Your CeraVe cleanser is different now. Not in a dramatic, label-redesign way—in the actual formula.
They swapped the old preservative system, and the texture went from a silky gel-lotion to something slightly more… watery. It still foams zero, but it rinses off faster, which is suspicious. Dermatologists are split because the new one has a lower pH (5.5 vs the old 5.7), which is *technically* better for your acid mantle, but it strips that “coated” feeling I secretly loved.
It’s still $14 for 16 oz—cheap enough to bathe in. The claim is “hydration retention,” but it feels like a watered-down version of the original.
New Preservative Blend
Ethylhexylglycerin replaces the old parabens—less irritation, but it makes the texture thinner.
Lower pH
Closer to your skin’s natural 5.5, which is better for barrier repair in theory.
No More Niacinamide 2%
They kept it, but it’s lower on the INCI list—so less brightening, more basic cleansing.
Photo: Mariia Shalabaieva / Unsplash
It’s still a ceramide powerhouse, but the ratios shifted. The hero trio is there, just not as loud. You get the hydration, but the “plump” effect fades by lunch.
- Ceramides 1, 3, 6-II: Rebuild the lipid barrier, but they’re now mid-list
- Hyaluronic Acid: Holds water, yet feels less bouncy on skin
- Niacinamide: Calms redness, but diluted now
- Glycerin: The real MVP—keeps it from drying you out
Photo: Elsa Olofsson / Unsplash
It pours like a thin lotion now. The old one was a dense, creamy slug that took 30 seconds to rinse. This? Gone in 10. My face feels clean but *squeaky*—which is a bad sign for a “hydrating” wash.
Week 2 update: my cheeks aren’t tight, but my T-zone got oilier by noon. That never happened before. The old formula kept me matte till 3pm.
Photo: Kaeme / Unsplash
My redness stayed the same (good), but my moisture barrier felt thinner by day 10. No breakouts, but no glow either. It’s a neutral cleanser now—not a treatment.
Photo: Sonia Roselli / Unsplash
The reformulation is *more* dermatologically correct, but it’s less fun. It’s a solid, boring cleanser—not the hug your face used to get.