So CeraVe reformulated their Hydrating Cleanser. Didn’t shout it from the rooftops.
The real issue? They swapped out methylparaben for phenoxyethanol as the preservative. Sounds minor — but preservative systems can totally shift a formula’s feel.
It’s the $15 drugstore workhorse. The claim? A non-foaming, hydrating wash that won’t strip your barrier. The new one promises the same.
Texture Shift
It’s slightly more gel-like now — less of that classic lotion slip.
Lather (Lack Of)
Still zero foam. If you need suds, this will disappoint.
Packaging Tell
Check the label. “New Look, Same Formula” is your clue it’s the updated version.
Photo: Clearcut Derby / Unsplash
It’s still packed with ceramides and hyaluronic acid. The theory is solid: cleanse while theoretically adding back barrier lipids.
- Ceramides NP, AP, EOP: The barrier-repair trio
- Hyaluronic Acid: Holds water at the skin’s surface
- Glycerin: The OG humectant
- Phenoxyethanol: The new preservative — less controversial, can be sensitizing for some
Photo: Fleur Kaan / Unsplash
Feels like a light gel-cream. Spreads easily — but rinses cleaner. The old one left a faint film; this one feels more “nothing there.”
After two weeks, my skin felt… fine. Not better, not worse. The surprise? It now stings my eyes a tiny bit. The old formula never did.
Photo: Egor Komarov / Unsplash
My barrier didn’t suffer, but I didn’t get that “therapy in a bottle” feeling either. It’s a competent, basic cleanse.
It’s fine. But the magic’s dimmed. They fixed a PR problem, not a skin problem — and changed the feel.