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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of CeraVe SA Smoothing Cleanser Australia versus Dermalogica Breakout Clearing Foaming Wash .

Last updated on December 19, 2023. Published on September 14, 2021

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, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores and scar healing

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 need an update? Let us know.

Face Cleanser Canadian Brand Canada
Face Cleanser American Brand United States

Face Cleanser

Face cleansers are used to remove makeup, dead skin cells, pollutants, oil, dirt, and/or clean out pores on the skin. Face cleansers may specialize in having one function (exa. just removing makeup) or may have multiple functions (exa. Removing makeup and cleaning pores).

Face Cleanser

Face cleansers are used to remove makeup, dead skin cells, pollutants, oil, dirt, and/or clean out pores on the skin. Face cleansers may specialize in having one function (exa. just removing makeup) or may have multiple functions (exa. Removing makeup and cleaning pores).

Price

Shop

Buy SA Smoothing Cleanser

Starts at $24.99
Shop

Buy Breakout Clearing Foaming Wash

Starts at $19.50

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

BHA
PHA
Niacinamide
Ceramides (3)
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating (5)
Good For Oily Skin (2)
Redness Reducing (5)
Reduces Irritation (3)
Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores (2)
Anti-Aging (4)
Dark Spots
Scar Healing
Acne Fighting (2)
Brightening (3)

Concerns

Drying
Irritating
Rosacea
Eczema

Notable Ingredients

BHA

Benefits

Good For Oily Skin (3)
Redness Reducing
Reduces Irritation
Reduces Large Pores (2)
Anti-Aging
Scar Healing
Acne Fighting (2)
Brightening

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin
Irritating
Rosacea
Eczema (2)
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Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

1
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

CeraVe SA Smoothing Cleanser Australia contains this as ingredient number 1.

Dermalogica Breakout Clearing Foaming Wash contains this as ingredient number 2.

2
What it does: Masking, Preservative, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

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

CeraVe SA Smoothing Cleanser Australia contains this as ingredient number 14.

Dermalogica Breakout Clearing Foaming Wash contains this as ingredient number 1.

3
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and 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.

CeraVe SA Smoothing Cleanser Australia contains this as ingredient number 18.

Dermalogica Breakout Clearing Foaming Wash contains this as ingredient number 20.

4
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Mixed

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.

CeraVe SA Smoothing Cleanser Australia contains this as ingredient number 24.

Dermalogica Breakout Clearing Foaming Wash contains this as ingredient number 19.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

50% are loved or liked
4% have mixed ratings
42% are disliked or very disliked
4% have no rating yet
20% are loved or liked
20% have mixed ratings
30% are disliked or very disliked
30% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

CeraVe SA Smoothing Cleanser 24 ingredients

3.7 /5
from 11 reviews
Samantha_628's Avatar'
Dec 22, 2023

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...

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 recommend!

Light
No Scent
Works Well
Region: Australia
Hubayobi's Avatar'
Dec 9, 2023

Doing the job!
I use this cleanser daily, and for my oily skin it’s been amazing and it’s affordable. Cleansing the face good and doesn’t dry out the skin. Just doing what it needs to. Recommend for acne prone skin.

Doing the job!
I use this cleanser daily, and for my oily skin it’s been amazing and it’s affordable. Cleansing the face good and doesn’t dry out the skin. Just doing what it needs to. Recommend for acne prone skin.

Great Value
No Scent
Works Well
Region: Australia
Kanwar's Avatar'
Aug 4, 2023

This cleanser cleanses your skin using 0.5 salicylic which cleans your pores really well without disrupting or damaging your skin barrier

This cleanser cleanses your skin using 0.5 salicylic which cleans your pores really well without disrupting or damaging your skin barrier

Region: Australia

Dermalogica Breakout Clearing Foaming Wash 20 ingredients

1.0 /5
from 1 review
JessicaAllen's Avatar'
Apr 25, 2024

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

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

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