Clinique Moisture Surge™ Exfoliating Glow Cleanser vs CeraVe Acne Control Cleanser

Clinique

CeraVe

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

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

Face cleanser

30 ingredients

27 ingredients

Brand price

USD 29.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site

Brand price

Not recorded · brand's site

No retailer listed yet

Brand country not recorded

Brand from United States

At a Glance

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

AHA1
Alpha hydroxy acids — water-soluble chemical exfoliants.
Citric Acid
BHA1
Beta hydroxy acid — oil-soluble, so it works inside the pore.
Salicylic Acid
Salicylic acid1
The BHA used in acne treatment.
Salicylic Acid
Hyaluronic acid1
Hyaluronic acid and its salts; a humectant that binds water to the skin.
Sodium Hyaluronate

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

Hydrating5
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Polysaccharides, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sucrose
Barrier Repair3
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Polysaccharides, Glycerin, Laminaria Saccharina Extract
Reduces Irritation1
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Sucrose
Redness Reducing1
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Sucrose

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 Dermatitis7
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Lauramidopropyl Betaine, Myristamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Coco Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris1
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Sodium Laureth Sulfate
May Worsen Eczema1
May worsen itching or irritation for eczema-prone skin.
Sodium Laureth Sulfate
May Worsen Dryness1
Can strip moisture and worsen dryness.
Sodium Laureth Sulfate

Show highlights for:

Aqua
Solvent
0 / —
Glycerin (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
Sodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- Sulfate surfactants (SLS/SLES)
- May Worsen Dryness
- May Worsen Eczema
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Silica
Abrasive
0-1 / —
Acrylates Copolymer
Film Forming
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
1 / 0
- Hydrating
Sucrose
Humectant
0-1 / —
Lauramidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine (in both products)
Cleansing
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning

Salicylic Acid (in both products)
Preservative
- BHA
- Salicylic acid
- Acne Fighting
- Exfoliating
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
Water
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
Cleansing
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine (in both products)
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
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

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 →
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
Antistatic, Cleansing, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Cleansing, Foam Boosting, Viscosity Controlling
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine →
Salicylic Acid
Anti-seborrheic, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Keratolytic, Preservative, Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid is a BHA.
Learn more about Salicylic Acid →
Sodium Hydroxide
Buffering, Denaturant
Sodium hydroxide
Learn more about Sodium Hydroxide →
Tetrasodium EDTA
Chelating
Tetrasodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate
Learn more about Tetrasodium EDTA →
Sodium Benzoate
Anticorrosive, Fragrance, Preservative
Sodium Benzoate is the sodium salt of benzoic acid that conforms to the formula:
Learn more about Sodium Benzoate →