Will CeraVe Clog Your Pores?

With dermatologists and influencers recommending CeraVe products, you can't help but wonder if you should use them, too. So if CeraVe (or the other drugstore finds) currently occupies space on your vanity and you've asked yourself, "How can I get better skin?" – read on. And if you were just wondering what the name "CeraVe" even means, we have the skin(nie) on that, too.

We always promise this to be a judgment-free zone, but we will explain why we don't put drugstore cleansers and moisturizers on our faces. And what we seek for our skin, we strive for yours too. While we can't argue that the cost appears lower for drugstore cleansers and moisturizers, we do argue that the value is greater for those we recommend.

What is CeraVe?

CeraVe is a brand of skincare products that was "developed with dermatologists" almost 20 years ago and then sold to L'Oreal in 2016. The brand is named after the only star ingredient in their products, ceramides. CeraVe's mission was to create products that won't irritate sensitive skin and can be tolerated by compromised skin while using dermatologist-prescribed oral and topical medications.

Since CeraVe's formulas are supposed to be suitable for everyone's skin, does that mean the brand is good for acne?

Unfortunately, no. Three of their popular products contain pore-clogging ingredients. Both their iconic Daily Moisturizing Lotion (in the big pump bottle) and Moisturizing Cream (in the big jar) contain ceteareth-20, a four out of five on the pore-clogging scale. Also, their Renewing SA Cleanser, presumably targeted to acne-prone people due to its salicylic acid content, has moderately comedogenic corn oil.

Treating acne it's not simply about using products that won't clog the pores, your skin needs the right mix of antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and keratolytic ingredients to treat your pores paired with soothing, hydrating, and nourishing ingredients to balance the skin 

But don't the labels say "non-comedogenic"? 

They sure do, but any product can boast almost any marketing label it wants; these descriptions aren't regulated. Better yet, CeraVe's "experts" argue that those ingredients are not pore-clogging in "their specific formula." However, for those prone to acne, our years of experience have shown it's best to be safe rather than sorry and avoid pore-cloggers as much as possible.

So what is a person to do then?

If you have acne, are under 30, or are on a tight budget, swap the drugstore products for Face Reality. Anyone who sells these products is a certified acne expert dedicated to helping people with skin, usually because they struggled with acne after going the typical route. 

Face Reality cleansers, toners, acne meds, and moisturizers cost around $20-$30, yes, seriously! That's just incrementally higher than drugstore products. An expert can recommend them, even if you can't afford treatments. Most places, including ours, offer free or low-cost consultations where you can get good products specific to your skin. From there, put your remaining budget towards treatments as you can, and look at all the acne triggers you can cut from your life.

But if a budget doesn’t strictly control your skincare purchase decisions, work with an aesthetician to get to know your skin and learn what products and ingredients will work best to create the changes you’re looking for. And be open to more guidance as your skin game reaches new heights.

Should you still use it if you are sure CeraVe is not bothering your skin or breaking you out? 

From a scientific standpoint, most drugstore products do their basic job – but we want more than just "basic" for you and your skin. Universal products, like CeraVe, have to be brought down to a generally safe level for everyone, which has pros and cons. Professional products are handcrafted to be more than basic and to elicit legitimate changes in skin, from our standpoint – they have only pros.

If you are happy with your skin and choose to use drugstore or grocery store finds, that is 100% fine. But if you are coming in for treatments and have skin concerns, it makes no sense to spend on treatments but skimp on your products. Drugstore products are not a change-maker for the skin like professional products are. You want products that will support and enhance the work done in the treatment room. Better products use active ingredients to target changes in your skin.

At Skin MPLS, we always recommend spending your budget on your home care products over your treatments nearly every time. Cassie always says that if your budget can afford otherwise, using drugstore products is a missed opportunity. Since you'll take a few minutes to cleanse your skin every night, no matter what, make those minutes really count with impactful ingredients in your cleanser – this applies to every skincare step.

Why does everyone use and recommend CeraVe, then? 

Simply put, it's because CeraVe has a great marketing team and budget – and its products are not bad. (Don't hear us wrong; we're not calling them good either.) But do you think Lebron James really drinks Sprite after games? Celebrities and dermatologists are not actually using CeraVe products, especially when they are coming out with their own skin lines left and right. (Don't get us started.) 

In a world where marketing reigns supreme, it's crucial to decipher between hype and efficacy. While CeraVe may have a stellar marketing strategy, true skincare enthusiasts prioritize results over buzz. We can confidently say that certain professional products offer better value because they save patients money on necessary treatments down the line, make the changes you’re looking for, don't go to waste, and give you a return on your investment.

Who would agree with us? Many knowledgeable skin experts, aestheticians, small craft skincare lines, and clients. Who will disagree with us? A lot of other people. That's okay. Unlike CeraVe, we aren't here for the masses. If you want a cleanser and moisturizer that will do the bare minimum – cleanse and moisturize your skin, you should use drugstore classics. But, if you spent the time reading this, you probably want more for your skin. You want texture-free, plump, glowing skin and a skincare regimen that brings you joy. That's what aestheticians specialize in.

Whether you're swayed by celebrity endorsements or guided by expert advice, remember: Your skin, your rules. And if achieving your skincare goals means venturing beyond drugstore aisles, trust that the journey to radiant, healthy skin is worth every step.