Acne Control Cleanser
CeraVe · 1: cleanse

Acne Control Cleanser

A gel-to-foam cleanser with 2% salicylic acid, formulated to treat acne, reduce blackheads, and improve the appearance of pores. Also contains niacinamide and hectorite clay to help absorb excess oil, plus three ceramides to support the skin barrier. Fragrance-free, paraben-free, and non-comedogenic.

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How to use

Morning and evening, as the first cleansing step. Work a dime-sized amount into a lather on wet skin, avoid the eye area, and rinse well. Follow with a moisturizer.

Pros
  • 2% salicylic acid, the top over-the-counter strength for acne, with strong evidence for clogged pores and blackheads
  • Niacinamide and ceramides included to help offset dryness
  • Hectorite clay to absorb excess oil, per the brand
  • Fragrance-free and non-comedogenic, per the brand
Cons
  • A wash is rinsed off within seconds, so much less acid reaches the skin than from a leave-on product
  • Can dry or irritate; the brand advises asking a dermatologist before combining with other acne treatments

Pros, cons and how-to-use notes are Derminology's own opinion and suggestions, based on ingredients we've matched to published clinical evidence and on the brand's directions. They are general information, not medical advice. Always follow the label, patch test new products, and ask a doctor or dermatologist if you have a skin condition, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or use prescription treatments.

Active Ingredients

The ingredients we've matched to real clinical evidence and used to score this product's efficacy below — not the full ingredient label.

Claims

✓ Non-comedogenic
✓ Dermatologist tested
✓ Safe for sensitive skin
✓ Hypoallergenic
✓ Fragrance free
? Paraben free (unknown)
? Oil free (unknown)

Efficacy readout

Blemishes
4.5/5
Aging
3.9/5
Irritation
4.5/5

Eczema and Rosacea scoring: Coming soon — most clinically-proven treatments for these are prescription-only and fall outside a consumer product database. Not shown on the chart above.

Colored = scored    Grey = not applicable to this product

✧ Also removes makeup (3.0/5)

References

No references added yet.

Related — same routine step