The useful comparison is CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser versus Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser, not every cleanser either company makes. Both brands sell other cleansers, so the brand name alone is doing a suspicious amount of work.23
Which cleanser should you choose?
| What matters | CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser | Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser |
|---|---|---|
| Formula | The US formula lists glycerin, ceramides NP, AP and EOP, sodium hyaluronate and cholesterol. | Check your bottle for the exact ingredient list. |
| Texture | Choose the Hydrating Facial Cleanser specifically, rather than the separately named Foaming Facial Cleanser. | A creamy cleanser. |
| Reason to consider it | An option if you want the listed glycerin and ceramides in your cleanser. | An option specifically positioned for cleansing dry or sensitive skin while maintaining hydration. |
| Price | The US catalog lists $15.99. | Check the local price and compare equal bottle sizes before deciding which costs less. |
| Routine | Cleanse before moisturising; follow your bottle's application directions. | Cleanse before moisturising; follow your bottle's application directions. |
Pick Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser if your main priority is a creamy cleanser intended for dry or sensitive skin. Pick CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser if its listed formula is what you want. Ingredient lists alone cannot tell you which will leave your skin more comfortable after rinsing. For CeraVe, check the package before buying because formulas are updated regularly, particularly if you are comparing bottles from different markets.23
How to wash without making dryness worse
- 1Choose a mild, fragrance free cleanser. Look for gentle and moisturising wording rather than making removal of excess oil your only priority.
- 2Use the cleanser as the first step, following the directions on your particular bottle. Morning and evening cleansing is a routine option for dry skin; avoid washing more than twice daily because frequent washing can irritate skin.
- 3Pat your face dry, leaving it slightly damp, then apply moisturiser. Applying moisturiser while skin is still damp helps lock in moisture.
- 4Choose the moisturiser for the areas that need it. Dry skin benefits from a richer formulation; oily areas can use a lighter moisturiser.
- 5In the morning, apply sunscreen after moisturiser. At night, moisturiser can be the final layer.
Moisturiser helps support the skin barrier, the protective outer layer that helps prevent dryness. Moisturiser belongs after cleansing, because 'Hydrating' on a wash bottle is not a resignation letter for your face cream.2
What if your face is oily but still feels tight?
Combination skin can have an oily forehead, nose or chin alongside dry cheeks. You do not need to treat every area as oily: use a gentle cleanser, give dry areas more frequent moisturising, and keep moisturiser lighter on oily areas. Washing more often is not the answer to excess oil; keep cleansing to no more than twice daily.6
What if changing cleanser is not enough?
In colder, drier weather, a light lotion might not provide enough moisture; a cream or balm is another option. Keep baths from becoming too hot or too long, since both can worsen dryness. If you also use glycolic acid, salicylic acid or retinol, winter dryness is a reason to consider using those products less often or at a lower concentration rather than expecting a cleanser swap to solve the whole routine.16
Where this answer comes from
- 1Your winter skin survival kitaad.org
- 2What Order to Apply Your Skincare Routinecetaphil.com
- 3CeraVe Skincare: Healthy Skin Starts Herecerave.com
- 4What Order to Apply Your Skincare Routineprod.cetaphil.com
- 5Acne & Skin Problemsfyinorfolk.nhs.uk
- 6Your Guide to Combination Dry and Oily skinprod.cetaphil.com
