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Renewing SA Cleanser

AcneCleanser

Renewing SA Cleanser — Reddit Reviews

by CeraVe

60nextscore211 verdicts

Updated October 16, 2026

Salicylic acid smooths clogged texture; Reddit loves it, studies support niacinamide for acne.

What the community says

Backed by 53 studies

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.

From Reddit

Backed by 28 threads from r/30PlusSkinCare, r/SkincareAddiction and 6 more.

Read the threads ↓

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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 often improve when people use it as a shower wash. 78 mentions

    What the studies found
    • Most studies found niacinamide helped acne
    • It often cleared acne about as well as clindamycin when put on the skin
    • Some studies found it helped reduce red, sore spots and pimples
    • Some evidence is still uncertain because some studies found no clear difference
  • Hyperpigmentation

    Some evidence

    Niacinamide: 4 studies tested it on its own. See all 17 studies

    What the studies found
    • All 4 studies that tested it on its own found it helped fade dark spots
    • It reduced facial dark spots better than a moisturizer without niacinamide
    • Some studies found skin looked lighter as dark spots faded
    • When used with salicylic acid, it improved dark patches more than salicylic acid alone
  • Anti-Aging

    Some evidence

    Niacinamide: 2 studies tested it on its own. See all 8 studies

    What the studies found
    • Both studies that tested it on its own found it helped with signs of aging
    • It improved how firm and elastic the skin looked
    • It reduced wrinkles and uneven tone, including spots, redness, and yellowing
    • It helped the skin hold more water and reduced water loss through the skin
  • 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

    What the studies found
    • The one study that tested it on its own found it helped the skin barrier
    • It lowered water loss through the skin
    • It increased the thickness of the outer skin layer

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.

6.8k

“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
r/30PlusSkinCareSkincare update
1.2k

“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

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