering irritation or dryness. Gurus highlight the hydrating reformulation (now with niacinamide, glycerin, and vitamin B5) and note it strikes a rare balance: gentle enough for sensitive skin but not so rich that it clogs pores or causes breakouts on oily skin. A few find the creamy slip makes it feel more luxurious than a deep cleanse, but the expert consensus is clear that this does exactly what it promises without drama or cost.
What do the experts say about Foaming Facial Cleanser?
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser carries a Guru Score of 79% from 23 independent experts. This cleanser foams nicely but stays genuinely gentle, removing oil without the tight, stripped feeling most foaming cleansers leave behind. Gurus praise the ceramides for barrier support and the niacinamide for oil control, and note it's fragrance-free with a balanced pH of 5.5. It's built for oily skin, though some with dry or sensitive skin find it works for them too; if you tend toward sensitivity, patch-test first to see how your barrier responds.
Which should you choose?
On the experts' scores Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser comes out ahead, 80% to 79%, a gap of 1 point. It has 22 experts behind it against 23 for CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser. Gentle Skin Cleanser is most often recommended for dry and sensitive skin, Foaming Facial Cleanser for oily and normal. Both are independently verified on the Guru Index, so either is a sound pick; let the use case and your budget settle it.