This post will review the Cerave Blemish Control Cleanser.
Whenever Cerave US releases a new product, I cry a little internally.
This is because, more often than not, the product is not released simultaneously here in the U.K.
We have to wait for months, if we’re lucky, to get them.
Sometimes, we are; other times, not so much. But you can’t really blame Cerave.
The EU/U.K. have strict cosmetic regulations that they must comply with.
This sometimes means that they have to alter the formula, and the approval sometimes delays the product’s release.
When we eventually get these products, the ingredient list is sometimes slightly changed, which I really don’t mind, to be honest.
Imagine my surprise when I saw a Facebook ad for the U.K. version of the recently released Cerave Acne Control Cleanser. I was ecstatic, to say the least.
Best believe I placed my order immediately.
While I wasn’t thrilled about the name change to Cerave Blemish Control Cleanser, at least we didn’t have to wait too long for our version.
This cleanser is part of the Blemish Control Range, which also includes:
- The Acne Control Gel as the Blemish Control Gel, and the
- Resurfacing Retinol Serum, which they didn’t change the name.
I quickly had to use this cleanser to share my thoughts about it.
First Impressions of the Cerave Blemish Control Cleanser
According to Cerave:
Refreshing gel-to-foam facial cleanser for blemish-prone skin, that helps to reduce the appearance of blemishes and blackheads, and removes excess oil while leaving the skin feeling soft and smooth. The formula penetrates pores to eliminate the cause of spots & blemishes, while respecting the skin’s natural barrier.
Ingredient List & Fragrance
I’m sure you’re aware that Cerave already has Salicylic Acid Cleansers.
Here in the U.K., it’s called the Cerave SA Smoothing Cleanser; in the U.S., it is called the SA Renewing Cleanser.
What is the difference between these previous cleansers and the recently released ones?
It’s simple! It’s the percentage of Salicylic Acid percentage.
The previous cleansers didn’t have a known rate, which I’m guessing is between 0.5 – 1.5%.
But this new one has categorically been announced to be 2% Salicylic Acid, the highest standard for over-the-counter products.
It might not be that big deal, but I promise, it makes all the difference.
As with all Cerave products, I expected this cleanser to follow the same base formula, which includes the three essential Ceramides: Glycerin, Cholesterol and Hyaluronic Acid.
Other extra ingredients besides the 2% Salicylic Acid include Niacinamide and a new entrant, Hectorite Clay; which is supposedly great for absorbing oil and minimizing pores.
Oil-absorbing ingredients such as Kaolin, Bentonite and Hectorite Clay work by holding on to the oil they absorb to prevent the skin from being shiny so that it can be rinsed away.
Source
If you have oily skin, this cleanser is for you, so don’t sleep on it.
But for someone like me with dry, dehydrated skin, I was a bit sceptical about this cleanser, but I still tried it because Cerave cleansers tend to work across all skin types.
As always, this cleanser is alcohol, essential oil and fragrance-free.
Packaging, Texture & Consistency
Similar to the rest of the Cerave cleansers, this one also comes in an opaque pump bottle.
Unfortunately, it only comes in one size for now: the default 236ml size.
They want to gauge how well it performs before releasing a bigger size.
It dispenses an opaque gel texture similar to the Cerave Foaming Cleanser.
The only difference is that it lathers better and is slightly drying due to the Hectorite Clay.
Other than that, it is similar to the rest of the Cerave gel cleansers.
Price & Availability
It is now available to purchase online on all major retail sites.
Some of them currently have sales, so snag it while you can.
Review of the Cerave Blemish Control Cleanser
To test out the effectiveness of this cleanser, I had to use it back to back in the morning and evening, which I typically wouldn’t do.
I like to limit my exfoliating cleanser to once-a-day usage to protect my skin barrier.
Despite using this cleanser twice daily, I felt no irritation, which is very impressive.
It shows how gentle the formula is even with the 2% Salicylic Acid.
Performance
I recently developed some whiteheads on my forehead, which Salicylic Acid is particularly great for treating.
I don’t have blackheads, so there wasn’t much I could test with besides the fresh whiteheads.
When I use it at night, I remove my sunscreen with Micellar Water.
My current favourite one is the La Roche Posay Ultra Micellar Water.
Then, I dispense one pump of the cleanser and let it sit on my skin for a few minutes.
I wash my body before rinsing my face if I’m in the shower.
If I’m out of the shower, I massage the cleanser into my skin for about 2-3 minutes.
This method is called short contact therapy.
So far, my whiteheads have mostly disappeared without leaving any pigmentation behind.
The remaining ones have significantly reduced size, and my forehead’s texture is generally smoother.
While the formula is not the most hydrating due to the oil-absorbing ingredient, the Glycerin and Hyaluronic Acid make up for it.
Cerave Blemish Control Cleanser vs. Cerave SA Smoothing Cleanser
While these cleansers might seem very similar, they are pretty different, with the most significant difference being the ingredients list.
They both have the base Cerave formula of Glycerin, Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide, Cholesterol and the three essential Ceramides.
But the Cerave SA Smoothing Cleanser has about 0.5% Salicylic Acid and Gluconolactone, a super gentle Poly Hydroxy Acid (PHA).
While the Cerave Blemish Control Cleanser has 2% Salicylic Acid and Hectorite Clay.
The former targets people with rough and bumpy skin, while the latter targets those with blemish-prone skin.
If you have sensitive skin, I suggest using the Cerave SA Smoothing Cleanser. Otherwise, they both work well.
Finally
I’m so glad this cleanser has finally come to the UK market.
This cleanser is for you if you have acne-prone skin, particularly oily skin and struggle with white and blackheads.
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