Paula's Choice RESIST Advanced Smoothing Treatment 10% AHA Versus CeraVe SA Cream for Rough & Bumpy Skin
Updated on February 03, 2025
Overview
Cool Features
They both contain BHA and ceramides
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
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
Paula's Choice RESIST Advanced Smoothing Treatment 10% AHA 34 ingredients
CeraVe SA Cream for Rough & Bumpy Skin 29 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
Paula's Choice RESIST Advanced Smoothing Treatment 10% AHA 34 ingredients
CeraVe SA Cream for Rough & Bumpy Skin 29 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Glycerin
Humectant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingMalic Acid
Buffering
Tartaric Acid
Buffering
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Ng
Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Punica Granatum Extract
AstringentLycium Barbarum Fruit Extract
AstringentVitis Vinifera Seed Extract
Antimicrobial
Sambucus Nigra Fruit Extract
AstringentCamellia Oleifera Leaf
MaskingChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Peucedanum Graveolens Extract
TonicAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingBisabolol
Masking
Polyquaternium-10
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Sodium Bicarbonate
Abrasive
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycolic Acid, Glycerin, Lactic Acid, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Malic Acid, Tartaric Acid, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Ceramide Ng, Salicylic Acid, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Punica Granatum Extract, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Sambucus Nigra Fruit Extract, Camellia Oleifera Leaf, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Peucedanum Graveolens Extract, Allantoin, Adenosine, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Bisabolol, Polyquaternium-10, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Bicarbonate, Sodium Hydroxide, Aminomethyl Propanol, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Paraffinum Liquidum
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Triethanolamine
BufferingSalicylic Acid
Masking
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Ammonium Lactate
BufferingBehentrimonium Methosulfate
PEG-100 Stearate
Zea Mays Oil
Emulsifying
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDimethicone
Emollient
Methylparaben
Preservative
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingCholecalciferol
Cholesterol
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Disodium EDTA
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Propylparaben
Preservative
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingWater, Glycerin, Paraffinum Liquidum, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Triethanolamine, Salicylic Acid, Niacinamide, Cetyl Alcohol, Ammonium Lactate, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, PEG-100 Stearate, Zea Mays Oil, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Carbomer, Dimethicone, Methylparaben, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Cholecalciferol, Cholesterol, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA, Tocopherol, Propylparaben, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Phytosphingosine, Xanthan Gum
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 WaterGlycerin 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 GlycerinSalicylic 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 AcidXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan GumCarbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create a gel consistency.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
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.
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Paula's Choice RESIST Advanced Smoothing Treatment 10% AHA 34 ingredients
CeraVe SA Cream for Rough & Bumpy Skin 29 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Paula's Choice RESIST Advanced Smoothing Treatment 10% AHA 34 ingredients
CeraVe SA Cream for Rough & Bumpy Skin 29 ingredients
I think the marketing on this product is a little bit ambiguous, because some people may think it's targeted for healing acne as it says "for rough and bumpy skin", but it's actually a very thick cream that will break you out for sure.
I'm not saying it's bad at all, but I would never use it on my face. As many other users have said, It's a great body moisturizer that works wonders on rough Show more
Amazing Product for Dry, Cracked and Flaky Skin
This is a holy grail for me in terms of bodycare. When I first bought, I was thinking in using it as a regular BHA moisturizer for my face and body acne, but this is not what this product is good for. The exfoliation power is too strong and the consistency is too tick for a regular moisturizer. Instead, I found it absolutely amazing for my feet (very Show more
