AC
AGreat
SA Renewing Cream
The CeraVe SA Renewing Cream is a emulsion. Our analysis of its 26 ingredients (18 low-risk) rates it Excellent (86/100). Based on its ingredients, it looks well-suited to oily / acne-prone skin.
The CeraVe SA Renewing Cream is a emulsion. Our analysis of its 26 ingredients (18 low-risk) rates it Excellent (86/100). Based on its ingredients, it looks well-suited to oily / acne-prone skin.
Summarised from our ingredient analysis — not brand marketing copy.
The evidence
Dry Skin
7/9
Oily/Acne-Prone Skin
1/0
Sensitive Skin
3/8
| EWG | CIR | Ingredient Name & Cosmetic Functions | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
1
|
A
|
Glyceryl Stearate SE
(Emulsifying, Surfactant) |
Bad for Oily Skin
|
|
1
|
A
|
Niacinamide
(Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Smoothing) |
|
|
1
|
A
|
Disodium EDTA
(Chelating Agent, Viscosity Controlling) |
|
|
1
|
B
|
Behentrimonium Methosulfate
(Antistatic Agent, Hair Conditioning, Surfactant) |
|
|
1
|
A
|
Ceramide 1
(Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning) |
|
|
1
|
|
Ceramide 3
(Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning) |
|
|
1
|
A
|
Cetyl Alcohol
(Emulsion Stabilising, Fragrance, Opacifying, Emulsifying, Surfactant, Foam Boosting, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Emollient, Masking, Viscosity Controlling) |
|
|
1
|
|
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
(Emulsifying, Surfactant) |
|
|
1
|
A
|
Xanthan Gum
(Binding Agent, Emulsion Stabilising, Skin Conditioning, Surfactant Emulsifying Agent, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Binding, Gel Forming, Viscosity Controlling) |
|
|
1
|
|
Water
(Solvent) |
|
|
1
|
A
|
Carbomer
(Emulsion Stabilising, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Gel Forming, Viscosity Controlling) |
|
|
2
|
A
|
Glycerin
(Denaturant, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Humectant, Oral Care Agent, Oral Health Care Drug, Skin Protecting, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Perfuming, Solvent) |
Good for Dry Skin
Fungal Acne Trigger
|
|
1
|
A
|
Cholesterol
(Emulsion Stabilising, Skin Conditioning, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Emollient, Emulsifying, Stabilising, Viscosity Controlling) |
|
4
|
B
|
Salicylic Acid
(Antiacne Agent, Antidandruff Agent, Corn/Callus/Wart Remover, Denaturant, Exfoliant, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Keratolytic, Masking, Preservative) |
Good for Oily Skin
Bad for Sensitive Skin
|
|
1
|
|
Phytosphingosine
(Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning) |
|
|
1
|
A
|
Hyaluronic Acid
(Skin Conditioning, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Antistatic Agent, Humectant, Moisturising) |
|
|
1
|
|
Ceramide 6 | |
|
3
|
A
|
Dimethicone
(Antifoaming Agent, Skin Protecting, Emollient, Skin Conditioning) |
Silicone
|
|
3
|
A
|
PEG-100 Stearate
(Surfactant) |
Fungal Acne Trigger
|
|
4
|
A
|
Methylparaben
(Fragrance, Preservative) |
Paraben
|
|
4
|
B
|
Ammonium Lactate
(Buffering Agent, Exfoliant, Humectant, Keratolytic, Skin Conditioning) |
|
|
4
|
A
|
Phenoxyethanol
(Fragrance, Preservative) |
Paraben
|
|
5
|
B
|
Triethanolamine
(Fragrance, Ph Adjuster, Emulsifying, Surfactant, Buffering Agent, Masking) |
|
|
5
|
|
Cholecalciferol
(Skin Conditioning) |
|
7
|
A
|
Propylparaben
(Fragrance, Preservative, Perfuming) |
Paraben
|
|
1
3
|
|
Mineral Oil
(Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Emollient, Skin Protecting, Solvent, Antistatic Agent, Perfuming) |
No personal ingredient notes yet. Save ingredients to your profile to get good/bad alerts here.
EWG flags hazard, not real-world risk — ratings don't account for how much of an ingredient a product contains. Treat these as things to research, not verdicts. How we score →
How to use
General guidance from this product's category and active ingredients — always follow the directions on the package.
Trust & honesty
Contains ingredients some choose to avoid or double-check while pregnant or nursing.
Low-strength topical salicylic acid (BHA) is generally considered fine. Caution is usually reserved for high-strength leave-on products and salicylic peels.
This is general information, not medical advice. Pregnancy guidance varies and depends on concentration and your individual situation — always check with your doctor, midwife or pharmacist. How we flag this.
The concentrations these actives are typically effective at in research — not a measurement of this product.
Most research uses 2–5%; some formulas go to 10%. Very high levels can cause flushing in sensitive skin.
Niacinamide
Salicylic acid is OTC-capped at 2%; 0.5–2% is the usual leave-on range. Much below that it acts more as a soothing agent than an exfoliant.
Salicylic Acid
INCI lists don't disclose amounts, and we don't claim to know this product's levels — these are the ranges these ingredients are usually effective at, so you can tell a real formula from "fairy-dusting" a marketed active. How we estimate this.
From the community
Used this product? Rate it in 10 seconds
2 reviews restored from our original community.
I loved this product while I was treating my acne and dry skin. It is incredibly hydrating and made my skin appear brighter, clearer, and more hydrated. It reduced the amount of dry patches I had, as well as helped prevent any breakouts. I used this with topical, and oral antibiotics for acne, as well as Tazorac cream. The Tazorac with this cream made my skin burn, because there are heavy chemical exfoliants in both products, so I do not recommend this with other heavy topicals for acne. Beca...
After using this product I find on application my skin feels great, hydrates really well. However, due to my skin type it makes me look quite oily throughout the day, and I have a small suspicion that it may also be clogging my pours. however, the price point is great if you're looking for a pretty decent moisturizer that will last you awhile.
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