Versus

CeraVe Hydrating Cream-To-Foam Cleanser - USA Versus Nivea Acne Repair Gentle Micro Cleanser - Asia

Face Cleanser
Face Cleanser
American Brand
German Brand

Updated on February 03, 2025

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe face cleansers. They have a total of 6 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain BHA and hyaluronic acid

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

What's Inside

They both contain fragrances and 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

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant 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

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Hydrating Cream-To-Foam Cleanser

Water

Skin Conditioning

Glycerin

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate

Cleansing
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Coco-Betaine

Cleansing

Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate

Cleansing

Sodium Chloride

Masking
Can worsen Dry Skin IconBad for Acne Prone Skin IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

PCA

Humectant
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

PPG-5-Ceteth-20

Emulsifying

PEG-100 Stearate

0 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate

Emulsifying
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides

Emulsifying

PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate

Emulsifying
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

CI 77891

Cosmetic Colorant

Aspartic Acid

Masking
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Ceramide NP

Skin Conditioning
Ceramide IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

Ceramide AP

Skin Conditioning
Ceramide IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

Ceramide EOP

Skin Conditioning
Ceramide IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

Sorbitan Isostearate

Emulsifying
1-2 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Carbomer

Emulsion Stabilising
1 / 0

Glycol Distearate

Emollient
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Glyceryl Stearate

Emollient
1 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Glyceryl Oleate

Emollient
Fragrance IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Glycine

Buffering
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Trideceth-6

Emulsifying

Cetearyl Alcohol

Emollient
2 / 1 Fatty Alcohol IconMay worsen Oily Skin IconBad for Acne Prone Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Behentrimonium Methosulfate

Sulfate Icon

Threonine

Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Sodium Hydroxide

Buffering

Salicylic Acid

Masking
BHA IconPreservative IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps fight Acne IconHelps brighten skin IconCan worsen Dry Skin IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Sodium PCA

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation Icon

Sodium Lactate

Buffering

Arginine

Masking
Good for Scar Healing IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate

Emulsifying

Serine

Masking
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Sodium Benzoate

Masking
Preservative Icon

Valine

Masking

Sodium Hyaluronate

Humectant
0 / 0 Hyaluronic Acid IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Proline

Skin Conditioning

Isoleucine

Skin Conditioning

Cholesterol

Emollient
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Phenoxyethanol

Preservative
Preservative Icon

Alanine

Masking

Phenylalanine

Masking
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Coconut Acid

Cleansing
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Coco-Glucoside

Cleansing

Chlorphenesin

Antimicrobial
Preservative Icon

Disodium EDTA

Hydroxyethyl Urea

Humectant
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Citric Acid

Buffering
AHA IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer

Emulsion Stabilising

Caprylyl Glycol

Emollient

Phytosphingosine

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation Icon

Xanthan Gum

Emulsifying

Histidine

Humectant
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer

Emulsion Stabilising

Polyquaternium-53

Polyquaternium-39

Polysorbate 60

Emulsifying
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Ethylhexylglycerin

Skin Conditioning

Benzoic Acid

Masking
Preservative IconMay worsen Eczema Icon

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Masking, Buffering

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 Acid
Preservative

Phenoxyethanol 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.

Masking, Preservative, Skin Conditioning

Salicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is a well-known ingredient for treating skin that struggles with acne and clogged pores. It exfoliates both the skin's surface and deep within the pores to help clear out buildup, control oil, and reduce inflammation.

Unlike AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble. This allows it to penetrate into pores which makes it especially effective for treating blackheads and preventing future breakouts.

Salicylic acid is also known for its soothing properties. It has a similar structure to aspirin and can calm inflamed or irritated skin, making it a good option for acne-prone skin that is also sensitive.

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 this ingredient into your routine.

While salicylic acid does not increase sun sensitivity, it’s still important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your skin.

If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.

Learn more about Salicylic Acid
Masking

Chances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt.

This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.

You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.

There is much debate on whether this ingredient is comedogenic. The short answer - comedogenic ratings don't tell the whole story. Learn more about comegodenic ratings here.

The concensus about this ingredient causing acne seems to be divided. Research is needed to understand if this ingredient does cause acne.

Scrubs may use salt as the primary exfoliating ingredient.

Learn more about Sodium Chloride
Humectant, Skin Conditioning

Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.

Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.

Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.

These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:

Learn more about Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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 Water

When to use

2,351 Routines
44% use in am
56% use in pm
97% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
8 Routines
38% use in am
63% use in pm
100% use every day

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

3.30
Overall rating
5
4
3
2
1
What people say
Works Well 50% Great Value 38% Drying 38%
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