The bar and the liquid cleanser are different products

Cetaphil Gentle Cleansing Bar and Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser are different products, despite names that appear to have attended the same meeting. The US liquid Gentle Skin Cleanser contains glycerin, panthenol and niacinamide. Do not use that liquid formula as an ingredient list for the bar, or apply the liquid cleanser's directions for use without water to the bar.234

Where to find the complete ingredient list

For a US retail cosmetic, the ingredient panel belongs on the package, which gives the box a job beyond holding the bar. Ingredients are generally listed in descending order of predominance, using their common or usual names. If you cannot locate the declaration for an online purchase, request it from the seller or manufacturer. Ask specifically for Cetaphil Gentle Cleansing Bar in the country where you are buying it.5

Is the bar fragrance free?

Do not treat the bar's paraben free status as an answer about fragrance. If you are sensitive to fragrance, look for a fragrance free product and inspect the complete ingredient panel. On US cosmetic labels, a fragrance mixture can appear simply as "Fragrance", without every component being named. "Unscented" is not equivalent to fragrance free: a product can contain fragrance to mask the smell of other ingredients.6

What if the bar irritates your skin?

Stop using a cosmetic that causes burning, itching, swelling or a rash. Cosmetic reactions can occur quickly or develop after repeated use, and an allergy can develop after years without problems. A dermatologist can investigate a suspected cosmetic allergy with patch testing, which checks your skin's response to possible allergens. Keep the packaging so the complete ingredient list is available for that assessment.7

Where this answer comes from

  1. 1FAQcetaphil.ca
  2. 2Difference between daily and gentle cleanserscetaphil.ca
  3. 3Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser - Face & Body Cleanercetaphil.com
  4. 4Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser - Face & Body Cleanerprod.cetaphil.com
  5. 5Cosmetic Ingredient Namesfda.gov
  6. 6Fragrances in Cosmeticsfda.gov
  7. 7Cosmetics Allergy: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatmentdermnetnz.org