CeraVe for Acne: Everything You Need to Know

 

Looking for a conversation topic for tonight’s family dinner everyone is sure to agree on? We have just the thing: Acne is the worst!

No one would dare disagree with this statement, especially the 85% of young adults who’ve experienced the pain and embarrassment of acne.

If you’d like to add more to the conversation, delight your family with some information about the healing power of CeraVe for acne. Here’s everything you need to know about this leading skincare brand.

All About CeraVe

We all know someone who can use whatever skincare products are left on the shelf — irritants, fragrances, and all — and still enjoy beautifully clear skin.

But if you’re interested in products by CeraVe, this likely doesn’t describe you. CeraVe boasts a full line of skincare products that claim to strengthen your skin’s natural barrier, improve hydration, and guard against harmful irritants, no matter your skin type.

Among the company’s products are separate lines of moisturizers and cleansers formulated with specific skin types in mind — dry, oily, or combination — to use on either the face or body.

CeraVe also manufacturers sunscreens, makeup removers, ointments, and serums for various skin conditions, including psoriasis, eczema, and, of course, acne. The brand’s full line of products for babies is also suitable for adults with very sensitive skin.

What Sets CeraVe Apart?

When it comes to using CeraVe for acne, what makes this brand different from all the other brands occupying shelf space in the skincare aisle?

According to CeraVe, it’s their ingredients. CeraVe’s claim to fame is the “three essential ceramides” used in all their products, which, according to the company, strengthens your skin’s natural barrier.

CeraVe’s website also boasts a long list of acne-fighting ingredients used throughout their products. Below are just a few.

Benzoyl Peroxide

A common acne-fighting ingredient, benzoyl peroxide works on multiple levels to clear acne-prone skin. It fights breakouts and prevents new pimples from forming by killing the acne-causing bacteria living on and under the skin’s surface.

Benzoyl peroxide also encourages your skin to shed dead cells, leaving you with fewer clogged pores and a bright, healthy glow.

Salicylic Acid

Like benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid is commonly found in acne-fighting products. As an exfoliator, salicylic acid penetrates the skin to expunge dirt, debris, and excess oil, leaving pores clear. This exfoliation also removes dead skin cells and improves skin texture.

Salicylic acid is particularly effective at treating whiteheads and blackheads, two forms of acne that are notoriously difficult to address.

Glycolic Acid

A powerhouse exfoliator just like salicylic acid, glycolic acid works by breaking the bond between the top layer of the skin and the next layer down, helping to peel away dead skin cells, dirt, and excess oil. Glycolic acid also strengthens the skin’s barrier and boosts hydration.

Retinol

Skin damage is one of the more unpleasant side effects of a severe breakout. Acne-prone skin can sport an uneven texture, red spots, scarring, and even open wounds from picking at pimples. Retinol not only prevents new breakouts by unclogging pores, but it also expedites the skin’s natural healing process. It may even reduce the appearance of acne scars.

Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic acid isn’t as common an ingredient as salicylic acid or glycolic acid, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t effective. This ingredient promotes hydration, which strengthens the skin’s natural barrier, prevents excessive dryness, and reduces irritation. If that isn’t enough, hyaluronic acid also controls oil production.

Niacinamide

The ingredient niacinamide may not be regularly discussed among acne sufferers, but it’s very well known for its anti-inflammatory properties. Reduced inflammation leads to less visible swelling and redness on acne-prone skin, as well as much-needed relief from cystic acne.

CeraVe for Acne: The Verdict

Considering CeraVe for acne? As you can see, CeraVe’s products contain multiple ingredients that have been clinically proven to treat and prevent acne.

None of CeraVe’s products are likely to cause breakouts. This is because they’re all non-comedogenic, meaning they don’t contain any pore-clogging ingredients.

If you’re still not sure about using CeraVe for acne, look to user reviews, especially those from people with skin concerns similar to yours. Let’s take CeraVe’s Moisturizing Cream as an example. Reviews on Amazon.com and Walmart.com are mostly positive — the product boasts a rating of 4.8 out of 5 on Amazon and 4.7 out of 5 on Walmart.

Users recommend this product for people with sensitive skin, acne-prone skin, and eczema. Some users uploaded before and after photos, showing positive results.

You’ll notice some negative reviews, but most of these criticize the packaging and delivery rather than the product itself.

Is There Another Option?

If using CeraVe for acne hasn’t reduced the frequency or severity of your breakouts, there are many other options out there.

However, if you’re tired of experimenting with topical products, perhaps the next treatment option you try should be light therapy.

Light therapy, also known as photobiomodulation, is a clinically proven way to treat mild-to-moderate acne breakouts. It typically uses two wavelengths of light — blue and red. Blue light penetrates the surface layer of the skin and kills the bacteria that causes acne, while red light penetrates deeper into the skin to promote healing and reduce inflammation at a cellular level.

Together, red and blue light therapy heal existing pimples and prevent new ones from forming — a winning combination!

CeraVe for Acne: Final Thoughts

Using the non-comedogenic products made by CeraVe for acne and other skin conditions could very well assist your quest for a clear, smooth complexion. Remember to add new products to your skincare routine slowly, read user reviews before purchase, and keep your mind open to other options.