This “gentle dermatologist recommended” product is one of the most common cleansers out there. But in reality, one of it's main ingredients is Sodium Lauryl Sulfate which is an cheap and irritating foaming surfactant that ranks as 5 on the 1 to 5 scale of pore-clogging ingredients.
Cerave is known pretty well for it's reputation as being a line with mild products that won't cause your skin to flare up or break out.
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.
Purging will usually last for at least one cycle of the skin, and this is around a month. If it lasts longer than six weeks, slow down or cease use of the product as it may be a sensitivity or allergy.
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.
If you have sensitive skin or conditions like rosacea/eczema/psoriasis, this cleanser will sting your skin and /or cause a rash or acne in the very first week. If you have normal skin, it will eventually sensitive your skin and it will thereafter start reacting to PG.
CeraVe is the #1 dermatologist-recommended moisturizer brand*, and our products for acne-prone skin promote a clear complexion without dryness or flaking while helping maintain the skin's barrier with three essential ceramides.
Products that may cause purging
Retinoids such as Tretinoin, acids such as salicylic, and benzoyl peroxide are just a few of the products that cause purging. These products contain active ingredients that increase the skin cell turnover rate, therefore causing your skin to purge.
Skin purging typically looks like tiny red bumps on the skin that are painful to touch. They are often accompanied by whiteheads or blackheads. It can also cause your skin to become flaky. The flare ups caused by purging have a shorter lifespan than a breakout.
Breakouts. It's also normal to have a breakout in the form of pimples or rashes after a facial treatment. It's the skin's external way to detoxify, ridding itself of toxins and impurities to reveal a more luminous skin.
CeraVe Acne Control Gel
This product is perfect for those who don't experience rampant acne but get acne when their hormones act up. It can be used as a spot treatment for active breakouts because it contains salicylic and lactic acids, which clear clog pores and fight acne-causing bacteria.
Overall, there is no clear winner. It just depends on the needs of your own 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.
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.
Well, ceramides can be a little too rich for acne-prone or oily skin, and can cause clogged pores — but that's definitely not the case for everyone.
Purging is a sign that the product is working and you should continue with the treatment as prescribed. After a few weeks of purging, your skin and acne will have noticeably improved. Breaking out is when your skin is reacting because it is sensitive to something in the new product.
Ingredients (Rating: Bad)
CeraVe doesn't prioritize clean ingredients in their lineup of products, which are full of questionable ingredients we don't recommend. Examples include, but aren't limited to: Parabens (propylparaben, methylparaben) - Found in many products. Silicones - Found in many products.
Final Verdict. Sliding into first place, the best face wash overall is La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser. The dermatologist-approved formula is extra-gentle and super-hydrating, effortlessly dissolving sebum and makeup while reinforcing the skin barrier.
But you might be surprised by how much there truly is to know about the brand—or why its products are highly recommended by both dermatologists and influencers alike. Fun Fact: CeraVe's name is a nod to the three ceramides that are found in every single one of its products.
Both CeraVe and Cetaphil are recommended by dermatologists. In fact, dermatologists warn that the real good creams for your skin are the creamy rich creams, with no fragrances and cerave and cetaphil are part of these products.
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. When looking for a solution, try to choose a simple, yet effective regimen.
Salicylic acid can be helpful for all types of acne.” Salicylic acid is a go-to OTC ingredient for acne since it dissolves the dead skin cells in clogged pores, helping treat existing acne and prevent future breakouts.
What does it look like? Distinct, acne-like bumps may be purging. However, if you're noticing welts, diffuse redness, or anything resembling a rash, stop what you're doing. Inflammation is a sign of reaction and generally appears as all-over redness rather than individual, blemish-like spots.
Generally speaking, dermatologists say purging should be over within four to six weeks of starting a new skin care regimen. If your purge lasts longer than six weeks, consult your dermatologist. It could be that you need to adjust the dosage and/or frequency of application.