La Roche-Posay Mela B3 Facial Gel Cleanser With Melasyl™ + Niacinamide vs CeraVe Foam Cleanser for Combination Skin

La Roche-Posay

CeraVe

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

A face cleanser built around Niacinamide and Ceramide, for barrier repair and smoothing.

Face wash

Face cleanser

26 ingredients

Brand price

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

Brand price

Not recorded · brand's site

No retailer listed yet

Brand from France

Brand from United States

At a Glance

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

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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

Ceramide3
Skin-identical lipids that hold the barrier together.
Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP
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

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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

Hydrating4
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP, Glycerin
Barrier Repair10
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Allantoin, Caprylyl Glycol, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP, Cholesterol, Coconut Acid, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Phytosphingosine
Reduces Irritation1
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Allantoin
Redness Reducing2
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Allantoin, Niacinamide

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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

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Show highlights for:

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 (in both products)
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 (in both products)
Buffering
0 / —
- AHA
- Exfoliating
- Smoothing

Aqua (in both products)
Solvent
0 / —
Glycerin (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
Sodium Chloride (in both products)
Fragrance
0-1 / —
Glycolipids
Skin Conditioning
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate
Cleansing
- 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
Niacinamide (in both products)
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
0 / 0
- Reduces Irritation
- Smoothing
Ceramide NP (in both products)
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

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 →
Coco-Betaine
Antistatic, Cleansing, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Cleansing, Foam Boosting, Viscosity Controlling
Coco-Betaine isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Coco-Betaine →
Sodium Chloride
Bulking, Fragrance, Oral Care, Viscosity Controlling
Sodium chloride
Learn more about Sodium Chloride →
Citric Acid
Buffering, Chelating, Fragrance
Citric Acid is an AHA.
Learn more about Citric Acid →
Ceramide NP
Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Ceramide NP →
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Niacinamide is niacinamide.
Learn more about Niacinamide →
Caprylyl Glycol
Deodorant, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol is the diol that conforms to the formula
Learn more about Caprylyl Glycol →