SkinMedica AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser vs CeraVe Acne Control Cleanser

SkinMedica

CeraVe

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

Face cleanser

27 ingredients

Brand price

USD 48.00 · 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 Fragrance-free, EU-allergen-free and Oil-free; those rows are shaded. Tap any answer to see why.

Mineral sunscreen1
Uses zinc oxide or titanium dioxide to absorb and scatter UV rays.
Titanium Dioxide
Sunscreen1
Any ingredient acting as a UV filter.
Titanium Dioxide
Panthenol (provitamin B5)1
Provitamin B5 — a humectant and soother.
Panthenol
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
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

Hydrating4
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Glycerin, Panthenol, Saccharum Officinarum Extract
Barrier Repair5
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Glycerin, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Hydrogenated Jojoba Oil, Panthenol
Reduces Irritation3
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Bisabolol, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Panthenol
Redness Reducing2
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Bisabolol, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract

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 Dermatitis3
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Hydrogenated Jojoba Oil, Peg/Ppg-8/3 Diisostearate
May Worsen Oily Skin1
May increase shine or excess oil.
Hydrogenated Jojoba Oil
May Worsen Irritation2
May cause stinging, redness or sensitivity.
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
May Worsen Eczema2
May worsen itching or irritation for eczema-prone skin.
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil

Show highlights for:

Aqua
Solvent
0 / —
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Peg/Ppg-8/3 Diisostearate
Cleansing
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Hydrogenated Jojoba Oil
Emollient
- Plant oils and butters (coconut, olive, shea)
- Plant or mineral oil
- May Worsen Oily Skin
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Acrylates Copolymer
Film Forming
Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Saccharum Officinarum Extract
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Limon Fruit Extract
Occlusive

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
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.

Salicylic Acid
Anti-seborrheic, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Keratolytic, Preservative, Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid is a BHA.
Learn more about Salicylic Acid →
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 →
Sodium Hydroxide
Buffering, Denaturant
Sodium hydroxide
Learn more about Sodium Hydroxide →