They changed the CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser. No fanfare, no announcement — just a new bottle on the shelf.
The real issue? That iconic milky slip is gone. It rinses differently now, and my dry skin felt it immediately.
It’s still the drugstore workhorse — about $16. CeraVe claims it’s “non-foaming” and “gentle.” I needed to see if it still cleanses without that tight, squeaky feeling.
The Feel
A lightweight lotion texture — not the creamy milk wash it used to be.
The Scent
Still fragrance-free. Smells like… a clean lab. Inoffensive.
The Finish
Leaves a faint, slick film. Not greasy, but present.
Photo: Dare Artworks / Unsplash
The ceramide trio and hyaluronic acid are still there. But the texture shift comes from a reformulated cleansing base. It’s less about oils, more about synthetic polymers.
- Ceramides NP, AP, EOP: Reinforce skin’s barrier, but they’re sitting on top now.
- Hyaluronic Acid: Binds water, gives that plumped feel.
- Glycerin: The classic humectant — does the heavy lifting.
- Polyglyceryl-4 Laurate/Sebacate: The new synthetic cleanser — explains the film.
First wash: weird. It spreads like a serum, not a cream. Rinses with water — but you feel a residue. Not dirty, just… covered.
By week two, my skin adjusted. The surprise? It removed my light makeup better than the old formula. But that comforting, cushioned cleanse? Gone.
My barrier stayed intact — no new redness. But it’s a functional clean, not a luxurious one. It gets the job done.
It’s not a disaster, but it’s a downgrade. They fixed a problem that didn’t exist and made it feel more… generic.