They changed the CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser. Didn’t ask us.
The real crime? It now leaves a weird, almost waxy film. My skin felt dirtier after washing.
The new formula from CeraVe. Still ~$15. Claims to be “gentle” and “non-foaming” for dry skin.
Texture Shift
Gone is the classic milky lotion — it’s now a clear, slick gel.
Ceramide Promise
Still has 3 essential ceramides to support the skin barrier.
Hyaluronic Acid
Keeps the hyaluronic acid to attract hydration.
Photo: Camille Brodard / Unsplash
They swapped the old emulsifying system. The new one uses Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate — a lighter cleanser that, in theory, shouldn’t strip.
- Ceramide NP: Repairs skin barrier integrity
- Hyaluronic Acid: Binds water to the surface
- Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate: The new cleansing agent
- Glycerin: Classic humectant for moisture
It slips on like a lightweight gel — not the comforting cream you remember. Rinses too clean, but not in a good way. That taut, squeaky feeling follows.
By week two, my normal-to-dry patches were protesting. No plumpness. Just… neutral. A cleanser shouldn’t make you miss moisture.
My barrier didn’t freak out. But it didn’t feel nurtured either. This is maintenance at best — a step back from the nourishing original.
It’s a downgrade disguised as an update. They fixed what wasn’t broken.