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Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser

Average member rating of 8.5
Average member rating
Rated a 8.5
Two out of three ain't bad: This thick white cleanser sloughs away dry skin and oil, but is way too gentle to effectively remove makeup. We love that it contains a mere eight ingredients. The product eschews harsh, drying fragrances for moisturizing gylcol and non-irritating cetyl alcohol, so it's easier to wash away traces of acne medication in the morning, or to use after makeup remover at night.
Reviewed by the Total Beauty editorial team #How we review products
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Showing 1-10 of 251 member reviews

  • Member rated it 1.0

    Could be harmful to health...

    by Joey0282 (1 review)
    After carefully reviewing some of the ingredients that are found in Cetaphil facial cleanser, I took a step back. This is a product I have been using for years, but not anymore. Reason for the sudden change: These two chemicals: Methylparaben Chemical in Deodorant Linked to Cancer; Methylparaben is a preservative and ... April 27, 2008, 2:38 pm After carefully reviewing some of the ingredients that are found in Cetaphil facial cleanser, I took a step back. This is a product I have been using for years, but not anymore. Reason for the sudden change: These two chemicals: Methylparaben Chemical in Deodorant Linked to Cancer; Methylparaben is a preservative and a fungicide. It is used in cosmetics and personal care products such as deodorants and shampoos in concentrations of about 0.2%, but is also food-approved by the FDA. It is water soluble. phenoxyethanol This is a preservative used in many cosmetics due to its ability to kill bacteria. It can also be used as an antiseptic or an insect repellant. Phenoxyethanol is not an irritant or an allergen. It is also known as 2-phenoxyethanol. April 27, 2008, 2:38 pm

    7 of 14 people found this review helpful.

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  • Member rated it 1.0

    Ugh.

    by amishprincess (8 reviews)
    After reading many articles extolling the virtues of Cetaphil, I decided to give it a try. My skin is very sensitive and somewhat dry. After only 2 uses, I looked as if I had eczema. I had dry, red scaly patches all over my face. I immediately went back to my old cleanser (philosophy purity) and it took about a week to ... April 30, 2008, 5:58 pm After reading many articles extolling the virtues of Cetaphil, I decided to give it a try. My skin is very sensitive and somewhat dry. After only 2 uses, I looked as if I had eczema. I had dry, red scaly patches all over my face. I immediately went back to my old cleanser (philosophy purity) and it took about a week to get my skin looking normal. If you are trying this for the first time because its "gentle" for your sensitive skin, buy the smallest size possible and I wish you the best of luck. April 30, 2008, 5:58 pm

    5 of 7 people found this review helpful.

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  • Member rated it 10.0

    Gentle and skin softening cleanser

    by cleegiants (19 reviews)
    I don't have sensitive skin. It does run dry though and cetaphil is perfect for my skin. I love its consistency and feel - not too oily, not too thin, not too thick. It spreads smoothly, rinses easily, and leaves my skin feeling soft and cleansed. It doesn't remove makeup though - I recommend one of those wipes that do ... April 19, 2008, 1:13 pm I don't have sensitive skin. It does run dry though and cetaphil is perfect for my skin. I love its consistency and feel - not too oily, not too thin, not too thick. It spreads smoothly, rinses easily, and leaves my skin feeling soft and cleansed. It doesn't remove makeup though - I recommend one of those wipes that do that (so as not to waste more water). I'm not sure where the $4.99 price comes from - maybe that's for a small bottle? You can get two 16 oz. bottles at costco for about $15 i think. It lasts a long time so i'm not sure if the price has gone up. April 19, 2008, 1:13 pm

    4 of 4 people found this review helpful.

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  • Member rated it 5.0

    Skin Saver

    by laulap (8 reviews)
    I have battled with my dry, sensitive skin since puberty. I didn't find out until my early 20's that I actually had dry, sensitive skin and not acne prone like I thought. Turns out all the products I was using were causing my face to break out and turn red and flaky because they were too harsh! DUH My doctor recommended Ce... April 17, 2008, 10:35 pm I have battled with my dry, sensitive skin since puberty. I didn't find out until my early 20's that I actually had dry, sensitive skin and not acne prone like I thought. Turns out all the products I was using were causing my face to break out and turn red and flaky because they were too harsh! DUH My doctor recommended Cetaphil and gave me a little sample to try out. After a couple of days using it twice a day the results were very noticeable; I no longer had any redness or breakouts and my pores were more refined! So I headed off to the nearest drug store and bought the biggest size I could get which was going to cost $10 CAN. It is one of the bigger ones with the old logo, the one with all blue. I find that it takes off my makeup and mascara wonderfully, despite other reviews. However, I only wear a tinted moisturizer, blush and minimal eye products so that could be why it removes so well. It doesn't matter what the reason is. Cetaphil changed my skin and they have another lifetime user! ----------------------------- EDIT: wasn't helping my skin the least bit. Still breaking out and lots of redness. Discontinued it and went on to something else. Might be better for someone who has normal skin that isn't prone to blemishes April 17, 2008, 10:35 pm

    4 of 5 people found this review helpful.

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  • Member rated it 10.0

    Eczyema suffers this is for you!

    by LuvSmooth (6 reviews)
    This is the best stuff for skin problems, irritants. It is exactly what it is, GENTLE skin cleanser. As other reviews, does not work well to remove makeup--should not be used unless you have very sensitive skin. My 4 month old niece diagnosed with eczyema on face, arms & legs. Our family tried everything and this alone ... December 14, 2007, 12:17 am This is the best stuff for skin problems, irritants. It is exactly what it is, GENTLE skin cleanser. As other reviews, does not work well to remove makeup--should not be used unless you have very sensitive skin. My 4 month old niece diagnosed with eczyema on face, arms & legs. Our family tried everything and this alone cleared her facial skin--no traces of redness or scars. Works well with Aquaphor ointment (see review). Apply to skin and wipe off with no water--do not scrub! Highly recommend!!! December 14, 2007, 12:17 am

    4 of 4 people found this review helpful.

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  • Member rated it 10.0

    The absolutely best cleaser our there, yesterday, today, and forever!

    by JewelsF80 (3 reviews)
    Let me just introduce this review with this: I'm the type of person who will buy the latest and "greatest" beauty product from the likes of Chanel and Dior to Origins and Philosophy. I've used Aveda products almost religiously, until I came across Cetaphil. After learning of this product from my esthetician, wh... November 12, 2007, 3:23 pm Let me just introduce this review with this: I'm the type of person who will buy the latest and "greatest" beauty product from the likes of Chanel and Dior to Origins and Philosophy. I've used Aveda products almost religiously, until I came across Cetaphil. After learning of this product from my esthetician, who used to be a dermatologist before she moved to the US, I've been addicted! No matter what other brands will promise you, Cetaphil may be the only one out there that will actually deliver. It's by far the most gentle and effective cleanser you can get. It may be used wet or dry to cleanse and remove makeup. As simple as "spread it on dry skin and wipe off w/a tissue", you will never have an excuse to go to bed with make-up on. After trying all kinds of cleansers during my teen years to prevent breakouts, Cetaphil is the only one that did it for me. It removed all the oily residue while still leaving my skin soft, smooth, and moisturized. You can even use Cetaphil as a single step, because toning and moisturizing is just a bonus after this product!!! It will leave your skin breakout free, makeup removed, refreshed, and softened...and youthful looking with every day that you use it! PS. I'm in no connection profiting from this review; I'm truly a Cetaphil fan! November 12, 2007, 3:23 pm

    4 of 5 people found this review helpful.

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  • Member rated it 9.0

    great drugstore find!

    by hushkat (18 reviews)
    Just started using it about 3 days ago. I have normal/occasionally dry skin, and wear foundation every day, at least when Im going out. I find this just feels good to use! It scentless, and a strange jelly texture... it almost feels like a second skin. I admit that it's not too good at removing foundation, however if you a... October 18, 2007, 3:11 am Just started using it about 3 days ago. I have normal/occasionally dry skin, and wear foundation every day, at least when Im going out. I find this just feels good to use! It scentless, and a strange jelly texture... it almost feels like a second skin. I admit that it's not too good at removing foundation, however if you apply it to DRY skin and then rub well, remove it with tissue, it seems to take off a lot more, and then simply repeat on wet skin, and this seems to solve the problem. There is NONE of that tightness that comes from most cleansers, in fact, you feel as if youve just applied moisturiser. I really really like it. Oh! and on a side note, there's none of the redness that comes from cleansing with harsher cleansers... it doesnt irritate at all! Lovely stuff : ) Especially in combination with the cetaphil moisturiser. October 18, 2007, 3:11 am

    4 of 4 people found this review helpful.

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  • Member rated it 8.0

    why use water

    by wch0303 (6 reviews)
    This product can be used with or with out water, to wash and condition your hands. If your have allot of dirt or other stuff to remove you will need to use something more aggressive. I find that using it with out water leaves a nice thin protection, if you use water; it all seems to just wash off, leaving minimal protecti... May 5, 2008, 3:28 am This product can be used with or with out water, to wash and condition your hands. If your have allot of dirt or other stuff to remove you will need to use something more aggressive. I find that using it with out water leaves a nice thin protection, if you use water; it all seems to just wash off, leaving minimal protection/conditioning. I could not detect a scent from it which is nice for people who are sensitive or who don't want to have too many scents. May 5, 2008, 3:28 am

    3 of 3 people found this review helpful.

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  • Member rated it 8.0

    Great everyday Cleanser

    by Donna409 (5 reviews)
    This is a great everyday cleanser at a great price. Not matter what other regime I may be using I keep a bottle of this cleanser next to the sink. Its great for removing makeup and doesn't strip or over hydrate your skin. I also switch betweeen the regular and the other formula for oily skin in the summer. They are worth pu... April 27, 2008, 2:48 pm This is a great everyday cleanser at a great price. Not matter what other regime I may be using I keep a bottle of this cleanser next to the sink. Its great for removing makeup and doesn't strip or over hydrate your skin. I also switch betweeen the regular and the other formula for oily skin in the summer. They are worth purchasing and are a much better value and performance than much more expensive brands. April 27, 2008, 2:48 pm

    3 of 3 people found this review helpful.

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  • Member rated it 8.0

    back to basics with cetaphil

    by EJF415 (5 reviews)
    I've tried just about every cleanser on the market, and in the end, I ended up at Walgreen's, buying the Cetaphil and sticking with it. I do find that sometimes I need to wash my face twice, to fully feel clean, with all makeup gone, but it imparts a really nice feel to the face, not too dry and not too oily. It's inexpen... April 22, 2008, 11:40 am I've tried just about every cleanser on the market, and in the end, I ended up at Walgreen's, buying the Cetaphil and sticking with it. I do find that sometimes I need to wash my face twice, to fully feel clean, with all makeup gone, but it imparts a really nice feel to the face, not too dry and not too oily. It's inexpensive, and seems to do the job as well as many of the high-priced cleansers out there. April 22, 2008, 11:40 am

    3 of 3 people found this review helpful.

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Showing 1-10 of 251 member reviews

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Other Available Varieties

  • 8 oz. $9.99

  • 4 oz. $4.99

  • 16 oz. $14.99

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  • Attributes

  • Acne-prone skin: Yes
  • Type: Cream
  • Fragrance-free: Yes
  • Moisturizing: Yes
  • Noncomedogenic: Yes
  • Sensitive skin: Yes
  • Hypoallergenic: Yes
  • Dermstore Link: http://www.dermstore.com/lid.php?lid=224155
  • Dermstore SKU: 0299-392108
  • Dermstore Retail Price: 4.99
  • Manufacturer's Product Description

  • Cetaphil, the number one dermatologist-recommended brand of moisturizers and facial cleansers, offers the highly effective yet soothing Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser. This non-soap gentle lotion cleanser will soothe and cleanse without the irritating residue that can clog pores. A mild formula, this product hydrates as it removes impurities leaving behind skin that looks healthy and radiant.
  • Directions

  • With water: Apply to skin daily. Once applied, rub gently and rinse. Without water: Apply a liberal amount gently to skin’s surface. The unique, low lathering formula allows gentle, yet thorough cleansing. Remove excess with soft cloth, leaving a thin layer of product for additional moisture.
  • Ingredients

  • Water, Cetyl Alcohol, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Stearyl Alcohol, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Butylparaben.

Review: Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser

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