They changed the formula and didn’t tell anyone. Classic.
The real issue? The texture. It went from a creamy slip to something thinner — almost watery. That’s the first sign.
It’s the $15 drugstore staple from CeraVe. The claim is a non-foaming cleanser that hydrates. For years, it was a no-brainer.
New Pump
Feels cheaper — the lock doesn’t click as firmly.
The Feel
Leaves a more noticeable film. Not the ‘clean’ feel it used to.
The Aftermath
My dry patches felt tighter 10 minutes post-wash. Never happened with the old one.
They kept the big names — ceramides, hyaluronic acid. But the sensory experience is off. The new emulsifiers are the likely culprit.
- Ceramides: Still there to support the skin barrier
- Hyaluronic Acid: Binds water to the skin
- Glycerin: A classic humectant
- New Surfactant Blend: Creates that weird, thin lather
Pumps out like a thin lotion. Spreads easily but doesn’t have that rich, milky glide. Rinses with a faint, almost slippery residue.
After two weeks, my morning skin felt less plump. I started reaching for a heavier moisturizer immediately after — a red flag.
It still cleanses without stripping. But that post-wash comfort — the “my skin drinks up moisturizer” feeling — is diminished. A step back.
It’s not terrible. But the reformulation traded unique comfort for generic adequacy. A downgrade disguised as an update.