Cerave Acne Control Cleanser

Ingredients overview

Label order. Colour is our internal rating: green routine, yellow restricted or worth a look, red prohibited or high-risk, grey not yet decoded.

Ingredients are listed in label order; the order reflects the label only, not exact concentrations.

1. Water
2. Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
3. Cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine
4. Glycerin
5. Niacinamide
6. Gluconolactone
7. Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
8. PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate
9. Ceramide NP
10. Ceramide AP
11. Ceramide EOP
12. Carbomer
13. Calcium gluconate
14. Triethyl citrate
15. Sodium Benzoate
16. Sodium Hydroxide
17. Sodium lauroyl lactylate
18. Cholesterol
19. Tetrasodium EDTA
20. Caprylyl Glycol
21. Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
22. Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
23. Xanthan Gum
24. Hectorite
25. Phytosphingosine
26. Benzoic Acid

Highlights

Free of alcoholFree of fragranceFree of parabensFree of siliconesFree of sulfatesFree of mineral oilFree of essential oilsFree of formaldehyde releasersContains PEGContains animal-derived

Key ingredients

ANTIPLAQUE

Water

ANTISTATIC

Sodium Lauroyl SarcosinateCocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine

DENATURANT

Glycerin

SMOOTHING

Niacinamide

CHELATING

Gluconolactone

SURFACTANT - CLEANSING

Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate

SURFACTANT - EMULSIFYING

PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate

Other ingredients

Ceramide NPCeramide APCeramide EOPCarbomerCalcium gluconateTriethyl citrateSodium BenzoateSodium HydroxideSodium lauroyl lactylateCholesterolTetrasodium EDTACaprylyl GlycolHydrolyzed Hyaluronic AcidTrisodium Ethylenediamine DisuccinateXanthan GumHectoritePhytosphingosineBenzoic Acid

Skim through

Ingredients explained

Water

Primary solvent and base; requires preservative system to prevent microbial growth

Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate

Mild anionic surfactant for cleansing and emulsification; 1-5%, suitable for sensitive skin

Cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine

Mild amino acid amphoteric surfactant for cleansing and foam boosting; low irritation, biodegradable

Glycerin

Workhorse humectant at 3–10%; tacky at high levels, pair with occlusives

Niacinamide

Niacinamide at 2–5%; improves texture, controls oil, brightens; high levels may cause sensitivity

Gluconolactone

Multifunctional agent for chelation and permeation; acidic, may irritate at high levels, buffer recommended.

Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate

Amino acid based mild surfactant, soft lather; cleaning power increases with salt but may dry out.

PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate

Mild non-ionic emulsifier; often co-emulsifier for stabilizing O/W or W/O systems, low irritation.

Ceramide NP

Ceramide N3 for barrier repair; lipophilic, needs oil phase or emulsion, avoid high standalone use.

Ceramide AP

Ceramide analog for barrier repair; best results when combined with cholesterol and free fatty acids

Ceramide EOP

Ceramide EOP, repairs skin barrier lipids; often blended with cholesterol and fatty acids.

Carbomer

Gelling thickener requiring neutralization; watch out for ion compatibility

Calcium gluconate

Chelator and conditioner, improves stability; water-soluble calcium source

Triethyl citrate

Solvent/plasticizer at 1–10%; provides fresh feel, slight citrus scent

Sodium Benzoate

Preservative booster, effective below pH 4.5; combinable with sorbates

Sodium Hydroxide

Strong base neutralizer for pH adjustment; handle with extreme care

Sodium lauroyl lactylate

Mild emulsifier at 1–5%; suitable for sensitive skin, mind cationic surfactant compatibility

Cholesterol

Cholesterol; barrier repair lipid mimicking stratum corneum; often blended with ceramides, plant or fermentation source.

Tetrasodium EDTA

Chelator removing metal ions to enhance antioxidant and preservative efficacy; very low usage, typically 0.05-0.1%, no direct skincare function.

Caprylyl Glycol

Polyol conditioner and preservative booster at 0.5–3%; emollient feel, often paired with 1,2-hexanediol

Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid

Low-MW humectant with superior penetration vs high-MW; 0.1-0.5% typical, hygroscopic, store dry to prevent clumping.

Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate

Mild chelator replacing EDTA; water-soluble, very low irritation, stabilizes metal ions

Xanthan Gum

Natural thickener at 0.1–1%; provides gel texture, pH-stable, requires full hydration

Hectorite

Clay absorbent and viscosity controller; used in silicone-free hair products.

Phytosphingosine

Phytosphingosine barrier repair ingredient, 0.1–1%; water-soluble, good for dry skin.

Benzoic Acid

Preservative and pH adjuster at 0.1–0.5%; low water solubility, best in acidic media, irritant at high levels.