Versus

CeraVe SA Smoothing Cleanser - Germany Versus Anua Heartleaf Quercetinol Pore Deep Cleansing Foam

Face Cleanser
Face Cleanser
American Brand United States
Korean Brand South Korea

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 BHA and hyaluronic acid

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing and dark spots

Free From

They both do not contain any 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

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
Heartleaf Quercetinol Pore Deep Cleansing Foam

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

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
Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

Glycerin 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 Glycerin

Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.

It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.

Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.

Learn more about Disodium EDTA
Humectant, Skin Conditioning

Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid is a form of hyaluronic acid. It is created by the hydrolysis of hyaluronic acid with a high molecular weight. Once created, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid has a low molecular weight.

Low molecular weight HA has been shown to hydrate and increase elasticity of the skin. Increasing elasticity is also associated with reduction of wrinkle depth.

One study found topical low molecular weight hyaluronic acid may be considered for the treatment of rosacea in the adult population. However, we always recommend speaking with a professional about your skin concerns.

Hyaluronic acids are a humectant. This means they draw moisture from the air. Hyaluronic acids help moisturize, soothe, and protect the skin.

Read more about other common forms of hyaluronic acid:

Learn more about Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Skin Conditioning

Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.

You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.

When to use

28 Routines
46% use in am
54% use in pm
93% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
3,415 Routines
39% use in am
61% use in pm
93% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

CeraVe SA Smoothing Cleanser 24 ingredients

3.2 /5
from 29 ratings
Irritating (9) Broke Me Out (9) Works Well (8)
aadeller's avatar

aadeller

11 months ago
Review

Favorite exfoliating cleanser, not for everyday use though, I made this mistake and damaged my skin barrier

hannac's avatar

Hanna

6 months ago
Review

after: so smooth, very clean, smaller pores but no daily cleanser, strong, very drying, too strong for my face rn, only if needed will buy again

#great value
#drying
#light
#no scent

Anua Heartleaf Quercetinol Pore Deep Cleansing Foam 40 ingredients

3.1 /5
from 41 ratings
Broke Me Out (15) Works Well (14) Irritating (10)
miyaken's avatar

waterlover

5 months ago
Review

ive been using this cleanser for a week and so far, its working well for me. at first, i hesitated because of the mixed reviews i saw online, but im glad i tried it. its reduced the sebaceous filaments on my chin, though it hasnt fully cleared the blackheads on my nose. maybe with more time, it will, or it might just not be meant for that.

after each use, my skin feels soft and clean. its also Show more

saranyberg's avatar

Sara Nyberg

5 months ago
Review

Broke me out bad and gave med deeply rooted cystic acne

#broke me out