Ah, spots, blemishes, breakouts. Whatever you prefer to call them, we can all agree they are REALLY BLOODY ANNOYING.
A badly-timed zit can honestly tip me over the edge (just ask any one of my previous housemates) and don't even talk to me about maskne, ever. As if the last year wasn't stressful enough.
Enter: the affordable cleanser that is endorsed by skincare influencers everywhere.
Now I'm not going to pretend this cleanser is the miracle cure for breakouts. I still get spots, though hardly any compared to the hormonal acne that plagued my late teens and early twenties. The biggest changes I noticed in my skin was after cleansing properly (twice a day with a flannel, no exceptions). Discovering the Period Faace mask(life-changing) and the very affordable CeraVe Smoothing Cleanser.
It's a non-fragrance, cult cleanser that is quite frankly LITTERED over the internet (in the best way possible).
It's packed with hard-working ingredients to ensure it's gentle yet effective for oily or blemish-prone skin.
My skin is combination (think dehydrated cheeks and an oily t-zone, lush) and this cleanser helps my skin feel clean and clear without that dreaded tight feeling.
High up on the ingredients list is niacinamidewhich helps minimise pores, redness and irritation. Hyaluronic acidand glycerin to ensure skin is hydrated, supple and there's no damage to your skin's barrier.
Finally, the star of the show, salicylic acid works by unclogging pores and keeping them clear.
Hydrating, yet exfoliating? Gentle, yet effective? Gosh, CeraVe you're spoiling us!
I use the Smoothing Cleanser religiously. During the morning, I just use it for a quick rinse and then again at night following an oil-based make-up remover.
Thanks to its almost witchcraft-like powers, it sells out online alllllll the time, but thankfully you can still get it on Amazon for an absolute bargain.
AmazonAs a heads up, if you have dry skin, tryCeraVe's Hydrating Cleanserwhich has thousands of five-star reviews online from chuffed customers.
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CeraVe's Smoothing Cleanser has also amassed plenty of five-star reviews online and I mean, of course it has. It's really brilliant, remember?
One customer wrote, "I’ve never tried a cleanser like it, left my skin feeling so smooth and soft after the first use. Very good to remove makeup. And just to cleanse the face in general. Highly recommend purchasing I am now on my second bottle!! A lifesaver "
Another added, "I researched for ages for a cleanser which would be effective at tackling acne/blemish-probe skin which is super sensitive. This one seemed to be universally recommended so I decided it was the best option and I was not disappointed! My skin felt cleaner after one use and was super effective at tackling excess oil/blemishes. I now wash my face twice a day with this to maintain a clearer complexion."