CeraVe

CeraVe Acne Clay to Foam Cleanser.

Cleansers

About this product

A two percent salicylic acid cleanser combining kaolin clay, ceramides and glycerin for acne treatment and oil control.

Full ingredients

Salicylic Acid, Water, Glycerin, Kaolin, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Cetyl Alcohol, Niacinamide, Glycolipids, Carrageenan, Beta-Glucan, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Carbomer, Triethyl Citrate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Cholesterol, Caprylyl Glycol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Lactic Acid, Chitosan, Phytosphingosine, Xanthan Gum, Benzoic Acid

Guru Score

82%

Yay

Early verdict · Few reviews so far

What the gurus are saying

This cleanser earns praise for its versatility: dermatologists found it works as a daily cleanser, spot treatment, or weekly mask depending on skin type and need. The ceramides and glycerin mean oily and acne-prone skin stays comfortable rather than tight, and it also helps with hyperpigmentation and seborrheic dermatitis. Those with normal to dry skin may want to skip it or use it sparingly, since the clay-forward formula is really built for oily skin.

Synthesized from 2 expert reviews · most recent take November 2025

What they liked

Two percent salicylic acid without drying skin
Works as daily cleanser, spot treatment, or weekly mask
Affordable for multiple uses

What they flagged

May be too strong for normal to dry skin

Best for

Oily skin Acne-prone skin

Type

CleansersFoam & mousse

Key actives

Niacinamide Salicylic acid (BHA)AHACeramides

Formula notes

Fragrance-freeNo drying alcohol

Where to buy

Ulta → Amazon → Google →

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Scan it in the shopFree iPhone app. Scores in the aisle.

What the experts use it for.

The concerns the experts tie this product to, in their own words. Paid and founder takes don't count.

Breakouts and acne2 experts

“It's good for acne and hyperpigmentation, also seborrheic dermatitis.”

Dr Dray, watch at 4:09

Dark spots and post-acne marks1 expert

“It's good for acne and hyperpigmentation, also seborrheic dermatitis.”

Dr Dray, watch at 4:09

What the gurus are saying.

Every take we've logged from this product's reviews across YouTube. Click any row to watch the moment they said it.

All takes Yay takes Nay takes Mixed takes Hide sponsored

208SkinDoc

2.11M subs

✓Yay

"I've been recommending it to more of my patients, especially those with oilier skin, but if you have normal to dry skin and some acne this may not be the right product for you, it's certainly not for everyone. It's not my daily cleanser since I have more normal skin myself and use it sparingly, [...] but if you have oily, acne prone skin and want something versatile, I think this is going to be a really good option for you."

Dr Dray

2.69M subs

✓Yay

"This is new, the clay to foam cleanser, salicylic acid cleanser. It's good for acne and hyperpigmentation, also seborrheic dermatitis."

What the evidence says.

Independent of what the gurus think, this is what the published research supports about the main active ingredients here.

Niacinamide

Niacinamide has evidence behind it for redness, uneven tone and supporting the skin barrier, and it is usually well tolerated even by skin that reacts to most things.

Source: DermNet

Salicylic acid

Salicylic acid dissolves in oil, so it can get into a pore rather than just working on the surface. That is why it has long-standing evidence for blackheads and milder acne.

Source: DermNet

Alpha hydroxy acids

Alpha hydroxy acids loosen the bonds holding dead cells at the surface. The evidence supports smoother texture and more even tone over time, and they can leave skin more sensitive to sun.

Source: NIH, National Library of Medicine

Frequently asked.

What is CeraVe Acne Clay to Foam Cleanser?

A two percent salicylic acid cleanser combining kaolin clay, ceramides and glycerin for acne treatment and oil control.

Is CeraVe Acne Clay to Foam Cleanser worth it?

Yes. All 2 gurus who reviewed it give it their stamp of approval, for a Guru Score of 82%.

What is CeraVe Acne Clay to Foam Cleanser's Guru Score?

CeraVe Acne Clay to Foam Cleanser holds a Guru Score of 82%. That is our read on how warmly the experts talk about it, based on the verdicts of 2 expert reviewers we have collected.

Who is CeraVe Acne Clay to Foam Cleanser best for?

CeraVe Acne Clay to Foam Cleanser is generally suited to oily skin and acne-prone skin.

What is CeraVe Acne Clay to Foam Cleanser good for, according to the experts?

In their reviews, experts say CeraVe Acne Clay to Foam Cleanser is good for breakouts and acne (2 experts) and dark spots and post-acne marks (1 expert).

Is CeraVe Acne Clay to Foam Cleanser good for breakouts and acne?

2 experts who reviewed CeraVe Acne Clay to Foam Cleanser say it is. Dr Dray put it this way: “It's good for acne and hyperpigmentation, also seborrheic dermatitis.”