CeraVe acne control cleanser
CeraVe cerave acne control cleanser lists 27 ingredients on its label, 27 decoded. See what each one does, its irritancy and comedogenic tendency, and its status in national inventories.
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.
- Salicylic Acid
- 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
- Triethyl Citrate
- Sodium Benzoate
- Sodium Hydroxide
- Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
- Cholesterol
- Tetrasodium EDTA
- Caprylyl Glycol
- Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
- Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
- Xanthan Gum
- Hectorite
- Phytosphingosine
- 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
Formulation view Water-based gel with salicylic acid, amino acid surfactants, niacinamide, gluconolactone, and ceramides. Focuses on gentle cleansing and exfoliation for oily acne-prone skin. Factory note: high salicylic acid requires pH stability to balance exfoliation and irritation; surfactant blending must optimize foam and rinse.
Key ingredients
- ANTI-SEBORRHEIC
- Salicylic Acid
- ANTIPLAQUE
- Water
- ANTISTATIC
- Sodium Lauroyl SarcosinateCocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
- DENATURANT
- Glycerin
- SMOOTHING
- Niacinamide
- CHELATING
- Gluconolactone
- SURFACTANT - CLEANSING
- Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Other ingredients
PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl TetrastearateCeramide NPCeramide APCeramide EOPCarbomerCalcium GluconateTriethyl CitrateSodium BenzoateSodium HydroxideSodium Lauroyl LactylateCholesterolTetrasodium EDTACaprylyl GlycolHydrolyzed Hyaluronic AcidTrisodium Ethylenediamine DisuccinateXanthan GumHectoritePhytosphingosineBenzoic Acid
Skim through
| Ingredient | What it does | Irr. · Com. | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salicylic Acid | ANTI-SEBORRHEIC, HAIR CONDITIONING, KERATOLYTIC, FRAGRANCE, PRESERVATIVE, SKIN CONDITIONING · 限制 III/98 V/3 | 2 · 0 | Yellow |
| Water | ANTIPLAQUE, SKIN CONDITIONING, SOLVENT | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate | ANTISTATIC, CLEANSING, SURFACTANT - EMULSIFYING, FOAMING, HAIR CONDITIONING, SKIN CONDITIONING, SURFACTANT - CLEANSING, VISCOSITY CONTROLLING | 0 · – | Green |
| Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine | ANTISTATIC, CLEANSING, SURFACTANT - FOAM BOOSTING, HAIR CONDITIONING, SKIN CONDITIONING, SURFACTANT - CLEANSING, VISCOSITY CONTROLLING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Glycerin | DENATURANT, HAIR CONDITIONING, HUMECTANT, ORAL CARE, SKIN PROTECTING, SOLVENT, VISCOSITY CONTROLLING, PERFUMING, FRAGRANCE, SKIN CONDITIONING - HUMECTANT | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Niacinamide | SMOOTHING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Gluconolactone | CHELATING, SKIN CONDITIONING | 2 · 1 | Green |
| Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate | SURFACTANT - CLEANSING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate | SURFACTANT - EMULSIFYING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Ceramide NP | HAIR CONDITIONING, SKIN CONDITIONING - MISCELLANEOUS | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Ceramide AP | HAIR CONDITIONING, SKIN CONDITIONING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Ceramide EOP | HAIR CONDITIONING, SKIN CONDITIONING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Carbomer | EMULSION STABILISING, GEL FORMING, VISCOSITY CONTROLLING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Calcium Gluconate | CHELATING, SKIN CONDITIONING - MISCELLANEOUS | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Triethyl Citrate | FRAGRANCE, PLASTICISER, SOLVENT, VISCOSITY CONTROLLING, PERFUMING, DEODORANT | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Sodium Benzoate | ANTICORROSIVE, FRAGRANCE, PRESERVATIVE · 限制 V/1 | 0 · – | Yellow |
| Sodium Hydroxide | BUFFERING, DENATURANT · 限制 III/15a | 3 · – | Green |
| Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate | SURFACTANT - EMULSIFYING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Cholesterol | SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT, SURFACTANT - EMULSIFYING, SKIN CONDITIONING, LIGHT STABILIZER, VISCOSITY CONTROLLING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Tetrasodium EDTA | CHELATING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Caprylyl Glycol | DEODORANT, SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT, HAIR CONDITIONING, SKIN CONDITIONING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid | HAIR CONDITIONING, HUMECTANT, SKIN CONDITIONING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate | CHELATING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Xanthan Gum | BINDING, SURFACTANT - EMULSIFYING, EMULSION STABILISING, GEL FORMING, SKIN CONDITIONING, SURFACTANT - CLEANSING, VISCOSITY CONTROLLING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Hectorite | ABSORBENT, BULKING, VISCOSITY CONTROLLING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Phytosphingosine | HAIR CONDITIONING, SKIN CONDITIONING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Benzoic Acid | FRAGRANCE, PRESERVATIVE, pH ADJUSTERS · 限制 V/1 | 1 · – | Green |
Ingredients explained
- Salicylic Acid
- Lipophilic BHA at 0.5-2%; exfoliant/sebum control, irritation/sensitization at high conc., photosensitivity (SPF needed), avoid sensitive/pregnant.
- 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.
Source: full ingredient list published on the product label, collected 2026-09-17. Ratings are our internal reading, not a regulatory conclusion. · Product page
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