Okay, so you know how my skin just hates everything? Redness, dryness, the whole shebang. I'd heard whispers about Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser being the holy grail for sensitive types, so I thought I'd give it a whirl. I got mine from Boots here View Product – and for £8.00, I figured it was worth a shot. Honestly, I've wasted money on far worse!
First impressions? Honestly, it felt like… nothing. Which, for my skin, is a HUGE compliment! It's like a slightly thick lotion, no crazy smell or anything. I massaged it onto my dry skin (because that's what the bottle said!), and it just melted in. Unlike some cleansers that foam up and feel stripping, this felt super gentle. Rinsed it off, and my skin just felt… clean. Not tight, not itchy, just clean. Big tick!
Now, the real test: consistent use. I used it morning and night for three weeks straight. The first few days, things were pretty much the same – which again, is good! No breakouts, no redness flares. But around day 5, I looked in the mirror after cleansing, and my skin just looked… calmer? Less red around my nose and cheeks. This surprised me, I wasn't expecting that at all! I kept using it, and honestly, my skin just kept getting better. It's not a miracle cure, and I still get the odd hormonal spot, but overall, my skin is WAY less reactive. The texture is also smoother, I've noticed my makeup goes on a lot better as I'm not dealing with dry patches. It's not drying at all, but I always follow with a rich moisturiser, especially with the cold UK weather lately. You'll thank me later if you do too!
It’s so gentle that even when I had a really bad bout of eczema on my chin (thanks, stress!), I could still use it without it stinging. That's saying something! It feels really hydrating too, but not greasy at all, like some milky cleansers can feel. The bottle is massive too, so it's lasted ages. I reckon it'll be a good few months before I need to repurchase. I keep it next to my toothbrush so I don't forget.
Would I buy it again? One hundred per cent YES. In fact, I'm already eyeing up the larger bottle! It's perfect for anyone with sensitive, dry, or easily irritated skin. If you're dealing with acne, this might not be strong enough on its own, but it would be a great gentle cleanser to use alongside your other treatments. I'd say if you are prone to really oily skin then this might be a little too moisturising. But for my combination skin, especially in the autumn and winter when the weather is colder, this has been an absolute dream. Here's what worked for me.
Pros:
* Super gentle
* Affordable (£8.00)
* Effective at cleansing without stripping
* Helped reduce redness and irritation
* Big bottle lasts ages
Cons:
* Might not be strong enough for oily skin
* Not the most exciting product (no fancy smell or texture)
* Takes a while to see major results (but worth it!).
This review reflects my genuine experience with the product. Product links may be affiliate links.