Is the New CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser Formula a Step Back?

Reformulation Alert
The dermatologist-favorite drugstore cleanser quietly changed its formula, and skinfluencers are divided.
Expert Analysis · Honest Reviews · Real Results
1.🧴The Quiet Change-Up

They reformulated the cleanser. Didn’t ask us.

The real issue? That iconic milky slip is gone — it rinses faster, but leaves a weird, almost squeaky feel my dry skin did not sign up for.

2.⚠️The Basics

It’s the CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser. Still ~$16. Claims to “hydrate” and not strip. The old one nailed that.

1

New Texture

Thinner, less luxurious lotion feel.

2

Foam Factor

Still non-foaming, but now it’s almost watery.

3

Fragrance

Still fragrance-free, thankfully.

a box with a couple of bottles of nail polish in it

Photo: Valeriia Miller / Unsplash

3.🤔What’s Inside Now

They kept the ceramide trio and hyaluronic acid. But the surfactant blend changed — that’s the cleaning agent. Less gentle coco-betaine, more standard stuff.

  • Ceramides NP, AP, EOP: Repair skin barrier
  • Hyaluronic Acid: Holds water
  • Glycerin: Basic humectant
  • New Surfactant Blend: The culprit behind the new rinse-off
selective focus photography of eyeshadow palette

Photo: freestocks / Unsplash

4.🔍On My Skin

Pumps out like slightly watered-down milk. Spreads fine, but vanishes in 5 seconds flat — have to rush to massage it in.

After two weeks, my t-zone felt balanced but my cheeks? Tight. Not “clean” tight. “I need serum NOW” tight.

💡

One Thing: Use it on completely dry skin first — it spreads better before you add water.
shallow focus photography of multicolored lights

Photo: Dominik Vanyi / Unsplash

5.👍Who It Works For

My barrier didn’t freak out. But the old formula felt like a drink of water. This feels like… a wash.

Buy if
You have combo/oily skin and found the old one too heavy.
⏭️

Skip if
You have truly dry or sensitive skin — it’s lost its magic cushion.
💰

Worth it?
For the price, maybe. But it’s a downgrade in experience.
6.👎My Take

It’s fine. But “fine” is a step back for a former staple. They fixed what wasn’t broken.

6.5/10
A decent, forgettable cleanser now.
🛍️

Where to Buy: Check Target or Walgreens for the old formula in the old packaging — stock up.