Renewing SA Cleanser — Reddit Reviews
by CeraVe
Updated October 16, 2026
Salicylic acid smooths clogged texture; Reddit loves it, studies support niacinamide for acne.
What the community says
This rinse-off salicylic acid cleanser targets clogged pores and rough texture, with ceramides and niacinamide in the formula. Redditors report clearer bumps, and studies support niacinamide for acne. Dry, rosacea-prone, or sensitive skin may find daily use harsh.
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 targets clogged pores and rough texture
- Ceramides and niacinamide round out the exfoliating formula
- Redditors report strong results on body KP and ingrown hairs
Watch out for
- Daily use can leave skin tight, dry, or peeling
- Stacking it with other actives can trigger irritation and barrier damage
- Rosacea-prone skin reports burning, flares, and breakouts
Product details
Skin Type
Product Traits
Key Ingredients
What the science says vs. what Reddit says
Acne
Some evidence
Niacinamide: 6 studies tested it on its own. See all 17 studies
On Reddit: Back, chest, and butt breakouts are a standout use; one user says it helps a ton. 77 mentions
Hyperpigmentation
Some evidence
Niacinamide: 5 studies tested it on its own. See all 20 studies
What the studies found
- All 5 studies that tested it on its own found it helped fade dark spots
- On its own, it reduced facial darkening and made skin look lighter than a placebo
- It also improved dark spots linked with sun damage in one clinical trial
- Used with other ingredients, it faded patches more than niacinamide alone or the other ingredient alone
- The side effects were similar and mild in the study that reported them
Anti-Aging
Some evidence
Niacinamide: 3 studies tested it on its own. See all 9 studies
What the studies found
- All 3 studies that tested it on its own found it helped with signs of aging
- Studies found it improved the look of wrinkles and made skin seem firmer
- Studies also found it helped dark spots and reduced redness and yellowing
- One study found it helped skin hold more water and lowered water loss through the skin
- Used with another ingredient, it improved dark spots, fine lines, wrinkles, and firmness more than niacinamide alone
Skin Barrier
Not proven yet
Few or mixed studies. This claim isn't established.
Niacinamide: 1 study tested it on its own. See all 17 studies
Research context, not treatment advice. Studies are about the ingredient, not necessarily this exact product.
Real Reddit threads — 528 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
