
Renewing SA Cleanser — Reddit Reviews
by CeraVe
Updated October 30, 2026
Redditors praise salicylic acid for clogged pores; studies find niacinamide’s acne evidence uncertain.
What the community says
A rinse-off salicylic-acid cleanser with niacinamide and ceramides, aimed at oily, congested skin and rough body bumps. Redditors report clearer pores and KP, while studies find niacinamide’s acne results uncertain; daily use can leave dry or retinoid-treated skin irritated.
What this means for you
Backed by 28 threads from r/30PlusSkinCare, r/SkincareAddiction and 6 more.
Read the threads ↓What people love
- Salicylic acid clears pore buildup and blemishes
- Standout body use for KP and ingrown hairs
- Ceramides and niacinamide appear alongside salicylic acid
Watch out for
Product details
Use caution
Product Traits
Key Ingredients
How to use it
From Reddit routinesWhat the science says vs. what Reddit says
Acne
Some evidence
Niacinamide: 6 studies tested it directly. See all 17 studies
On Reddit: Chest, back, and butt breakouts respond well when users wash those areas with it in the shower. 78 mentions
Hyperpigmentation
Some evidence
Niacinamide: 4 studies tested it directly. See all 17 studies
What the studies found
- All 4 studies that tested it directly found it helped fade dark spots or patches
- It reduced facial dark spots better than a moisturizer without niacinamide
- Women with chloasma saw darker patches improve more when nicotinamide was added to salicylic acid
- Studies also found facial skin looked lighter as dark spots faded
Skin Barrier
Some evidence
Ceramides: 2 studies tested it directly. See all 15 studies
Both ingredients for skin barrier
Ceramides Some evidence
Niacinamide Not proven yet
Few or mixed studies. This claim isn't established.
1 study tested it directly. See all 17 studies
Anti-Aging
Some evidence
Niacinamide: 2 studies tested it directly. See all 8 studies
Eczema
Not proven yet
Few or mixed studies. This claim isn't established.
Ceramides: 5 studies tested it directly. See all 13 studies
What the studies found
- The results were split, so there is no clear answer yet on whether ceramides help eczema
- Some studies found ceramide creams improved eczema symptoms
- Some studies found ceramides worked about as well as other moisturizers, not better
- One study found a ceramide moisturizer helped the skin hold more water
Research context, not treatment advice. Studies are about the ingredient, not necessarily this exact product.
Real Reddit threads — 550 mentions across 28 threads
CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser on Reddit, in one place — 28 threads from r/30PlusSkinCare, r/SkincareAddiction and 6 more, summarized.
“Wash with Cerave SA cleanser.”
Positive
“At night I wash”
Positive
“CeraVe SA cleanser”
Positive
“Things that worked but don’t currently use:”
Positive
“I switched to this from using CeraVe SA + rx Sulfur cleanser”
Positive
“I switched to cleansing first with an oil cleanser (Hanskin BHA Pore Cleansing Oil), and then doing my second cleanse with Cerave SA Renewing Cleanser and it was a noticeable improvement!”
Positive
“Speedy Moo cleansing oil, Panoxyl cleanser(weekly only on the nose), Paula’s choice BHA toner”
Positive
“What she said! I personally swapped to an oil-based cleanser that CeraVe has and my pores have never looked better.”
Positive
“rotating cerave SA cleanser with SA cream after”
Positive
“The only thing that has worked for me to manage it externally is”
Positive
“every 2nd or 3rd shower”
Positive
“was doing cera ve SA face wash morning and night”
Positive
“use cera ve hydrating cream to foam instead of the SA cleanser morning and night”
Positive
“the SA cleanser”
Positive
“AM: Cerave SA cleanser, pure skin elf toner, the ordinary niacinamide serum and cerave am spf 30 moisturizer”
Positive
“PM: SA Cleanser, pure skin toner, niacinamide, elf holy hydration cream + holy hydration eye cream and finish with tactumpump”
Positive
“The SA cleanser and tactumpump 😼”
Positive
Dupes & Alternatives
Often paired with
Products Redditors use alongside this one









