Cetaphil Vitamin C Serum vs Cetaphil Gentle Exfoliating SA Cleanser
13%Match
Only 13% overlap — quite different formulas
Ingredient Breakdown
Only in Cetaphil Vitamin (17)
3-o-ethyl-ascorbic-acid
acetyl-glycyl-beta-alanine
anhydroxylitol
calcium-aluminum-borosilicate
Dimethicone
C: 1/5I: 0/5silicone
Sunflower Seed Oil
C: 0/5I: 0/5emollient
hydrolyzed-hyaluronic-acid
pancratium-maritimum-extract
sodium-polyacryloyldimethyl-taurate
tin-oxide
Titanium Dioxide
C: 0/5I: 0/5sunscreen filter
tridecane
undecane
Water (Aqua)
C: 0/5I: 0/5other
Xanthan Gum
C: 0/5I: 0/5other
xylitol
xylitylglucoside
Shared (5)
Glycerin
C: 0/5I: 0/5humectant
Niacinamide
C: 0/5I: 1/5antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
C: 0/5I: 2/5preservative
Sodium Hydroxide
C: 0/5I: 2/5other
Tocopherol (Vitamin E)
C: 2/5I: 1/5antioxidant
Only in Cetaphil Gentle (17)
Aqua (Water)
C: 0/5I: 0/5other
Betaine
C: 0/5I: 0/5humectant
Citric Acid
C: 0/5I: 2/5aha
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
C: 0/5I: 1/5surfactant
Coco-Glucoside
C: 0/5I: 0/5surfactant
Disodium EDTA
C: 0/5I: 0/5other
Ethylhexylglycerin
C: 0/5I: 1/5preservative
gluconolactone
glycereth-26
helianthusannuusseedoil
Mandelic Acid
C: 0/5I: 2/5aha
Panthenol (Vitamin B5)
C: 0/5I: 0/5humectant
pantolactone
peg-120-methyl-glucose-dioleate
Salicylic Acid
C: 0/5I: 2/5bha
sodium-citrate
sodium-cocoamphoacetate
When Used Together
CautionMandelic Acid + Salicylic Acid
[Class rule] Combining AHA and BHA increases exfoliation beyond what most skin can tolerate.
Use on alternate days or choose one.
CautionMandelic Acid + Titanium Dioxide
[Class rule] AHAs increase photosensitivity — always follow AHA use with broad-spectrum SPF during the day.
Apply SPF 30+ every morning when using AHAs.
CautionSalicylic Acid + Titanium Dioxide
[Class rule] BHAs can mildly increase photosensitivity — daily SPF is recommended.
Apply SPF 30+ every morning when using BHAs.
SynergyNiacinamide + Salicylic Acid
Niacinamide reduces post-BHA redness while salicylic acid unclogs pores — excellent acne-fighting duo.
SynergyGlycerin + Titanium Dioxide
[Class rule] Humectants under SPF maintain skin hydration and improve sunscreen adherence.