Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gentle Exfoliating Facial Cleanser vs CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser

Neutrogena

CeraVe

A face wash built around AHA and Glycolic acid, for hydration and smoothing.

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

Face wash

Face cleanser

17 ingredients

28 ingredients

Brand price

Not recorded · brand's site

Brand price

Not recorded · brand's site

Buy at

No retailer listed yet

Brand from United States

Retailer links are affiliate links. Buying through one may earn us a commission at no cost to you.

At a Glance

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

Polysorbates (Tween emulsifiers)1
Polysorbate (Tween) emulsifiers.
Polysorbate 20
AHA3
Alpha hydroxy acids — water-soluble chemical exfoliants.
Citric Acid, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid
Glycolic acid1
The smallest AHA, and so the most penetrating.
Glycolic Acid
Lactic acid1
An AHA that also acts as a humectant.
Lactic Acid

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

Hydrating3
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Glycerin, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Lactic Acid
Barrier Repair1
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Glycerin
Anti-Aging1
Softens lines and helps skin look youthful.
Glycolic Acid
Smoothing3
Refines rough or uneven texture.
Citric Acid, Glycolic Acid, Lactic 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

May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis3
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Hydrolyzed Potato Starch Dodecenylsuccinate
May Worsen Irritation1
May cause stinging, redness or sensitivity.
Fragrance
May Worsen Eczema1
May worsen itching or irritation for eczema-prone skin.
Fragrance
May Worsen Rosacea1
Can trigger flare-ups in rosacea-prone skin.
Fragrance

Show highlights for:

Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate (in both products)
Cleansing
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
Sodium Hydrolyzed Potato Starch Dodecenylsuccinate
Cleansing
0-1 / —
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Acrylates Crosspolymer-4
Cleansing
Cellulose
Viscosity Controlling
0-1 / —
Polysorbate 20
Cleansing
0 / 0
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- Polysorbates (Tween emulsifiers)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Citric Acid (in both products)
Buffering
0 / —
- AHA
- Exfoliating
- Smoothing
Sodium Benzoate
Preservative

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

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 →
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing, Foaming, Cleansing
Sulfonic acids, C14-16-alkane hydroxy and C14-16-alkene, sodium salts
Learn more about Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate →
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 →
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 →
Citric Acid
Buffering, Chelating, Fragrance
Citric Acid is an AHA.
Learn more about Citric Acid →
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Glycolic Acid is an AHA.
Learn more about Glycolic Acid →
Sodium Hydroxide
Buffering, Denaturant
Sodium hydroxide
Learn more about Sodium Hydroxide →