Formula · 3.4

Brand · 7.9

CeraVe · cream with salicylic acid · US

CeraVe SA Smoothing Cream

CeraVe SA Smoothing Cream
3.4

LabReadAI label score

How the score is calculated
  • Actives and evidence0.9Actives with strong evidence: 3 of 5
  • Active concentration0.3After the 1 % line: salicylic acid (bha), lactic acid, niacinamide (vitamin b3) — the concentration is likely token
  • Completeness for the purpose0.0For ““chicken skin” (keratosis pilaris)” — 4 %; below threshold: salicylic acid (bha); a formula with one main purpose
  • Tolerance1.0Debatable ingredient groups: parabens (skin test positive in 1 of 100 tested)
  • adults
  • dry skin
  • oily skin
  • atopic skin
  • pregnancysalicylates — ask a doctor
  • sensitive skinstart at 0.5 %
  • before sunSPF is a must in the daytime
  • acne-pronemay clog pores in leave-on face products
  • prone to contact allergya rare but known allergen
Free from:
  • alcohol (alcohol denat) · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “denatured alcohol” group — evaporates fast and degreases; frequent contact can dry the skin — a tolerance question, not a regulatory one; does not clog pores
  • sulfates (SLS/SLES) · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “ammonium laureth sulfate (ALES), ammonium lauryl sulfate (ALS), sodium coco-sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), sodium myreth sulfate, TEA-lauryl sulfate” group — a cleansing surfactant from the sulfate family but with an ethoxylated chain: it cleanses more gently than lauryl sulfate. Still not for those looking for a sulfate-free product.
  • formaldehyde releasers · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “formaldehyde releasers” group — preservatives that slowly release formaldehyde; allowed at low levels but a frequent cause of contact allergy
  • isothiazolinones (MIT/MCI) · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “isothiazolinone preservatives (MIT/MCI)” group — preservatives; banned in EU leave-on products and limited in rinse-off (0.0015%) — a frequent cause of contact allergy
  • fragrance · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “fragrance and its allergens” group — the fragrance and its aromatic components; the EU requires 26 of them to be listed separately — matters to people allergic to fragrance, does not affect how the product works
  • soap · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “potassium soap (potassium cocoate), plant soap base (sodium palmate, sodium cocoate), tallow soap base (sodium tallowate)” group — liquid soap: fatty acids boiled with alkali. It cleanses well, but its acidity is around 9-10 against 5 for skin, which is why it often leaves tightness. The product is rinsed off, so the question is tolerance.
  • gelatin in the coating · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “vegetarian coating” group — a plant-based tablet coating instead of gelatin; it keeps moisture out and makes swallowing easier
  • toning dyes · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “violet toning dyes” group — direct dyes that settle on the hair surface and cancel the yellow cast of blonde; they wash out in 1–3 washes and leave a lilac tint if left too long; HC Blue 2 and Disperse Violet 1 are known contact allergens of hair dyes
  • tar · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “wood (birch) tar” group — a traditional remedy for dandruff and itching with a sharp smell; it reduces flaking, but can irritate a sensitive scalp and dries the hair
What for: Rough bumps on the upper arms and thighs are keratin plugs in hair follicles. Any keratolytic softens them: 10 % lactic acid, 5 % salicylic acid, urea from 10 %; a retinoid is weaker. It never fully disappears, but skin gets smooth with regular care.
When:
  • leave-on
  • evening
on skin — in the evening, starting 2–3 times a week; in a shampoo — at every wash, leave for 2–3 minutes
When to expect an effect: pores, blackheads — 4–8 weeks; smoothness — 2–4 weeks; tone, pores — 4–8 weeks; sebum — 2–4; barrier, dryness — 2–4 weeks; hydration — immediately; lasting effect — 2–4 weeks
What is normal: mild dryness and flaking in the first weeks; mild tingling; mild flushing in the first days at high concentration

Ingredients — 27 components · 5 work

What works: 5 of 27 ingredients: salicylic acid, lactic acid, niacinamide and 2 more. Rough bumps on the upper arms and thighs are keratin plugs in hair follicles. Any keratolytic softens them: 10 % lactic acid, 5 % salicylic acid, urea from 10 %; a retinoid is weaker. It never fully disappears, but skin gets smooth with regular care.

Strengths: actives and evidence, tolerance

What lowers the score: active concentration: after the 1 % line: salicylic acid, lactic acid, niacinamide — the concentration is likely token; completeness for the purpose: for ““chicken skin”” — 4 %

Questions: parabens: methylparaben, propylparaben — preservatives; methyl- and ethylparaben are recognised as safe at permitted levels, propyl- and butyl- are limited by the EU to 0.14 %; a frequent buyer question rather than proven harm

  • Ceramides + Hyaluronic acid — reinforce each otherhyaluronate draws moisture in, ceramides keep it
  • Ceramides + skin-identical components — reinforce each otherceramides with cholesterol and fatty acids restore the barrier better than alone
  • Hyaluronic acid + petrolatum and mineral oils — reinforce each otherhyaluronate draws water in, petrolatum seals it — the classic humectant plus occlusive pair
  • Lactic acid + Hyaluronic acid — reinforce each otherhyaluronate softens the dryness from the acid
  • Niacinamide (vitamin B3) + Ceramides — reinforce each otherniacinamide boosts the skin own ceramide production, added ceramides rebuild the barrier from outside
  • Niacinamide (vitamin B3) + Salicylic acid (BHA) — reinforce each otherniacinamide cuts sebum and redness, the BHA clears pores — an acne classic
  • Aqua/Water/Eau base: coating, fillers · water — the solvent and base; listed first because there is more of it than anything else; in supplements — part of the capsule shell
  • Glycerin base: coating, fillers · a humectant: coats the tablet, holds moisture in creams and shampoos; does not clog pores
  • Paraffinum Liquidum/Mineral Oil base: coating, fillers · purified cosmetic-grade petroleum products: form a protective barrier film; safety is established, a preference question; 0–2 of 5 (depends on the raw-material source), cosmetic white oil per DiNardo (2005) is non-comedogenic
  • Glyceryl Stearate base: coating, fillers · the basic cream emulsifier (neutral NSE form); the self-emulsifying SE form with added potassium stearate is a separate entry, 3 of 5; does not clog pores
  • Cetearyl Alcohol base: coating, fillers · a fatty-alcohol blend (C16–C18), an emulsifier and thickener, does not dry the skin; paired with ceteareth-20 — 4 of 5; rarely clogs pores in leave-on face products
  • Triethanolamine base: coating, fillers · a pH adjuster and thickener neutraliser; rarely clogs pores in leave-on face products
  • Salicylic Acid works · the active ingredient — what the product is for; form: salicylic acid
  • Niacinamide works · the active ingredient — what the product is for; form: niacinamide
  • Cetyl Alcohol base: coating, fillers · a fatty alcohol, emulsifier and thickener; does not dry the skin — not “alcohol” in the everyday sense; rarely clogs pores
  • Ammonium Lactate works · the active ingredient — what the product is for; form: AHA acid
  • Behentrimonium Methosulfate base: coating, fillers · soften, condition and carry the actives; the backbone of the texture
  • PEG-100 Stearate base: coating, fillers · a highly ethoxylated emulsifier, the usual partner of glyceryl stearate; does not clog pores
  • Zea Mays Oil/Corn Oil base: coating, fillers · an emollient oil; may clog pores in leave-on face products
  • Ceramide NP works · the active ingredient — what the product is for; form: ceramides NP, AP, EOP
  • Ceramide AP works · the active ingredient — what the product is for; form: ceramides NP, AP, EOP
  • Ceramide EOP works · the active ingredient — what the product is for; form: ceramides NP, AP, EOP
  • Carbomer base: coating, fillers · hold the texture: gels, creams and foam do not separate
  • Dimethicone base: coating, fillers · form a smooth film and shine; inert and not absorbed — a preference question, not a safety one
  • Methylparaben questions · preservatives; methyl- and ethylparaben are recognised as safe at permitted levels, propyl- and butyl- are limited by the EU to 0.14 %; a frequent buyer question rather than proven harm
  • Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate base: coating, fillers · a mild surfactant and emulsifier from lactic acid and a fatty acid: it binds water with oils and cleanses lightly.
  • Cholecalciferol base: coating, fillers · vitamin D3 at the very end of the list: in a cream it acts as a skin conditioner, and a topical product does not correct a body-wide vitamin D shortfall — that calls for an oral intake
  • Cholesterol base: coating, fillers · amino acids, lipids and sugars akin to the skin’s own components — support for its barrier
  • Phenoxyethanol base: coating, fillers · the most widespread cosmetic preservative: it keeps the product sterile. Permitted in the EU up to 1 %, recognised as safe at that level.
  • Disodium EDTA base: coating, fillers · bind hard-water metals so the formula stays stable and the foam works
  • Tocopherol base: coating, fillers · vitamin E at hundredths of a percent: keeps the oils of the formula (a cream or a capsule fill) from going rancid; at that share it protects the product, it is not vitamin E as an active
  • Propylparaben questions · preservatives; methyl- and ethylparaben are recognised as safe at permitted levels, propyl- and butyl- are limited by the EU to 0.14 %; a frequent buyer question rather than proven harm
  • Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid works · the active ingredient — what the product is for; form: hydrolyzed
  • Phytosphingosine base: coating, fillers · amino acids, lipids and sugars akin to the skin’s own components — support for its barrier
  • Xanthan Gum base: coating, fillers · hold the texture: gels, creams and foam do not separate

CeraVe SA Smoothing Cream is a product whose active ingredient is salicylic acid (bha) + lactic acid + niacinamide (vitamin b3) + ceramides. The concentration is not declared and the active sits after the 1 % line — more for the label than for the effect. The effect is moderately supported: salicylic acid (bha), hyaluronic acid. The effect is supported by studies: lactic acid, niacinamide (vitamin b3), ceramides. The formula has 27 ingredients, 5 of which do the work; the rest is the formula base. Worth noting: Methylparaben, Propylparaben (preservatives; methyl- and ethylparaben are recognised as safe at permitted levels, propyl- and butyl- are limited by the EU to 0.14 %; a frequent buyer question rather than proven harm). Well-matched pairs in the formula: ceramides + hyaluronic acid; ceramides + skin-identical components; hyaluronic acid + petrolatum and mineral oils; lactic acid + hyaluronic acid; niacinamide (vitamin b3) + ceramides; niacinamide (vitamin b3) + salicylic acid (bha). Rough bumps on the upper arms and thighs are keratin plugs in hair follicles. Any keratolytic softens them: 10 % lactic acid, 5 % salicylic acid, urea from 10 %; a retinoid is weaker. It never fully disappears, but skin gets smooth with regular care. By the list, no alcohol (alcohol denat), sulfates (SLS/SLES), formaldehyde releasers, isothiazolinones (MIT/MCI), fragrance, soap, gelatin in the coating, toning dyes, tar. Suitable for: adults, dry skin, oily skin, atopic skin. pregnancy, sensitive skin, before sun, acne-prone, prone to contact allergy — ask a doctor. rosacea, eczema, children — not without a doctor. Use: on skin — in the evening, starting 2–3 times a week; in a shampoo — at every wash, leave for 2–3 minutes. When to expect an effect: pores, blackheads — 4–8 weeks. Label score — 3.4 out of 10 (actives with strong evidence: 3 of 5; after the 1 % line: salicylic acid (bha), lactic acid, niacinamide (vitamin b3) — the concentration is likely token; for ““chicken skin” (keratosis pilaris)” — 4 %; below threshold: salicylic acid (bha); a formula with one main purpose; debatable ingredient groups: parabens (skin test positive in 1 of 100 tested)).

Who it does not suit

  • rosacea, eczemanot on inflamed skin
  • childrenonly if prescribed

When to stop: burning, persistent redness — stop; persistent burning — stop; tightness in dry air — apply under a cream

Is this product right for your skin?

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Cosmetic ingredient checkDecode my tests

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