Opened the new bottle. Felt the texture. Sighed.
The milky slip is gone — it now rinses like a cheap body wash. That alone is a crime.
It’s the same $16 drugstore staple from CeraVe. Claims to be “non-foaming” and “hydrating.” They moved the goalposts.
New Pump
Stiffer. Requires more force for less product.
Scent
Faintly chemical now. Old one was truly odorless.
Packaging
“New Formula” is in tiny, guilty print on the back.
Photo: Angelina / Unsplash
They kept the ceramides and hyaluronic acid. But the base formula changed — that’s where the magic (or lack of) happens.
- Ceramides 1, 3, 6-II: Still repair the skin barrier
- Hyaluronic Acid: Still binds water
- Glycerin: Still a humectant
- New Surfactant Blend: This is the culprit for the stripped feel
Photo: Chandra Oh / Unsplash
It’s thinner. Slides on but doesn’t *cling* to the skin the same way. Rinses too clean — that tight, squeaky feeling is back.
By week two, my t-zone was fine but my cheeks felt taut. Never had that with the old formula. It’s now a seasonal cleanser for me, not a year-round staple.
Photo: Ali Pazani / Unsplash
No new breakouts. Barrier held up. But the comfort is gone — that plush, cushioned cleanse was the whole point.
Photo: Viva Luna Studios / Unsplash
It’s a step back. They fixed what wasn’t broken and lost the unique, gentle slip that made it a standout.