CeraVe Acne Control Cleanser vs Medicube Zero Pore Capsule Cleansing Foam

CeraVe

Medicube

A face cleanser built around BHA and Salicylic acid, for barrier repair and hydration.

A face cleanser built around BHA and Salicylic acid, for hydration and soothing irritation.

Face cleanser

27 ingredients

44 ingredients

Brand price

Not recorded · brand's site

Brand price

USD 20.00 · checked 26 Sept 2026 · brand's site

No retailer listed yet

Brand from United States

Brand from South Korea

At a Glance

They come out differently on Fragrance-free and Cruelty-free; those rows are shaded. Tap any answer to see why.

Ceramide3
Skin-identical lipids that hold the barrier together.
Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP
PHA1
Polyhydroxy acids — larger and milder than AHAs.
Gluconolactone
BHA1
Beta hydroxy acid — oil-soluble, so it works inside the pore.
Salicylic Acid
Salicylic acid1
The BHA used in acne treatment.
Salicylic Acid

Face oil1
An oil formulated to be used on the face.
Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract
Vitamin E1
Tocopherols — fat-soluble antioxidants.
Tocopheryl Acetate
PHA1
Polyhydroxy acids — larger and milder than AHAs.
Gluconolactone
Centella asiatica (Cica)2
Centella asiatica (cica), used to calm irritation.
Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Vesicles

Hydrating6
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP, Gluconolactone, Glycerin, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Barrier Repair8
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Caprylyl Glycol, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP, Cholesterol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Phytosphingosine
Redness Reducing1
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Niacinamide
Smoothing4
Refines rough or uneven texture.
Caprylyl Glycol, Cholesterol, Niacinamide, Salicylic Acid

May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis6
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Coco-Glucoside, Lauryl Hydroxysultaine, Polyquaternium-67, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate
May Worsen Oily Skin1
May increase shine or excess oil.
Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract
May Worsen Irritation1
May cause stinging, redness or sensitivity.
Fragrance
May Worsen Eczema1
May worsen itching or irritation for eczema-prone skin.
Fragrance

Show highlights for:

Salicylic Acid (in both products)
Preservative
- BHA
- Salicylic acid
- Acne Fighting
- Exfoliating
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
Cleansing
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
Cleansing
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Glycerin (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
Niacinamide
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
Gluconolactone (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
- PHA
- Exfoliating
- Hydrating
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate
Emulsifying
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
- Ceramide
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- Barrier Repair
- Hydrating
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis

Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate
Cleansing
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate
Cleansing
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Lauryl Hydroxysultaine
Cleansing
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Coco-Glucoside
Cleansing
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Decyl Glucoside
Cleansing
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid (in both products)
Preservative
- BHA
- Salicylic acid
- Acne Fighting
- Exfoliating
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
Sodium Chloride
Fragrance
0-1 / —

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Salicylic Acid
Anti-seborrheic, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Keratolytic, Preservative, Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid is a BHA.
Learn more about Salicylic Acid →
Water
Antiplaque, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Aqua (EU),Deionized Water,Distilled Water,Micromatrix Fractile AN,Onsen-Sui (JPN),Purified Water
Learn more about Water →
Glycerin
Denaturant, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Humectant, Oral Care, Perfuming, Humectant, Skin Protecting, Solvent, Viscosity Controlling
Glycerin may be plant, synthetic or animal depending on the supplier.
Learn more about Glycerin →
Gluconolactone
Chelating, Skin Conditioning
Gluconolactone is a PHA.
Learn more about Gluconolactone →
Caprylyl Glycol
Deodorant, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol is the diol that conforms to the formula
Learn more about Caprylyl Glycol →