Explore Routine Login

Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Proactiv Repair Repairing Treatment versus CeraVe Acne Control Gel .

Last updated on July 18, 2023. Published on July 30, 2023

Overview

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, sensitive skin and scar healing

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens or oils

What's Inside

They both contain fragrances

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

General Moisturizer American Brand United States
Facial Treatment Canadian Brand Canada

General Moisturizer

All-purpose moisturizers hydrate the top layer of skin cells.

Facial Treatment

Facial treatments are specially designed to treat a skin concern. Acne treatments and anti-aging products are common examples of facial treatments.

Price

Shop

Buy Repair Repairing Treatment

Starts at $25.00
Shop

Buy Acne Control Gel

Starts at $16.01

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

Benzoyl Peroxide

Benefits

Redness Reducing
Reduces Irritation (2)
Scar Healing
Acne Fighting

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin (2)
Acne Trigger
Irritating (2)
Rosacea (2)
Eczema (5)

Notable Ingredients

AHA (2)
BHA
Niacinamide
Ceramides (3)
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

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

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin
Acne Trigger
Irritating (3)
Rosacea (3)
Eczema (3)
Join our community

Build your routine, track which ingredients work for you, and much more with your free account.

Join SkinSort

Ingredients Side-by-side

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

Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are

Loading ingredients...

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: Emollient, Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Cetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.

Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.

Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.

This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.

Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.

Learn more about Cetearyl Alcohol

Proactiv Repair Repairing Treatment contains this as ingredient number 6.

CeraVe Acne Control Gel contains this as ingredient number 12.

2
What it does: Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Disliked

Xanthan 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 Gum

Proactiv Repair Repairing Treatment contains this as ingredient number 12.

CeraVe Acne Control Gel contains this as ingredient number 22.

3
What it does: Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming
Community Rating: Disliked

Carbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create gel consistency within products.

Carbomer is commonly found in many types of cosmetics products. It is found to be safe in concentrations up to 15%. However, a high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Most products contain 1% of less of carbomer.

Proactiv Repair Repairing Treatment contains this as ingredient number 14.

CeraVe Acne Control Gel contains this as ingredient number 11.

4
What it does: Buffering
Community Rating: Mixed

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 Hydroxide

Proactiv Repair Repairing Treatment contains this as ingredient number 15.

CeraVe Acne Control Gel contains this as ingredient number 4.

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

11% are loved or liked
11% have mixed ratings
79% are disliked or very disliked
0% have no rating yet
58% are loved or liked
4% have mixed ratings
33% are disliked or very disliked
4% have no rating yet

Usage

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

When to use

Loading routine usage...
Loading routine usage...

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Proactiv Repair Repairing Treatment 19 ingredients

1.0 /5
from 1 rating

CeraVe Acne Control Gel 24 ingredients

3.4 /5
from 5 ratings
Absorbs Well (1) Great Value (1) Light (1) No Scent (1) Works Well (1)
ab666's avatar

ab666

7 months ago · Unsure Skin
Review

help
I don't know what exactly happened, whether I mixed it with other products whose ingredients didn't go well with those in this gel, but this...

help
I don't know what exactly happened, whether I mixed it with other products whose ingredients didn't go well with those in this gel, but this thing made my skin purge. I might have overused it as well, since I know nothing about skincare, though nonetheless it made my skin angry after one use. Just not for me.

Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 27 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Proactiv Repair Repairing Treatment.

See 27 alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 32 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to CeraVe Acne Control Gel.

See 32 alternatives
Loading similar comparisons...