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CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
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CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser

Excellent out of 100 High confidence
  • May contain traces of 1,4-dioxane
  • Contains quaternary ammonium compounds
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Why it scores 96

CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser scores 96 out of 100 (Excellent) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:

  1. Polyethylene glycols (PEG) and ethoxylates: Ingredients named with PEG, -eth- or -oxynol- can carry trace 1,4-dioxane from manufacturing (IARC Group 2B). Strong
  2. Potassium phosphate: EFSA (2019) set a group ADI for phosphates of 40 mg/kg body weight (as phosphorus) and noted that infants, toddlers and children may exceed it. Strong
  3. Behentrimonium chloride: A 2023 review describes quaternary ammonium compounds as a class of emerging concern. Emerging

Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.

The Receipt

Hydrating Facial Cleanser

START100

Ingredients

  • Polyethylene glycols (PEG) and ethoxylates
    Strong Ingredients named with PEG, -eth- or -oxynol- can carry trace 1,4-dioxane from manufacturing (IARC Group 2B). [1][2]
  • Potassium phosphate
    Strong EFSA (2019) set a group ADI for phosphates of 40 mg/kg body weight (as phosphorus) and noted that infants, toddlers and children may exceed it. [3]
  • Behentrimonium chloride
    Emerging A 2023 review describes quaternary ammonium compounds as a class of emerging concern. [4]
  • Phenoxyethanol
    Regulatory The EU allows it as a preservative up to 1% (Annex V). [5]
  • Polysorbates (cosmetic)
    Strong Ethoxylated ingredients can carry trace 1,4-dioxane from manufacturing. [1]
subtotal−4
TOTAL 96Excellent

100 − 4 = 96

GTIN 03606000537538 · 2026-10-05

score v1.3.0 · kb 2026.10.11

High confidence

Same product, same score. Every time.

Ingredients

High Moderate Not recognized Tap an ingredient for its evidence and rules.
Label text, as published

Aqua/Water/Eau, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, PEG-40 Stearate, Stearyl Alcohol, Potassium Phosphate, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Carbomer, Glyceryl Stearate, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cholesterol, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA, Dipotassium Phosphate, Tocopherol, Phytosphingosine, Xanthan Gum, Cetyl Alcohol, Polysorbate 20, Ethylhexylglycerin

Allergens and diets

  • Palm-oil-free

Always check the package: recipes change.

More from CeraVe

Sources

  1. 1,4-Dioxane in Cosmetics: A Manufacturing Byproduct

    U.S. Food and Drug Administration · Regulator

    “1,4-dioxane forms as a byproduct during the manufacturing process of certain cosmetic ingredients.”

    fda.gov

  2. Agents Classified by the IARC Monographs, Volumes 1–142 (List of Classifications)

    International Agency for Research on Cancer (WHO) · IARC

    monographs.iarc.who.int

  3. EFSA issues new advice on phosphates

    European Food Safety Authority · Jun 12, 2019 · Agency assessment

    “We estimated that dietary exposure to phosphates may exceed the new ADI for infants, toddlers and children with average consumption of phosphates in their diet.”

    efsa.europa.eu

  4. Quaternary Ammonium Compounds: A Chemical Class of Emerging Concern

    Environmental Science & Technology · May 23, 2023 · Peer-reviewed

    “Suspected or known adverse health outcomes include dermal and respiratory effects, developmental and reproductive toxicity, disruption of metabolic function such as lipid homeostasis, and impairment of mitochondrial function.”

    doi.org

  5. Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 of 30 November 2009 on cosmetic products

    European Union (Official Journal) · Nov 30, 2009 · Law

    “cosmetic products shall not contain any of the following: (a) prohibited substances — prohibited substances listed in Annex II”

    eur-lex.europa.eu