CeraVe

CeraVe SA Smoothing Cleanser

Name: CeraVe - SA Smoothing Cleanser
Brand: CeraVe

Efficacy100/100IrritancyLow·

See all ingredients

Works for

Cleansing

Sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, Cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine + 6 more

Cleanses gently

What the product description says

“The hydrating formula works to swiftly remove oil, dirt and makeup, while replenishing lost moisture and supporting skin’s natural barrier.”

Source: Lookfantastic

This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin. It uses a combination of mild cleansing agents (carbomer, cholesterol, cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine, peg-150 pentaerythrityl tetrastearate, sodium lauroyl lactylate, sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, sodium methyl cocoyl taurate, xanthan gum) and should be able to cleanse the skin gently. Still keep in mind that any cleansing can disrupt the skin barrier, and most people do not need to cleanse their skin more than once per day.

Even though this formulation is mild, the following cleansing agents could trigger an irritation or allergy for some people: sodium methyl cocoyl taurate

Sodium lauroyl sarcosinateEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together and works as a cleansing agent~11–13%

Cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaineEffect: HighUsed as a cleansing agent. Helps water and oil mix together~5.9–7.3%

Sodium methyl cocoyl taurateEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together. Can be used as cleansing agent~1.9–2.3%

Peg-150 pentaerythrityl tetrastearateEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together~1.4–1.7%

CarbomerEffect: HighHelps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations~0.6–0.85%

CholesterolEffect: HighAn emollient that is naturally found in skin~0.35–0.6%

Sodium lauroyl lactylateEffect: HighHelps water and oil mix together~0.3–0.6%

Xanthan gumEffect: HighUsed to create a thicker product consistency~0.1–0.15%

Exfoliation

Gluconolactone, Salicylic acid

Works well

What the product description says

“Powered by a blend of 3 essential ceramides, salicylic acid and hyaluronic acid, the lightweight cleanser gently exfoliates to remove dead skin and impurities, while patented MVE Technology locks in nourishment to help provide continuous hydration for up to 24 hours.”

Source: Lookfantastic

This product can help exfoliate the skin. In other words, it helps break down the bonds between dead cells on the surface of the skin and speed up the skin turnover. Skin often appears softer and brighter after exfoliation, but overdoing it can result in disrupted skin barrier. The following ingredient is doing the exfoliating job in this product: gluconolactone, salicylic acid.

GluconolactoneKey activeEffect: HighA polyhydroxy acid (PHA) that helps shed the dead cells from the skin surface revealing smoother skin. Is believed to be genter than AHAs. It helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can stimulate production of skin's own hyaluronic acid resulting in improved hydration levels. It has been shown to be helpful against acne and clogged pores if used consistently (e.g over a period of 12 weeks) in high enough concentration. It can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin tone with long-term application. Can help neutralize free radicals~1.9–2.3%

Salicylic acidKey activeEffect: HighUsed for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)~0.45–0.65%

Anti-blemish

Side benefit the brand mentions · Niacinamide, Salicylic acid + 2 more

Works well

What the product description says

“Product Information Cera Ve SA Skin Smoothing Cleanser contains Salicylic Acid which gently exfoliates the skin to smooth bumps caused by blemishes. Developed by Dermatologists.”

Source: Supderdrug

This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: niacinamide, salicylic acid. These ingredients is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.

The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually works: gluconolactone

NiacinamideHeroEffect: HighIs proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture. The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production~2.3–2.8%

Salicylic acidHeroEffect: HighUsed for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)~0.45–0.65%

GluconolactoneKey activeEffect: MediumA polyhydroxy acid (PHA) that helps shed the dead cells from the skin surface revealing smoother skin. Is believed to be genter than AHAs. It helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can stimulate production of skin's own hyaluronic acid resulting in improved hydration levels. It has been shown to be helpful against acne and clogged pores if used consistently (e.g over a period of 12 weeks) in high enough concentration. It can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin tone with long-term application. Can help neutralize free radicals~1.9–2.3%

PhytosphingosineEffect: LowA type of lipid that is naturally present in skin. It might help in repairing skin barrier function and has anti-bacterial effect~0.15–0.3%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy

10 flagged ingredients

Low risk

We flag 10 ingredients with irritancy potential; the product's overall irritancy is low. The table lists each ingredient's own rating.

IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount

Sodium methyl cocoyl taurateHelps oil and water mix together. Can be used as cleansing agentHigh~1.9–2.3%est.

Salicylic acidUsed for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)High~0.45–0.65%est.

Sodium lauroyl sarcosinateHelps oil and water mix together and works as a cleansing agentMedium~11–13%est.

Cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaineUsed as a cleansing agent. Helps water and oil mix togetherMedium~5.9–7.3%est.

GluconolactoneA polyhydroxy acid (PHA) that helps shed the dead cells from the skin surface revealing smoother skin. Is believed to be genter than AHAs. It helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can stimulate production of skin's own hyaluronic acid resulting in improved hydration levels. It has been shown to be helpful against acne and clogged pores if used consistently (e.g over a period of 12 weeks) in high enough concentration. It can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin tone with long-term application. Can help neutralize free radicalsMedium~1.9–2.3%est.

Peg-150 pentaerythrityl tetrastearateHelps oil and water mix togetherMedium~1.4–1.7%est.

Sodium lauroyl lactylateHelps water and oil mix togetherMedium~0.3–0.6%est.

Disodium edtaStabilizes the product formulationMedium~0.15–0.3%est.

Tetrasodium edtaHelps to stabilize the product formulationMedium~0.15–0.25%est.

EthylhexylglycerinA preservativeMedium~0.05–0.1%est.

Comedogenic

Clean of flagged comedogenic ingredients

None flagged

Alternatives

Cheaper, or higher on efficacy

Face facts Ceramide Blemish Foaming Cleanser

Cheaper76% match

$7.82

Mixa Anti-Imperfection Comfort Cleanser

Cheaper68% match

$7.23

View all alternatives

User reviews

Would you recommend?

90%·yes

19 of 21 community members would buy it again.

90% would10% wouldn't

heilancoo· Mar 2025Recommends
This really helped me with the melassazia issue i had, where every time I used any moisturizer i had folliculitis (small red bumps that where ichy af).
Once in the morning and my holy grail now.
Exfoliation
Excellent
Stripping feel
Not stripping
Makeup removal
Doesn't remove makeup
Foam
Light foam
Smell
No smell
lamisa· Nov 2023Recommends
This product really helped me to reduce breakouts and texture, but it is a bit drying in the winter for me (i have dry skin) but in the summer it is fine. i really recommend it to people with oily, acne-prone skin.
Stripping feel
Squeaky clean feeling
Makeup removal
Removes light makeup
Foam
Light foam
Smell
No smell
Diamonds_and_rose· Sep 2023Recommends
It helps good with acne prone skin without drying it out
Stripping feel
Not stripping
Makeup removal
Removes waterproof makeup
Foam
Light foam
Smell
No smell
ehudson· May 2023Doesn't recommend
Think it's too stripping for me, I'd rather not have to strip my skin of most oils and leave it parched than to just get oily skin tbh. Using morning and night seems too much but I'm not used to not cleansing in the morning
Stripping feel
Squeaky clean feeling
Foam
Light foam
Smell
Light fragrance
quill· Mar 2023Recommends
Didn’t do much for my acne, but it’s a solid cleanser
Stripping feel
Squeaky clean feeling
Foam
A lot of foam
Smell
No smell

What reviewers noticed

Marker shows the average response

Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Water~45–55%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Plain old water

More about Water

Sodium lauroyl sarcosinate~11–13%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together and works as a cleansing agent

More about Sodium lauroyl sarcosinate

Cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine~5.9–7.3%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Cleansing

Used as a cleansing agent. Helps water and oil mix together

More about Cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine

Glycerin~3.1–3.8%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant

More about Glycerin

Niacinamide~2.3–2.8%

Hero · Anti-blemish

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Anti-agingAnti-blemishEvens skin toneMoisturizingReduces irritationAntibacterialReduces rednessAnti-inflammatory

Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture. The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production

More about Niacinamide

Gluconolactone~1.9–2.3%

Key activeIrritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

ExfoliationMoisturizingAnti-agingEvens skin toneAnti-oxidationAnti-blemish

A polyhydroxy acid (PHA) that helps shed the dead cells from the skin surface revealing smoother skin. Is believed to be genter than AHAs. It helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can stimulate production of skin's own hyaluronic acid resulting in improved hydration levels. It has been shown to be helpful against acne and clogged pores if used consistently (e.g over a period of 12 weeks) in high enough concentration. It can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin tone with long-term application. Can help neutralize free radicals

More about Gluconolactone

Sodium methyl cocoyl taurate~1.9–2.3%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

Works for

Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together. Can be used as cleansing agent

More about Sodium methyl cocoyl taurate

Peg-150 pentaerythrityl tetrastearate~1.4–1.7%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Peg-150 pentaerythrityl tetrastearate

Ceramide np~1.2–1.5%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

MoisturizingAnti-inflammatoryReduces irritation

A type of lipid similar to ceramides naturally present in skin. Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and supports the skin barrier function to keep it hydrated. Can help to prevent inflammation in skin

More about Ceramide np

Ceramide ap~0.95–1.2%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Reduces irritationMoisturizingAnti-inflammatory

More about Ceramide ap

Ceramide eop~0.7–1.05%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

MoisturizingReduces irritationAnti-inflammatory

More about Ceramide eop

Carbomer~0.6–0.85%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Cleansing

Helps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations

More about Carbomer

Calcium gluconate~0.55–0.8%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and helps to improve appearance of the product

More about Calcium gluconate

Salicylic acid~0.45–0.65%

Hero · Anti-blemishIrritant · high

Irritation risk: High

Works for

Anti-blemishExfoliationAnti-inflammatoryAntibacterialEvens skin tone

Used for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)

More about Salicylic acid

Sodium benzoate~0.25–0.5%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

A preservative

More about Sodium benzoate

Sodium lauroyl lactylate~0.3–0.6%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Cleansing

Helps water and oil mix together

More about Sodium lauroyl lactylate

Cholesterol~0.35–0.6%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

CleansingMoisturizing

An emollient that is naturally found in skin

More about Cholesterol

Phenoxyethanol~0.2–0.4%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products

More about Phenoxyethanol

Disodium edta~0.15–0.3%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Stabilizes the product formulation

More about Disodium edta

Tetrasodium edta~0.15–0.25%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Helps to stabilize the product formulation

More about Tetrasodium edta

Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid~0.15–0.25%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin. A version of it is naturally present in skin

More about Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid

Phytosphingosine~0.15–0.3%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

MoisturizingAnti-blemishAnti-inflammatory

A type of lipid that is naturally present in skin. It might help in repairing skin barrier function and has anti-bacterial effect

More about Phytosphingosine

Xanthan gum~0.1–0.15%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Cleansing

Used to create a thicker product consistency

More about Xanthan gum

Ethylhexylglycerin~0.05–0.1%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

A preservative

More about Ethylhexylglycerin

Ingredient list view

Water, Sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, Cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Gluconolactone, Sodium methyl cocoyl taurate, Peg-150 pentaerythrityl tetrastearate, Ceramide np, Ceramide ap, Ceramide eop, Carbomer, Calcium gluconate, Salicylic acid, Sodium benzoate, Sodium lauroyl lactylate, Cholesterol, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium edta, Tetrasodium edta, Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid, Phytosphingosine, Xanthan gum, Ethylhexylglycerin

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Amazon USPrice as of 11/9 06:28 GMT

$28.98

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Worth comparing, line by line.

Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.

Side-by-side comparison of this product against its closest alternatives
	CeraVeSA Smoothing CleanserYOUR PRODUCT	Face factsCeramide Blemish Foaming Cleanser	VERSODeep Cleanse Gel Nettoyant Moussant	Community Sixty-SixDetoxifying AHA/BHA Gel Cleanser
Match	—	76%	74%	70%
Price	$28.98	$7.82−$21.16	$40.00+$11.02	$15.82−$13.16
Shared key ingredients	—	7 of 17	5 of 17	6 of 17
Key difference	—	Ceramide As	Zinc Pca	Glycolic Acid
Irritancy	Low	Low	Low	Low
Drying alcohol	—	—	—	—
	View product	Shop	Shop	Shop