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I was worried about uploading my photo to my instagram account because I was suffering from acne issues. Also, I was crazy to find a solution because my first date knocked at the door. Fortunately I heard about CeraVe that has a positive review about treating acne. But my question is: is CeraVe really good for acne?
Yes, CeraVe is a good brand for treating acne for all skin types. It uses three essential ceramides on all products, with a combination of salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide and niacinamide. These ingredients help clear excess oil and dirt from your skin and cure blackheads, whiteheads, and pimples.
Depending on your skin type, you may have to use a different CeraVe acne routine. Besides, some users face adverse effects when using CeraVe. Let’s have a detailed look at how good CeraVe is for vanishing acne.
What Makes CeraVe Different From Other Skincare Brands?
When it comes to getting rid of acne, dermatologists recommend CeraVe. It has a lot of skincare products such as lotion, moisturizer, face wash, etc.
But do you know what makes CeraVe different from other brands? Well, the answer is ceramides. But what is Ceramide? Ceramide is one of the key components of your skin’s outer barrier that protects your skin from irritations and keeps it moisturized.
In general, the outer layer of skin contains 50% of Ceramides. But over time, the ceramides deplete and make your skin dry, dull, and cracked.
When talking about Ceramides, aesthetician Dr. Kemi Fabusiwa says, “ceramides prevent transepidermal water loss, moisturizing the skin and maintaining its barrier – and a strengthened barrier helps to protect the skin from microorganisms, pollution, and other external aggressors.”
Is CeraVe good for acne? Why is it good for acne?
CeraVe is one of the best brands for treating acne. It has all the essential ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide, ceramides, and salicylic acid that are quite effective in removing acne from your skin.
According to Dr. Marchbein, “Combining either salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide with ceramides is especially helpful in restoring the skin barrier, as well as treating your acne.”
Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid that helps treat acne by exfoliating your skin. It breaks down oils such as sebum from pores and keeps them free of dirt. Besides, it helps to have fewer breakouts.
Benzoyl peroxide kills the bacteria underneath the skin to treat acne. It also helps the pores to clean out the dead skin cells.
Certified Dermatologist Ife J. Rodney says, “It (benzoyl peroxide) not only kills bacteria, but it also helps to break up keratin and oily debris within our pores and follicles in our skin, so it basically fights acne by two different mechanisms.”
I already talked about Ceramides above. CeraVe combines all these ingredients together following dermatologists’ scientifically proven tests. That’s why I say CeraVe is a trustworthy brand to treat acne.
Does CeraVe moisturizer make you break out?
CeraVe moisturizer is made keeping in mind sensitive skin. Thus, it doesn’t cause breakouts normally. However, the moisturizer includes polyglyceryl-3-diisostearate and cetyl alcohol. If your skin is sensitive to these ingredients, you may have breakouts after using CeraVe.
Which CeraVe cleanser is best for acne?
The CeraVe acne foaming cream cleanser is one of the best cleansers from CeraVe for acne treatment. It has 4% benzoyl peroxide with ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide. The cleanser works by penetrating deep into your skin and removing excess oils and impurities to vanish acne.
Plus, the CeraVe cleanser doesn’t include harmful chemicals like paraben. It is fragrance-free too. Overall, an effective cleanser for fighting acne.
What is the best CeraVe acne control gel?
The CeraVe Acne Control Gel (Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment with Glycolic Acid and Lactic Acid) is one of the best gels for treating acne. The ingredients help to prevent breakouts and also make your skin soft and smooth. It’s paraben-free and fragrance-free to avoid irritation on acne-prone skin.
Which CeraVe cleanser is best for acne and combination skin?
Most skincare products are focused on either oily skin or dry skin. But many people have a combination of these two skin types, which may also change with seasons. Luckily CeraVe has a solution for acne-prone combination skins too.
The CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser is one of the best cleansers for acne and combination skin. Although it says for normal to oily skin, it works excellently to remove acne from combination skins too.
How to use CeraVe Acne Control Cleanser vs CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser
If you are dealing with big pimple-type acne, then CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser is the right choice for you. But if you have blackheads and whiteheads, then go for the CeraVe Acne Control Cleanser.
If you have too many acne problems, you should use CeraVe Acne Control Cleanser or CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser every day, once in the morning and once at night. But do not use both products at the same time unless your dermatologist tells you to.
Use the cleansers once a week if you don’t have many acne problems. Apply CeraVe Acne Control Cleanser or CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser gently on your skin and let it set for a minute. Then wash with water and tap on your face with a towel.
Tip: Be careful if you have dry skin, as these products remove excess oil, which can make your skin dry.
[Acne] Why do all CeraVe products make me break out? Does it work better for all?
Although CeraVe products are reliable, they may not suit everyone. On a rare occasion, a few people may face breakouts. If you are one of those people, you may wonder why CeraVe products make your breakouts.
The most probable reason why CeraVe products are causing you breakouts is because of Niacinamide. It is one of the key ingredients in CeraVe products that help the skin to retain moisture. Maybe your skin is sensitive to niacinamide, and that’s why you are having breakouts.
What I found after testing CeraVe for a month for acne + acne scarring
When I had acne and acne scarring, I started following the CeraVe acne routine to test if it worked. Now, I will be sharing my experience with CeraVe.
I used the cleanser and the AM moisturizing lotion. The lotion has sunscreen included, so I didn’t need to use extra sunscreen cream. It is quite light, and I felt comfortable going out.
At night, the combination of CeraVe cleanser and the serum helped to clean dirt and oil from my screen. Especially when I had heavy makeup, these products helped me a lot. Plus, I use the CeraVe PM moisturizing lotion before sleeping, making my skin smooth.
After a month of using CeraVe for acne and acne scarring, I started to see significant differences. These products are really good for acne scars. There is still acne and scar on my face, but they are fading. After a few weeks, they may vanish completely.
If you are thinking about what CeraVe acne skincare routine I followed, keep scrolling.
CeraVe acne routine
CeraVe acne products are so efficient that you won’t need to follow any complex routine. After a few weeks of use, compare the effect of CeraVe acne before and after, and you will see a noticeable difference. Wash your face with a CeraVe cleanser and apply lotion twice a day to get effective results.
However, the key point here is to choose the right product. Depending on what type of skin you have, you need to use different CeraVe products. Here’s a simple CeraVe acne skincare routine for each skin type:
CeraVe acne routine for oily skin
Morning: Cleanse face with CeraVe foaming facial cleanser and then apply CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion.
Night: Cleanse face with CeraVe foaming facial cleanser, then use CeraVe Retinol Serum, and then apply CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion.
CeraVe acne routine for dry skin
Morning: Cleanse your face with CeraVe Acne Foaming Cleanser and apply CeraVe Moisturizing Cream.
Night: Cleanse your face with CeraVe Acne Foaming Cleanser, then use CeraVe Retinol Serum, and apply CeraVe Moisturizing Cream.
CeraVe acne routine for combination skin
Morning: Cleanse your face with a CeraVe Foaming Facial cleanser and apply CeraVe Moisturizing Cream.
Night: Cleanse your face with CeraVe Foaming Facial cleanser, then use CeraVe Retinol Serum, and apply CeraVe Moisturizing Cream.
CeraVe acne routine for normal skin
Morning: Cleanse your face with CeraVe SA Cleanser and apply CeraVe Moisturizing Cream.
Night: Cleanse your face with CeraVe SA Cleanser, then use CeraVe Retinol Serum, and apply CeraVe Moisturizing Cream.
CeraVe acne routine for sensitive skin
Morning: Cleanse your face with CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser and apply CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion.
Night: Cleanse your face with CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser, then use CeraVe Retinol Serum, and apply CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion.
Not to mention, this is not a hard and fast rule for using CeraVe acne products. You can slightly modify the routine to adjust your schedule. But try to use those products from CeraVe. If you are thinking about what are the best CeraVe products for acne, continue scrolling to get your answer.
A List of 7 Best CeraVe Products For Acne
| CeraVe Products | Features and Specifications |
| CeraVe Moisturizing Cream | Includes hydraulic acid to keep skin hydrating for 24 hours.Essential ceramides (1, 3, 6-II) to treat ceramide deficiency.Phenoxyethanol-free to avoid irritation. |
| CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30 | A lotion with sunscreen to provide spectrum protection.It is made with MVE technology to keep your skin hydrated throughout the day.It absorbs quickly and feels light on the skin. |
| CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser | A clear gel cleanser that transforms into the foam while applying.A combination of hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and niacinamide effectively remove excess oil.It is suitable for normal to oily skin. |
| CeraVe SA Cleanser | It’s a salicylic acid cleanser with hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and niacinamide.It effectively exfoliates to remove dead skin cells.It hydrates skin without any tight or stripped feeling. |
| CeraVe Retinol Serum for Post-Acne Marks and Skin Texture | It includes encapsulated serum that makes skin look brighter and smooth.It minimizes pores to provide an even-toned skin.The gel texture is lightweight and non-greasy. |
| CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion | It’s an oil-free lotion to keep your skin moisturized the whole night.It includes niacinamide, which helps calm the skin after a tiring day.It is suitable for all skin types. |
| CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser | 4% Benzoyl peroxide to help clear pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads.Cream-to-foam cleansing formula that works gently on the skin.Unscented formula to avoid skin irritation. |
About CeraVe reviews: Adverse effect for some users
According to a study, 71% of people today are affected by sensitive skin. CeraVe is usually well suited with CeraVe products, but a few users have reported some adverse effects.
Breaking out and cystic acne are two of the most complaints from CeraVe users. One user said CeraVe gave her the worst cystic acne, and now she is no longer using any CeraVe products except the cleanser, which she found good.
Another user had breakouts after using CeraVe products. She used some other brands for a few weeks, and her skin improved. Then again, when she tried CeraVe, she faced breakouts. Then she was certain that CeraVe was causing the breakouts.
Why does CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion give me more acne?
CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion is a great acne solution suitable for all skin types. But if it gives you more acne, that’s probably due to the combination of polyglyceryl-3-diisostearate and cetyl alcohol. Plus, propylparaben can also contribute to increasing acne on your face.
FAQs
Where Can I Find The Ingredient List For A Particular CeraVe Product?
You can find the ingredient list for any CeraVe products on its packaging and on the package. Browse to the ingredients section, and you will see the names of all ingredients. If you have sensitivity to any particular ingredient, you should consult your dermatologist before using the product.
Is CeraVe clogging my pores?
CeraVe works efficiently to clean up pores. But if you think CeraVe is clogging your pores, maybe it’s because of sodium lauryl sulfate or Cetearyl alcohol. Try using different products for a few days to ensure if it is CeraVe or something else causing clogged pores.
Why am I breaking out more after using CeraVe?
When you start to use a CeraVe product for the first time or follow a new skincare product, it may take some time to adjust and cause breakouts. It is quite normal. But if the situation gets worse, try to visit a dermatologist.
How long does it take for acne to go away with CeraVe?
It will take around six to eight weeks for acne to start to go away with CeraVe. It may take a few more weeks for acne to vanish completely. If you don’t see any improvement by this time, you should consult your dermatologist.
My Opinion: Is CeraVe really worth it?
CeraVe products are relatively affordable, and they work well for most people. I would say that CeraVe is worth the price. But some people face negative results, and you need to look at the ingredients if you have an allergy to particular components.
Trying beauty products is more like trial and error. You may need to go through several CeraVe products until you find the one that suits your skin. But overall, CeraVe is really good for treating 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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