Cetaphil : Gentle Skin Cleanser

Brand:
Reviews
4.0
996 Reviews
▸ View ingredients
▾ View ingredients

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

Items marked with orange can be irritating and over-drying, especially to acne-prone skin.

The list of ingredients above is provided for informational purposes only. Always check the actual product label in your possession for the most accurate ingredient information due to product changes or upgrades that may not yet be reflected on our web site.

5
46.9%
4
27.1%
3
11.6%
2
8.2%
1
6.1%

Used Cetaphil : Gentle Skin Cleanser? Rate It:

Choose from 1 to 5 stars
Sort by: Most Helpful
Order:
January 30, 2017
No water
Use this without water and get ready for clear skin. It will take some time to see results but trust and believe you will never see acne again. If you have questions post to my wall. I know a lot about acne and skin care. I have tried everything and I research a lot. I can help you clear your skin. Also when you try this, for two weeks or so don't use makeup or moisturizer. Or water. People break out when using this with makeup or sometimes due to a moisturizer not agreeing with their skin, then they blame this. Just use this alone so you know what's going on. Trust me this is the deal right here. You won't ever look back. What you do: do one cheek by rubbing a medium amount on your cheek. Rub for about 30 seconds up and down or circular motions. I like going up and down because it gets rid of dead skin. Dead skin cells cause acne, OIL does not!!!! Look it up. Oil is actually good for your skin bc it's acidic and kills acne. You do not want to rub your skin dry and get rid of your acidic oil. Okay so then do your other cheek the same way. Then lastly do your forehead. Do not use a Wash cloth. Wash cloths are abrasive and harsh. Yes they get rid of dead skin better but they dry you out. They rid your natural oils and protective barrier. You need your skin to be hydrated in order to battle acne. Dry skin does not properly exfoliate itself. So basically do that method each night. Do it once a day. Unless you sweat at night. Then do it in the morning. Just remember to be gentle when rubbing and avoid water at all costs. Water dries the skin. Avoid it in the shower too. Put your head away from the water. You may think that's dirty but read the back of the bottle, it says no no no no water. If you're like .."well water cleans my skin I have to use it"...LET me tell you that this is cleaning your skin. It already has water which is purified, which is better than mineralized tap water that dries your skin.. Also the ph of this is balanced so when you add water you throw it off. Your skin needs to be at the proper ph to function correctly. Just use this and you will never look back again. Once your done using this, post To my wall and I'll let you know which moisturizer to use. And makeup.
This Was Helpful

81 user(s) found this helpful

Report
Show All Comments
Jmg25
February 8, 2017
One more thing I forgot to mention, when you rub this on your cheek, form a CREAMYYYYYY consistency!!!!!! Make a creamy lather. I'll say it again. Make a creamy lather. In that lather ...you'll see dead skin. Quickly swipe it off your cheek with the other hand. Put that excess on a clean cloth. Then do your next cheek. You have to keep rubbing gently until you see a creamy lather. Then remove it immediately before moving onto the next cheek. Your motion should be up and down, using your hands. Making a creamy lather!!! LOL. Do your cheek first, then swipe. Next cheek...swipe. Forehead ..swipe. Nose...swipe. Chin...swipe. Do you see how each one was done separately???? You have to do each part separately and you have to swipe it off immediately after doing that part. Why?????? Bc if you move onto the next cheek without swiping the Cleanser off the other cheek ..it will absorb and be harder to remove...and then you have to rub harder!!!!! You need to be gentle. Rubbing dries the skin out which creates dehydrated skin. Acne thrives in dehydrated skin..where the acid mantle is off balance and lacking in moisture. Dehydrated skin produces extra sebum which causes acne. People...sebum or aka oil is GREAT but too much causes acne!!!! We need our acidic oil to prevent acne but when it's in overdrive...say hi to acne. Yuck. Our friends with clear skin do not have dry and oily skin. We..... with acne have dry and oily skin. That's not dry skin!!! It's called dehydrated skin. Do this method and I promise you will have clear skin within weeks. ❤️❤️ Now for those that think they can be gentle with a dry washcloth...do that!! You can swipe it off with a washcloth. Results are faster however I don't like washcloths bc they can irritate my skin.
Report
Jmg25
February 8, 2017
A creamy, cloudy white lather. Lol.
Report
Woahxitsyuli
March 4, 2017
Question, so I have the cetaphil normal to dry skin cleanser. So when I'm about to wash my face, I don't apply water to my face before washing my face? And I just put on the cleanser straight to my face with no water?
Report
hshwong3
March 9, 2017
Hi, my cetaphil cleanser is a very watery consistency... I'm from the US and bought it in the UK and I'm not sure if this is normal. And when I put it on my face, it's so watery, it literally just starts dripping. Also, I have incredibly oily skin in the morning from waking up... do you still advise not to wash in the morning? One last thing, I also bought the cetaphil moisturizer with it, and would u recommend only using that once or twice a day? And do you think I should just use the cleanser by itself at first, or combine it with the moisturizer immediately? Thank you!!!
Report
Jmg25
March 12, 2017
It must say Cetaphil gentle GENTLE Cleanser. Not the other one love. This one has no fragrance aka smell. Apply to dry skin that is not damp or wet. Work that cleanser in using your fingertips and go up and down. Work it till you see a white creamy look. Keep working it and then quickly swipe it off with your other hand and finger...or a textured wash cloth. Do nottttttttttt use a tissue!!! Omg I did that and I still got acne. You want to remove that dead skin build up. Acne is caused by dead skin not OIL!!!!!!! Anyone who has oily and dry skin has acne. Skin shouldn't feel tight. The reason why you think acne is caused by oil is bc you strip your acid mantle which then produces way too much oil. Then that oil gets trapped in your dead skin and hair follicle. Also when you use other products they get trapped in dead skin...and hi acne. Just use this Cleanser alone with no water...no makeup...no nothing!!! Do it for a month. You may get worst before better. I did. Why? Bc the cleanser was rubbing acne spots and touching other parts of my face. It spread. But slowly my skin became clear. Be patient..this method is the deal. I never let water touch my face. And if I do by accident...I let it dry and use my cleanser hours later. I never use water with my cleanser. I also dry shave with this. This stuff got rid of my eczema too. So like I said rub it with your finger tips and work it. Don't go too hard though. If your rub too hard, it will dry out your skin and well then your skin will overproduce oil to make up for the loss oil and dryness. Use this once a night and if you sweat while sleeping...then morning too..sweat is irritating and has salt..which can dry skin out. I know this sounds gross but this cleans your skin!!!! It already has purified water in it. Btw..the point of using your finger tips or textured TEXTURED cloth is it acts as an exfoliater. We have acne bc our skin doesn't shed properly. Our dead skin traps oil. If you're just rubbing slowly...this won't work. Just be gentle but rub enough to get rid of that dead skin. And stop wishing your face so much. That's why you get acne. Your skin becomes dry and then it produces more oil. I bet if you use this once a night..that oil will go down. It takes time to see that. About a month. Slowly my dead skin and oil went down. No my skin looks clear. I don't even need makeup. Just use this aloneeee. Also for anyone who uses other products with this..and isn't seeing results...I cnt help you. Why? Bc this works alone. Your products could be causing breakouts. If you're someon who wants makeup or creams...do this: use this Cleanser alone with nothing else for a month or two and then introduce other things. I say this bc you need to use this alone so you know for sure that this works. People say this doesn't work when they are using other things. Use this alone. For a month at least. hope this helps guys
Report
ND24
April 4, 2017
Can I use Bio Oil along ?
Report
joshnacional
April 5, 2017
Should I apply before or after taking a bath?
Report
Jmg25
April 14, 2017
Apply the cleanser once a night, before or after a shower and never in the shower. Don't let water touch your face. Do it once a night. If you wash too much you will get acne. People who wash their face too much over produce oil and get acne. In fact, I have seen results from washing my face every two days at night only. What I did was I started out using Cetaphil once daily at night for a few months to clear up acne. The next step was I reduced the amount of times I used the Cleanser. Every two days. At night only. I came to my senses bc I was like why is my forehead so clear and my face has acne????? I realized I only washed my forehead every few days. I was also like why is my chin so clear and upper lip. I was like ...wait...I hardly wash these areas! My point is less is MORE people. Now after six months of using Cetaphil at night every two days, I now use it every other night. I use it for ten seconds on my face without rubbing. I then apply the Cetaphil cream. I started off with Vanicream after six months. Then I switched bc Vanicream has silica in it (simethone) which gets rid of acne!!!!!!!! I swear this cream gets rid of acne. Put it on a pimple and it's gone. But I stopped using it bc its drying. Silica is a mineral that absorbs oil. So recap: use Cetaphil once at night or twice if you sweat. Use the rubbing method I explained for until acne is gone. Don't rub too hard. Next, reduce the amount of times you use it to every two days so your acid mantle repairs. Do it for two months. Then...use it for ten seconds at night adding Vanicream. Then switch the moisturizer if you want. I like the Cetaphil cream. It gave me acne at first but that's bc I had a lot of dead skin build up. If anyone wants to know the full routine in detail message me.
Report
Jmg25
April 14, 2017
Also do not use bio oil. This is the method in case You can't message me: first use the rubbing method that I explained in my posts for as long as you have acne. Use it once a night or twice if you sweat in the morning. This method you rub until you see a creamy cloudy lather and dead skin. See what I said down below. Once acne is gone, reduce the amount of times you cleanse to once every two days at night. Now InStead of rubbing until you see dead skin, just rub for ten seconds. Again, no water. In no TIME whatsoever did I mention add makeup or lotion or anything!!! Just this Cleanser. Do this for two months or whatever. A month even. It doesn't matter. Finally....use the Cleanser once a night or every other night and add Vanicream CREAM. Not lotion. Use it to keep acne away. This lotion is proven to get rid of acne but it's drying in my opinion. If you find it Moisturizing..there's your routine!!!! Be free of acne. I changed to Cetaphil cream but it's not for everyone!!! When it comes to lotion or creams it depends on your skin. I never say one size fits all. So test it out. That's why I say up above don't use makeup etc bc that's adding extra stuff which can cause acne. And I don't know you personally and your skin. If you follow this routine to the exact your skin will clear up slowly. Good luck!
Report
plssendhelp
May 5, 2017
So I started this a little less than a week ago and there doesn't really seem to be any change... I have been broken out on my chin for so long, and I just need something to really work. I have been trying to be very conscious to not touch my face or pick at things as well. I haven't been putting any other creams or makeup or anything on, and I just do it once at night. My skin always feels nice afterward, but I feel like nothing is really happening. Do I just need to wait longer to see even any kind of results..? Or should I add that vanicream stuff or something of the sort?
Report
dila94
June 9, 2017
Hye. And what about gentle cleanser for acne-prone and eczema-prone for body not for the face? Is it still good for body as well?? Thank you
Report
Osolagui
July 9, 2017
hello, so I just bought the Cleanser but I work out in the mornings and at nights so i was wondering if it is better if i use it twice a day bc i sweat? I Also bought the moisturiser lotion, is it good and helps with acne or will just make it worse?
Report
YEE999
January 26, 2018
what if there's existing pimples in your cheek? should we rub and burst the pimple with the gentle cleanser as well?
Report
December 28, 2010

Pros:

- Gentle on skin
- Simple ingredients
- doesn't dry or make skin oily
- dry acne

Cons:

Non-soapy

I have been using cetaphil for more than 2years so I think it deserved a good review from me. Initially I didn't think much of it when I first tried it. I remembered that time I gave up on using other harsh cleansers, stop using doctor's medication, supplements and also all make-ups because it doesn't help at all. I suffered moderately severe acne for more than 2years by then. Within 2 months of using, I noticed most of the acne have been dried out. My skin have been cleared ever since, save for the occasional 1-2 pimple that pop up on my monthly cycle. I have been faithful to Cetaphil ever since and am quite confident with my skin that I stopped using any make up except for lip gloss. After my face is cleared... then I started using milk moisturizer and sunblock again. I highly recommend people at least give it a try... but try to cut back on other harsh products at the same time too.
This Was Helpful

80 user(s) found this helpful

Report
January 14, 2011

Pros:

Skin is softer
Skin is smoother
Acne is less apparent
Doesn't dry out skin

Cons:

Must use one to get off make up, then again as a cleanser. Still does not dry out skin.

This is the best cleanser I have ever used. I kept hearing rave reviews about it FOR MONTHS, but just thought about all the other products that people loved but didn't work for my skin. Started the regimen and I have to say this cleanser is just a miracle worker. My skin improved in about 2 days.
This Was Helpful

73 user(s) found this helpful

Report
April 8, 2010

Pros:

-The best cleanser there is hands down
-Aids in the reduction of acne.
-Does not irritate skin or lead to dryness.
-Reduces redness.
-Very cheap.
-Leaves skin feeling soft.

Cons:

-Does not foam up (This is not really a con, but many reviewers on here seem to complain about it but I'll explain.)

Cetaphil is hands down the best cleanser out there. 99% of dermatoligists I've gone to have endorsed this product and for good reason, it's simply brilliant for your skin. There are far to many products on the market today packed with chemicals that are terrible for your skin even though the damage may not be immediatly noticeable. These chemicals cause uneeded damage to your skin and not to mention irritation.These factors are a nightmare espicially when dealing with acne and are already applying chemicals to your face to deal with the acne e.g Benzoyl Peroxide, Salicylic acid etc, a cleanser should as the name states simply cleanse the skin anything more (such as Salicylic acid cleansers) disrupts the healing process of your skin which it needs so much more when you're applying harsh chemicals like Benzoyl Peroxide. This cleanser has also significantly reduced redness and irritation, most cleansers I've used only ever cause it. Cetaphil is also extremely cheap I purchased a pack of two 20oz bottles of the cleanser! (That's roughly 1 Litre worth of cleanser) for only £20!!! The great thing about Cetaphil is because it doesn't irritate but actually soothes it aids in removing acne, and I have never broken out from Cetaphil, I've gone days without Benzoyl Peroxide and sometimes Cetaphil has been all I've required to keep things under control. One thing that a lot of users of the product have been complaining about is the fact the Cetaphil Cleanser does not form up, or they 'feel' like it is not washing all the dirt off there face. These two issues are linked, Cetaphil doesn't foam for good reason mainly due to the fact the ingredient that causes cleansers to foam up is in fact irritating, it is mainly the lack of the cleanser foaming up that people immediatly assume it is not removing dirt (which was my first impression) however this is not the case. My skin has never this clean and soft with any other c
This Was Helpful

67 user(s) found this helpful

Report
July 16, 2017
Give it a chance.
I have the most sensitive skin in the world. It is acne prone, for the last 2 years at least. I was only washing my face with coconut oil and that was doing alright. As an athlete I sweat a lot and I needed something to clean more. If you are looking for something to clean your face, this is it. It is fragrance free, and as someone who can't even do a light fragrance, this wash is amazing. I have oily skin, and I do NOT need a moisturizer after using this. I am allergic to Salycilic Acid, and most acne fighting chemicals make my skin itch. Cetaphil does NOT. This is finally what I've been looking for and I hope I can help someone too.
This Was Helpful

60 user(s) found this helpful

Report
February 5, 2017
LOVE!!!!
Let me start off by saying I have EXTREMELY sensitive skin. Just about anything I put on my face will break me out. I have tried numerous different face washes that continuously broke me out and made my skin tone awful. I have been using this wonder cleanser for about ten years and will NEVER go without. Just one pump will clean your face completely and leave your face feeling smooth.Does not cause me to break out (other things do of course). I'm sure you guys will love it just as much as I do. Just try it, you won't regret it!! LOVE LOVE LOVE this skin cleanser!!
This Was Helpful

60 user(s) found this helpful

Report
Rsharma
November 20, 2017
How do you use it ? I mean with water or without water
Report
February 21, 2011

Pros:

-Extremely gentle
-Highly moisturizing
-Perfect

Amazing.
This Was Helpful

48 user(s) found this helpful

Report
April 3, 2010

Pros:

-Perfect for my dry, sensitive skin
-Great, thorough cleanser
-Moisturizing
-Non-irritating
-Keeps my skin clear and clean and happy

Cons:

-Unusual texture
-No lather
-No wonderful scent
-No tingly, clean feeling
-Boring!

Three of the things I cherish in a great facial cleanser are: awesome scent, creamy consistency, and wonderful tingly sensation upon washing. Cetaphil's Gentle Skin Cleanser meets none of these criteria. So... why is it my favorite cleanser? Because it works! Face washes like Neutrogena Deep Clean Cream Cleanser and the Clean & Clear equivalent smelled great, created a luxuriously creamy lather, and made my skin tingle... but they made my dry skin drier, my sensitive skin irritated and more sensitive, and they created acne on my relatively acne-free face! Honestly, I was sad and disappointed when I tried Cetaphil. It comes in a boring bottle and the product seems so plain and boring. The texture isn't great, it produces no lather, and it has no pleasing scent. It's just... there. And so I cleansed my face with it. And, my face didn't feel squeaky clean. It felt... plain. Just like Cetaphil. But... days and weeks later, my skin is awesome - much improved! I have no acne (is it odd that acne products give me acne, while a plain cleanser with no acne medication keeps my skin clear?), my dry and sensitive and irritated skin is lusciously moisturized and super calm. Honestly, I wish I could use the fancy looking, fancy smelling, fancy feeling cleansers. But it seems that I'm doomed to the boring - but if my skin keeps looking so great, I don't mind! I had only considered using their cleansers and moisturizers on my face, but after reading more about it, I'm considering using this as a cleanser for my whole body. If you have no acne, or light acne, you should definitely try this product. And if you have moderate or severe acne, this still might be a great cleanser if you use some type of acne medication with it. The Cetaphil will definitely help keep your skin balanced and calm, prepped for whatever else you need to do in your regimen. Trust me - try Cetaphil (and give it a fair shot, because it doesn't seem like it'd work at first) a
This Was Helpful

48 user(s) found this helpful

Report
December 24, 2009

Pros:

-Gentle
-No Fragrance
-Doesn't burn eyes
-MOISTURIZES
-Gentle enough to allow for me to wash skin twice a day or more

Cons:

None

This cleanser single handedly helped clear my acne. Do not get me wrong, it doesn't have ingredients that clear it. However, because I am using such harsh acne meds on my skin, this product soothed and healed! I have used this soap for two months and my dermatologist just took me off my acne antibiotics that I have been on for over a year. This stuff was my miracle!
This Was Helpful

47 user(s) found this helpful

Report
March 17, 2017
Use this AFTER you clean your face with make up remover
I have bad acne, whitehead, and acne scars. First I use make up remover than cleans your make up. Usually, after this my face is still oily and I feel the leftover make up still clogs my pores. This is the purpose of Cetaphil. Cleans the pores of my bare face. Use this on dry skin! Don't rinse your face with water before applying Cetaphil. You can feel it cleans your skin well.
This Was Helpful

45 user(s) found this helpful

Report
Previous
1 2 3 … 61
Next