Can I use CeraVe Foaming Cleanser with tretinoin?

Check which CeraVe cleanser you have

The US Foaming Facial Cleanser is a gel cleanser for normal to oily skin, formulated with ceramides, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide to support moisture balance and the skin's protective barrier. CeraVe sells several foaming cleansers, so 'foaming' is a texture description, not a sufficiently detailed shopping list. Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser contains 4% benzoyl peroxide; Acne Control Cleanser contains salicylic acid. Check the full name and ingredients on your bottle because formulas change. Do not add a medicated acne cleanser to tretinoin unless your prescriber approves the combination.123

How to use the cleanser before tretinoin

1. 1Wash your hands, then wet your face with lukewarm water.
2. 2Massage CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser gently over your skin using circular motions. Do not scrub.
3. 3Rinse well and pat dry. Let your skin dry as directed by your tretinoin instructions.
4. 4At bedtime, apply a thin layer of tretinoin to the affected area, using the amount and frequency prescribed. Keep it away from your eyes, mouth and the corners of your nose.
5. 5Use a moisturizer to help manage dryness, following your prescriber's instructions about placement in the routine. During the day, use broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher.

Can I wash with it morning and night?

Yes, morning and evening cleansing fits general acne care advice to wash twice daily with a gentle cleanser. CeraVe lists the standard Foaming Facial Cleanser for use at any time of day. Remove makeup before bed and moisturize after washing. Washing more aggressively is not an acne treatment: scrubbing can irritate skin and make acne worse.25

What if my skin becomes dry or sensitive?

Tretinoin can cause dryness, peeling and irritation, so choose your cleanser for how your skin feels during treatment, not just its usual oiliness. A face wash aimed at normal to oily skin is not automatically the best choice once skin becomes dry. If washing leaves your face tight or uncomfortable, choose a gentler cleanser suited to dry or sensitive skin. Avoid abrasive or drying washes. Topical retinoids can worsen eczema; tell your prescriber if you have it, and do not apply tretinoin to eczema affected or sunburned areas.136

What should I expect from the combination?

The cleanser removes oil, dirt and makeup; it does not need a second career as your acne treatment. Tretinoin is the prescription retinoid, a vitamin A derived medicine, treating the acne. Improvement with topical retinoids can take 12 weeks or longer. Do not judge treatment by how thoroughly a cleanser foams or by how quickly your skin feels less oily.26

When should I contact my prescriber?

Contact your doctor if dryness, burning, stinging, peeling, redness, swelling or blistering is severe or does not go away. Call immediately for rash, hives, or pain or discomfort at the treatment area rather than pushing through. Tell your prescriber about other medicines and skincare treatments before adding them. If you are pregnant, planning pregnancy or breastfeeding, discuss tretinoin with your doctor; call if you become pregnant while using it.1