| Beauty
✨ Let’s get into it ✨
💡 TLDR
Cerave’s cleanser messed up my skin, causing acne to bounce back. I switched to a real cleanser and finally saw results.
Y’all aren’t ready for how Cerave messed up my acne game. I started using tretinoin 0.25% a year and a half ago, thinking I was doing skincare right, but then I burned my skin with a harsh cleanser and switched to Cerave’s hydrating cleanser—because it’s for dry skin, right? Wrong. I have combo oily-normal skin, and this cleanser didn’t cleanse, it just sat there like a skincare snoozer. I stopped breaking out, but my acne just… bounced back like a toddler with a rubber ball. My dermatologist kept upping my tretinoin to 0.1%, and finally, after months of this, I started seeing real results. But the acne still came back, like some cursed skincare version of Groundhog Day.
Then I switched to a cleanser that actually cleanses—no more glittery skincare vibes. Within a month, the breakouts that used to pop up like clockwork? They’re like, literally nowhere. I’m not saying Cerave is the devil (it’s a brand, not a person), but I’m 100% over the non-comedogenic lie. My skin is still a work in progress, but I’m finally seeing consistency. The lesson? Skincare isn’t a one-size-fits-all vibe. What works for your bestie’s dry skin? Not necessarily your oily, acne-prone skin.
Key takeaway? Cleansers matter more than you think. If your skin is still breaking out after months of tretinoin, maybe you’re not cleansing properly. Also, don’t skip steps—like using a toner or a salicylic acid serum. And yeah, Cerave isn’t the villain, but it’s not the hero either.
So, y’all—how long should it take to achieve clear skin? I started 0.1% tretinoin 3 months ago and switched cleansers a month ago. What’s your timeline? Drop your skincare wins in the comments!
❓ People Also Ask
Did Cerave cleanser worsen acne?
Yes, Cerave’s hydrating cleanser failed to cleanse, leading to acne bouncebacks. It’s not suitable for oily skin.
What helped clear acne after Cerave?
Switching to a proper cleanser that actually cleanses improved breakouts. Consistent, effective skincare is key.
💬 What do you think? Let us know in the comments! 👇