Cerave face wash for oily skin and acne

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This post will share the best Cerave cleanser for your skin type.

I’d be confused by all the seven Cerave cleansers available if I wasn’t into skincare. While the brand has tried to differentiate all cleansers based on skin types and concerns, it can get confusing, especially the acne cleansers.

So far, as someone with dry, dehydrated skin, I’ve used most of the Cerave cleansers and can categorically say that they can all be used across all skin types. But to maximize the effectiveness of these cleansers, it’s advisable to pick the one that suits your skin type the most. At the same time, don’t try to put yourself in a box. If you feel one cleanser isn’t working for you, try another.

I remember being hesitant to try the Cerave Foaming Cleanser because I thought it was only for oily skin. I tried it a few times to review on this blog, and I loved it immediately. It has now become my favourite cleanser.

Also, your skin changes depending on the season. Some people are oiler during the Summer and are dryer during the winter. This means you can switch up your cleanser based on your skin’s needs in different seasons.

Without further ado, let’s break down all the seven Cerave cleansers.

Here’s How To Choose The Best Cerave Cleanser For Your Skin Type & Concern

One thing that makes the Cerave formula well-loved and accepted is the base formula. Rather than experimenting with different formulas, Cerave stuck with their signature one and tweaked it for other products.

As you might have noticed, their base formula includes three core ingredients:

• Glycerin
• Hyaluronic Acid
• 3 Essential Ceramides
• Cholesterol
• Phytosphingosine

Most Cerave products have all five ingredients that keep the skin hydrated and support the skin’s barrier. None of the cleansers will leave your skin stripped of moisture. Instead, it would help restore moisture while cleansing the skin,

This is a solid and successful strategy if you ask me. The formula works, and most people can tolerate it without any reactions. Also, all the products are alcohol, essential oil and fragrance-free. What’s not to love?!

Cerave Hydrating Cleanser

• Suitable For: Normal to Dry Skin
• Formulated With: Glycerin, Hyaluronic Acid, 3 Essential Ceramides, Vitamin E and Phytosphingosine.
• Good For: quick morning cleanse.

As someone with dry skin, the Cerave Hydrating Cleanser was my first introduction to the brand. While it wasn’t love at first sight, I grew to love it as my morning cleanser, particularly during the colder months. If your skin type is predominantly dry and you experience occasional dry periods, then you can use this cleanser. It’s a simple, lightweight gel formula everyone can use in the mornings.

The only problem is it won’t give you a deep cleanse, nor will it remove your makeup. So, your best bet is to use an oil cleanser or cleansing balm to take off your makeup and a foaming cleanser as a second cleanse. If you only wear sunscreen, use this cleanser as your second wash after removing the sunscreen with a first cleanse.

Don’t expect too much heavy duty from this one. It’s perfect for a quick cleanse in the mornings, and that’s about it.

Cerave Foaming Cleanser

• Suitable For: Normal to Oily Skin
• Formulated With: Glycerin, Hyaluronic Acid, 3 Essential Ceramides, Vitamin E, Niacinamide and Phytosphingosine.
• Good For: Second cleanse and removing sunscreen.

As I said earlier, I avoided using this cleanser for so long because I didn’t have oily skin. What a mistake! While it is particularly formulated for people with oily skin, in my opinion anyone can use it. I find it quite hydrating and non-stripping. I also prefer this slightly thicker gel to the Hydrating Cleanser. The former feel like a good gel, and the latter feels like a gel cream.

If you want to skip the first cleanse, it is excellent for removing sunscreen. But for makeup, you must take most of it off with a cleansing balm or oil. Otherwise, you’ll just waste the cleanser as you must go in several times. If you wear makeup, a first cleanse should be non-negotiable for you.

I hear people with oily skin say this cleanser helps with oil control. So if you have oily skin and are searching for a great cleanser, you need to try this.

Cerave Hydrating Cream To Foam Cleanser

• Suitable For: Normal to Dry Skin
• Formulated With: Glycerin, Hyaluronic Acid, 3 Essential Ceramides, Vitamin E, Salicylic Acid, Urea, Sodium PCA and Phytosphingosine.
• Good For: Second cleanse and removing sunscreen and makeup.

Remember I said the Cerave Hydrating Cleanser isn’t great for removing sunscreen and makeup? Apparently, the Cerave team listened and came out with this Hydrating Cream to Foam Cleanser a while back. This is supposed to remove makeup without disrupting the skin barrier.

Now, this happens to be one of my least favourite Cerave cleansers. I’ve also not seen people use it to remove makeup, as most people use it as a second cleanse. But this is worth trying if you wear light to moderate coverage makeup and can’t be bothered to double cleanse with two products.

Cerave Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser

• Suitable For: All Skin Types
• Formulated With: Glycerin, Hyaluronic Acid, 3 Essential Ceramides, Cholesterol, 4% Benzoyl Peroxide, Niacinamide and Phytosphingosine.
• Good For: Second cleanse acne treatment.

Out of all the Cerave cleansers, this is the only one I haven’t used yet because it isn’t available here in the U.K. I currently use the Panoxyl Acne Foaming Wash with 10% Benzoyl Peroxide instead.

Now, if your skin is prone to acne and you struggle with inflamed pimples that are usually red and painful, you need this Benzoyl Peroxide cleanser in your life. But if you have blackheads and whiteheads, Salicylic Acid works better, so you can skip this cleanser. But for new, inflamed acne, you need Benzoyl Peroxide to kill the bacteria that causes acne at its roots and prevent new acne from forming.

4% is really gentle, so you can use it once a day. But if you are sensitive, you can start with a couple of times a week first. Don’t forget Benzoyl Peroxide is known for bleaching clothes, so try not to towel dry your face and go straight into your skincare routine after cleansing.

Cerave Renewing SA Cleanser or SA Smoothing Cleanser

• Suitable For: Normal Skin/Acne-Prone Skin
• Formulated With: Glycerin, Hyaluronic Acid, 3 Essential Ceramides, 0.5% Salicylic Acid, Niacinamide and Phytosphingosine.
• Good For: Second cleanse acne treatment.

I was about to get the Renewing SA Cleanser when I realized that it’s te same as the SA Smoothing Cleanser here in the U.K. The name was just changed. Before Cerave recently released a 2% Salicylic Acid cleanser, this Renewing SA Cleanser with 0.5% was their primary one.

A lot of people with acne swear by it because it is gentle enough to treat blackheads and whiteheads without any irritations. It is also gentle enough to use daily. Plus it works across all skin types. So, if your skin is acne prone and you struggle with blackheads and whuteheads, get this cleanser.

Cerave Acne Control Cleanser or Blemish Control Cleanser

• Suitable For: For Acne-Prone Skin
• Formulated With: Glycerin, Hyaluronic Acid, 3 Essential Ceramides, 2% Salicylic Acid, Niacinamide, Hectorite Clay and Phytosphingosine.
• Good For: Second cleanse acne treatment.

This is the newest Cerave cleanser that was launched a couple of months ago. The only difference between the SA Renewing Cleanser and the Acne Control Cleanser is the percentage of Salicylic Acid and the Hectorite Clay in the latter. While all skin types can use both products, the Acne Control Cleanser has a new oil absorbing technology for people with oily acne-prone skin. So you might find it slightly drying if you don’t have oily skin.

With that being said with 2% Salicylic Acid, you can still get away with using the cleanser a few times a week. Just make sure you’re not using it to remove sunscreen or makeup. Also make sure you’re doing the short contact therapy by leaving the cleanser on your skin for a few minutes to work before rinsing out.

In Summary

I hope this post has helped you find the best Cerave cleanser for your skin type and concern. Assess your skin concerns and pick one to two cleansers to address them. If you don’t have any concerns and you just want to maintain your skin, choose between the Hydrating and Foaming Cleanser and you’re good.

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