That's why CeraVe recommends a gentle and non-irritating cleanser with benzoyl peroxide, like CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser. This foaming cleanser helps clear up whiteheads, blackheads, and acne pimples, and helps prevent new acne blemishes from forming.
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 is the #1 dermatologist-recommended moisturizer brand for acne*, and our new Acne Control Cleanser with 2% salicylic acid is formulated to clear acne, reduce blackheads and improve the appearance of pores, while purifying clay helps absorb excess oil.
Benzoyl peroxide.
This ingredient kills bacteria that cause acne, helps remove excess oil from the skin and removes dead skin cells, which can clog pores. Benzoyl peroxide products that you can buy without a prescription are available in strengths from 2.5% to 10%.
Whether you're dealing with large, inflamed cystic acne, stubborn blackheads, or even a mix of both, CeraVe's Renewing SA Cleanser has you covered. It's spiked with salicylic acid to remove pore-clogging dirt and excess oil from your skin while ceramides replenish moisture and niacinamide calms inflammation.
Cortisone
If you need a cyst gone fast, or if your cystic pimple won't go away, you can visit a healthcare professional for an injection of a diluted cortisone medication called Kenalog. They'll inject the medication directly into the cyst, shrinking it on the spot.
If you don't see an improvement in your skin in six to eight weeks,8 it's best to see a dermatologist who can suggest additional ways to help get your acne under control. Acne blemishes can leave post-acne marks and uneven skin tone once healed.
Summary. Can CeraVe cause acne? While Cerave products are generally safe for most people, some may experience skin purging when using these products. This is usually due to the fact that the products are too heavy for some people's skin, or because they contain ingredients that can irritate the skin.
If you experience dry skin, oily skin, acne-prone skin then CeraVe might be the clear choice. However, if you experience sensitive skin the Cetaphil is the better option.
Cystic acne treatments include: Antibiotic creams, gels solutions and lotions to kill bacteria and decrease inflammation. Azelaic acid (Azelex®, Finacea®) or salicylic acid to kill bacteria and get rid of excess dead skin cells. Benzoyl peroxide to reduce the number of bacteria on the skin.
Salicylic acid works best on blackheads and whiteheads but it does have some benefits is cysts as well. Cystic acne is often driven from internal sources such as hormones and genetic makeups so topical treatments are not always enough to treat this condition.
Exfoliate regularly.
If you're dealing with cystic acne, it's important to remove the dead, dry skin cell buildup by focusing on exfoliation, Rouleau says. The more you remove the surface dry cells, the less the oil will stay trapped and clogged under the skin, which should help those bumps to disappear.
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.
The colors represent the different lines. The blue line is the moisturizers, the green is the cleansers, the purple is the Skin Renewing line (which can contain retinol).
Cystic acne is an inflammatory skin condition of large, painful, pus-filled pimples that form deep under the skin. It occurs when pores in your skin become clogged, usually with oil and dead skin cells. Bacteria get trapped within the pores, causing pain, swelling and redness.
Hormones, genetics, medications, diet and stress are a few things that can both cause and aggravate cystic acne, according to Barankin and Ibrahim. While the effects of hormones, genetics and most medications are things you can't control, diet and stress are two lifestyle factors that you can manage.
Management and Treatment
Inflammatory acne: Topical retinoid and/or topical antibiotic and/or benzoyl peroxide. Moderate to severe acne: Antibiotic and/or isotretinoin (retinoid). Cystic acne: Steroid injection (intralesional triamcinolone).
Unfortunately, cystic acne often doesn't go away on its own and requires treatment from a doctor or dermatologist. Cystic acne has psychological effects as well as visible effects on the skin.