Versus

CeraVe SA Smoothing Cleanser - Australia Versus Dermalogica Breakout Clearing Foaming Wash

Face Cleanser
Face Cleanser
American Brand United States
American Brand United States

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, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin and reducing pores

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, 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

About this product

About this product

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

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
Masking, Preservative, Skin Conditioning

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 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.

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

1,889 Routines
42% use in am
58% use in pm
93% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
101 Routines
39% use in am
61% use in pm
95% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

CeraVe SA Smoothing Cleanser 24 ingredients

3.1 /5
from 28 ratings
Broke Me Out (9) Irritating (9) Drying (8)
Samantha_628's avatar

Samantha_628

1 year ago
Review

Unbelievably good! I used this last night and it made my very sensitive skin quite red. However I need a cleanser to deal with my clogged pores and was reassured by the beneficial skin barrier ingredients. I also followed it with a soothing toner and lots of ceramides. Woke up and the redness is gone, and my clogged pores are visibly faded. Overnight! No new little breakouts, either. Highly Show more

#light
#no scent
#works well
Nero's avatar

Nero

12 months ago
Review

Broke me out for months on end

#broke me out
#irritating
#sticky
#doesn't work

Dermalogica Breakout Clearing Foaming Wash 20 ingredients

3.0 /5
from 2 ratings
Drying (1)
JessicaAllen's avatar

JessicaAllen

1 year ago
Review

I found this very drying for my combination skin, used with the oil free moisturiser from the same range I found my skin was tight and itchy, making me want to touch my skin and scratch it

#drying
marycatehamele's avatar

Mary Cate Hamele

4 months ago
Review

Love this product!! Makes my acne go away and it has such amazing ingredients to make my skin feel great after.