Can I use CeraVe SA Cleanser with Paula's Choice BHA?

Do you need both?

CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser contains salicylic acid, an exfoliant that helps remove dead skin and unclog pores. BHA means beta hydroxy acid; salicylic acid is the most common BHA in skincare. If your Paula's Choice product also contains salicylic acid, you are adding another exfoliating step, not introducing a completely different job. Salicylic acid is especially useful for blackheads and whiteheads because it works inside oily pores.35

How often should you combine them?

Start by finding out whether one exfoliant meets your needs. A second exfoliant is an option, not a promotion your routine has to earn. If you add the other, a cautious approach is to use them on separate days initially instead of stacking them in every routine. Follow each bottle's directions and never exceed its recommended applications. Exfoliation frequency depends on your skin and how aggressive the routine is; more exfoliation calls for less frequent use. Washing your face twice daily does not mean you need an exfoliating cleanser at both washes.146

What order should you use them in?

1. 1Wet your skin with lukewarm water. Massage CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser gently with your fingers, then rinse thoroughly. Do not scrub.
2. 2Pat your face dry with a soft, clean towel. If your Paula's Choice BHA is a leave on treatment, apply it after cleansing as directed on its label. Do not treat a leave on product like the cleanser you just rinsed away.
3. 3Follow with moisturizer. Exfoliation can be drying, and oily skin still needs hydration.
4. 4Use SPF 30 or higher sunscreen every day. BHA routines should include sun protection.

CeraVe allows the cleanser at any time of day. A leave on acne treatment can fit into a morning or evening routine, subject to its own directions. There is no need to turn the cleanser into an extended treatment: massage gently and rinse rather than deliberately leaving it on for longer.37

Who should be more careful?

Dry or sensitive skin calls for milder exfoliation, not automatically two exfoliating products. Prescription retinoids, retinol and benzoyl peroxide can already cause sensitivity or peeling; adding exfoliation can worsen dryness and breakouts. Avoid strong exfoliation if you develop dark spots after irritation, especially with darker skin tones. Do not exfoliate sunburned skin or areas with open cuts or wounds. Test a new BHA product on a small area before applying it more widely.14

What should you expect, and when should you stop?

Expect gradual improvement with consistent use, rather than immediate clearing. Stop the BHA product and contact a doctor if you develop irritation or prolonged stinging. More acid is not the next step for acne that is not improving with self treatment. See a doctor for deep, painful spots, scarring, or acne affecting your mental health; those concerns need more than a change in cleansing order.456