They changed it. And people are not happy.
The real issue? It’s not just a texture tweak — the pH feels different, and my skin noticed immediately.
It’s the drugstore hydrating cleanser from CeraVe. About $16. The claim is gentle, non-foaming cleansing that won’t strip your barrier.
New Pump
Takes more force to press down — feels cheap.
Texture Shift
Thinner, more slippery gel-cream.
Scent
Still fragrance-free, but has a faint, plasticky smell now.
Photo: Sonia Roselli / Unsplash
They kept the famous ceramides and hyaluronic acid. But the base formula changed — the surfactant blend is different. That’s the stripping culprit.
- Ceramides: Still there to support skin barrier
- Hyaluronic Acid: For surface hydration
- Glycerin: A classic humectant
- New Surfactant Blend: The reason it feels less cushioned
It spreads like a slick gel — not that milky cream I loved. Rinses too clean. That tight, just-washed feeling is back.
After two weeks, my combo skin felt balanced but drier on the cheeks. The surprise? It broke up makeup worse. I need a first cleanse now.
No new breakouts. But my winter dryness got worse. That “no-tightness” promise? Broken.
It’s a step back. They fixed what wasn’t broken and lost the magic for dry skin types.