CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser vs La Roche-Posay Mela B3 Facial Gel Cleanser With Melasyl™ + Niacinamide

CeraVe

La Roche-Posay

A face wash built around Niacinamide and PHA, for barrier repair and hydration.

A face wash built around AHA and PHA, for hydration and barrier repair.

Face wash

27 ingredients

26 ingredients

Brand price

Not recorded · brand's site

Brand price

USD 26.99 · checked 25 Sept 2026 · brand's site

No retailer listed yet

Brand from United States

Brand from France

At a Glance

They come out differently on Fragrance-free, Oil-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

Ceramide1
Skin-identical lipids that hold the barrier together.
Ceramide NP
Vitamin E2
Tocopherols — fat-soluble antioxidants.
Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate
PHA1
Polyhydroxy acids — larger and milder than AHAs.
Gluconolactone
AHA1
Alpha hydroxy acids — water-soluble chemical exfoliants.
Citric Acid

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.
Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP, Cholesterol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Phytosphingosine, Zea Mays Oil
Redness Reducing1
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Niacinamide
Smoothing3
Refines rough or uneven texture.
Cholesterol, Niacinamide, Salicylic Acid

Hydrating5
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Ceramide NP, Gluconolactone, Glycerin, Propanediol, Tocopherol
Barrier Repair5
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Caprylyl Glycol, Ceramide NP, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Tocopherol
Redness Reducing1
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Niacinamide
Smoothing3
Refines rough or uneven texture.
Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Niacinamide

May Trigger Acne1
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Zea Mays Oil
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis10
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate, Phytosphingosine, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Zea Mays Oil
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris1
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Zea Mays Oil
May Worsen Oily Skin1
May increase shine or excess oil.
Zea Mays Oil

May Trigger Acne1
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Tocopherol
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis4
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Ceramide NP, Coco-Betaine, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris1
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Tocopherol
May Worsen Irritation2
May cause stinging, redness or sensitivity.
Parfum, Tocopherol

Show highlights for:

Aqua (in both products)
Solvent
0 / —
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
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
Cleansing
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Niacinamide (in both products)
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
PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate
Emulsifying
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Zea Mays Oil
Emulsifying
3 / 0
- Plant oils and butters (coconut, olive, shea)
- Plant or mineral oil
- Barrier Repair
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Oily Skin
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Ceramide NP (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
- Ceramide
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- Barrier Repair
- Hydrating
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis

Aqua (in both products)
Solvent
0 / —
Aqua (in both products)
Solvent
0 / —
Glycerin (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
Coco-Betaine
Cleansing
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Propanediol
Viscosity Controlling
0-1 / —
- Hydrating
Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate
Cleansing
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate
Emulsifying
0 / 0
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Sodium Hydroxide
Buffering
0 / —
Sodium Chloride (in both products)
Fragrance
0-1 / —
Citric Acid
Buffering
0 / —
- AHA
- Exfoliating
- Smoothing

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Aqua
Solvent
Water
Learn more about Aqua →
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 →
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Niacinamide is niacinamide.
Learn more about Niacinamide →
Gluconolactone
Chelating, Skin Conditioning
Gluconolactone is a PHA.
Learn more about Gluconolactone →
Ceramide NP
Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Ceramide NP →
Sodium Chloride
Bulking, Fragrance, Oral Care, Viscosity Controlling
Sodium chloride
Learn more about Sodium Chloride →
Disodium EDTA
Chelating, Viscosity Controlling
Disodium dihydrogen ethylenediaminetetraacetate
Learn more about Disodium EDTA →
Ethylhexylglycerin
Deodorant, Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin is the organic compound that conforms to the formula
Learn more about Ethylhexylglycerin →