CeraVe
CeraVe Acne Control Cleanser
A 2% salicylic acid face wash for acne-prone oily skin with ceramides, niacinamide and oil-absorbing hectorite clay; free of added fragrance.
- Salicylic acid 2%
- Marketed as fragrance free
- oily skin
Who it's for: Oily skin (brand-listed) · Sold as fragrance free
- No scent flags recorded
- No sensitivity flags recorded
Label answers before you buy
Manufacturer source · Label checked . Label facts only, not testing or medical advice: what these answers can't tell you.
Is CeraVe Acne Control Cleanser fragrance-free?
The brand markets it as fragrance free. The ingredient list hasn't been reviewed as a complete formula, so we can't confirm it has no scent ingredients.
Is CeraVe Acne Control Cleanser good for oily skin?
The brand lists it for oily skin.
Does the formula list niacinamide?
Yes. The label lists NIACINAMIDE.
Ingredient-origin notes (not vegan warnings)
- GLYCERIN: The name does not establish the feedstock. Plant, animal or synthetic sourcing requires supplier or manufacturer evidence. Origin reference
Ingredient-origin reference and limitations · How we record vegan evidence
Compare products using these exclusions · Inspect recorded ingredients · Matching rules and limits
How it compares
- Its label lists no scent ingredients, which is true of 24 of the 51 products in Gel, Foam & Cream Facial Cleansers with a recorded ingredient list.
Compare the facts that matter to you
2% Salicylic acid: Manufacturer-stated named active; percentage basis not independently measured. Compare exact forms and stated percentages.
What it is
CeraVe Acne Control Cleanser is a salicylic acid face wash for acne-prone, oily skin, used morning and evening.
Key ingredients
- Salicylic acid 2%: The active ingredient. CeraVe says it promotes natural exfoliation.
- Hectorite clay: Helps absorb oil so skin looks less shiny.
- Ceramides (NP, AP and EOP): CeraVe says they help restore the skin’s natural barrier, keeping moisture in.
- Niacinamide: CeraVe says it may help calm skin and reduce water loss.
How to use
Wet your face, work a dime-sized amount into a lather and massage gently, avoiding the eyes. Rinse well. Use every morning and evening.
Who should be careful
CeraVe says it’s free of added fragrance, paraben free and allergy tested. Salicylic acid can be drying, and it may sting on freshly shaved skin. Check with a dermatologist before combining it with other acne treatments, as CeraVe suggests.
What the brand claims
CeraVe calls it non-comedogenic and cites an IQVIA survey naming CeraVe the top dermatologist-recommended cleanser brand for acne.
Sources
- https://www.cerave.com/skincare/cleansers/acne-salicylic-acid-cleanser (checked 2026-10-23)
We have not tested this product.
What's on the label
| Category | Gel, Foam & Cream Facial Cleansers |
|---|---|
| Brand | CeraVe |
| Active ingredient | Salicylic acid 2% |
| When to use | Morning and evening |
| Amount | Dime-sized |
| Key ingredients | Salicylic acid, ceramides, niacinamide, hectorite clay |
| Headline active | Salicylic acid 2% |
| Brand says it suits | oily skin |
| Fragrance | Sold as fragrance free |
| Vegan evidence | Vegan status not confirmed. Evidence and limits |
| Worth knowing | No scent or sensitivity flags recorded |
| Full ingredient list | 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 No specific flag recorded Context matters Scent ingredient Sensitivity consideration Linked ingredients are explained in our ingredient glossary. |
| Source | Brand's own product page Checked |
Similar gel, foam & cream facial cleansers
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Laneige Water Bank Gentle Gel Cleanser
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Common questions
What is the active ingredient?
Salicylic acid 2%.
How often should I use it?
Every morning and evening.