Gold Bond Rough and Bumpy vs CeraVe SA

For those with "Rough and Bumpy Skin"—also known as Keratosis Pilaris—finding an effective treatment can be a frustrating experience. Two of the most popular products out there, though, are made by titans of the skincare industry: Gold Bond and CeraVe.

Which is better, you ask? That's what we'll be finding out today as we compare them side-by-side. Gold Bond vs CeraVe - let’s get into it.

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Gold Bond Rough and Bumpy vs CeraVe SA Smoothing Cream

If you’re trying to restore your skin back to a healthy and smooth texture, picking up a gentle exfoliating cream is absolutely the way to go. Creams that contain chemical exfoliants such as AHAs, BHAs, and PHAs (alpha-, beta-, and poly-hydroxy acids, respectively) help loosen and remove dead keratin cells, unclog pores, and reduce the appearance of unsightly bumps.

Two of the best exfoliating creams are the Gold Bond Rough & Bumpy Skin Daily Therapy Cream and the CeraVe SA Cream for Rough & Bumpy Skin.

2024 update: The Gold Bond cream has a new look! Don't worry, though, the formula has't changed; just be wary that different retailers might stock different versions of the packaging.

Both products contain Salicylic Acid—a Beta Hydroxy Acid which operates deep below the skin's surface—as well as Lactic Acid—an Alpha Hydroxy Acid known to be 'tamer' due to its larger molecular size and the fact that it works primarily on the outer most layers of the skin. This potent duo ensures thorough-yet-gentle exfoliation of the skin for a smoother, softer texture.

But if they both contain the same treatments for bumpy skin, what sets them apart? Allow us to dig a little deeper.

First and foremost, its worth noting that the Gold Bond Rough & Bumpy Skin Cream also contains Gluconolactone—a Poly Hydroxy Acid which works to exfoliate skin cells exclusively on the surface of the skin. This means that Gold Bond's cream contains the full combo of alpha-, beta-, and poly-hydroxy acids, so it exfoliates at every possible level and depth of your skin.

So as not to be one-upped, though, the CeraVe SA Cream also includes three essential ceramides which help maintain your skin's protective barrier, which by proxy helps prevent dryness, roughness, and bumpiness from further developing. Additionally it also contains Niacinamide with a similar purpose, as well as boasting oil-regulation, inflammation-reducing, and acne-treating properties.

Without knowing the exact concentrations of the acids contained in these creams (neither brands have disclosed these figures), it's difficult to say for sure which is empirically most effective. Anecdotally speaking, they both boast very similar numbers of impressive online ratings and reviews, which would imply they are fairly on-par with each other.

Although it's a tricky one to call, we marginally prefer CeraVe's SA Cream for Rough & Bumpy Skin due to its keen focus on supporting the skin's moisture barrier, ensuring that skin is well-conditioned for a greater improvement in overall skin texture. The Gold Bond Rough & Bumpy Skin Cream might offer greater exfoliation due to the additional inclusion of Gluconolactone (which isn't present in CeraVe's), but the conditioning botanical ingredients are slightly less convincing relative to CeraVe's ceramide + niacinamide combo.

This article was originally published on May 19th 2022, but it has been reviewed and updated with the latest available information on February 6th 2024 by Sara Mckay, MA.