CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser - US Versus Garnier Pure Active Intensive 3 in 1 Charcoal Blackhead Mask Wash Scrub
Updated on April 21, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe face cleansers. They have a total of 7 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, dry skin, brightening skin, oily skin and reducing pores
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, oils, parabens or silicones
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 Foaming Cream Cleanser 28 ingredients
Garnier Pure Active Intensive 3 in 1 Charcoal Blackhead Mask Wash Scrub 26 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 Foaming Cream Cleanser 28 ingredients
Garnier Pure Active Intensive 3 in 1 Charcoal Blackhead Mask Wash Scrub 26 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Benzoyl Peroxide 4%
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingNiacinamide
Smoothing
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCholesterol
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Propanediol
SolventCitric Acid
Buffering
Tetrasodium EDTA
Diethylhexyl Sodium Sulfosuccinate
CleansingPhytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBenzoic Acid
Masking
Benzoyl Peroxide 4%, Water, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Hydroxide, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Carbomer, Niacinamide, Glycolic Acid, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Sodium Hydroxide, Cholesterol, Phenoxyethanol, Propanediol, Citric Acid, Tetrasodium EDTA, Diethylhexyl Sodium Sulfosuccinate, Phytosphingosine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Benzoic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningKaolin
Abrasive
Glycerin
Humectant
Zea Mays Starch
AbsorbentDecyl Glucoside
CleansingPerlite
AbsorbentCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
Emulsifying
PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Emulsifying
Zinc Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Trideceth-6
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPumice
Abrasive
Charcoal Powder
Abrasive
Tetrasodium EDTA
Citric Acid
Buffering
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolyglycerin-10
HumectantPolyglyceryl-10 Myristate
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin Conditioning
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Water, Kaolin, Glycerin, Zea Mays Starch, Decyl Glucoside, Perlite, CI 77499, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Zinc Gluconate, Trideceth-6, Sodium Hydroxide, Pumice, Charcoal Powder, Tetrasodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Xanthan Gum, Polyglycerin-10, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Salicylic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum
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 GlycerinXanthan 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 GumSodium 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 HydroxidePhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and even out skin tone.
If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidTetrasodium 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.
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser 28 ingredients
Garnier Pure Active Intensive 3 in 1 Charcoal Blackhead Mask Wash Scrub 26 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser 28 ingredients
Doesn’t irritate and actually helps my acne without drying me out.
Helped me fight my acne very well. I’ve been using only it for at least 3 months, and besides some occasional pimples, (I’m 13 and already have oily skin and hair), it’s been very effective.
Garnier Pure Active Intensive 3 in 1 Charcoal Blackhead Mask Wash Scrub 26 ingredients
Never again.
Besides the very strong smell, it left my skin (combination) extremely irritated.
absolutely not
Dried my skin and caused breakouts. So much happier after switching.
