Is Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser good for oily skin?

What does Gentle Skin Cleanser offer?

Gentle Skin Cleanser has a creamy, nonfoaming texture and includes glycerin, panthenol, also called vitamin B5, and niacinamide, also called vitamin B3. Creamy cleansers generally provide more hydration than foaming formulas, which makes that texture worth considering when oiliness comes with sensitivity. Gentle Skin Cleanser and Gentle Foaming Cleanser are different products, despite names that appear to have shared a committee.12

Which Cetaphil cleanser should you choose?

Choose by the job you need done: everyday cleansing, a creamy texture, or treatment for breakouts. Oily skin and acne are not interchangeable reasons to buy a cleanser. For oily, acne prone skin, general guidance favours a water based foaming cleanser with an acne ingredient such as salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide; sensitivity can make a creamy formula a better starting point.14

How should you wash oily skin?

For a rinse off cleanse, use this general gentle cleansing method rather than borrowing directions from another Cetaphil bottle. Wash in the morning and before bed, and after activities that make you sweat. Extra routine washes are not a better way to manage oil.15

1. 1Wet your face with lukewarm water.
2. 2Apply cleanser gently with your fingertips. Avoid scrubbing.
3. 3Rinse thoroughly, then pat dry with a soft, clean towel.
4. 4If you wear makeup, remove it before bed with an oil free makeup remover, then cleanse.

Do you need to double cleanse?

Most people only need one thorough wash with a gentle cleanser. A second cleanse is an optional makeup removal step, not an admission fee for a skincare routine. Double cleansing can help remove waterproof makeup or sunscreen, but oil based cleansers can cause breakouts in acne prone skin, especially when used alone. Micellar water before a water based cleanser is another option. Overwashing can cause dryness, irritation and damage to the skin barrier, the protective outer layer of skin.4

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser for acne prone skin

A gentle cleanser can serve the cleansing part of an acne routine; treating breakouts is a separate job. Salicylic acid helps unclog pores, while benzoyl peroxide fights acne causing bacteria. Cetaphil's Gentle Clear Clarifying Acne Cream Cleanser combines 2% salicylic acid with soothing ingredients for acne prone, sensitive skin. Acne treatments can take 4 to 8 weeks to show some improvement; that is not a timeline for Gentle Skin Cleanser to reduce oiliness. Look for products labelled noncomedogenic, meaning they are intended not to clog pores.135

When should you change course?

Avoid harsh or excessively drying cleansers, and do not add aggressive exfoliation to compensate for a gentle wash. If acne treatments are not working, or you have deep, painful lesions, seek medical care rather than repeatedly switching cleansers. If you take isotretinoin, dryness is common: apply an oil free moisturizer while skin is still damp after cleansing and whenever it feels dry. Tell your dermatologist if acne worsens during treatment.146