They changed the formula and didn’t tell us. Classic.
The real issue? That milky slip is gone — it rinses differently now. My dry-skin friends are panicking.
It’s the $16 drugstore staple from CeraVe. The claim is gentle, non-foaming cleansing. The reality is… updated.
New Pump
It’s sturdier, but the lock is a two-handed operation.
Feel
Leaves a faint, slick film — not the old ‘clean but cushioned’ feel.
Scent
Still fragrance-free, but smells more like plain lotion now.
Photo: Chandra Oh / Unsplash
They kept the ceramides and hyaluronic acid. But the texture shift comes from swapping some emollients.
- Ceramides: Still there to support your skin barrier
- Hyaluronic Acid: For a surface hydration hit
- Glycerin: The workhorse humectant
- Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside: The new-ish gentle surfactant that changes the rinse
Photo: Sonia Roselli / Unsplash
Texture is thinner. Spreads like a light lotion — zero lather. Rinses with a distinct, soft-water feel.
After two weeks, my barrier felt fine. But I missed the old creamy slip on days my skin was tight and angry.
It still cleanses without stripping. But that comforting, borderline-moisturizing finish? Reduced. It’s more of a basic, functional wash now.
It’s a flop for the original fans. A fix for people who wanted a cleaner rinse. They made it more mainstream and lost its character.