PoreWise CeraVe · Creams
SA Cream for Rough & Bumpy Skin
Product
- Brand:
- CeraVe
- Product type:
- Creams
- Last checked:
- 2026-10-30
- Formula version:
- Pack label · 2026-10-30
- Fragrance & alcohol:
- Fragrance-free · Alcohol-free
29 ingredients on this list · WATER at number 1 · GLYCERIN at number 2 · Mineral Oil at number 3
Product description
A fragrance-free body and face cream with salicylic acid and lactic acid to gently exfoliate, plus hyaluronic acid and niacinamide to hydrate. Marketed for rough, bumpy skin (e.g. keratosis pilaris).
Brand's own claims
- Formulated with salicylic acid and lactic acid to gently exfoliate dead skin cells (brand claim).
- Fragrance-free, non-comedogenic; with three essential ceramides and hyaluronic acid (brand claim).
The brand's own claims, quoted from its own material.
Full ingredient list
Kept exactly as the source printed it, including spelling in the original.
- 1 WATER
- 2 GLYCERIN
- 3 PARAFFINUM LIQUIDUM
- 4 GLYCERYL STEARATE
- 5 CETEARYL ALCOHOL
- 6 TRIETHANOLAMINE
- 7 SALICYLIC ACID
- 8 NIACINAMIDE
- 9 CETYL ALCOHOL
- 10 AMMONIUM LACTATE
- 11 BEHENTRIMONIUM METHOSULFATE
- 12 PEG-100 STEARATE
- 13 ZEA MAYS OIL
- 14 CERAMIDE NP
- 15 CERAMIDE AP
- 16 CERAMIDE EOP
- 17 CARBOMER
- 18 DIMETHICONE
- 19 METHYLPARABEN
- 20 SODIUM LAUROYL LACTYLATE
- 21 CHOLECALCIFEROL
- 22 CHOLESTEROL
- 23 PHENOXYETHANOL
- 24 DISODIUM EDTA
- 25 TOCOPHEROL
- 26 PROPYLPARABEN
- 27 HYDROLYZED HYALURONIC ACID
- 28 PHYTOSPHINGOSINE
- 29 XANTHAN GUM
Original label text
AQUA / WATER / EAU, GLYCERIN, PARAFFINUM LIQUIDUM/MINERAL OIL/HUILE MINERALE, GLYCERYL STEARATE, CETEARYL ALCOHOL, TRIETHANOLAMINE, SALICYLIC ACID, NIACINAMIDE, CETYL ALCOHOL, AMMONIUM LACTATE, BEHENTRIMONIUM METHOSULFATE, PEG-100 STEARATE, ZEA MAYS OIL/CORN OIL, CERAMIDE NP, CERAMIDE AP, CERAMIDE EOP, CARBOMER, DIMETHICONE, METHYLPARABEN, SODIUM LAUROYL LACTYLATE, CHOLECALCIFEROL, CHOLESTEROL, PHENOXYETHANOL, DISODIUM EDTA, TOCOPHEROL, PROPYLPARABEN, HYDROLYZED HYALURONIC ACID, PHYTOSPHINGOSINE, XANTHAN GUM
Ingredient analysis
SALICYLIC ACID · Actives · NIACINAMIDE · Barrier lipids · GLYCERIN · Humectants
Barrier lipids
6Lipids that occur naturally in the skin barrier (ceramides, cholesterol, fatty acids).
Humectants
3Bind water and draw it into the upper layers of the skin.
Emollients
7Fill the gaps between corneocytes to soften and smooth the surface.
Cleansing agents
1Lift oil and dirt so they can be rinsed away with water.
Preservatives
4Inhibit microbial growth so the product stays safe to use.
Soothing agents
2Used to reduce the sensation of irritation or discomfort.
Texture agents
5Set the viscosity and feel of a formula.
Emulsifiers
6Keep oil and water mixed in a stable formula.
Evidence
- Skin effect Human trial Certainty: Moderate Primary source
In 83 adults with comedones, a serum containing salicylic acid and lipohydroxy acid significantly improved open comedones on the nose, closed comedones on the face, skin pore density, sebum secretion and skin hydration from baseline after 8 weeks; adding a mask improved closed comedones more than the serum alone (-6.56 vs -5.19, p = 0.022).
Who it applies to: Adults in Shanghai with comedones, PIE and PIH, using the serum for 8 weeks.
Study limits: Both groups used active products; improvements were reported against baseline and between the two active groups. Industry-funded. This is the trial found that counted open and closed comedones separately.
- Skin effect Clinical guideline Certainty: Moderate Primary source
The 2024 American Academy of Dermatology acne guideline lists topical salicylic acid as a conditional recommendation. Strong recommendations in the same guideline go to benzoyl peroxide, topical retinoids, topical antibiotics and oral doxycycline.
Who it applies to: Acne vulgaris in people aged nine and older, as covered by the guideline's scope.
- Skin effect Review article Certainty: Low Primary source
Against topical tretinoin, salicylic acid showed similar values in overall acne improvement (RR 1.00, 95% CI 0.92 to 1.09; one trial, 46 participants). The review graded the certainty of that finding as low.
Who it applies to: Topical salicylic acid for mild to moderate acne. Most participants in the review were 12 to 30 years old, and most studies ran longer than eight weeks.
Study limits: The review covers 49 trials with 3880 participants, salicylic acid appears in a small part of them: 41 to 86 participants per comparison. Every salicylic acid comparison was graded low or very low certainty.
- Skin effect Human trial Certainty: Very low Primary source
In a 21-day prospective study of 42 people with mild-to-moderate acne and oily or combination skin, a salicylic-acid-containing gel used twice daily was associated with a 23.65% fall in sebum, a 40.5% rise in skin hydration, a 49.26% fall in transepidermal water loss and a 23.81% improvement in acne grade (all P < 0.05 except IGA P < 0.001).
Who it applies to: Sebum, skin hydration, transepidermal water loss and acne grade over 21 days in people with oily or combination skin.
Study limits: One centre, 21 days, 37 of 42 participants were women, and the research group was affiliated with the product maker.
- Skin effect Brand claim Certainty: High Public database
Salicylic acid is a keratolytic: it loosens the bonds between dead skin cells so they shed.
Who it applies to: Acne and keratolysis, at the concentrations permitted for cosmetic use.
Study limits: Most evidence comes from leave-on acne treatments. A cleanser is on the skin for a minute. · Finding · SALICYLIC ACID
- Irritation Review article Certainty: Very low Primary source
Trials of topical salicylic acid for acne reported application-site reactions such as scaling and redness.
Who it applies to: Topical salicylic acid in acne trials, mainly leave-on use over eight weeks or longer.
Study limits: The review graded the salicylic acid adverse-event comparisons as very low certainty.
- Skin effect Human trial Certainty: Moderate Primary source
In a randomized, placebo-controlled split-face study of 30 healthy Japanese women, a cosmetic containing 4% niacinamide reduced the skin-surface average roughness (Ra) value significantly more than the niacinamide-free control site after 8 weeks (P<0.05).
Who it applies to: Skin-surface roughness measured by replica profilometry (Ra).
Study limits: Measured at the eye area on a photoaged/wrinkle cohort; the endpoint is surface roughness.
- Skin effect Human trial Certainty: Moderate Primary source
In 20 people with Fitzpatrick skin types IV-V, a broad-spectrum sunscreen containing sclareolide and niacinamide significantly prevented experimentally induced post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation: in stripped, exposed zones the protected skin improved by +5.96 ITA degrees versus -9.88 in unprotected skin (net protection about 16 ITA degrees, p < 0.001).
Who it applies to: People with darker skin phototypes (IV-V) prone to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, applying the sunscreen daily for 20 days under UV and visible-light exposure.
Study limits: Small sample (20), within-subject controlled model of experimentally induced pigmentation; the abstract calls for comparative studies with and; industry involvement.
- Skin effect Human trial Certainty: Moderate Primary source
In 72 women with visible signs of ageing, a niacinamide-containing biomimetic lamellar cream significantly improved the Cutometer R5 elasticity parameter, wrinkle score, TEWL and corneometer values over 4 weeks compared against the untreated side.
Who it applies to: Women with visible signs of ageing, applying the cream twice daily for 4 weeks.
Study limits: Grading of high-resolution images failed to detect improvements in skin texture; proof-of-concept studies.
- Skin effect Human trial Certainty: Moderate Primary source
In 91 women with melasma, a skincare routine containing vitamin B3 (niacinamide) and 2-mercaptonicotinyl glycine significantly reduced MASI after 3 months, with roughly 38-41% reduction by 6 months.
Who it applies to: Women aged about 44 with melasma, phototypes III-IV, using the routine twice daily with daily SPF50+ sunscreen.
Study limits: A clinically relevant difference favoured Kligman's triple combination in the first 3 months; industry-funded; skin radiance and fine wrinkles also improved.
- Skin effect Human trial Certainty: Moderate Primary source
In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled split-face trial of 52 Taiwanese subjects, 4% niacinamide alone significantly reduced instrument-measured pore counts at week 8, and 4% niacinamide with 0.03% kinetin produced persistent significant reductions in pore, spot, wrinkle and evenness counts at weeks 8 and 12.
Who it applies to: Instrument-measured facial pore counts over 8-12 weeks.
Study limits: The niacinamide-group showed significant pore reduction at week 8; 'pore counts' is an instrument parameter.
- Skin effect Human trial Certainty: Moderate Primary source
In a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 100 Japanese subjects, a 2% niacinamide moisturiser significantly lowered sebum excretion rate after 2 and 4 weeks; in a separate 30-person Caucasian split-face study it significantly reduced casual sebum level after 6 weeks.
Who it applies to: Adults with facial sebum concerns applying a 2% niacinamide moisturiser for 2 to 6 weeks; measured with sebumeter-based sebum excretion rate and casual sebum level.
Study limits: The effect differs by measured endpoint and population.
- Skin effect Human trial Certainty: Moderate Primary source
In 40 people with mild-to-moderate acne all using topical benzoyl peroxide plus adapalene, a moisturiser with ceramides and niacinamide significantly improved non-inflammatory, inflammatory and total acne lesions on that side of the face versus a hydrophilic cream after 8 weeks, and decreased cutaneous irritation.
Who it applies to: People on topical anti-acne medication who add a moisturiser alongside treatment, in a split-face, double-blind, randomized design for 8 weeks.
Study limits: All participants used prescription/OTC anti-acne drugs (5% benzoyl peroxide + 0.1% adapalene). TEWL, hydration, sebum, pH and other biophysical measures stayed close between the two creams. This is adjunctive care.
- Skin effect Human trial Certainty: Moderate Primary source
In a 12-week randomized, double-blind half-face study, a combination of 4-hexylresorcinol and niacinamide improved hyperpigmentation spots (L*), the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and skin firmness significantly more than niacinamide alone.
Who it applies to: Chinese adults using the combination cream twice daily for 12 weeks in a split-face design.
Study limits: Industry-funded (Unilever R&D); part of the evidence comes from in-vitro melanocyte and 3D skin models.
- Skin effect Human trial Certainty: Low Primary source
A facial moisturiser containing niacinamide improved stratum corneum barrier function and skin hydration, measured instrumentally, in people with rosacea over four weeks of twice-daily use.
Who it applies to: A leave-on facial moisturiser, applied twice daily for four weeks, in adults with rosacea.
Study limits: The tested article was a finished moisturiser. Fifty participants, one centre, four weeks. The study measured barrier function and hydration.
- Skin effect Human trial Certainty: Low Primary source
In a randomized split-face controlled trial in people with rosacea-associated erythema and sensitive skin, a dermocosmetic containing mineralizing water, probiotic fractions, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide significantly improved erythema at day 15 (p<0.01) and day 30 (p<0.001), with skin erythema, tightness, dryness, hydration and TEWL improving versus the untreated side (p<=0.05).
Who it applies to: Facial erythema, tightness, dryness, hydration and TEWL over 30 days.
Study limits: The comparator is usual skin care / an untreated half-face.
- Skin effect Human trial Certainty: Low Primary source
In an open randomized, vehicle-controlled trial of 48 people with mild-to-moderate facial seborrheic dermatitis, 4% nicotinamide cream once daily for 12 weeks reduced the combined erythema/scaling/infiltration score by 75% from baseline versus 35% with the vehicle (p<0.05).
Who it applies to: Combined clinical score of erythema, scaling and infiltration over 12 weeks.
Study limits: Open-label.
- Skin effect Human trial Certainty: Low Primary source
In 30 women with melasma or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, a serum combining lotus sprout extract, tranexamic acid and niacinamide reduced skin tone unevenness by 38% and 33% respectively over 16 weeks (P < 0.008).
Who it applies to: Women with melasma or PIH, 70% with Fitzpatrick skin types IV-VI, applying the serum twice daily for 16 weeks.
Study limits: 30 participants; "skin tone unevenness" is a sponsor-defined endpoint.
- Skin effect Human trial Certainty: Moderate Primary source
In 88 women with sensitive skin, a face cream containing Centella asiatica leaf extract, ceramide NP and panthenol lowered the SS-10 symptom score by 66% at week 2 and 76% at week 4, with irritation, tautness, itching and redness all significantly reduced.
Who it applies to: Chinese women with sensitive skin applying the cream to the whole face, followed up at day 2, weeks 1, 2 and 4.
Study limits: Observational and self-controlled.
- Skin effect Human trial Certainty: Moderate Primary source
In a randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled split-body trial of 50 people with sensitive skin, an emollient containing Ceramide NP C15 significantly reduced transepidermal water loss in participants with an impaired skin barrier over 6 weeks.
Who it applies to: People with sensitive skin applying the emollient in a split-body design for 6 weeks; the barrier improvement was clearest in those whose barrier was already impaired.
Study limits: Exploratory; both the ceramide formulation and the vehicle improved subjective symptoms, and the significant TEWL reduction was seen specifically in the impaired-barrier subgroup.
- Skin effect Human trial Certainty: Moderate Primary source
In adults with mild-to-moderate xerosis (senile xerosis), a cream containing ceramides 1, 3, 6-II improved stratum corneum hydration, transepidermal water loss and skin pH more than a hydrophilic cream, measured at 24 hours and after 28 days of twice-daily use.
Who it applies to: Leave-on moisturizers for dry skin. The study enrolled adults with mild-to-moderate xerosis.
Study limits: Small single-site study (24 participants), split-site comparison on the shins, 28 days. It shows the tested formula outperformed a basic hydrophilic cream on measured skin parameters.
- Skin effect Brand claim Certainty: High Public database
Ceramides, cholesterol and fatty acids are the lipids that make up the skin barrier; formulations add them to replenish it.
Who it applies to: Barrier function generally; the ratio between the three lipid classes matters in the literature.
Study limits: Finding · CERAMIDE NP · Ceramide AP · Ceramide EOP
- Skin effect Human trial Certainty: Moderate Primary source
In a randomized, double-blind, four-arm crossover study of 51 healthy volunteers with dry skin, an emollient containing glycerol and petrolatum raised corneometry-measured skin moisture significantly above its vehicle (P < 0.0001) over 12 hours. The authors attributed the hydration gain to the glycerol component and the lower water loss to the petrolatum component.
Who it applies to: Corneometry (skin moisture) and transepidermal water loss over 12 hours after one application.
Study limits: Measured on the forearms. The significant hydration result comes from the full emollient containing both glycerol and petrolatum.
- Skin effect Review article Certainty: Moderate Primary source
Topical glycerol improves stratum corneum hydration, barrier function and skin mechanical properties. The review also reports reduced irritation response and faster wound healing, and traces the effect to aquaporin-3 transport and to glycerol's own presence in the skin.
Who it applies to: Leave-on products. The review discusses both healthy skin and skin with dry or barrier-impaired conditions such as atopic dermatitis.
Study limits: A narrative review. It compiles mechanisms and results from other studies.
- Skin effect Official ingredient listing Certainty: High Public database
Glycerin is classified as a humectant in cosmetic ingredient databases: its role in a formula is to hold water.
Who it applies to: Cosmetic formulas generally. · Ingredient database · GLYCERIN
Study limits: Skin effect of to the stratum corneum comes from a separate review of the literature. · Ingredient database · GLYCERIN
- Skin effect Human trial Certainty: Low Primary source
Eight weeks of a low-molecular-weight "nano" hyaluronic acid lotion, serum and cream reduced measured periorbital wrinkle depth by up to 40% and raised corneometer hydration by up to 96%.
Who it applies to: A three-step regimen (lotion, serum, cream) built on a low-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid, used for eight weeks on women with a mean age of 45.2.
Study limits: The percentages are within-group changes. 33 participants in one centre, and the material is described as "nano" hyaluronic acid.
- How deep it gets In vitro study Certainty: Moderate Primary source
Hyaluronic acid of 20-300 kDa crossed the stratum corneum in excised human skin, while hyaluronic acid of 1000-1400 kDa remained in the stratum corneum.
Who it applies to: Excised human skin with intact stratum corneum, measured by Raman micro-imaging after topical application.
Study limits: One laboratory's imaging study. Three molecular-weight grades were tested. "remains above" describes intact stratum corneum in this ex vivo setup.
- How deep it gets In vitro study Certainty: Low Primary source
In reconstituted human epidermis, hyaluronic acid of about 50 kDa penetrated better than the larger grades and increased expression of genes and proteins involved in tight-junction formation and keratinocyte cohesion; its TNF-α expression stayed close from the 20 kDa grade.
Who it applies to: Reconstituted human epidermis incubated with hyaluronic acid of 20, 50, 130, 300, 800 and 1500 kDa.
Study limits: The material tested is a defined ~50 kDa grade.
- Skin effect Brand claim Certainty: Moderate Public database
Hyaluronic acid and its salt bind water at the skin surface, giving a plumper look immediately after application.
Who it applies to: Leave-on hydrating products.
Study limits: The effect is largely surface and temporary. In dry air a humectant. · Finding · Sodium hyaluronate · Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid
- Irritation Review article Certainty: Low Primary source
The CIR expert panel's 1985 assessment of stearyl alcohol reports minimal to mild cutaneous irritation in rabbit tests, and a very low order of irritation and sensitization in clinical patch testing. It concluded that stearyl alcohol is safe as used in cosmetics.
Who it applies to: Stearyl alcohol, one of the two fatty alcohols that cetearyl alcohol is made of, at the use concentrations reported to the panel.
Study limits: It assesses stearyl alcohol. It was published in 1985 and relies largely on data submitted by the ingredient trade association. "Very low order" is the panel's wording.
- Pore clogging Animal study Certainty: Low Primary source
In the rabbit ear-canal assay, the nine materials graded positive were eight esters (isopropyl palmitate, isopropyl myristate, butyl stearate, isopropyl isostearate, decyl oleate, isostearyl neopentanoate, isocetyl stearate, myristyl myristate) and cocoa butter.
Who it applies to: Materials applied to the rabbit ear canal as raw ingredients.
Study limits: An animal assay. The rabbit ear canal reacts more readily than human skin. The abstract names the positive group.
- Legal limits Official legal text Certainty: High Primary source
US regulation lists dimethicone as a permitted active ingredient in over-the-counter skin protectant products, at 1 to 30 percent. That is a legal status in one market, and it puts dimethicone in the same list as petrolatum, glycerin and colloidal oatmeal.
Who it applies to: Products sold in the US that make a skin-protectant claim, with dimethicone between 1 and 30 percent.
Study limits: A monograph entry sets what may be sold and what may be claimed. · 1993 · Consumers of over-the-counter skin protectant products in the US.
- Sensitization Official ingredient listing Certainty: Moderate Primary source
Parabens are preservatives whose permitted concentration is capped by regulation; contact allergy is documented but uncommon.
Who it applies to: Any product preserved with parabens.
Study limits: Ingredient database · METHYLPARABEN · PROPYLPARABEN
- Legal limits Official legal text Certainty: High Primary source
The EU Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety concluded in 2016 that 2-phenoxyethanol is safe as a preservative at a maximum of 1.0%, which is the limit already set in Annex V/29 of the EU Cosmetics Regulation. It estimated a margin of safety of about 50 for children.
Who it applies to: Phenoxyethanol used as a preservative in cosmetic products, at or below 1.0%.
Study limits: The dossier behind the conclusion was submitted by Cosmetics Europe, the industry association, and the committee lowered the default toxicokinetic factor from 4.0 to 1.0 on its way to the 1.0% conclusion. The final opinion kept 1.0%.
- Skin effect Human trial Certainty: Moderate Primary source
In a split-face randomized controlled trial of 50 women, a serum with 20% vitamin C, vitamin E and raspberry leaf cell culture extract significantly improved skin radiance measured by Glossymeter GL200, along with skin colour and elasticity, over 2 months.
Who it applies to: Women aged 30-65 applying the serum to one side of the face for 2 months, with the untreated side as control.
Study limits: Split-face with an untreated.
- Skin effect Human trial Certainty: Low Primary source
In 31 women aged 43-65, a serum combining vitamins C and E with green tea polyphenols produced statistically significant improvements in all clinically graded parameters over 12 weeks, including enhanced skin smoothness and radiance, plus an ultrasound-measured increase in skin density.
Who it applies to: Women aged 43-65 with photoaged facial skin, applying the serum twice daily for 12 weeks.
Study limits: Radiance was a clinical grading parameter.
- Skin effect Human trial Certainty: Low Primary source
In a double-blind trial that split each scar into two halves. Or made worse, the cosmetic appearance.
Who it applies to: Scars after surgical removal of skin cancer, treated twice daily for four weeks with a petrolatum-based ointment.
Study limits: Fifteen people, one centre, published in 1999. Pigmentation, or the job vitamin E does inside a formula, where it slows oxidation of the oils.
- Sensitization Human trial Certainty: Low Primary source
In the same split-scar trial, 33% of the participants developed contact dermatitis to the vitamin E ointment.
Who it applies to: Vitamin E in a petrolatum-based ointment applied to healing surgical wounds, twice daily for four weeks.
Study limits: Small trial (15 people) with a single product.
Related skin concerns
Skin concerns with evidence for ingredients on this list.
Formula history
1 version of this formula on record.