Differin Acne Clearing Body Scrub Versus CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Wash
Updated on February 03, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 5 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain AHA
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 harsh alcohols, common allergens, parabens or silicones
What's Inside
They both contain fragrances
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
Differin Acne Clearing Body Scrub 34 ingredients
CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Wash 29 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Differin Acne Clearing Body Scrub 34 ingredients
CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Wash 29 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Acrylates Copolymer
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Coco-Betaine
CleansingCoconut Acid
Cleansing
Disodium EDTA
Parfum
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Glycol Distearate
Emollient
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingKaolin
Abrasive
Laureth-4
Emulsifying
Lauroyl/Myristoyl Methyl Glucamide
EmollientMannitol
HumectantMicrocrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentOlive Oil PEG-8 Esters
Emollient
Paraffin
Perfuming
Polyquaternium-39
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Silica
Abrasive
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Sulfate
Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Ultramarines
Water
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid, Acrylates Copolymer, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Butylene Glycol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Coco-Betaine, Coconut Acid, Disodium EDTA, Parfum, Glycerin, Glycol Distearate, Glycolic Acid, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Kaolin, Laureth-4, Lauroyl/Myristoyl Methyl Glucamide, Mannitol, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Olive Oil PEG-8 Esters, Paraffin, Polyquaternium-39, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Retinyl Palmitate, Silica, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Sulfate, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ultramarines, Water
Benzoyl Peroxide 10%
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
CleansingSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingNiacinamide
Smoothing
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Trideceth-6
EmulsifyingTriethyl Citrate
Masking
Sodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingCholesterol
Emollient
Propanediol
SolventTetrasodium EDTA
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientDiethylhexyl Sodium Sulfosuccinate
CleansingPhytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingBenzoic Acid
Masking
PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Emulsifying
Benzoyl Peroxide 10%, Water, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Potassium Hydroxide, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Carbomer, Niacinamide, Glycolic Acid, Trideceth-6, Triethyl Citrate, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Cholesterol, Propanediol, Tetrasodium EDTA, Caprylyl Glycol, Diethylhexyl Sodium Sulfosuccinate, Phytosphingosine, Xanthan Gum, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Benzoic Acid, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 GlycerinGlycolic Acid is arguably the most famous AHA with a ton of research to back up its benefits.
Its main role is to remove the top layer of dead skin cells, allowing newer skin cells to emerge.
Specifically, AHAs work by breaking down the structural "glue" holding the old skin cells in place. Getting rid of the old skin cells allows skin to regenerate newer skin cells in its place. A build up of dead skin cells can lead to tired and dull looking skin.
Due to this, glycolic acid helps with:
Fun fact: Glycolic acid increases skin hydration by playing a role in creating molecules that create hyaluronic acid naturally.
When starting glycolic Acid, it is normal to feel slight stinging.
The pH value and concentration of glycolic acid play a role in the effectiveness of the product. Concentrations between 5-20% glycolic acid have been shown to be effective in clinical studies.
Recent studies have shown Glycolic Acid may protect the skin against UV damage. However, you should always wear SPF, especially when using exfoliants.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Glycolic AcidSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate is a cleansing agent made from a mixture of long chain sulfonate salts. It can also help produce foam.
This ingredient may be drying. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWater. 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
Differin Acne Clearing Body Scrub 34 ingredients
CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Wash 29 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Differin Acne Clearing Body Scrub 34 ingredients
CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Wash 29 ingredients
Use with caution, this is the newer 10% benzoyl peroxide instead of the 4%. It helped as spot treatment when I had a hormonal breakout and brightened my skin. However, it really irritated my skin and dried it out if I used it for my whole face. At night, my skin felt very tight and tingly with a burning sensation. I used this along with the CeRave moisturizer, listening to people who put these Show more
