My bathroom staple changed without a warning. The new bottle looks identical — sneaky.
The real issue? The texture. It went from a creamy lotion to something thinner, almost slippery. That’s where the drama starts.
It’s still the $16 drugstore workhorse from CeraVe. Claims to cleanse without stripping. But the details shifted.
New Lathering Agent
Foams just a touch more now — not much, but it’s there.
Altered Preservative System
Took out parabens. A win for some, a potential irritant switch for others.
Texture Tweaks
Feels less substantial in your hands. Spreads easier, but vanishes faster.
Photo: Natallia Photo / Unsplash
They kept the big three ceramides and hyaluronic acid. The backbone is still solid for barrier support.
- Ceramides NP, AP, EOP: Replenish your skin’s natural barrier glue
- Hyaluronic Acid: Pulls water into the surface layer
- Glycerin: The OG humectant, holds onto moisture
- Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate: The new(ish) cleansing agent — gentler, but that’s the texture change
Photo: Fleur Kaan / Unsplash
It feels like cool, thin silk going on. No drag. Rinses clean — but that squeaky-clean feeling? Gone. Your face just feels… quiet.
After two weeks, my dry patches were calmer. Unexpected bonus: it doesn’t sting my eyes at all now. The old one sometimes did.
Photo: Ayo Ogunseinde / Unsplash
My skin stayed hydrated. No tightness. But if you loved the old formula’s creamy *body*, this feels like a ghost of it. Efficient, but less comforting.
Photo: Laura Chouette / Unsplash
It’s a fix for some, a downgrade for others. For me? It’s fine. Not a love story anymore, but a reliable roommate.