CeraVe SA Smoothing Cleanser

As listed: Niacinamide

A form of vitamin B3 that boosts ceramide synthesis to strengthen the barrier and reduce water loss, while calming inflammation, regulating sebum, and blocking melanosome transfer to keratinocytes. It reduces redness, blemishes, and uneven tone.

As listed: Salicylic Acid

A lipophilic beta-hydroxy acid that penetrates sebum-filled pores and dissolves the desmosomal bonds between corneocytes, exfoliating inside the follicle, with added anti-inflammatory action. It clears blackheads and treats acne in oily skin.

As listed: Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid

A glycosaminoglycan humectant that binds large amounts of water; high-molecular-weight forms sit on the surface as a hydrating film, low-molecular-weight forms penetrate the stratum corneum. Because it is a humectant, in dry air it can pull water from deeper skin — so apply to damp skin and seal it.

A small humectant that attracts and holds water in the stratum corneum, delivered into the epidermis partly via aquaporin-3. It raises hydration, improves plasticity and desquamation, and supports barrier recovery — one of the best-evidenced moisturizing agents.

As listed: Ceramide NP

Sphingolipids that make up roughly 50% of stratum corneum lipids by mass (with ~25% cholesterol and ~15% free fatty acids) and organize into the lamellar bilayers that form the permeability barrier. Reinforcing them lowers water loss; deficiencies are a hallmark of atopic dermatitis.

One of the three key stratum corneum lipids (about 25% of them), required to organize the lamellar bilayers of the barrier. Applied in optimized, cholesterol-dominant ratios it accelerates barrier recovery, especially in aged skin.