CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Wash Versus Cetaphil Gentle Clear Complexion Clearing Acne Cleanser
Updated on February 03, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe face cleansers. They have a total of 5 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain benzoyl peroxide
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin and dark spots
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, oils, parabens, silicones 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 Foaming Cream Wash 29 ingredients
Cetaphil Gentle Clear Complexion Clearing Acne Cleanser 15 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Wash 29 ingredients
Cetaphil Gentle Clear Complexion Clearing Acne Cleanser 15 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Benzoyl Peroxide 10%
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingNiacinamide
Smoothing
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Trideceth-6
EmulsifyingTriethyl Citrate
Masking
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingCholesterol
Emollient
Propanediol
SolventTetrasodium EDTA
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientDiethylhexyl Sodium Sulfosuccinate
CleansingPhytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingBenzoic Acid
Masking
PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Emulsifying
Benzoyl Peroxide 10%, Water, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Potassium Hydroxide, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Carbomer, Niacinamide, Glycolic Acid, Trideceth-6, Triethyl Citrate, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Cholesterol, Propanediol, Tetrasodium EDTA, Caprylyl Glycol, Diethylhexyl Sodium Sulfosuccinate, Phytosphingosine, Xanthan Gum, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Benzoic Acid, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Benzoyl Peroxide is famous for fighting acne. This is because it does a variety of tasks on the skin: it helps reduce excess oil, kill bacteria, and clear out dead skin cells. In other words, it is effective at unclogging pores.
These properties make it great at fighting different types of acne, including cystic and inflammatory types of acne.
When targeting the bacteria in your pores, Benzoyl Peroxide has been shown to kill the bacteria without causing sensitivity. It also helps keep your skin's natural bacteria and biome balanced. Having a healthy biome protects your skin from external harmful factors.
Once Benzoyl Peroxide is absorbed into the skin, our bodies turn it into benzoic acid and quickly exits in urine.
When using Benzoyl Peroxide, it may be irritating for some people due to a variety of reasons, such as a broken skin barrier or just an allergic reaction. We recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient if you have concerns.
Learn more about Benzoyl PeroxideWater. 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 C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate is a cleansing agent made from a mixture of long chain sulfonate salts. It can also help produce foam.
This ingredient may be drying. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
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.
Learn more about Xanthan GumIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Wash 29 ingredients
Cetaphil Gentle Clear Complexion Clearing Acne Cleanser 15 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Wash 29 ingredients
Use with caution, this is the newer 10% benzoyl peroxide instead of the 4%. It helped as spot treatment when I had a hormonal breakout and brightened my skin. However, it really irritated my skin and dried it out if I used it for my whole face. At night, my skin felt very tight and tingly with a burning sensation. I used this along with the CeRave moisturizer, listening to people who put these Show more
Cetaphil Gentle Clear Complexion Clearing Acne Cleanser 15 ingredients
I have sensitive skin and dry skin and this has resulted in very nasty big pimples to appear on my cheeks. I could see it working for some as it is labeled for sensitive skin but has so far left my skin feeling more dry with the added pimples. There is also this weird consistency with the cleanser that almost feels like its scratching my face.
