Skincare Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of CeraVe Acne Control Cleanser versus CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser .

  • these products are both face cleansers that both contain ceramides, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide.
  • they both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, oils, parabens or silicones.
  • they both contain sulfates.
  • they're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, brightening skin, oily skin and reducing pores.
  • they are reef safe.
  • these products have a total of 13 ingredients in common.
Face Cleanser Canadian Brand Canada
Face Cleanser Canadian Brand Canada

Face Cleanser

Face cleansers are used to remove makeup, dead skin cells, pollutants, oil, dirt, and/or clean out pores on the skin. Face cleansers may specialize in having one function (exa. just removing makeup) or may have multiple functions (exa. Removing makeup and cleaning pores).

Face Cleanser

Face cleansers are used to remove makeup, dead skin cells, pollutants, oil, dirt, and/or clean out pores on the skin. Face cleansers may specialize in having one function (exa. just removing makeup) or may have multiple functions (exa. Removing makeup and cleaning pores).

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

BHA
Pha
Niacinamide
Ceramides (3)
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Good For Oily Skin (2)
Redness Reducing (4)
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging (3)
Acne Fighting (2)
Brightening (2)

Concerns

Drying
Irritating
Eczema (2)

Notable Ingredients

AHA (2)
Niacinamide
Benzoyl Peroxide
Ceramides (3)
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Good For Oily Skin (2)
Redness Reducing (4)
Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores (2)
Anti-Aging (4)
Dark Spots
Acne Fighting (2)
Brightening (2)

Concerns

Drying (4)
Acne Trigger
Irritating (3)
Rosacea
Eczema (2)

Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

1
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin and helps moisturize and protect your skin. A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.

Glycerin is a humectant, helping the skin retain moisture by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin. Having moisturized skin helps improve the skin barrier. Your skin barrier protects against skin irritants and bacteria.

Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.

In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, animal sources include tallow. It is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.

Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English while British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.

CeraVe Acne Control Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 4.

CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 3.

Learn more about Glycerin
2
What it does: Smoothing
Community Rating: Liked

Niacinamide has emerged as an all-star ingredient due to its many benefits.

It is known to treat acne by reducing inflammation fading dark-spots. It can strengthen the skin by promoting the growth of the ceramide barrier.

Other benefits include smoothing wrinkles and minimizing redness.

Niacinamide can also help build keratin, a protein that keeps skin firm.

When incorporating Niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% Niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.

Niacinamide can be mixed with other ingredients to boost benefits. For instance, it has shown to be effective when used with copper, folic acid, and zinc to treat acne.

CeraVe Acne Control Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 5.

CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 14.

Learn more about Niacinamide
3
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Ceramide NP is one type of ceramide.

Ceramides are intercellular lipids naturally found in our skin that bonds dead skin cells together to create a barrier. They are known for their ability to hold water and thus are a great ingredient for dry skin.

Ceramides are an important building block for our skin barrier. A stronger barrier helps the skin look more firm and hydrated. By bolstering the skin ceramides act as a barrier against irritating ingredients. This can help with inflammation as well.

If you would like to eat ceramides, sweet potatoes contain a small amount.

Read more about other common types of ceramides here:
Ceramide AP
Ceramide EOP

CeraVe Acne Control Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 9.

CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 10.

Learn more about Ceramide NP
4
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Ceramide AP is a type of Ceramide.

Ceramides are intercellular lipids naturally found in our skin that bonds dead skin cells together to create a barrier. Having a strong skin barrier leads to more firm and hydrated skin.

They are known for their ability to hold water and thus are a great ingredient for dry skin. By bolstering the skin ceramides act as a barrier against irritating ingredients. This can help with inflammation as well.

If you would like to eat ceramides, sweet potatoes contain a small amount.

Read more about other common types of ceramides here:
Ceramide NP
Ceramide EOP

CeraVe Acne Control Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 10.

CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 11.

Learn more about Ceramide AP
5
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Ceramide EOP is a type of Ceramide. EOP stands for a linked Ester fatty acid, a linked Omega hydroxy fatty acid, and the Phytosphingosine base.

Ceramides are intercellular lipids naturally found in our skin that bonds dead skin cells together to create a barrier. They are known for their ability to hold water and thus are a great ingredient for dry skin.

Ceramides are an important building block for our skin barrier. A stronger barrier helps the skin look more firm and hydrated. By bolstering the skin ceramides act as a barrier against irritating ingredients. This can help with inflammation as well.

If you would like to eat ceramides, sweet potatoes contain a small amount.

Read more about other common types of ceramides here:
Ceramide AP
Ceramide NP

CeraVe Acne Control Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 11.

CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 12.

Learn more about Ceramide EOP
6
What it does: Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming
Community Rating: Disliked

Carbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create gel consistency within products.

Carbomer is commonly found in many types of cosmetics products. It is found to be safe in concentrations up to 15%. However, a high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Most products contain 1% of less of carbomer.

CeraVe Acne Control Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 12.

CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 13.

Learn more about Carbomer
7
What it does:
Community Rating: Mixed

Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.

In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.

Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.

"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.

CeraVe Acne Control Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 16.

CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 20.

Learn more about Sodium Hydroxide
8
What it does: Emulsifying

We don't have a description for Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate.

CeraVe Acne Control Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 17.

CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 19.

9
What it does: Emollient, Emulsifying, Skin Conditioning, Stabilising
Community Rating: Liked

Cholesterol is a class of organic molecules called lipids. It helps hydrate your skin and is essential to having a healthy skin barrier.

Our skin naturally contains cholesterol in the outermost layer. Besides cholesterol, it also contains ceramides and fatty acids. Cholesterol makes up about 1/4 of your skin's outer layer and barrier. Your skin barrier is responsible for keeping allergens and microbes out. Having a healthy skin barrier is also responsible for keeping your skin firm and plump.

Our bodies use cholestrol to create vitamin D, steroid hormones, and more.

CeraVe Acne Control Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 18.

CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 21.

Learn more about Cholesterol
10
What it does:
Community Rating: Disliked

Tetrasodium EDTA is the salt formed from neutralizing ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid with sodium hydroxide. It is a chelating agent and used to prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This helps keep the product and ingredients stable.

Tetrasodium EDTA comes as a white solid and is soluble in water.

CeraVe Acne Control Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 19.

CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 25.

Learn more about Tetrasodium EDTA
11
What it does: Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Disliked

Xanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.

On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.

Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.

CeraVe Acne Control Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 23.

CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 8.

Learn more about Xanthan Gum
12
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Mixed

Phytosphingosine is a phospholipid naturally found in our skin. It helps moisturize, soothe, and protect skin.

Phytosphingosine is already present in our skin. On our skin, it is a building block for ceramides.

Phytosphingosine tells our skin to increase its natural moisturizing factor (NMF). The NMF is responsible for hydration, a strong barrier, and plasticity. Our NMF decreases with age. Increasing NMF leads to more healthy and hydrated skin.

Studies show products formulated with NMF ingredients help strengthen our skin's barrier. Having a healthy skin barrier reduces irritation and increases hydration. Our skin barrier is responsible for having plump and firm skin. It also helps protect our skin against infection, allergies, and inflammation.

Phytosphingosine is also abundant in plants and fungi.

CeraVe Acne Control Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 25.

CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 27.

Learn more about Phytosphingosine
13
What it does: Masking, Preservative
Community Rating: Disliked

Benzoic Acid is used to preserve and adjust the pH of products.

The antimicrobial property of Benzoic Acid helps elongate a product's shelf life. Its main role is to reduce fungi growth and is not found to be effective at fighting bacteria. Therefore Benzoic Acid is always added along with other preservatives.

In its pure form, Benzoic Acid looks like a white crystalline solid. It has slight solubility in water.

The name of Benzoic Acid comes from gum benzoin, which used to be the sole source of deriving this ingredient. Benzoic Acid is the most simple aromatic carboxylic acid.

Benzoic Acid is naturally occuring in strawberries, mustard, cinnamon, and cloves. It has a slight scent but is not considered to be a fragrance.

CeraVe Acne Control Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 26.

CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 29.

Learn more about Benzoic Acid

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

38% are loved or liked
8% have mixed ratings
27% are disliked or very disliked
27% have no rating yet
34% are loved or liked
21% have mixed ratings
31% are disliked or very disliked
14% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

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Ratings

Here's what our community thinks

CeraVe Acne Control Cleanser 26 ingredients

Acne Control Cleanser hasn't been rated yet.
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CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser 29 ingredients

4.0 /5
My Holy Grail

am grateful for this cleanser , it literally told my acne not told babies, the best thing about this cleanser is that it does not dry out the skin unlike other BP cleansers, it gentle and very effective . also prevent future breakouts. if your dealing with acne especially hormonal acne , please try this

from ahgarther
I Can't See Any Result.

I am using it 3 month now. The good part is that I don't have any skin reaction. I have very sensitive skin that reacts to everything, but this been good so far. I use it as a mask as well somethimes, but there is no effect on my pimples at all.

from KristinKrilcheva_394

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