They changed the CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser and didn’t tell anyone. Classic.
The real issue? The texture. It went from a creamy lotion to something…slipperier. Like it’s trying too hard.
It’s still that $16 drugstore staple from CeraVe. Claims to cleanse without stripping. The new bottle looks identical — sneaky.
New Pump
Takes more force to press down. Annoying with wet hands.
Foam Level
Still zero lather. That part’s the same.
Scent
Nothing. Fragrance-free as always.
Photo: Lucas Sankey / Unsplash
They kept the ceramides and hyaluronic acid. Good. But the surfactant system changed — that’s the cleaning engine.
- Ceramides: Still there to support your skin barrier
- Hyaluronic Acid: For a surface hydration hit
- Glycerin: The real MVP for holding onto water
- New Surfactant Blend: Supposedly gentler, feels different
Feels like a thin, slick gel-cream. Spreads easier but leaves a faint film — not a “moisturizing” film, a “did I rinse this all off?” film.
After two weeks, my skin felt fine. Not better, not worse. The surprise? It stings a tiny bit if I have any active breakouts. The old one never did that.
My dryness was managed. No tightness. But that initial film feeling never fully won me over.
It’s a lateral move. Fixes nothing that was broken, introduces new quirks. I’ll use the bottle but won’t repurchase.