Is CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser Good For Acne? A Complete Review

CeraVe foaming facial cleanser

Yes, many dermatologists believe that CeraVe Foaming Cleanser is good for people with acne-prone skin.

The cleanser is developed with a unique combination of ingredients like Ceramides, Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide. It helps by removing the excess oil, dead cells from your skin, and unclogging pores.

The cleanser helps maintain your skin’s natural moisture barrier without stripping it of its natural skin oils. In addition, ceramides and niacinamide help calm and soothe irritated skin.

CeraVe is a skincare brand that offers a wide variety of products that cater to people of all skin types. These products aim at treating your skin barrier, which leads to specific skincare problems like acne, dry skin, eczema, and psoriasis. A skin barrier is the outermost layer of your skin cells combined with the lipid matrix (a combination of ceramides, fatty acids, and cholesterol).

The star ingredient in CeraVe’s skincare products is ceramides. In simpler terms, one can say that ceramides are a type of lipids. Ceramides constitute about 50% of your skin composition to form the natural skin barrier. They hold your skin cells together and keep the barrier healthy and intact. A healthy skin barrier keeps moisture locked in your skin and removes impurities. 

CeraVe has a unique combination of three ceramides that are naturally found in your skin barrier. These are Ceramides 1, 3, 6-II, which help replenish your skin’s existing ceramides, increasing hydration, reducing moisture loss, and protecting the skin barrier.

Table of Contents

What are the different types of CeraVe Moisturizers?

Moisturizers are great for providing hydration and nourishment to your skin. CeraVe has a range of morning moisturizers and night facial creams that help smoothen, soothe, and provide additional benefits to your skin. 

Daily Moisturizing Lotion

Formulated for people with normal to dry skin, the CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion is a lightweight moisturizer. It helps hydrate and moisturize your skin and maintain its natural moisture barrier. The moisturizing lotion provides long-lasting hydration without clogging your pores.

Key Ingredients:

Ceramides, Hyaluronic Acid

AM Moisturizing Lotion with Sunscreen

The AM Moisturizing Lotion with Sunscreen from CeraVe comes with the dual benefits of a moisturizer and sunscreen. It helps moisturize your skin while protecting it from harmful UV rays. It has an SPF of 30 that protects your skin from both UVA and UVB rays.

Key Ingredients:

Ceramides, Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide

PM Moisturizing Lotion

This CeraVe PM Moisturizing Lotion helps hydrate, calm, and soothe your skin at night. This is pretty lightweight, yet is rich in consistency, and is suitable for normal to oily skin.

Key Ingredients:

Ceramides, Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide

Skin Renewing Night Cream

The CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream helps improve the appearance of your tired skin overnight. It has an intensely moisturizing, yet non-greasy formula, that renews the look of your tired skin and repairs its moisture barrier.

Key Ingredients:

Ceramides, Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide, Peptides

What are the different types of cleansers from CeraVe?

CeraVe has a wide range of cleansers that cater to all skin types; oily, dry, combination, and normal skin types. The cleansers come in different formulas too, such as cream, gel, foaming, and cleansing wipes.

Foaming Facial Cleanser

CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser is ideal for people with oily to normal skin types. The cleanser gently removes excess oil, dirt, impurities, and dead skin cells from your skin. It helps protect your skin’s natural barrier without drying it out. 

Key Ingredients: 

Ceramides, Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide

Hydrating Facial Cleanser

The Hydrating Facial Cleanser from CeraVe removes dirt, impurities, makeup, and dead skin cells from your skin without stripping out its natural moisture. While cleansing your face and removing impurities, the hydrating facial cleanser keeps your skin moisturized and hydrated throughout.

Key Ingredients:

Ceramides, Hyaluronic Acid

Acne Control Cleanser

Clogged pores are one of the most common causes of acne and blackheads. This Acne Control Cleanser from CeraVe gently exfoliates your skin and removes dead skin cells and impurities that clog your pores. The cleanser helps reduce your chances of getting new acne while maintaining your skin’s natural barrier. 

Key Ingredients:

Ceramides, Niacinamide, 2% Salicylic Acid

Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser

Designed for normal to dry skin types, the Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser effectively removes dirt, impurities, and dead skin cells from your skin. The cleanser keeps your skin’s moisture barrier intact without stripping your skin off of its natural moisture. 

Key Ingredients:

Ceramides, Amino Acids, Hyaluronic Acid

Renewing SA Cleanser

The Renewing Salicylic Acid Cleanser from CeraVe gently exfoliates your skin and makes it smooth and soft. It sweeps away dead skin cells and removes dirt and impurities. This cleanser can also be used on the body as a gentle exfoliator.

Key Ingredients:

Ceramides, Salicylic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide

Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser

The Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser from CeraVe removes dirt, sweat, impurities, and dead cells from your skin. Its key ingredient, benzoyl peroxide, is one of the best agents to help treat acne and acne marks. The cleanser also has soothing benefits that calm and allow your skin to heal, while restoring its moisture barrier.

Key Ingredients:

Ceramides, Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide, 4% Benzoyl Peroxide

How to use the CeraVe Foaming Cleanser?

Follow these steps to use the CeraVe Foaming Cleanser:

  • Wet your face with water.
  • Dispense a generous amount of CeraVe Foaming Cleanser on your fingertips.
  • Gently rub the cleanser all over your face.
  • Massage the cleanser well till it forms a rich lather.
  • Leave it on for about one to three minutes.
  • Rinse thoroughly with water.
  • Pat dry your skin with a clean towel.
  • Follow up with the CeraVe Moisturizer and Sunscreen in AM and CeraVe Night Cream in PM.
  • For better results, use the CeraVe Foaming Cleanser twice daily.

Which CeraVe moisturizer is the best to use after cleansing the face with the CeraVe Foaming Cleanser?

CeraVe has a wide range of moisturizers for people with all skin types. Depending on your skin type and concern, you can select a facial moisturizer from their range. 

  • Daily Moisturizing Lotion has a lightweight texture and provides long-lasting hydration. It is ideal to be used every day after cleansing.
  • AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion with Sunscreen works as both a moisturizer and sunscreen. It will hydrate and moisturize your skin while protecting it from harmful UV rays.
  • PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion is perfect to use in your nighttime skincare routine. It hydrates your skin and maintains its natural moisture barrier overnight.
  • Skin Renewing Night Cream is ideal for those with tight, dull, or fatigued skin.
  • Moisturizing Cream helps in maintaining your skin’s moisture barrier and keeps it hydrated, soft, and supple throughout the day.

Can one use the CeraVe Foaming Cleanser every day?

Yes, the CeraVe Foaming Cleanser is a gentle cleanser, ideal to be used twice a day. It does not dry out the skin and helps maintain its moisture barrier. The cleanser gently cleanses your face of any dirt, makeup, impurities, and dead skin cells.

What is the ideal time to leave the CeraVe Foaming Cleanser on the face?

When you use the CeraVe Foaming Cleanser, gently massage it onto your skin in a circular motion. Leave it on your skin for about one to three minutes to give time for the cleanser to do its work. However, make it a point to not leave the cleanser on your face for more than three minutes as it may cause skin reactions.

Does the CeraVe Foaming Cleanser contain any active ingredients?

The CeraVe Foaming Cleanser contains an active ingredient in the form of Benzoyl Peroxide 4%.

Is the CeraVe Foaming Cleanser non-comedogenic?

Comedogenic refers to chemicals that tend to clog your skin pores, which could lead to blackheads, whiteheads, and acne in the future. There are over 120 Comedogenic ingredients that include almond oil, palm oil, palmitic acid, peanut oil, beeswax, cocoa butter, coconut oil, isopropyl lineolate, and more. 

The CeraVe Foaming Cleanser is a non-comedogenic cleanser. It is non-irritating and will not clog your pores.

Does the CeraVe Foaming Cleanser contain oil?

No, the CeraVe Foaming Cleanser is free of oil, sulfates, fragrance, parabens, and other allergens.

How long will the CeraVe Foaming Cleanser take to clear up face acne?

The time it takes for CeraVe Foaming Cleanser to clear up the face varies for every individual. While some people may start to notice their acne and acne marks fading out in a couple of weeks, others may notice this change in several months. 

However, CeraVe claims that you can start noticing a visible difference in your acne within six to eight weeks with continued usage of the foaming cleanser. Again, this timeline may vary if you have stubborn acne. The brand also recommends that you use other anti-acne products with the CeraVe Foaming Cleanser for better results.

Does the CeraVe Foaming Cleanser cause breakouts?

The CeraVe Foaming Cleanser has a lightweight texture and it gently cleanses your skin of any dirt, sweat, dead skin cells, makeup, and other residues. When used regularly, the cleanser can help reduce your acne and acne marks.

It does not cause any breakouts on your skin. However, you may feel mild discomfort or irritation on your skin if you have severe acne. If the problem persists for an extended period, the brand recommends that you consult with a dermatologist.

Can one use the CeraVe Foaming Cleanser during their pregnancy?

Yes, the CeraVe Foaming Cleanser is a gentle cleanser, which is what most doctors recommend that you use during the course of your pregnancy. The cleanser is designed for sensitive, acne-prone skin and is an ideal option for pregnant women.

Can people with dry skin use the CeraVe Foaming Cleanser?

The packaging of the CeraVe Foaming Cleanser specifically mentions that the product is formulated for people with normal to oily skin types. The cleanser removes excess oil, sebum, and sweat from the skin. If people with dry skin type use the cleanser, their skin may get extra dry and lose its natural moisture. 

CeraVe has a Hydrating Cleanser that is formulated for people with dry skin types. The cleanser contains ceramides and hyaluronic acid that work by removing dirt, sweat, impurities, and dead cells from your skin without stripping it off of its natural moisture.

Is the CeraVe Foaming Cleanser alcohol-free?

Although the CeraVe Foaming Cleanser is gentle on the skin, it does contain fatty alcohols which may cause mild discomfort and irritation for some people. The irritation and discomfort go away with time. However, if it persists, the brand recommends that you consult with a dermatologist.

Is the CeraVe Foaming Cleanser a water-based cleanser?

Yes, the CeraVe Foaming Cleanser is a water-based cleanser. In general, water-based cleansers help remove water-based impurities such as sweat, dirt, impurities, whereas oil-based cleansers remove oil-based impurities like makeup and SPF. The CeraVe Foaming Cleanser gently removes dirt, sweat, dead cells, impurities from your skin.

How does the Niacinamide in the CeraVe Foaming Cleanser work?

Niacinamide is one of the key ingredients in the CeraVe Foaming Cleanser. It works by hydrating your skin, treating hyperpigmentation, decreasing redness, promoting skin elasticity, and reducing acne and acne marks. Niacinamide also acts as an antioxidant and helps fight free radicals in your skin.

How does the Hyaluronic Acid present in the CeraVe Foaming Cleanser help the skin?

Hyaluronic acid is one of the key ingredients present in the CeraVe Foaming Cleanser. It is used as a humectant, which works by helping your skin hold onto water, thereby keeping your skin moisturized and hydrated. Hyaluronic acid helps by hydrating the outer layer of your skin, which, in turn, improves your skin’s overall appearance. 

Are there samples available for customers to try out before purchasing the full-size CeraVe Foaming Cleanser?

Yes, CeraVe offers its customers sample-size products of the CeraVe Foaming Cleanser to check whether it suits them or not. However, these sample-size products are only available through physicians’ offices (dermatologists, podiatrists, and pediatricians).

Are CeraVe skincare products fragrance-free or unscented?

There is a slight difference between fragrance-free and unscented. Fragrance-free means that a product is free of any added fragrance. On the other hand, unscented means that the product might have a mild fragrance.

Most dermatologists recommend fragrance-free products as added fragrance can sometimes cause irritation on the skin. Most of the CeraVe products are fragrance-free. However, the brand recommends that you check the outer packaging of the product to check whether it is fragrance-free or unscented before purchasing.

References:

  1. https://www.cerave.com/skincare/cleansers/foaming-facial-cleanser
  2. https://www.skinsafeproducts.com/cerave-foaming-facial-cleanser-normal-to-oily-skin-12-fl-oz

Related Reading:

SkinCeuticals products and pregnancy

Anand Srinivasan
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