Opened my usual bottle. Something was off immediately.
The texture — it’s thinner. And the online reviews? A minefield of panic from people whose skin suddenly rebelled. CeraVe didn’t announce a thing.
A $16 drugstore cleanser that promises to hydrate, not strip. The claim? A “non-foaming” formula for normal to dry skin. It’s basic skincare math.
Non-Foaming Lotion
Cleans like a milky hug, not a soapy assault.
Ceramide-Infused
Supposed to help maintain your skin barrier with every wash.
Fragrance-Free
The one thing they thankfully kept.
Photo: hannah grace / Unsplash
They kept the big names — ceramides, hyaluronic acid. But the feel comes from the base formula, and that’s where they tinkered.
- Ceramides 1, 3, 6-II: Repair the skin’s barrier glue
- Hyaluronic Acid: Holds water on the surface
- Glycerin: The OG humectant
- New Emollient Blend: The mystery variable — feels slicker, less creamy
Pours out like slightly watered-down milk. Still no lather. But the slip is different — it feels more like a thin serum sliding over skin, less like a comforting cream.
After two weeks, my skin felt…fine. Not better. The surprise? It rinses cleaner. Zero residue. But that’s the problem for some — that “protected” feeling is gone.
My dryness didn’t worsen. But it didn’t improve either. It just cleansed. A neutral act — which, for a hydrating cleanser, is a letdown.
They fixed it for a squeaky-clean feel. They ruined it for anyone who needed that milky, borderline-moisturizing wash. It’s a competent cleanser now, not a comforting one.