The short version
- A non-foaming lotion cleanser with 10 listed ingredients, no fragrance on the list; we priced the 20 fl oz (about 591 mL) pump bottle.
- $13.44 on Amazon on Sep 30, 2026, about $0.67 per fluid ounce, sold and shipped by Amazon.com.
- Buy the current formula. Some older Cetaphil listings still describe the previous recipe (with sodium lauryl sulfate and parabens) and had no Amazon-sold offer on the day we looked.
This is the cleanser: rinse it off, or wipe it off without water.
Not a serum; an optional serum comes after it.
Not a moisturizer, and the brand says so; one follows.
No SPF; sunscreen is its own morning step.
Morning and evening: the brand says it can be used daily, in both routines.
The full label
We printed the list from Cetaphil's U.S. product page, read on Sep 30, 2026. The Amazon listing we link (the 20 fl oz bottle) prints the same ten ingredients in the same order.
Water, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Panthenol, Niacinamide, Pantolactone, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid
Marked = key ingredient discussed below10 ingredients listed
| Key ingredient | What it is | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Glycerin | Humectant (draws and holds water) | Second on the list. Research reviews describe glycerol as a well-studied contributor to surface hydration [5]; in a rinse-off step, only a little stays behind. |
| Panthenol | Pro-vitamin B5; humectant and conditioning agent | A review of topical dexpanthenol (the active form of panthenol) summarizes studies on skin moisture and barrier measures, mostly in leave-on products [4]. |
| Niacinamide | Vitamin B3 | Studied mainly in leave-on products; how much a cleanser leaves on the skin is not disclosed. See our niacinamide serum entry for the research. |
| Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate | Cleansing agent (surfactant) | The only surfactant on the list. It sits eighth, so the formula leans on lotion ingredients rather than foam. |
What the evidence and the label claims say
Cetaphil changed this formula a few years ago, and the difference is large. The older recipe, still shown on some Amazon listings (for example ASIN B000052YMV), reads: water, cetyl alcohol, propylene glycol, sodium lauryl sulfate, stearyl alcohol, methylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben. The current recipe drops the parabens and sodium lauryl sulfate and adds glycerin, panthenol and niacinamide. On Sep 30, 2026 that older 16 oz listing showed "No featured offers available" and only third-party sellers, so we could not tell which formula a buyer would receive. That is why we link the 20 oz listing sold by Amazon.com, whose ingredient text matches the brand's current list.
The brand's own claims, attributed to it: the page calls the cleanser paraben-free, fragrance-free, oil-free, hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic, says it uses "Micellar Technology", and reports a user survey in which 95% of users felt the product cleansed gently [1]. The bottle we photographed says "Normal to Dry Skin". Take "hypoallergenic" for what it is: the FDA states there are no federal standards or definitions for the term, and companies do not have to submit proof to the agency [3]. The brand's clinical and hydration claims come from its own testing, which it does not publish on the page.
On the word "gentle": it is a description, not a regulated category. A review of cleanser science explains that surfactants differ widely in how strongly they interact with skin proteins and lipids, and that added moisturizing agents can reduce the impact of washing [6]. That describes the design approach here, not a measured result for this bottle. The American Academy of Dermatology's advice applies whatever cleanser you choose: lukewarm water, fingertips, a gentle rinse and pat dry [2].
Check the ingredient list in the listing before ordering. If it names sodium lauryl sulfate or parabens, that listing describes the old formula. Also note the texture: this is a lotion that barely foams, and the current recipe is not the same product as the old one, so it may feel different if you used the earlier version.
Where it goes in a routine
These are the two methods printed in the brand's directions. They describe order and technique, not results.
With water: apply and rub gently
Wet the face with lukewarm water, apply the cleanser and massage it in lightly with your fingertips.
Rinse and pat dry
Rinse thoroughly and pat dry with a clean towel.
Without water: apply, then wipe off the excess
Apply a liberal amount, rub gently and remove the excess with a soft cloth, leaving a thin film on the skin. The brand suggests this for when water isn't handy and recommends the rinse method for everyday use.
Follow with the next layers
The brand's directions say to apply serum and moisturizer while skin is still damp. In the morning, sunscreen goes on last.
Price and where it is sold
On Sep 30, 2026 the Amazon listing for the 20 fl oz pump bottle (ASIN B099N3NM61, titled "Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser, Hydrating Face Wash, Sensitive Skin, 20oz") showed $13.44, about $0.67 per fluid ounce. It was in stock, shipped and sold by Amazon.com, with a free 30-day refund or replacement shown. We chose the 20 oz size because the 16 oz listings we checked either had no Amazon-sold offer or still printed the older formula. The brand sells the same cleanser in sizes from 2 oz to 20 oz. See the 20 oz listing on Amazon (as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases).
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone who has reacted to one of the ten listed ingredients, or to cetearyl alcohol-based lotions in general.
- Anyone who wants a cleanser that lathers; the Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser entry covers a foaming gel.
- Anyone attached to the original paraben-and-SLS formula: it is no longer what the brand makes.
Sources
- Cetaphil (Galderma). Gentle Skin Cleanser U.S. product page: ingredients, directions, features and FAQ. Accessed Sep 30, 2026. link
- American Academy of Dermatology. Face washing basics from dermatologists. Accessed Sep 30, 2026. link
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. "Hypoallergenic" Cosmetics. Accessed Sep 30, 2026. link
- Proksch E, de Bony R, Trapp S, Boudon S. Topical use of dexpanthenol: a 70th anniversary article. J Dermatolog Treat. 2017;28(8):766-773. PMID 28503966. link
- Fluhr JW, Darlenski R, Surber C. Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functions. Br J Dermatol. 2008;159(1):23-34. PMID 18510666. link
- Ananthapadmanabhan KP, Moore DJ, Subramanyan K, et al. Review of how cleansers affect the skin barrier and how mild cleansing is formulated. Dermatol Ther. 2004;17 Suppl 1:16-25. PMID 14728695. link
This entry is educational and is not medical advice. Patch test new products, stop using anything that irritates your skin, and ask a dermatologist, pharmacist or other clinician about anything specific to your skin or medications.