Cetaphil Hydrating Foaming Cream Cleanser: How to use it and who it suits

What kind of cleanser is it?

The cleanser starts as a cream and turns into foam as you work it over wet skin. The cream becomes foam during washing, so the name describes the process with the enthusiasm of a meeting agenda. The UK formula is designed to maintain the skin's protective barrier and pH while leaving skin feeling hydrated after cleansing. The barrier helps retain moisture; pH describes how acidic or alkaline the skin is.12

What's in the formula?

The US formula contains glycerin, niacinamide, panthenol and aloe. Glycerin attracts water and helps retain moisture. Niacinamide is vitamin B3 and has hydrating properties; panthenol is provitamin B5 and helps soothe skin and retain moisture. Cetaphil lists the US cleanser as fragrance free, paraben free and oil free, and says it has been clinically tested on sensitive skin.1

How do you use it?

1. 1Wet your face with lukewarm water.
2. 2Dispense a small amount into your hands. Cetaphil does not specify a pump count for this cleanser.
3. 3Gently massage the cleanser over your face with your fingertips, avoiding the eye area.
4. 4Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water.
5. 5Pat gently with a soft towel, then apply moisturizer while your skin is still damp.

Use fingertips rather than a washcloth or mesh sponge, and do not scrub: friction can irritate skin. For dry skin, use enough cleanser to remove dirt and oil without building a thick lather. A thick lather is not the goal for dry skin, even if the product name has already booked foam a starring role.34

Cetaphil's directions allow morning and evening use. General face washing guidance limits routine washing to twice daily, with an additional wash after heavy sweating. Wash as soon as possible after sweating, especially after wearing a hat or helmet, because perspiration can irritate skin.13

What goes on after cleansing?

Apply moisturizer promptly rather than leaving your face to dry completely. For dry skin, a cream or ointment adds more moisture than a lotion, and applying it to damp skin helps with hydration. Reapply moisturizer when skin feels dry. During the day, use a broad spectrum, water resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, alongside shade and protective clothing.4

Who is it best suited to?

Normal to dry skin is the clearest fit, including sensitive skin. Cetaphil also positions the cleanser for dehydrated skin because it contains moisturizing ingredients. If excess oil is your main concern, an oil focused foaming or gel cleanser can be a better match than a moisturizing cream cleanser.1

What should you expect after washing?

The intended result is clean skin that feels hydrated after rinsing, rather than tight or dry. Cetaphil describes the UK cleanser as clinically proven to remove dirt, oil and makeup without stripping or drying skin. Makeup removal is part of its purpose, but the application directions still exclude the eye area.12

Is it the same as Cetaphil Gentle Foaming Cleanser?

Choose the cream cleanser if you prefer a creamy texture that becomes foam; choose Gentle Foaming Cleanser if you want foam straight from the pump. The US Gentle Foaming Cleanser is also intended for dry to normal, sensitive skin, so a foaming texture does not automatically mean an oily skin formula. The names share several words, which makes the texture more useful than the naming committee.25

Which bottle are you buying?

The US and UK products use the name Hydrating Foaming Cream Cleanser; Canada's catalog lists Hydrating Cream to Foam Cleanser. The US bottle comes in 8 oz and 16 oz sizes, while the UK bottle comes in 236 ml and 473 ml sizes. The US and UK ingredient lists contain the same named ingredients in different orders.126

Canada's Gentle Foaming Facial Cleanser is a separate product, with a self foaming pump and an all skin types designation. Its ingredient list includes isopropyl alcohol; the US Gentle Foaming Cleanser's list does not. Do not use the directions or ingredient list for a similarly named bottle in another country as a substitute for your own label.57

When should you get help?

Tell a dermatologist if skincare products cause burning, stinging or irritation. If dryness continues despite gentle washing and regular moisturizer, arrange an appointment rather than repeatedly changing cleansers. Persistent dryness can have an underlying medical cause that needs treatment. If you already have a prescribed plan for excessively dry skin, follow that plan and report problems with the routine.4