It’s another battle of the drugstore brands: Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser vs CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser.
Personally, I prefer CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser.
But hey, when it comes to skincare, finding the right facial cleanser is crucial. Especially if you don’t have normal skin and deal with acne prone skin, oily skin, or skin sensitivity.
A good cleanser can effectively remove dirt, excess oil, and makeup, leaving your skin feeling clean and refreshed. However, not all cleansers are created equal, and it’s important to choose one that is suitable for your skin type and concerns.
In this article, I’ll compare two popular facial cleansers from CeraVe vs Cetaphil. Both of these products are widely available at drugstores and grocery stores and are suitable for the whole family. However, they are formulated differently and may be more suitable for certain skin types.
I’ll take a detailed look at the ingredients, benefits, drawbacks, and price points of both cleansers to help you decide which one is the best fit for your skincare routine.
Cetaphil Cleanser
This guy is better known as the Cetaphil Oily Skin Cleanser in my opinion. It is designed to effectively remove dirt, excess oil, and makeup without creating a weakened skin barrier.
Key Ingredients
- Glycerin: a humectant that helps to draw moisture into the skin and keep it hydrated
- Panthenol: a form of vitamin B5 that helps to soothe and nourish the skin.
- Niacinamide: a form of vitamin B3 that helps to improve the skin’s barrier function and reduce redness
Benefits of Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser
- Effectively removes dirt, excess oil, and makeup: This makes it a good choice for those with oily or combination skin, as it can help with extra sebum associated with those specific skin concerns
- Contains hydrating ingredients: Glycerin and panthenol will promote a healthy skin barrier
- Suitable for oily types: This face wash can be good for acne prone skin and oily skin as it cleanses thoroughly without leaving any tacky residue
Drawbacks of Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser
- Contains harsh surfactants: These surfactants help to remove dirt and oil from the skin, but they can also strip the skin of its natural moisture and disrupt skin’s natural moisture barrier. Like I’ll discuss later, this face wash is not suitable for very dry skin in my opinion.
- Contains fragrance: Masking fragrance may be drying or irritating for some people, especially for those with sensitive skin.
This cleanser isn’t well suited for very dry skin or delicate skin even if facial moisturizers or a night cream is used afterwards. Sensitive skin types should be careful as the masking fragrance can contribute to skin irritation.
However, if you like this cleanser and have dehydrated skin, you could always try layering a hydrating hyaluronic acid serum afterwards to protect your skin barrier.
Price
Cetaphil Oily Skin Cleanser (as I’m calling it) is available at drugstores and grocery stores, as well as online. It costs around $10 for an 8-ounce bottle, making it an affordable option.
CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser
This is a true gentle cleanser designed to cleanse and refresh the skin without over-stripping it or leaving it feeling tight and dry.
It is formulated with three essential ceramides and hyaluronic acid, which work together to promote a protective skin barrier and help the skin lock in moisture.
This facial cleanser doesn’t have harsh ingredients like salicylic acid which is ideal for dehydrated skin and delicate skin depending on your skin sensitivity.
However, it also doesn’t have the exfoliating ingredients you’d look for to turn over dead skin cells. If that’s what you’re looking for, I suggest the CeraVe Renewing Cleanser instead. This option is also better for oily skin or acne prone skin than the hydrating CeraVe facial cleanser.
Key Ingredients
- Ceramides: These three essential ceramides are fatty acids found naturally in your skin. They are an important part of the skin’s natural barrier function and lock in moisture.
- Hyaluronic acid: This is a natural substance that helps keep skin hydrated and plump. It is a powerful humectant that can well over its weight in water, making it an effective ingredient for maintaining hydration in the skin. The extra hydration can help soothe sensitive skin types.
- MVE Delivery Technology: This is a proprietary delivery system developed by CeraVe. It encapsulates ceramides to ensure efficient delivery within the skin’s barrier and slow release over time. This helps to support the skin’s protective barrier.
Benefits of CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
- Maintains the skin’s natural protective barrier: The three essential ceramides and hyaluronic acid work together to fight dehydrated skin. They restore your skin’s natural barrier and lock in moisture. This makes it a good choice for those with normal to dry skin.
- Non-comedogenic and non-irritating: It’s non-comedogenic, which means it is unlikely to clog pores. It is also non-irritating, making it a good choice for those with sensitive skin. It also fragrance free unlike the Cetaphil oily skin cleanser.
- Effectively cleanses: This face wash effectively removes dirt, excess oil, and makeup without over-stripping your skin. You won’t get that itchy skin feeling afterwards. It leaves the skin feeling clean and refreshed, without disrupting the skin’s natural moisture balance.
Drawbacks of CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
The CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser may not be suitable for oily skin or acne prone skin. Better options for oily skin would be the CeraVe Foaming Cleanser or the gentle exfoliating cleanser with salicylic acid. It’s definitely better for those with sensitive skin.
While CeraVe and Cetaphil are both affordable brands and skincare products, the CeraVe cleanser comes in a larger size. Therefore, it’s more expensive which may not be feasible for everyone. Keeping reading to learn more.
Price
Like Cetaphil cleanser, CeraVe’s is widely available at drugstores and grocery stores, as well as online. It costs around $15 for a 16-ounce bottle, making it a slightly more expensive option. However, the bottle is bigger, so the price is comparable per ounce. Also, it might be the better option if you’re sharing it with multiple people.
Comparing CeraVe and Cetaphil
While both CeraVe and Cetaphil are popular and widely available facial cleansers, they are formulated differently and may be more suitable for certain skin types.
Similarities
- Affordable and widely available: Both options that can be easily found at drugstores and grocery stores, as well as online.
- Suitable for the whole family: Both cleansers are suitable for the whole family and can be used by people of all ages. They are both gentle on the skin and unlikely to cause irritation.
- Effective at removing dirt and excess oil: Both are effective at removing dirt, excess oil, and makeup, leaving the skin feeling clean and refreshed.
Differences
- Suitable skin types: Cetaphil is better suited for oily skin and normal skin. CeraVe’s facial cleanser is more suitable for normal to dry skin.
- Ingredients: Cetaphil contains glycerin, panthenol, and niacinamide, while CeraVe contains three essential ceramides (fatty acids) and hyaluronic acid.
- Emphasis on hydration: CeraVe has a stronger emphasis on maintaining the skin’s natural protective barrier and hydration. Cetaphil also contains hydrating ingredients, but it may not be as effective at maintaining the skin’s moisture balance.
- Price point: CeraVe is more expensive than Cetaphil, with a price point of around $15 for a 16-ounce bottle compared to $10 for an 8-ounce bottle of Cetaphil.
Which Cleanser is Right for Me?
Ultimately, the choice between Cetaphil and CeraVe will depend on your skin type and concerns.
If you have oily skin, Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser may be a good choice, as it is effective at removing excess oil and dirt without leaving behind a pore-clogging residue. However, if you have very dry or sensitive skin, you may want to opt for a gentler cleanser or a richer moisturizer. You could pick up a Cetaphil moisturizing lotion, moisturizing creams, or a riche night cream to combat the dryness.
If you have normal to dry skin, CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser may be a better fit for your skincare routine. Its emphasis on maintaining the skin’s natural protective barrier and hydration makes it a good choice for those with dry or sensitive skin.
Conclusion
In conclusion, both Cetaphil and CeraVe are both popular skincare products and widely available facial cleansers that are suitable for the whole family. However, they are formulated differently and may be more suitable for certain skin types.
Cetaphil has a formula that is suitable for most skin types like oily skin. It is effective at removing dirt, excess oil, and makeup without stripping the skin of its natural moisture. However, it contains harsh surfactants and fragrance, which may be drying and irritating for some people. I would not recommend it for those with very dry or sensitive skin.
CeraVe is a gentle face wash formulated with ceramides and hyaluronic acid, which work together to restore the skin’s natural barrier and help the skin lock in moisture. It is non-comedogenic and non-irritating, making it a good choice for those with sensitive skin. However, it may not be as effective at removing excess oil and may not be suitable for those with very oily skin.
Neither should clog pores. However, both skincare products are formulated with exfoliants so they won’t help with stubborn skin texture.
Ultimately, the choice between CeraVe vs Cetaphil will depend on your skin type and concerns. If you have oily or combination skin, Cetaphil may be a good choice, while those with normal to dry skin may prefer CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser. It is always a good idea to do your own research and consult with a dermatologist or skincare professional to determine the best skincare routine for your individual needs.
Also, remember to always follow up your face with a hydrating hyaluronic acid serum or a facial moisturizer, especially if you have dry skin or sensitive skin. Protecting your skin barrier is our number 1 priority!
