Cerave Blemish Control Gel – Review

This post will review the Cerave Blemish Control Gel.

Since I got my hand on the new Cerave Blemish Control Range, I’ve been testing all three products at a time.

As I mentioned in my previous posts, it’s been a while since a product launch has excited me like this.

I started by using and reviewing the Cerave Blemish Control Cleanser, which I absolutely love.

It is an improvement from the Cerave SA Smoothing Cleanser, which only has 0.5% Salicylic Acid.

On the other hand, the 2% Salicylic Acid from the Blemish Control Cleanser works so much faster, especially if you do a short contact therapy with it.

Also, it is such a brilliant cleanser for anyone with oily skin, as Cerave introduced a new oil-absorbing ingredient.

After reviewing the cleanser, I was already looking forward to the next product, the Cerave Blemish Gel.

I was excited because I hadn’t used an exfoliating moisturizer in a while.

For this review, I used the product back to back for about one week and let me tell you, it did not end well.

Do you know what happens when you over-exfoliate your skin? You damage your skin barrier.

While I restored my skin barrier, it reiterated my opinion that this product should not be used as a moisturizer because it is not.

You need to treat it like the serum that it is.

Before I go any further, let’s establish some key points.

First Impressions of the Cerave Blemish Control Gel

According to Cerave;

Facial moisturiser for blemish-prone skin & blackheads, helping skin look noticeably clearer. The formula penetrates pores to eliminate the cause of spots & blemishes, while protecting the skin’s natural barrier.

Maintains healthy-looking skin with daily use.

Lightweight, fast-absorbing formula.

Hydrates skin for up to 24 hours.

Non-greasy & non-drying formula.

Ingredient List & Fragrance

The first time I saw this product, I was immediately excited about the ingredient list. It

has the right combination of exfoliants to target blemishes and improve uneven texture while at it.

Honestly, what’s not love?!

It is formulated with;

• Glycerin
• Glycolic Acid
• Lactic Acid
• 2% Salicylic Acid
• Niacinamide
• 3 Essential Ceramides
• Hyaluronic Acid
• Cholesterol

So you have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs): Glycolic and Lactic Acid to smoothen texture.

Then you have the Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA) 2% Salicylic Acid to treat breakouts, blackheads and whiteheads, Niacinamide to improve pores and finally, the Cerave formula of three essential Ceramides, Hyaluronic Acid, Glycerin and Cholesterol for hydration and skin barrier repair.

While I love that Cerave disclosed the percentage of Salicylic Acid in the product, I’m sad that it is that it didn’t apply to Glycolic and Lactic Acid.

But based on my experience with products like this and the fact that Cerave tries to make gentle formulas, the Glycolic Acid should be between 5 – 7% and the Lactic Acid 5% – 3%.

Either way, this is a solid product.

As always, this product is alcohol, essential oil and fragrance-free.

Packaging, Texture & Consistency

This product is packaged in a 40ml tube with an applicator tip, which I think is brilliant because, according to Cerave, this product can also be used as a spot treatment.

So, don’t be tempted to apply it all over your face if you’re not treating anything.

It dispenses a lightweight clear gel similar to the Cerave cleansers but much thinner in consistency.

It is non-sticky, non-greasy, and absorbs immediately into your skin on application.

The way it absorbs into your skin, you won’t know you have something on and can be tempted to apply more so be mindful.

Price & Availability

This product retails for £11, which is honestly not bad. If you have to buy four individual Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Salicylic Acid and Niacinamide serums from The Ordinary, it will definitely cost more.

So, if you have acne-prone skin that is also sensitive, you should try this product.

It combines four major ingredients.

This way, you’re not overwhelming your skin by layering multiple serums at once.

Review of the Cerave Blemish Control Gel

As I mentioned earlier, I used this product back to back for one week just to test its effectiveness, and I damaged my skin barrier in the process.

I started breaking out literally all over my face, mostly in areas where I usually break out anyway.

But it was a lot because I was generous with the product and used it too frequently.

But then I stopped using it daily and returned once or twice a week, and my skin thrived.

My breakouts were gradually disappearing, and my skin texture was smoother.

It finally occurred to me that that was the best way to use the product.

So don’t listen to Cerave if they recommend daily usage.

This is not a moisturizer that should be used daily. It is an exfoliating serum like any other on the market.

Performance

In terms of performance, the Cerave Blemish Control Gel definitely works.

It’s not an overnight product that will magically eliminate breakouts and texture.

But if you use it consistently like you should, your skin will thrive.

But you need to have realistic expectations.

Give it 4 – 6 weeks of consistent use before concluding on its effectiveness.

I started using it daily for about a week, which was definitely a terrible idea.

But when I scaled back, I started to see results.

Also, if your skin is already used to Cerave products, you’ll have no problem with this.

How To Use the Cerave Blemish Control Gel Effectively

As I mentioned, you want to treat this product as an exfoliating serum.

So, use this one – three times a week in the PM after cleansing and before your moisturizer.

You don’t need to layer any other product before it except hydrating toners.

Also, avoid using toners or other serums with active ingredients that will cause further irritations when layered together.

It goes without saying that you shouldn’t be using any Retinol serums on the nights you use this product.

It’s an all-in-one serum, so it should only be your treatment serum three times a week.

As with all new products, you must monitor your skin and see how it reacts.

So avoid introducing multiple new products to your skin simultaneously.

Conclusion

The Cerave Blemish Control Gel is a great product for anyone with acne-prone skin struggling with blemishes and texture and wants a single product to treat these concerns.