Quiet reformulations are a special kind of betrayal. CeraVe did it with their Hydrating Cleanser, and the beauty boards are in flames.
The real issue? That milky slip is gone. It now rinses like water — and not in a good way.
Still ~$15 for 16oz. The claim is the same: a non-foaming, gentle cleanse for dry skin. Feels like a bait and switch.
The Feel
Thinner, almost runny consistency straight out of the pump.
The Lather
Zero lather — which is fine — but now it lacks any sense of cushion.
The Finish
Leaves a faint, almost waxy film. Not the “hydrated” feeling they promise.
Photo: Karly Jones / Unsplash
Ceramides and hyaluronic acid are still on the label. But the texture shift tells me the ratios or base formula changed. It’s missing its soul.
- Ceramides 1, 3, 6-II: Still there to support the skin barrier.
- Hyaluronic Acid: For surface hydration.
- Glycerin: A classic humectant.
- Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate: The new(ish) surfactant that might explain the weird rinse-off.
It feels like washing your face with slightly thickened water. No slip, no glide. You keep pumping out more, hoping for the old experience.
After two weeks, my dry patches felt rougher. Not stripped, but not cared for. The biggest surprise? It started to pill if I applied a serum too soon after.
My skin was clean but felt indifferent. No extra dryness, but zero improvement in softness or barrier comfort. A true side-step at best.
It’s a step back. They fixed what wasn’t broken and lost the magic in the process. I’m hunting for my new drugstore staple.