CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser vs SkinCeuticals Gentle Cleanser

CeraVe

SkinCeuticals

A face cleanser built around Benzoyl peroxide and Ceramide, for barrier repair and hydration.

A face cleanser built around AHA and Glycolic acid, for barrier repair and smoothing.

Face cleanser

28 ingredients

27 ingredients

Brand price

Not recorded · brand's site

Brand price

USD 39.00 · checked 28 Sept 2026 · brand's site

No retailer listed yet

Brand from United States

Brand country not recorded

At a Glance

They come out differently on Fragrance-free, EU-allergen-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
Benzoyl peroxide1
An antibacterial acne treatment that kills C. acnes.
Benzoyl Peroxide
AHA2
Alpha hydroxy acids — water-soluble chemical exfoliants.
Citric Acid, Glycolic Acid
Glycolic acid1
The smallest AHA, and so the most penetrating.
Glycolic Acid

Fatty alcohol1
Waxy fatty alcohols used as emollients and thickeners; unrelated to drying alcohol.
Cetyl Alcohol
Polysorbates (Tween emulsifiers)1
Polysorbate (Tween) emulsifiers.
Polysorbate 20
AHA1
Alpha hydroxy acids — water-soluble chemical exfoliants.
Glycolic Acid
Glycolic acid1
The smallest AHA, and so the most penetrating.
Glycolic Acid

Hydrating7
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP, Glycerin, Propanediol, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate
Barrier Repair8
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP, Cholesterol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Phytosphingosine, Propylene Glycol
Redness Reducing1
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Niacinamide
Anti-Aging1
Softens lines and helps skin look youthful.
Glycolic Acid

Hydrating3
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Glycerin, Methyl Gluceth-20, Propanediol
Barrier Repair7
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Allantoin, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Caprylyl Glycol, Cetyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprate
Reduces Irritation1
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Allantoin
Redness Reducing1
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Allantoin

May Trigger Acne1
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Cetyl Alcohol
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis8
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Polysorbate 20, Trideceth-6
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris1
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Cetyl Alcohol
May Worsen Irritation3
May cause stinging, redness or sensitivity.
Cetyl Alcohol, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil, Limonene

Show highlights for:

Benzoyl Peroxide
Oxidising
0 / —
- Benzoyl peroxide
- Acne Fighting
Water
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
0 / 0
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
Cleansing
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Xanthan Gum
Cleansing
0-1 / —
Potassium Hydroxide
Buffering
0-1 / —
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
- Ceramide
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- Barrier Repair
- Hydrating
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
- Ceramide
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- Barrier Repair
- Hydrating
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis

Aqua
Solvent
0 / —
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
Emollient
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Glycerin (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
Propanediol (in both products)
Viscosity Controlling
0-1 / —
- Hydrating
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
2 / 2
- Fatty alcohol
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Irritation
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Methyl Gluceth-20
Humectant
Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Cleansing
0 / 0
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
1 / 0
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- Possibly animal-derived
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate
Emulsifying

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

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 →
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Glycolic Acid is an AHA.
Learn more about Glycolic Acid →
Sodium Chloride
Bulking, Fragrance, Oral Care, Viscosity Controlling
Sodium chloride
Learn more about Sodium Chloride →
Sodium Hydroxide
Buffering, Denaturant
Sodium hydroxide
Learn more about Sodium Hydroxide →
Phenoxyethanol
Antimicrobial, Preservative
Phenoxyethanol is the aromatic ether alcohol that conforms to the formula:
Learn more about Phenoxyethanol →
Propanediol
Solvent, Viscosity Controlling
Propanediol is the organic compound that conforms to the formula
Learn more about Propanediol →