They changed the CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser. Didn’t ask us.
The real issue? It now leaves a distinct, almost waxy film on your skin — a feeling the old formula famously avoided.
The drugstore staple. About $15. The claim? A non-foaming, gentle cleanse that doesn’t strip your skin barrier.
New Pump
Feels cheaper and flimsier than the old one.
Texture Shift
From a milky lotion to a slightly thicker, more gelatinous gel-cream.
The Marketing
CeraVe says it’s “improved” for “instant comfort.” I say they softened the lathering agents too much.
Photo: Poko Skincare / Unsplash
Still has the three essential ceramides and hyaluronic acid. The formula is trying to do the same job, but the execution feels off.
- Ceramides NP, AP, EOP: Still the skin-barrier repair crew
- Hyaluronic Acid: Binds water for hydration
- Glycerin: The classic humectant
- Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate: The new-ish emulsifier that might be the film culprit
Photo: Content Pixie / Unsplash
It spreads fine. But rinsing? That’s the tell. Water beads up on my face instead of sheeting off cleanly. Have to work harder to get it off.
After two weeks, my dry patches were fine. But my combo-zone forehead? It started feeling congested. A cleanser shouldn’t make you feel like you need a double cleanse.
Photo: Viva Luna Studios / Unsplash
Zero tightness after washing — that’s a win. But the residual film is a dealbreaker for anyone not bone-dry. It’s a step towards “conditioning cleanser” territory.
Photo: Egor Komarov / Unsplash
It’s not terrible, but it’s a clear step back. They fixed what wasn’t broken and lost the magic universal appeal.