CeraVe Acne Control Gel
by CeraVe · skin_care
Editor's Take
Most acne gels make you choose between treating breakouts and respecting the barrier; this one puts glycolic acid, niacinamide, and ceramides on the same formula shift.
Four-pillar formula scores
- Performance: 8.5 / 10
- Innovative Ingredients: 7.2 / 10
- Clean Standards: 8.0 / 10
- Formula Sustainability: 8.8 / 10
The Verdict
Glycolic and lactic acids provide serious resurfacing, while niacinamide and three ceramides give the barrier meaningful backup. The gel is thoughtfully buffered and designed to deposit those lipids, though potent acids still warrant a gradual start. Synthetic polymers and supporting emulsifiers rule out natural certification, but the overall environmental profile remains very good. One of the better-designed acid acne treatments on the shelf.
Is CeraVe Acne Control Gel clean?
DARE scores CeraVe Acne Control Gel by CeraVe 8.0 / 10 on Clean Standards, the human-health pillar of the Formulation Architecture Model™. That reading comes from the published INCI list read as a system — preservative, fragrance and surfactant choices in context — not from flagging single ingredients in isolation.
What are the key ingredients in CeraVe Acne Control Gel?
The formula leads with WATER, GLYCERIN, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, GLYCOLIC ACID, LACTIC ACID, NIACINAMIDE. DARE reads the full INCI list below in order, so position and pairing shape how each ingredient contributes under Performance and Innovative Ingredients.
How does DARE score CeraVe Acne Control Gel?
Under the Formulation Architecture Model™, CeraVe Acne Control Gel by CeraVe scores Performance 8.5 / 10, Clean Standards 8.0 / 10, Innovative Ingredients 7.2 / 10, and Formula Sustainability 8.8 / 10. Each pillar is scored from the finished formula rather than from isolated ingredient flags.
Full INCI list
WATER, GLYCERIN, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, GLYCOLIC ACID, LACTIC ACID, NIACINAMIDE, CERAMIDE NP, CERAMIDE AP, CERAMIDE EOP, CARBOMER, CETEARYL ALCOHOL, BEHENTRIMONIUM METHOSULFATE, TRIETHYL CITRATE, SODIUM HYALURONATE, SODIUM LAUROYL LACTYLATE, CHOLESTEROL, CHLORPHENESIN, DISODIUM EDTA, HYDROXYACETOPHENONE, HYDROXYETHYLCELLULOSE, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, PHYTOSPHINGOSINE, XANTHAN GUM, POLYSORBATE 20, BENZOIC ACID
Last updated October 9, 2026