Eighteen years in
Choosing a gentle face wash, and why Cetaphil keeps coming up
Our editor's face wash for 18 years, and a subscription worth keeping. A safe, unexciting cleanser for dry, normal or sensitive skin, which is exactly what a face wash should be. Very oily or acne-prone skin may want something with more cleansing power.
Dry or sensitive skin, people who get a tight feeling after washing, anyone simplifying a crowded skincare shelf.
Your skin is very oily, you wear heavy makeup or sunscreen every day and want a single-step cleanse, or you love a foamy, tingly wash.
Ask a group of friends which face wash to buy and somebody will say "just get Cetaphil". It has become the default answer for people who do not want to think about skincare. That is not an accident, but it is also not the right answer for everyone.
This piece explains what a gentle cleanser does, and where this one fits. But first, a personal note, because this is one product we know well.
Eighteen years and counting
For our editor, it all started 18 years ago with a doctor's advice: try Cetaphil. It suited our editor's skin, and our editor has never looked back.
Eighteen years on, the quality has never been compromised, and that is what keeps our editor especially happy.
Plenty of products change their formula, cut corners or simply stop working for you over the years. This one has stayed the same, bottle after bottle. Today it arrives on a regular subscription, and for personal use, that subscription is worth every rupee.
This is one person's experience, not medical advice. Skin is personal, and a product that suits one person may not suit another. If you have a skin concern, ask a doctor or dermatologist what is right for you. The rest of this piece is general guidance on how to tell whether a gentle cleanser suits you.
What the listing says
The bottle is 118 ml. It is described as paraben-free and sulphate-free, with niacinamide and vitamin B5, and it is aimed at dry to normal, sensitive skin.
What "gentle" actually means
A face wash has one job: remove oil, dirt and sweat without stripping away what your skin needs.
If your face feels tight and squeaky after washing, your cleanser is probably too strong for you.
Strong cleansers often rely on sulphates, which create lots of foam and remove oil very effectively. Sometimes too effectively. Sulphate-free cleansers use milder ingredients, so they lather less and feel softer on the skin.
What the added ingredients are for
- Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3 that appears in many skincare products. It is widely used for skin comfort and is generally well tolerated.
- Vitamin B5 (often listed as panthenol) is commonly used to help skin feel moisturised.
In a wash that sits on your face for under a minute, these are supporting players, not a treatment. Do not expect a face wash to fix pigmentation, acne or ageing.
Who it suits, and who it does not
Good fit
Dry skin, normal skin and sensitive skin that reacts to fragrance or strong cleansers. It is also a sensible pick for a shared bathroom where people have different skin.
Possibly not enough
Very oily skin may feel the wash leaves it not quite clean. People who wear heavy makeup or water-resistant sunscreen may need to remove those first, then use a gentle wash.
A note on the low lather
Sulphate-free cleansers do not foam much. That can feel like the product is not working at first. It is. Foam is a feeling, not a measure of cleaning.
How to use a gentle cleanser well
- Use lukewarm water, not hot.
- Massage for about 30 seconds, then rinse.
- Pat dry instead of rubbing.
- Follow with a moisturiser if your skin is dry.
Before you buy
- Patch test on your jaw or behind your ear if your skin reacts easily.
- If you have a skin condition, talk to a dermatologist rather than relying on a product listing.
- Check the expiry date when the bottle arrives.
- Think about the size. 118 ml does not last long if you wash twice a day. It is a good size for a trial before buying a larger bottle. If it suits you, a subscription saves you from running out, which is how our editor buys it.
If you are deciding between this and another plain cleanser, our note on Simple's refreshing facial wash looks at a similar idea for all skin types.
Our take
Cetaphil's hydrating wash is popular for a sensible reason: it cleans without fuss and without that tight feeling. It is not exciting, and that is the point. If your skin is dry or easily upset, it is a very reasonable place to start. For our editor, it started on a doctor's advice 18 years ago and has been on the bathroom shelf ever since.
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