The Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser and Moisturizer are some of the most popular products you can find at your local grocery store.
Cetaphil is a well-known and trusted skincare brand known for its gentle and effective products. It provides skincare products suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin, at affordable prices.
In this article, I’ll take a closer look at these two products and their formulas. By the end, you’ll know whether either of them are right for you!
Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser

The Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser is a gentle skin cleanser designed to be suitable for most people. It’s formulated with a dermatologist-backed blend of ingredients that can effectively remove dirt and excess oils to leave you with healthy skin. I’ve found it also works as a decent makeup remover.
One of the key ingredients in this gentle skin cleanser is glycerin, a humectant that helps to draw moisture into the skin and keep it hydrated.
The cleanser also contains panthenol, a form of vitamin B5 that helps to soothe and nourish the skin. Plus, it has niacinamide, a form of vitamin B3 that helps to improve the skin’s barrier function and reduce redness.
Despite its hydrating formula, the Cetaphil Cleanser does contain a number of harsh soap ingredients and a masking fragrance.
In my opinion, it’s too drying and irritating for many people even if you use a moisturizer.
Cetaphil Moisturizer

The Cetaphil Daily Oil-Free Hydrating Lotion is a lightweight moisturizer that is designed to provide intense hydration to the skin. It contains a number of hydrating ingredients, including:
- Glycerin
- Urea
- Hyaluronic acid
- Sodium PCA
All of these ingredient help bind water, protect skin, and keep it hydrated throughout the day. Some other benefits include its lightweight texture and non-comedogenicity.
Since this one is light, you can use it once or twice a day depending on your skin type.
Benefits
Lightweight texture
The lightweight texture of this moisturizer absorbs easily into the skin, making it suitable for those with combination to oily skin who don’t want a heavy or greasy feeling on their face.
Non-comedogenic
The Cetaphil moisturizer is formulated to be non-comedogenic, meaning that it won’t clog pores or contribute to breakouts.
Drawbacks
May not be suitable for dry skin sensitivity
If you have dry skin, you may find that the Cetaphil Daily Oil-Free Hydrating Lotion is not rich enough to adequately moisturize your skin. In this case, you may want to consider a different moisturizer that is formulated with more emollient ingredients.
Contains phenoxyethanol
The Cetaphil Daily Oil-Free Hydrating Lotion contains phenoxyethanol, which may be irritating or allergenic for some people. Regardless of your skin sensitivity, your should patch test this product before using it on your face.
Does not provide sun protection
This daily facial moisturizer is not a facial spf moisturizer. You will have to pick up another sunscreen to round out your morning routine. Remember, sun protection is important to prevent against a weakened skin barrier!
Also, it doesn’t have any anti-aging active ingredients, unlike Stratia Interface.
Should you try either of these dermatologist tested products?
When it comes to choosing between the Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser and the Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion, there are a few key factors to consider. Here is a comparison of the two products covering skin type, hydration, and fragrance. You can decide if either of these might be right for your sensitive skin.
Skin Type
The Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser is a good choice for those with oily or combination skin, as it can help to remove excess oil and dirt without leaving behind a pore-clogging residue. The Cetaphil Daily Oil-Free Hydrating Lotion is a good choice for those with combination to oily skin who are looking for a lightweight moisturizer that provides intense hydration. Both products are reasonable for acne prone skin. They both may not be suitable for dry skin depending on bioindividuality.
Hydration
Both the Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser and the Cetaphil Daily Oil-Free Hydrating Lotion contain glycerin, a humectant that helps to draw moisture into the skin. However, the Cetaphil Daily Oil-Free Hydrating Lotion contains a number of additional hydrating ingredients, including urea, hyaluronic acid, and sodium PCA, which help to bind water to the skin and keep it hydrated throughout the day. Both products will boost skin’s moisture reserves and provide clinically proven continuous hydration.
Fragrance
Both the Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser and the Cetaphil Daily Oil-Free Hydrating Lotion are formulated to be gentle and suitable for sensitive skin. However, the Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser does contain masking fragrance, which may be drying or irritating for some people.
Choosing the Right Product for Your Skin Type and Needs
Both the Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser and the Cetaphil Daily Oil-Free Hydrating Lotion deliver nourishing hydration and are suitable for acne prone or oily skin types. However, it’s important to consider any potential allergies or sensitivities.
If you have oily or combination skin, the Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser may be a good choice, as it can help to remove oil and dirt without leaving behind a pore-clogging residue. However, if you have dry or sensitive skin, you may want to opt for a gentler cleanser or a richer moisturizer.
On the other hand, if you have combination to oily skin and are looking for a lightweight moisturizer that provides intense hydration, the Cetaphil Daily Oil-Free Hydrating Lotion may be a good choice. However, it’s worth keeping in mind that this moisturizer may not be suitable for those with dry skin or sensitivity to phenoxyethanol.
Ultimately, the best choice for you will depend on your individual skin type and needs. It’s always a good idea to patch test any new skincare product before using it on your face, and to consult with a dermatologist or skincare professional if you have any concerns.
Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser and Moisturizer Summary
This face wash is good at effectively removing dirt, surface oils, and pore clogging residue without stripping the skin of its natural moisture, and contains nourishing ingredients like glycerin, panthenol, and niacinamide.
Despite being a gentle gel, it still almost has a creamy formula. However, it does contain harsh surfactants and fragrance, which may be drying and irritating for some people.
The Cetaphil Daily Oil-Free Hydrating Lotion is a lightweight moisturizer that is designed to provide intense hydration to the skin. It contains a number of hydrating ingredients, including glycerin, urea, hyaluronic acid, and sodium PCA, and has a lightweight texture that absorbs easily into the skin. However, it may not be suitable for those with dry skin or sensitivity to phenoxyethanol.
When decided whether to try the Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser and Moisturizer, it’s important to consider your individual skin type and any potential allergies or sensitivities. Both products are gentle and effective, but may not be suitable for all skin types.
Additional Resources
- Cetaphil Skincare: https://www.cetaphil.com/
- Skin Types and Skincare: https://www.dermalogica.com/skincare-systems/by-skin-type
- Skincare for Sensitive Skin: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/sensitive-skin/art-20048193