Cetaphil Acne Relief Body Wash Versus CeraVe Cleanser for Psoriasis Treatment with Salicylic Acid
Updated on February 03, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 8 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain AHA and BHA
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, dark spots and better texture
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
Cetaphil Acne Relief Body Wash 21 ingredients
CeraVe Cleanser for Psoriasis Treatment with Salicylic Acid 37 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
Cetaphil Acne Relief Body Wash 21 ingredients
CeraVe Cleanser for Psoriasis Treatment with Salicylic Acid 37 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Salicylic Acid 2%
Masking
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Glycerin
Humectant
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Soybean Oil
Emollient
Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Lauric Acid
Cleansing
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Lauroyl Glycinate
CleansingSodium Lauroyl Isethionate
CleansingStearic Acid
Cleansing
Tetrasodium EDTA
Water
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid 2%, Benzyl Alcohol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycerin, Glycine Soja Oil, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Lactic Acid, Lauric Acid, Palmitic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Lauroyl Glycinate, Sodium Lauroyl Isethionate, Stearic Acid, Tetrasodium EDTA, Water
Salicylic Acid 2%
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Capryl/Capramidopropyl Betaine
CleansingUrea
Buffering
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Shea Butteramidopropyl Betaine
CleansingPEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate
Emulsifying
Laureth-9
EmulsifyingSodium Lactate
BufferingNiacinamide
Smoothing
Ethoxydiglycol
HumectantSodium Chloride
Masking
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
C12-13 Alkyl Lactate
EmollientCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSaccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Calcium Gluconate
HumectantSodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingCholesterol
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Disodium EDTA
Tetrasodium EDTA
Citric Acid
Buffering
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBenzoic Acid
Masking
Salicylic Acid 2%, Water, Glycerin, Capryl/Capramidopropyl Betaine, Urea, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Shea Butteramidopropyl Betaine, PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate, Laureth-9, Sodium Lactate, Niacinamide, Ethoxydiglycol, Sodium Chloride, Gluconolactone, C12-13 Alkyl Lactate, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Carbomer, Saccharide Isomerate, Glycolic Acid, Calcium Gluconate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Cholesterol, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA, Tetrasodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Lactic Acid, Phytosphingosine, Xanthan Gum, Hexylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Benzoic Acid
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 AcidGlycerin 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 GlycerinLactic Acid is an AHA that is derived from fermenting lactose, a carbohydrate from milk. It removes the top layer of old and dead skin cells and helps increase cell turnover.
Benefits of Lactic Acid are that it can help to reduce large pores and reduce the effects of aging. Some potential downsides are that it can be bad for dry skin, cause irritation, worsen eczema, and worsen rosacea.
Not only does it help exfoliate the skin, it helps strengthen the skin's barrier. When applied, lactic acid helps the skin create ceramides.
Lactic acid is an over-the-counter chemical exfoliant that comes from the fermentation of lactose — a carbohydrate found in milk.
Legend has it that Cleopatra used to bathe in sour milk to help reduce wrinkles.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Lactic AcidPhenoxyethanol 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.
Sodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateChances 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 ChlorideTetrasodium EDTA is the salt formed from neutralizing ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid with sodium hydroxide. It is a chelating agent and used to prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This helps keep the product and ingredients stable.
Tetrasodium EDTA comes as a white solid and is soluble in water.
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 WaterIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Cetaphil Acne Relief Body Wash 21 ingredients
CeraVe Cleanser for Psoriasis Treatment with Salicylic Acid 37 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Cetaphil Acne Relief Body Wash 21 ingredients
This is a cream formula and doesn’t lather at all. I just apply it to my upper back after using body wash to prevent breakouts. It will dry your skin out a bit because of the SA, so I use a light lotion after. The big downside is it smells horrible. I’m used to using fragrance-free products but this smells like straight chemicals.
CeraVe Cleanser for Psoriasis Treatment with Salicylic Acid 37 ingredients
Great gentle cleanser
I woke up one morning with the skin below my, and in my eye sockets inflamed and itchy. I tried a number of other OTC treatments and this and its accompanying Psoriasis Lotion were able to calm the raging pain and itch. When this happens, it usually takes my skin forever to heal. Within 24 hours, the rash stopped spreading, and it went away within 3 days. I’m a believer, Show more
