CeraVe claims it is the top dermatologist-recommended moisturizer brand for acne treatment. This cleanser contains 4% benzoyl peroxide. It also features hyaluronic acid to moisturize and niacinamide to soothe the skin. It contains three essential ceramides to help lock in moisture.
Dermatologists recommend CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser for people with acne as it works to cleanse the skin and remove oil, without disrupting the skin's protective barrier. It won't clog pores or dry the skin out, and contains niacinamide and ceramides to help calm and moisturize irritated skin.
Cerave Foaming Facial Cleanser
Cerave is consistently a dermatologist favorite brand, and this oil-controlling cleanser is a great option to keep cystic acne at bay. It also contains hydrating ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid, so you can be sure it won't dry our your skin.
Cerave Moisturizing Lotion
The combination of ingredients like polyglyceryl-3-diisostearate and cetyl alcohol both can contribute to some pretty serious breakouts. As well propylparaben, shown further down on the extensive ingredients list, is ranked at 7 out of a scale of 9 in regards to safety.
When your skin is purging, it's most likely due to ingredients bringing already-clogged pores to the surface. If your skin is negatively reacting to a new product you're using, it's most likely a breakout.
And because CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizer is non-comedogenic and won't clog pores, it's ideal for all skin types. Please be aware that ingredient lists for the products of our brand are updated regularly.
Start by washing your face twice a day with a gentle cleanser to remove excess oil from your skin. If that doesn't work, try an over-the-counter acne product containing ingredients like benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. You can also try a natural acne remedy, such as: aloe vera.
Let other acne products, such as serums and spot treatments, do the work. Cleansers with anti-inflammatories are good for sensitive skin and cystic acne. Salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and sodium sulfacetamide are good for oily skin. Dry skin may benefit from the use of a hydrating cleanser.
However, it can take six to eight weeks to see an improvement,10 so it's important to continue using anti-acne products to achieve the results you want.
Best moisturizers for cystic acne
Morgan Rabach, a dermatologist and co-founder of LM Medical NYC, agrees and notes that using an oil-free water-based moisturizer will keep skin hydrated while preventing breakouts.
Pimple patches may work on surface-level acne like pus-filled pimples and blackheads, but aren't effective for cystic acne. They're made with zit-drying hydrocolloid, and many products have additional acne-fighting ingredients.
If you're looking for a quick answer, Cerave is better for those who deal with dry skin and Cetaphil is more geared towards those with sensitive skin. Not to say they can't work for either skin type, of course. Cetaphil is also the older brand, having been around for longer.
Developed with dermatologists, CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum helps smooth your skin's texture by reducing the appearance of post-acne marks, minimizing the look of pores and improving your skin's surface.
"One of my favorite cleansers for acne-prone skin (and just in general) is CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser," says Dr. Gabriel. "Many people find a lot of anti-acne products drying, but this one will rid your skin of bacteria and impurities without stripping the skin's delicate moisture barrier."
If you have blackheads and whiteheads, salicylic acid alone should work well to clear out your pores. If your acne tends to be inflammatory, such as papules and pustules, opt for benzoyl peroxide to stop outbreaks at the source. For sensitive skin, start with salicylic acid, since it's less likely to cause irritation.
Causes of Cystic Acne
Cystic acne occurs when bacteria, dead skin cells, and sebum (the substance that makes your face feel oily) get trapped beneath the skin's surface and become infected. This leads to a large, swollen cyst (bump) that can hurt just to touch.
[ DERMATOLOGIST RECOMMENDED ] CeraVe Skincare is developed with dermatologists and has products suitable for dry skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, acne-prone, and more.
Unfortunately, COSNDA shows that CeraVe has 2 potentially pore-clogging ingredients: Cetearyl Alcohol (rates 2/5) and Polyglyceryl-3-Diisostearate (rates 4/5). Like always just make sure to patch test, because you never know whether something will work for your skin or not.
CeraVe's face washes for oily skin and moisturizers for oily skin are formulated with essential ceramides to help restore your skin's protective barrier, which helps your skin hold on to hydration and keep irritants out.
Several CeraVe products contain potentially-harmful ingredients like parabens and chemical sunscreens, although the brand makes no claims about being clean. In terms of animal rights, the brand is not cruelty-free, only offers some vegan products, and single-use plastic packaging is used for all products.