CeraVe Acne Control Cleanser Versus Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash With Salicylic Acid - Fragrance
Updated on February 03, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe face cleansers. They have a total of 4 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain BHA
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, oils, parabens, silicones or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain fragrances
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
Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash With Salicylic Acid 19 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
CeraVe Acne Control Cleanser 27 ingredients
Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash With Salicylic Acid 19 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Salicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is one of the most well-known ingredients for treating skin that struggles with blackheads and acne. It helps to exfoliate both the skin's surface and pores, and also acts as an anti-inflammatory agent.
This multitasking property makes it a great ingredient for cleaning out pores, controlling oil production, and reducing inflammation.
Unlike AHAs which are water soluble, Salicylic Acid is oil soluble. This means that it's able to exfoliate the inside of pores and reduce blackheads.
Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.
It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing a Salicylic Acid into your routine.
In general, Salicylic Acid is a great ingredient for oily acne-prone skin.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun-sensitivity, we still recommend wearing SPF.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic AcidWater. 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 GlycerinSodium 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.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
CeraVe Acne Control Cleanser 27 ingredients
Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash With Salicylic Acid 19 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
Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash With Salicylic Acid 19 ingredients
I used this in 2023 and didnt change my facial cleanser to Cetaphil until March of 2024, but this one did nothing for my acne at all.
Only silver lining is that my acne didn't get worse from using it. Only after changing to Cetaphil did my acne clear up, now all i have left is some red spots here and there and a bit of hyperpigmentation.
I'd only recommend this to people that already have Show more