CeraVe Cleanser
Reddit take
AI summary of the Reddit excerpts below — not a quote
CeraVe Cleanser is widely regarded as a foundational staple in the skincare community, frequently recommended for simple and budget-friendly routines. While it is praised by many for being gentle and non-drying, it is a polarizing product due to a significant number of users reporting adverse reactions such as burning, stinging, or redness.
Pros
- Reliable staple for simple, 'back-to-basics' skincare routines
- Generally perceived as gentle and non-drying, particularly the 4% and hydrating variants
- Works well as a second cleanser in a double-cleansing routine to remove residual oil or makeup
Cons
- Frequent reports of skin irritation, including burning sensations and red rashes
- Can cause breakouts, bumpy skin, or clogged pores for certain users
- Some users find it ineffective at addressing specific skin concerns like active acne
Caveats
- Individual skin chemistry varies significantly; a product that is 'gentle' for one user may cause immediate stinging for another
- Users often discuss 'CeraVe Cleanser' as a single entity, but experiences may differ between the Hydrating, Foaming, and Salicylic Acid (SA) versions
Best for
- Users seeking an affordable, no-frills daily face wash
- People building a minimalist skincare routine
- Double cleansing
Avoid if
- You have highly reactive or compromised skin that is prone to stinging
- You experience any burning sensation upon initial application
This summary uses balanced time weighting with about a 6-month half-life. The evidence comes from a moderate volume of mentions in skincare-focused communities with a median age of approximately 180 days.
Sentiment
35 positive (51%) · 18 mixed (26%) · 15 negative (22%)
Trust + time weighted score: +29% · raw score 29%
What redditors said (10 of 68)
cerave cleanser was awful, i had awful red rashes/felt insane burning, never touched it again, it burned me
I think it is the Anua product and the Cerave moisturizer. This cleanser has olive oil, which definitely clogs the pores.
i started to get better so i proceeded with my normal SA CeraVe face wash, vanicream, and tretinoin night time routine. woke up to a somewhat hard-to-the-touch red and bumpy patch of skin.
Night Cerave cleanser
cerave cleanser cerave moisturizer
26F, I used to have a very simple routine of CeraVe cleanser and moisturizer and would only have occasional, partial breakouts.
If you wear makeup, double cleanse with an oil first to remove makeup then the Cerave cleanser. (Make sure you are using the Cerave for dry skin — personally I found this cleanser dried me out a little but everyone is different).
Same thing happened with some CeraVe cleanser I can't even remember the name of now
I first tried just a Cerave cleanser in the shower, then cleanser + moisturizer, then cleanser + moisturizer + benzoyl peroxide, then I swapped BP for adapalene gel, which made my skin peel and face burn. None of these seemed to work... I tried just the Cerave cleanser 2x day. Again, I saw good progress initially, but then regressed.
CeraVe Cleanser
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