CeraVe Acne Control Cleanser - US Versus Cetaphil Dermacontrol Oil Absorbing Moisturizer SPF 30 - Sensitive & Oily Skin
Updated on March 24, 2025
Overview
Cool Features
They both contain ceramides
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, oils, parabens or sulfates
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
CeraVe Acne Control Cleanser 27 ingredients
Cetaphil Dermacontrol Oil Absorbing Moisturizer SPF 30 - Sensitive & Oily Skin 29 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
CeraVe Acne Control Cleanser 27 ingredients
Cetaphil Dermacontrol Oil Absorbing Moisturizer SPF 30 - Sensitive & Oily Skin 29 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Ingredients Side-by-side
Salicylic Acid 2%
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingGlycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing
PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate
Emulsifying
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCalcium Gluconate
HumectantTriethyl Citrate
Masking
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingCholesterol
Emollient
Tetrasodium EDTA
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHectorite
AbsorbentPhytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Salicylic Acid 2%, Water, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Gluconolactone, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Carbomer, Calcium Gluconate, Triethyl Citrate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Cholesterol, Tetrasodium EDTA, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Xanthan Gum, Hectorite, Phytosphingosine, Benzoic Acid
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 7%
UV Absorber
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Absorbent
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Diisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientDimethicone
Emollient
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
Glycerin
Humectant
Glycyrrhetinic Acid
Skin ConditioningIsopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Polymethyl Methacrylate
Polysorbate 61
Emulsifying
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Silica
Abrasive
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingSucrose Tristearate
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Triethanolamine
BufferingWater
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingZinc Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 7%, Allantoin, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Caprylyl Glycol, Carbomer, Ceramide NP, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Dimethicone, Dimethiconol, Disodium EDTA, Glycerin, Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Isopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Panthenol, Pentylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Polysorbate 61, Potassium Sorbate, Silica, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Sucrose Tristearate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Triethanolamine, Water, Xanthan Gum, Zinc Gluconate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against 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, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinCeramide NP is a 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
Learn more about Ceramide NPCarbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create a gel consistency.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolXanthan 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.
Learn more about Xanthan GumIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
CeraVe Acne Control Cleanser 27 ingredients
Cetaphil Dermacontrol Oil Absorbing Moisturizer SPF 30 - Sensitive & Oily Skin 29 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
CeraVe Acne Control Cleanser 27 ingredients
I don't know what magic the people at cerave put in this cleanser but damn!, it clears my skin and prevent new acne from forming, if you have sensitive skin then be careful because it contains a high percentage of salicylic acid (2%) so don't leave it on your face for too long ,personally my sweet spot is 60 to 90 seconds , anything more than 90 seconds will irritate my skin and cause redness and Show more
Cetaphil Dermacontrol Oil Absorbing Moisturizer SPF 30 - Sensitive & Oily Skin 29 ingredients
burns my eyes, feels just as greasy as other sunscreens and broke me out
Didn’t feel any less oily than any regular sunscreen.
