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CeraVe is a personal favorite when I’m in search of top-quality skin care products for my acne-prone skin. Apart from their superior formulas and premium ingredients, one thing that I love about CeraVe is that it’s always readily available in most stores across the US.
The brand has been there for me during my worst breakouts, but can I use CeraVe for fungal acne?
Yes, you can use CeraVe for fungal acne since their products are fragrance-free and non-comedogenic. This makes it ideal for acne-prone skin. CeraVe Healing Ointment is formulated to soothe the skin without aggravating acne. It contains hyaluronic acid which locks the skin’s moisture, helping the skin heal.
CeraVe is a reliable brand since it has been approved by the National Eczema Association. But does that mean it is safe from fungal acne? Let’s find out below!
What Causes Fungal Acne? Dermatologist Thought
Are you struggling with tiny bumps that look like pimples? If you think it’s acne, think again. Folliculitis is often mistaken for fungal acne, although acne and fungal acne are very different skin conditions.
It causes tiny pimple-like bumps to appear on your back, chest, and shoulders, or anywhere you have hair. Fungal acne can irritate the skin and result in the formation of whiteheads. But what causes the skin condition?
Sebaceous glands produce sebum which keeps the skin hydrated. When these glands produce excessive oil, it congests pores and hair follicles. Sometimes pores and hair follicles can get clogged with yeast and bacteria.
Yeast infects the hair follicles and results in fungal acne.
Fungal acne and traditional acne are different. Fungal acne is characterized by small red bumps that appear on the skin where hair growth is common. ~ Susan Massick (Dermatologist at Ohio State University)
Can I Use CeraVe for Fungal Acne? Is It Really Safe?
Yes, CeraVe products are safe for fungal acne. In fact, they have quite a few options that you could try including CeraVe Micellar Facial Cleanser, and more!
If you’re struggling with fungal acne, I’m sure you struggle to find skincare products that are safe to use on your infected skin. But CeraVe offers a diverse range of products suitable for fungal acne.


Fighting fungal acne requires a formula that fights the Malassezia yeast. CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser boasts a benzoyl peroxide formula that kills Malassezia yeast, thus preventing fungal acne.
Note: Other ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and ceramides help maintain the skin’s moisture barrier, protecting it from losing too much water. This can help prevent future breakouts.


Also you can go for the Moisturizing Cream for example CeraVe Moisturizing Cream Fragrance Free 19 Oz. If you love Moisturizing Lotion or Ointment, then choose CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion or CeraVe Healing Ointment to treat fungal acne.
Caution: Not all CeraVe products are safe for fungal acne. Some of their skincare items contain ingredients that can worsen fungal acne.
What are the Ingredients of CeraVe? Let’s Know The Formula
CeraVe products are typically formulated with hyaluronic acid, a humectant that helps the skin retain moisture. Other ingredients commonly found in CeraVe skincare products are ceramides, glycerin, salicylic acid, niacinamide, petrolatum, etc.
I have found several CeraVe anti-acne products sitting on the shelves of my local drugstore. But are these products safe for fungal acne? It all comes down to the ingredients that these products are formulated with.
For instance, CeraVe Acne Control Gel is paraben-free, fragrance-free, and paraben-free, making it ideal for acne-prone skin. The ingredients hydrate the skin and prevent acne, especially salicylic acid. Despite that, it isn’t safe for fungal acne.
Tip: Look out for CeraVe products formulated with ingredients that feed Malassezia yeast. They will only worsen fungal acne!
How do I Build a Skincare Routine for Fungal Acne?
Fungal acne is often the result of poor hygiene which is why you need a proper skincare routine to keep your skin supple, healthy, and fresh.
You might already have a basic skincare routine. In that case, just making slight changes can do wonders for your acne-prone skin.
Here is a step-by-step skincare routine that can nourish your skin:
Step 1: Cleansing
Keeping your skin clean and moisturized is the ultimate weapon in fighting fungal acne. Cleansing your face with a product that doesn’t dry out your skin is essential to prevent yeast proliferation.
Make sure to use a cleanser that doesn’t irritate your face and balances the pH level of your skin.
Step 2: Exfoliation
If you suffer from fungal acne, your primary goal should be preventing the growth of yeast. How? Use products formulated with salicylic acid and azelaic acid such as chemical exfoliants that ward off yeast.
Step 3: Moisturizing
Moisturizing if you already have oily skin sounds odd, doesn’t it? But trust me, you need to keep your skin hydrated to fight acne.
Use a CeraVe moisturizer that doesn’t contain oil because yeast grows in environments where oil and fatty acids are abundant.
Therefore, yeast feeds on sebum, and skipping moisturizer will only cause the sebaceous glands to overproduce sebum.
Tip: Use a moisturizer that hydrates your skin but doesn’t congest pores.
Step 4: Sunscreen
Don’t forget sunscreen, especially if you are regularly exposed to the sun. Get your hands on a fungal-acne-safe sunscreen that contains capric triglyceride.
Capric Triglyceride is an antioxidant that fights acne-causing bacteria present on the skin’s surface. ~ Dr. Shamban, MD (Board-certified dermatologist, Los Angeles)
Should I Use CeraVe Moisturizing Cream If I Have Fungal Acne?
Yes, CeraVe moisturizers are safe for fungal acne. CeraVe moisturizing cream’s formula is composed of fatty alcohols, ceramides, and capric triglycerides. These ingredients don’t feed Malassezia, making the product safe for fungal acne.
Frequently Asked Questions: Can I use CeraVe for fungal acne?
Does CeraVe contain Parabens?
Most CeraVe products contain parabens since the preservatives elongate the shelf life of products. However, the brand boasts a small number of products that are paraben-free such as CeraVe cleanser, PM moisturizing lotion, etc.
Does CeraVe cause Malassezia?
No, CeraVe products do not contain any fat-based ingredients that support the growth of Malassezia. Plus, some of their products contain capric triglycerides and salicylic acid, ingredients known for their anti-acne properties.
Is CeraVe safe for dry skin?
Yes, CeraVe products are safe for dry skin. Their products easily penetrate the skin without making it greasy. CeraVe is a certified skincare brand that formulates its products under the supervision of dermatologists.
Final Verdict
As an acne sufferer, I know how difficult it is to find the right products for your oily skin. If you struggle with fungal acne, you know what I’m talking about. Keeping your skin healthy means understanding what it needs and nourishing it with the right ingredients.
I hope I have answered your query about CeraVe products and whether the brand is safe for fungal acne.
Disclaimer: The information included at this site is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a health care professional. Because of unique individual needs, the reader should consult their physician to determine the appropriateness of the information for the reader’s situation.
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