They messed with a classic. The new CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser formula is here, and the beauty boards are in mourning.
The old version was a milky, no-foam hug for dry skin. This one? It’s giving watered-down hand soap.
Still a $16 drugstore staple. The claim? “Non-foaming” and “maintains skin’s natural barrier.” A tall order now.
Texture Shift
Feels thinner, almost slippery in the bottle.
Scent (or lack thereof)
Still fragrance-free, but has a faint, plasticky note the old one didn’t.
Packaging
Same boring pump. At least that’s consistent.
Photo: ibnu ihza / Unsplash
They kept the big names but changed the supporting cast. Ceramides and hyaluronic acid are still on the label. The real story is in the feel.
- Ceramides 1, 3, 6-II: Still the barrier-repair stars
- Hyaluronic Acid: For surface-level hydration
- Glycerin: The workhorse humectant
- Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate: The new emulsifier that changes everything
Photo: Laura Chouette / Unsplash
It spreads like a gel-milk hybrid. Doesn’t cling to skin the same way — slides right off if your face is even slightly damp.
After two weeks, my skin felt…fine. Not stripped, but not cushioned. The magic “second-skin” post-cleanse feel is gone. It just…exists.
Photo: Poko Skincare / Unsplash
It still cleanses without tightness. Zero irritation. But that luxurious, lotion-like texture that made it special? Vanished. It’s a competent basic, not a beloved treat.
It’s not a disaster, but it’s a downgrade. They fixed what wasn’t broken and lost the soul of the product.