Medicube 3H Overnight Drying Lotion vs CeraVe Acne Control Gel

Medicube

CeraVe

A spot treatment built around Mineral sunscreen and Niacinamide, for soothing irritation and barrier repair.

A spot treatment built around BHA and Salicylic acid, for barrier repair and smoothing.

Spot treatment

39 ingredients

24 ingredients

Brand price

USD 19.90 · checked 26 Sept 2026 · brand's site

Brand price

Not recorded · brand's site

No retailer listed yet

Brand from South Korea

Brand from United States

At a Glance

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

Mineral sunscreen2
Uses zinc oxide or titanium dioxide to absorb and scatter UV rays.
Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide
Sunscreen2
Any ingredient acting as a UV filter.
Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide
Ceramide1
Skin-identical lipids that hold the barrier together.
Ceramide NP
Centella asiatica (Cica)8
Centella asiatica (cica), used to calm irritation.
Asiatic Acid, Asiaticoside, Centella Asiatica Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Water, Centella Asiatica Root Extract, Madecassic Acid, Madecassoside

Fatty alcohol1
Waxy fatty alcohols used as emollients and thickeners; unrelated to drying alcohol.
Cetearyl Alcohol
Ceramide3
Skin-identical lipids that hold the barrier together.
Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP
AHA2
Alpha hydroxy acids — water-soluble chemical exfoliants.
Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid
BHA1
Beta hydroxy acid — oil-soluble, so it works inside the pore.
Salicylic Acid

Hydrating6
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP, Glycerin, Lactic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate
Barrier Repair9
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Caprylyl Glycol, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cholesterol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Phytosphingosine
Redness Reducing1
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Niacinamide
Anti-Aging1
Softens lines and helps skin look youthful.
Glycolic Acid

May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis3
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Ceramide NP, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Octyldodeceth-16
May Worsen Irritation3
May cause stinging, redness or sensitivity.
Alcohol Denat., Camphor, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
May Worsen Eczema3
May worsen itching or irritation for eczema-prone skin.
Alcohol Denat., Camphor, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
May Worsen Rosacea3
Can trigger flare-ups in rosacea-prone skin.
Alcohol Denat., Camphor, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil

May Trigger Acne1
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Cetearyl Alcohol
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis7
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP, Cetearyl Alcohol, Phytosphingosine, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris1
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Cetearyl Alcohol

Show highlights for:

Alcohol Denat.
Fragrance
0 / —
- Denatured alcohol
- May Worsen Dryness
- May Worsen Eczema
- May Worsen Irritation
- May Worsen Rosacea
Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Calamine
Skin Protecting
Zinc Oxide
UV Filter
1 / 0
- Mineral sunscreen
- Sunscreen
- Reduces Irritation
- Sun Protection
Titanium Dioxide
UV Filter
0 / 0
- Mineral sunscreen
- Sunscreen
- Sun Protection
Glycerin (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
Dimethyl Sulfone
Viscosity Controlling
0-1 / —
Niacinamide (in both products)
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
Betaine
Humectant
0 / —
- Hydrating
Sodium Chloride
Fragrance
0-1 / —

Salicylic Acid (in both products)
Preservative
- BHA
- Salicylic acid
- Acne Fighting
- Exfoliating
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
Sodium Hydroxide
Buffering
0 / —
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
0-1 / —
- AHA
- Glycolic acid
- Anti-Aging
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Exfoliating
- Smoothing
Lactic Acid
Humectant
- AHA
- Lactic acid
- Brightening
- Exfoliating
- Hydrating
- Smoothing
Niacinamide (in both products)
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
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
Ceramide EOP
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.

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 →
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Niacinamide is niacinamide.
Learn more about Niacinamide →
Salicylic Acid
Anti-seborrheic, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Keratolytic, Preservative, Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid is a BHA.
Learn more about Salicylic Acid →
Ceramide NP
Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Ceramide NP →