Dupes / Moisturizers / CeraVe SA Smoothing Cream with Salicylic Acid
CeraVe SA Smoothing Cream with Salicylic Acid dupes: 3 moisturizers with the closest formula
We compared CeraVe SA Smoothing Cream with Salicylic Acid's full ingredient list with every moisturizer in the DemythSkin database, weighting the ingredients that do the work (Salicylic Acid, Urea and Niacinamide) far above fillers. These are the closest matches, each with its own efficacy and safety score.
MATCH
Shares Niacinamide, Ceramide Np, Ceramide Ap and Ceramide Eop. Ingredient lists don't state amounts, so strengths may differ.
What does the work in each formula
Every ingredient graded on the same S to D scale the scanner uses. Solid chips are in both products; dashed chips are in only one.
FORMULATION BASE (16 · 12)6 shared ⌄
The 3 closest dupes, ranked by formula match
Match is how much of CeraVe SA Smoothing Cream with Salicylic Acid's weighted formula a product shares. Scores are each product's own, so a dupe can match closely and still score differently.
Prices are the lowest retailer price in our records; a dash means we don't have one. We earn a commission if you buy through a "Find on Amazon" link. It never affects scores or matches.
How we find a dupe
Same product type
Moisturizers are compared with moisturizers, from the products we've scored.
Actives count most
S and A-grade actives weigh up to 30 times more than water, glycerin or thickeners. A dupe must share at least one key active.
30% match or more
Below that it isn't a dupe. Same brand and renamed versions of the original are left out.
A label lists ingredients, not amounts. Two products can share every ingredient at different strengths, so a high match means a similar formula, not a guaranteed identical result.
CeraVe SA Smoothing Cream with Salicylic Acid dupes, answered
What is the best dupe for CeraVe SA Smoothing Cream with Salicylic Acid?
On formula, Skincyclopedia Day and Night Face Cream 20% Hydrating Complex with Hyaluronic Acid, Ceramides, Niacinamide and Glycerin: a 43% match, sharing Niacinamide, Ceramide Np, Ceramide Ap and Ceramide Eop. It scores 4.4 for efficacy and 4.7 for safety on DemythSkin's ingredient analysis. The Formularx Barrier Relief Moisturizer is next at 40%.
Is Skincyclopedia Day and Night Face Cream 20% Hydrating Complex with Hyaluronic Acid, Ceramides, Niacinamide and Glycerin the same as CeraVe SA Smoothing Cream with Salicylic Acid?
Their ingredient lists overlap closely (43% by our weighted match), but labels list ingredients, not amounts. Two products can share ingredients at different strengths, so treat it as a close formula, not a confirmed copy.
What is a cheaper alternative to CeraVe SA Smoothing Cream with Salicylic Acid?
Of the dupes we have a price for, the lowest is Walgreens Advanced Moisturizing Cream Fragrance Free at $14.99 (a 39% formula match), against $25.99 for CeraVe SA Smoothing Cream with Salicylic Acid. Prices are the lowest retailer price in our records and change often.
How do you calculate the match percentage?
We compare full ingredient lists of the same product type, giving proven actives up to 30 times more weight than water, glycerin or thickeners. A dupe must share at least one key active and reach a 30% match; products from the same brand are left out.