CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser vs Smoothing

So, you've decided you want to try one of CeraVe's cult-favorite, best-selling salicylic acid cleansers, but you can't quite figure out what the differences are? We've all been there, don't worry!

Come with us as we compare the CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser vs CeraVe SA Smoothing Cleanser side-by-side to help you decide which is right for you. Enjoy!

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CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser vs CeraVe SA Smoothing Cleanser

With both cleansers appearing practically identical on the shelf with their signature off-white color, we're going to have to dive straight into their formulas to find any differences of note.

What are the similarities?

Firstly, as is evident without even having to delve insofar as the names of the products, both the CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser and the CeraVe SA Smoothing Cleanser contain salicylic acid (SA) as their primary active ingredient.

Perfect for oily skin, salicylic acid is best known for its ability to deep clean excess oil out of pores and reduce oil production moving forward. Because salicylic acid keeps pores clean and unclogged, it prevents future whiteheads and blackheads from developing. Salicylic acid also exfoliates dead skin, and its anti-inflammatory properties make it a prime ingredient for those with psoriasis.

Brief inspection of the ingredients lists reveals that both cleansers also contain niacinamide and polyhydroxy acids.

Also known as vitamin B3 and nicotinamide, niacinamide is a water-soluble vitamin that works with the natural substances in your skin to help visibly minimise enlarged pores, tighten lax pores, improve uneven skin tone, soften fine lines and wrinkles, diminish dullness, and strengthen a weakened surface.

Similar to alpha hydroxy acids, polyhydroxy acids work by exfoliating dead skin cells on the surface, resulting in a more even skin tone and texture, and also help skin-care ingredients penetrate deeper into the layers of your skin, thus boosting their efficacy.

As with all CeraVe products, both cleansers contain a complex of skin-nourishing ceramides, and they are alcohol-, silicone-, fragrance-, sulfate-, paraben-, and allergen-free.

What are the differences?

You may now be wondering what the difference between the CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser and the CeraVe SA Smoothing Cleanser is.

The CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser is simply just the American version of the SA Smoothing Cleanser, whereas the SA Smoothing Cleanser is the European version.

We've seen a number of online reviews/comparisons stating that "they are completely different", but this is simply not true. Of the 29 ingredients in the CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser relative to the 26 ingredients in the CeraVe SA Smoothing Cleanser, there are only three notable differences:

1. Differing Ceramides: the Renewing SA Cleanser contains Ceramide AP instead of Ceramide Ng, whereas the SA Smoothing Cleanser contains Ceramide Ng instead of Ceramide AP. The difference is negligible.
2. Inclusion of Zea Mays Oil: the Renewing SA Cleanser contains Zea Mays Oil - an emollient - whereas the SA Smoothing Cleanser doesn't. The difference is negligible.
3. Differing types of Hyaluronic Acid: the Renewing SA Cleanser contains Hydrolized Soy + Hyaluronic Acid, whereas the SA Smoothing Cleanser contains Hydrolized Hyaluronic Acid. The difference is negligible.

Which should you choose?

All in all, it is fairly safe to conclude the differences between the two are negligible/non-existent other than availability.

From the USA (or Canada) and looking for a gentle, smoothing cleanser?
Try the CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser

From the UK/EU and looking for a gentle, smoothing cleanser?
Try the CeraVe SA Smoothing Cleanser

This article was originally published on April 27th 2022, but it has been reviewed and updated with the latest available information on February 5th 2024 by Sara Mckay, MA.