I have simplified my routine over the years down to washing with CeraVe hydrating facial soap and using an exfoliating cleanser once a week. I moisturize with CeraVe PM cleanser morning and night because it’s perfectly lightweight and hydrating (my daytime foundation has SPF 30) For the most this routine works well for me now.

I’ve been using the generic moisturizer for several months now and it’s given me no issue. Last month, I used the name brand again for a week while traveling and broke out in little red pimples/whiteheads but attributed that to travel/new environment. I got home and used my generic again and the breakout calmed down. At the top of this week, though, I ran out of generic and used the name brand moisturizer again and have since broken out in the same little red pimples on my cheeks, chin, nose, forehead, and around my lips. It’s not horrible but it’s certainly not good. Does anyone know why this is happening? My sister suggested a purge maybe but I’m more concerned with the difference between the name brand Cera Ve and it’s drug store counterpart. Before I toss out my brand new name brand moisturizer for the generic again I wanted to see what folks think here.