So CeraVe reformulated the Hydrating Cleanser. Didn’t shout it from the rooftops.
The real issue? They swapped out the old moisturizing ingredient for a new one — methyl hydrogenated rosinate. Sounds like a plastic. Feels… different.
Still a $16 drugstore staple. The claim is the same: cleanses without stripping. Let’s see.
Texture Shift
It’s slightly thinner — less of that creamy slip.
Foam Factor
Still zero lather, but now it feels more like a gel-milk hybrid.
Scent Status
Fragrance-free, but the base formula has a faint, clean-lab smell now.
Photo: Element5 Digital / Unsplash
They kept the big three ceramides and hyaluronic acid. Those are still the heroes for barrier support.
The new moisturizing agent is the wild card. It’s derived from pine resin — not something I expected in a face wash.
- Ceramides NP, AP, EOP: Reinforce your skin’s barrier glue
- Hyaluronic Acid: Holds water at the surface
- Glycerin: Classic humectant draw
- Methyl Hydrogenated Rosinate: The new film-forming moisturizer (replaced petrolatum)
First wash — it spreads easily. Rinses cleaner than the old one. No residue. My skin felt soft but… taut? Not stripped, just less cushioned.
By week two, I noticed it’s less forgiving if your skin is having a moment. That protective film is lighter.
My barrier stayed intact. No new redness. But that post-cleanse “moisturizer-optional” feeling? Gone. You need to follow with serum or cream immediately.
It’s a good basic cleanser now, not a standout. They fixed the residue issue but lost some of the magic.