CeraVe
Acne Control Cleanser
face gel cleanser
CeraVe
face gel cleanser
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Fit by skin type
General, ingredient-based — not your personalized match.
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| SALICYLIC ACID | 2% |
CeraVe is the #1 dermatologist-recommended cleanser brand for acne, and our Acne Control Cleanser with 2% salicylic acid is formulated to clear acne, reduce blackheads and improve the appearance of pores, while purifying clay helps absorb excess oil. Featuring Oil-Absorbing Technology to minimize visible shine, this refreshing, gel-to-foam salicylic acid cleanser effectively removes dirt and excess oil, gently exfoliates and penetrates clogged pores to help prevent new acne breakouts. Acne Control Cleanser also maintains the skin’s protective barrier with 3 essential ceramides, calms the skin with niacinamide and reduces acne while leaving the skin soft, smooth and hydrated.
Acne Control Cleanser is a lightweight gel cleanser from CeraVe, a brand based in USA. The formula is built mainly around hydration. The ingredient list runs to 27 ingredients, each broken down in full below.
By its ingredient list the formula reads as light: water and humectants lead, with emollients kept lower in the order. Hydration is handled by Glycerin, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid and Water, humectants that pull water into the upper layers of skin rather than sealing it there.
Hydration: High. Ingredients that pull and hold water in the upper layers of skin, and here that comes from Glycerin, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Water and Gluconolactone.
Oil control: Moderate. Ingredients that moderate sebum or absorb shine, and here that comes from Salicylic Acid, Niacinamide, Triethyl Citrate and Hectorite.
Cell renewal: Moderate. Retinoids, acids and enzymes that speed surface turnover, and here that comes from Salicylic Acid and Gluconolactone.
Barrier support: Moderate. Lipids and repair signals that support skin barrier integrity, and here that comes from Niacinamide, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP and Ceramide EOP.
On richness alone it suits Balanced, Combination (oily) and Oily skin best, and is the least natural fit for Dry and Combination (dry) skin. Nothing in the list is flagged as a common irritant, which is a reasonable starting point for reactive skin — though a patch test is still the only way to know.
The formula contributes little or nothing on antioxidant protection and firmness signalling. That is not a fault — most products are not meant to do everything — but if one of those is your priority, this is not the product that will address it.
Reading the full list, the formula is fragrance-free, essential-oil-free, no drying alcohol, paraben-free, silicone-free and microplastic-free. Those claims come from the ingredient list itself, not from the packaging.
It can be used morning and evening. In a routine it goes first step. Use on damp skin and rinse thoroughly. Follow with a toner or essence while skin is still slightly damp.
This summary is generated from the product's ingredient list. It is not a review, it is not the brand's own marketing claims, and it does not replace advice from a dermatologist.
Drawn purely from the ingredient list
Scored on how rich or light the formula reads from its INCI order.
No ingredient in this formula carries a common-irritant flag, making it a reasonable option for reactive skin. A patch test is still recommended, as individual skin reactivity varies.
Based on the curated benefits documented for this product's ingredients.
Boosts collagen and cell turnover to reduce fine lines and wrinkles
Attracts and locks in moisture to keep skin plump and dewy
Regulates sebum production to reduce shine and greasiness
Tightens and refines the look of enlarged pores
Targets breakouts by reducing bacteria and unclogging pores
Helps unclog pores and reduce blackheads for clearer skin
Brightens and balances complexion for a more uniform appearance
Calms redness, irritation, and inflammation for sensitive skin
None of the ingredients in this formula are associated with these benefits. This is not unusual, as most products are designed to target a limited number of concerns.
The actives, UV filters and benefit-carrying ingredients in this formula, in the order they are listed.
1st on the list, which puts it at an estimated 10–40% of the formula.
Salicylic acid
2nd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.
Aqua (EU),Deionized Water,Distilled Water,Micromatrix Fractile AN,Onsen-Sui (JPN),Purified Water
5th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
Glycerine ;Glycerol (INN); Glycerol (RIFM); Glycerolum (EP); Glycyl Alcohol; 1,2,3-Propanetriol; 1,2,3-Trihydroxypropane
6th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
Niacinamide (vitamin B3) is a gentle skincare active that repairs the skin barrier, calms redness, controls oil and evens tone at 2–5%. Official IUPAC name: **3-Pyridinecarboxamide**
7th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
D-Glucono-1,5-lactone
10th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
Ceramide NP,1,3,4-Octadecanetriol, 2-Octadecanamide,Stearoyl-C18-Phytosphingosine,Stearoyl-4-Hydroxysphinganine
11th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–3% of the formula.
1,3,4-Octadecanetriol, 2-(2-Hydroxy) Stearamide
12th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–3% of the formula.
Ceramide EOP,1,3,4-Octadecanetriol, 2-Stearoyloxyheptacosamide,Stearoyloxyheptacosanoyl-C18-Phytosphingosine,Stearoyloxyheptacosanoyl-4-Hydroxysphinganine
15th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Triethyl citrate
19th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Cholest-5-en-3-ol (beta)-
22nd on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid is the hydrolysate of Hyaluronic Acid derived by acid, enzyme or other method of hydrolysis
25th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Hectorite (clay mineral)
Each axis is scored from the ingredients present and how high up the list they sit.
Ingredients that pull and hold water in the upper layers of skin
Lipids and repair signals that support skin barrier integrity
Ingredients that mop up free radicals from UV and pollution
Ingredients that moderate sebum or absorb shine
Ingredients that act on uneven tone and post-inflammatory marks
Ingredients aimed at visible redness and reactivity
Retinoids, acids and enzymes that speed surface turnover
Peptides and growth factors that signal for collagen support
"Active" here means an ingredient carrying a recorded active type or a recognised UV filter.
Solvents, emollients, texture agents and preservatives — the formula that carries the actives.
Read from the full ingredient list. A brand's own claim may differ.
Judged by the same curated rules our routine checker uses. It reads the ingredients, not the label.
Best kept to separate routines — one in the morning, one at night, or on alternate days.
Can be layered, but the combination raises the irritation risk. Go slowly.
Can be layered, but the combination raises the irritation risk. Go slowly.
Can be layered, but the combination raises the irritation risk. Go slowly.
Can be layered, but the combination raises the irritation risk. Go slowly.
Can be layered, but the combination raises the irritation risk. Go slowly.
This product is the "Cleanse" step.
Flags to check, not verdicts. None of this is medical advice — if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or treating a skin condition, ask a doctor.
Most ingredients do more than one job, so these counts add up to more than the 27 ingredients on the label.
Changes how skin behaves rather than how it feels
Lifts oil and dirt, or holds oil and water together
Sets the thickness, spread and stability of the formula
Draws water into the upper layers of skin
Binds trace metals that would otherwise spoil the formula
Keeps the product free of microbial growth
Softens and smooths by filling gaps between skin cells
Sets the acidity the formula needs to work
Dissolves and carries everything else
Loosens or dissolves dead surface cells
Forms a film that slows water loss
Every ingredient on the label, in order, with what it does and roughly how much of it is likely to be there.
1st on the list, which puts it at an estimated 10–40% of the formula.
Salicylic acid
2nd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.
Aqua (EU),Deionized Water,Distilled Water,Micromatrix Fractile AN,Onsen-Sui (JPN),Purified Water
3rd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.
Sodium N-lauroylsarcosinate
4th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
1-Propanaminium, N-(3-aminopropyl)-2-hydroxy-N,N-dimethyl-3-sulfo-, N-coco acyl derivs., hydroxides, inner salts
5th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
Glycerine ;Glycerol (INN); Glycerol (RIFM); Glycerolum (EP); Glycyl Alcohol; 1,2,3-Propanetriol; 1,2,3-Trihydroxypropane
6th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
Niacinamide (vitamin B3) is a gentle skincare active that repairs the skin barrier, calms redness, controls oil and evens tone at 2–5%. Official IUPAC name: **3-Pyridinecarboxamide**
7th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
D-Glucono-1,5-lactone
8th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate is the sodium salt of the coconut fatty acid amide of N-methyltaurine. It conforms generally to the formula
9th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
2,2-Bis(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-propanediol, ethoxylated, tetraoctadecanoates (150 mol EO average molar ratio)
10th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
Ceramide NP,1,3,4-Octadecanetriol, 2-Octadecanamide,Stearoyl-C18-Phytosphingosine,Stearoyl-4-Hydroxysphinganine
11th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–3% of the formula.
1,3,4-Octadecanetriol, 2-(2-Hydroxy) Stearamide
12th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–3% of the formula.
Ceramide EOP,1,3,4-Octadecanetriol, 2-Stearoyloxyheptacosamide,Stearoyloxyheptacosanoyl-C18-Phytosphingosine,Stearoyloxyheptacosanoyl-4-Hydroxysphinganine
13th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
2-Propenoic acid, polymer with 2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)propane-1,3-diol 2-propenyl ether
14th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Calcium gluconate
15th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Triethyl citrate
16th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Sodium benzoate
17th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Sodium hydroxide
18th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Sodium 2-(1-carboxylatoethoxy)-1-methyl-2-oxoethyl laurate
19th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Cholest-5-en-3-ol (beta)-
20th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Tetrasodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate
21st on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Octane-1,2-diol
22nd on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid is the hydrolysate of Hyaluronic Acid derived by acid, enzyme or other method of hydrolysis
23rd on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
L-Aspartic acid, N,N'-1,2-ethanediylbis-, trisodium salt
24th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Xanthan gum
25th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Hectorite (clay mineral)
26th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
1,3,4-Octadecanetriol, 2-amino-, (2S, 3S, 4R)-
27th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Benzoic acid
Products in the same category that share this formula's distinguishing ingredients.
CeraVe
Shares 9 key ingredients with Acne Control Cleanser: Water, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Salicylic Acid, Ceramide NP
Celimax
Shares 6 key ingredients with Acne Control Cleanser: Water, Glycerin, Ceramide NP, Cholesterol, Ceramide AP
CeraVe
Shares 6 key ingredients with Acne Control Cleanser: Water, Glycerin, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP
IUNIK
Shares 5 key ingredients with Acne Control Cleanser: Water, Glycerin, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Gluconolactone
Dr.Melaxin
Shares 5 key ingredients with Acne Control Cleanser: Water, Glycerin, Salicylic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Ceramide NP
Anua
Shares 4 key ingredients with Acne Control Cleanser: Water, Glycerin, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Ceramide NP
SALICYLIC ACID, WATER, SODIUM LAUROYL SARCOSINATE, COCAMIDOPROPYL HYDROXYSULTAINE, GLYCERIN, NIACINAMIDE, GLUCONOLACTONE, SODIUM METHYL COCOYL TAURATE, PEG-150 PENTAERYTHRITYL TETRASTEARATE, CERAMIDE NP, CERAMIDE AP, CERAMIDE EOP, CARBOMER, CALCIUM GLUCONATE, TRIETHYL CITRATE, SODIUM BENZOATE, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, SODIUM LAUROYL LACTYLATE, CHOLESTEROL, TETRASODIUM EDTA, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, HYDROLYZED HYALURONIC ACID, TRISODIUM ETHYLENEDIAMINE DISUCCINATE, XANTHAN GUM, HECTORITE, PHYTOSPHINGOSINE, BENZOIC ACID.
SALICYLIC ACID, NIACINAMIDE, GLUCONOLACTONE, CERAMIDE NP, CERAMIDE AP, CERAMIDE EOP, HYDROLYZED HYALURONIC ACID.
Use every morning and evening. Wet face, then work a dime-size amount into a lather. Gently massage, avoiding the eye area. Rinse well.
Judged on how rich the formula reads from its ingredient list, it suits Balanced, Combination (oily), Oily skin best. It is the least natural fit for Dry, Combination (dry) skin.
No ingredient in this formula carries a common-irritant flag, making it a reasonable option for reactive skin. A patch test is still recommended, as individual skin reactivity varies.
One ingredient could feed malassezia: Peg-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate. That describes the yeast's food supply, not a prediction that it will cause a breakout.
It contains Salicylic Acid, which are usually reviewed with a doctor during pregnancy. Ask your doctor or midwife before using it.
Yes. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is fragrance-free.
No. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is no drying alcohol.
Yes. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is silicone-free.
No. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is essential-oil-free.
Yes. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is paraben-free.
It layers well with Azelaic acid, Copper peptides, Bakuchiol, Niacinamide, Hyaluronic acid, Ceramides. Take more care combining it with Retinoids (retinol, retinal), Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid), AHAs (glycolic, lactic), BHA (salicylic acid), PHAs (gluconolactone), Benzoyl peroxide — use them in separate routines or on alternate days.
Use it morning and evening, first step.
It lists 27 ingredients, of which 7 are recorded as actives.
CeraVe, a brand based in USA.
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