Paula's Choice
Ultra-Gentle CleanserCeraVe
Acne Control CleanserA face cleanser, for hydration and barrier repair.
A face cleanser built around BHA and Salicylic acid, for barrier repair and hydration.
Brand price
USD 28.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site
Brand price
Not recorded · brand's site

At a Glance

Every check both products could be assessed on comes out the same. Tap any answer to see why.

Key Ingredients

No key ingredients
Ceramide3
Skin-identical lipids that hold the barrier together.

Benefits

Hydrating4
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Barrier Repair3
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Glycerin
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

Concerns

May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis4
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Sodium Laurylglucosides Hydroxypropylsulfonate
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis9
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

Ingredients Side-by-side

Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Cleansing
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Cleansing
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Sodium Laurylglucosides Hydroxypropylsulfonate
Emulsifying
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Antioxidant
Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Cleansing
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
Cleansing
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
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
Skin Conditioning
- Ceramide
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- Barrier Repair
- Hydrating
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Ingredients Explained
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 →Xanthan Gum
Binding, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming, Skin Conditioning, Cleansing, Emulsifying, Viscosity Controlling
Xanthan gum
Learn more about Xanthan Gum →
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