Head to head

CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser vs CeraVe SA Smoothing Cleanser

Same comparison whichever way you searched it: CeraVe SA Smoothing Cleanser vs CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser.

The bottom line

CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser and CeraVe SA Smoothing Cleanser land in much the same place on performance, so value decides it: CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser does the same job for less.

CeraVeFoaming Facial CleanserCleanser · ~€12See every ingredient in Foaming Facial Cleanser, decoded
CeraVeSA Smoothing CleanserCleanser · ~€13See every ingredient in SA Smoothing Cleanser, decoded

Which should you pick?

Pick Foaming Facial Cleanser if

  • you want the more affordable option

Pick SA Smoothing Cleanser if

  • you are dealing with breakouts and oiliness

What each delivers

HydrationBarrierBrighteningOil-controlAnti-aging
Foaming Facial CleanserSA Smoothing Cleanser
  • Hydration
    1010
  • Barrier repair
    1010
  • Brightening / tone
    77
  • Oil-control & blemishes
    810
  • Anti-aging
    66

Side by side

Foaming Facial CleanserSA Smoothing Cleanser
TypeCleanserCleanser
Key activesGlycerin, Niacinamide, Ceramide 3Glycerin, Niacinamide, Ceramide 3
TextureA gentle wash that lifts the day away without leaving skin tight or squeaky.A gentle wash that lifts the day away without leaving skin tight or squeaky.
FragranceNone detectedNone detected
Fungal-acne safeLikelyLikely
PregnancyNo flagged activesNo flagged actives
Ingredients25 listed24 listed
Price~€12~€13

What's in one but not the other

Only in Foaming Facial Cleanser

Only in SA Smoothing Cleanser

The molecule doing the work

Foaming Facial CleanserGlycerin
SA Smoothing CleanserGlycerin

Better for…

  • Dark spots & uneven toneEither works
  • Breakouts & congestionSA Smoothing Cleanser
  • Dryness & dehydrationEither works

CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser is the cheaper of the two (~€12 vs ~€13).

Ready to pick one?

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Common questions

Is CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser or CeraVe SA Smoothing Cleanser better for breakouts & congestion?

For breakouts & congestion, CeraVe SA Smoothing Cleanser is the stronger pick by our read of the two formulas. CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser and CeraVe SA Smoothing Cleanser land in much the same place on performance, so value decides it: CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser does the same job for less.

Which is cheaper, CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser or CeraVe SA Smoothing Cleanser?

CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser is the cheaper of the two (~€12 vs ~€13).

Can I use CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser and CeraVe SA Smoothing Cleanser together?

They are both cleansers, so you would normally pick one rather than layer both in the same step. You can keep both and alternate them (morning and night, or on different days) if you like variety, but you do not need two.

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