Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser for dry skin
Glycerin
Niacinamide
Panthenol Vitamin B5
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
Average
- AverageDry Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
Works for dry skin; other cleansers fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dry skin: flakiness, tightness, dehydration, fine lines, and wrinkles. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.
Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works
Lovi Assistant explains
- Offers moderate suitability for your dry skin as Glycerin and Panthenol provide hydration, though it lacks sufficient emollient ingredients to fully address dryness.
- The cleansing agents, cocamidopropyl betaine and disodium laureth sulfosuccinate, effectively cleanse pores without causing irritation.
- The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the presence of soothing components.
How to apply
- Use this cleanser AM and PM every day to keep your skin clean. Start using it daily right away since your skin is not sensitive.
- Apply this cleanser as the very first step in your morning routine and right after your pre-cleanser in the evening. Follow with your toner and moisturizer afterwards.
- Gently massage a small amount of cleanser onto your face using soft circular motions. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water and pat dry with a clean towel.
- Apply this cleanser on slightly damp skin for a comfortable and refreshing wash. This helps maintain your skin's natural moisture while cleansing away dirt.
- Avoid getting the cleanser directly into your eyes to prevent any irritation. Do a simple patch test before your first use to ensure your skin likes it.
People Say
★4.6Overall rating based on 1.4k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, users consistently praise this cleanser as a gentle, non-stripping option ideal for sensitive, combination, and oily skin types, noting that it effectively removes dirt and oil without disrupting the moisture barrier. While the majority report softer, balanced skin, a subset of long-time users expressed dissatisfaction with the recent formula change, citing issues with the new scent and occasional irritation.
Highlights
Gentle and non-stripping Mostly Mentioned
- “cleans without stripping”
- “doesn't leave skin tight”
- “gentle enough for daily use”
- “skin feels soft”
- “no over-scrubbed sensation”
Safe for sensitive skin Often Mentioned
- “no redness or irritation”
- “great for sensitive skin”
- “doesn't cause breakouts”
- “hypoallergenic formula”
Dermatologist recommended Sometimes Noted
- “recommended by my derm”
- “staple brand”
- “trusted for years”
- “doctor suggested”
- “classic skincare staple”
Effective daily cleansing Sometimes Noted
- “removes excess oil”
- “reliable everyday face wash”
- “skin feels fresh”
- “good morning cleanser”
- “minimizes pores”
Poor makeup removal Sometimes Noted
- “doesn't remove mascara”
- “struggles with heavy makeup”
- “need a second cleanse”
- “leaves residue behind”
- “not for waterproof makeup”
Scent complaints Sometimes Noted
- “smells like masking fragrance”
- “scent is too strong”
- “smells like chemical/glue”
- “preferred the old smell”
- “weird perfume odor”
Hydrating ingredients Rarely Noted
- “contains niacinamide”
- “hydrating glycerin”
- “leaves skin moisturized”
- “vitamin B5 included”
- “helps moisture barrier”
Drying for some Rarely Noted
- “dried out my cheeks”
- “skin felt tight”
- “caused flaky patches”
- “not hydrating enough”
- “stripped my natural oils”
Formula change irritation Rarely Noted
- “new formula burns”
- “caused stinging”
- “face turned red”
- “broke me out”
- “irritated my eyes”
Texture issues Rarely Noted
- “feels slimy”
- “leaves a film”
- “hard to rinse off”
- “too runny”
- “lotion-like consistency”
Sources: lovi.care, ulta.com, influenster.com, walmart.com, cetaphil.com, byrdie.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser work for dry skin?
This cleanser works moderately well for your dry skin since it contains glycerin and panthenol to help provide hydration, though it lacks enough rich moisturizing ingredients to fully address dryness. To truly fit dry skin, a cleanser of this type needs rich softening ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid to lock in moisture and protect the skin barrier.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for dry skin?
Glycerin and Panthenol help make this cleanser a fit for dry skin by providing hydration and soothing the skin. However, this skin type needs a cleanser that also includes rich hydrating and barrier-repairing ingredients like ceramides and sodium hyaluronate to fully address dryness and maintain moisture.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002
What does Glycerin do for dry skin?
Glycerin helps dry skin by drawing in moisture and keeping it locked in, which makes the skin feel much softer and smoother. It also supports your natural skin barrier to stop water from escaping easily. A product for dry skin needs extra ingredients like hyaluronic acid and soothing plant extracts to truly calm and hydrate dry patches.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017The British Journal of Dermatology, 2008
What does Niacinamide do for dry skin?
Niacinamide helps dry skin by strengthening the skin barrier, increasing hydration, and reducing water loss. It supports ceramide production and helps keep the surface smooth and calm. This ingredient tends to be very well tolerated and is unlikely to irritate dry skin.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2004Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026
Where does it go in a skincare routine for dry skin?
This cleanser fits into a dry skin routine in both the morning and the evening, followed right away by a hydrating toner, moisturizer, and sunscreen during the day or a treatment and moisturizer at night. It safely cleans pores without causing irritation, but because it lacks rich moisturizing ingredients, dry skin of this type needs rich softening creams and oils after washing.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cleanser with retinol by applying it first on your dry skin and following with your retinol treatment and moisturizer. This cleanser has a very safe and gentle formula, but dry skin needs a cleanser that also provides rich softening ingredients to fully lock in moisture.
How often should I use it?
You can use this cleanser daily in the morning and evening as part of your routine. Mild cleansers like this one are safe for regular use, though dry skin needs extra moisturizing ingredients to fully prevent dryness.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for dry skin as it gently cleanses without irritation. To fully care for dry skin, this type of product needs rich softening ingredients that lock in moisture.
Can I use it around the eyes or on my body?
This cleanser works for the thin skin around your eyes and on your body because its mild cleansing agents wash safely without causing irritation. Glycerin and Panthenol help provide hydration, though dry skin generally needs richer smoothing ingredients and heavy sealing lotions for best results.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
A new topical panthenol-containing emollient significantly improved transepidermal water loss reduction, stratum corneum hydration, and intercellular lipid lamellae length compared with control in healthy subjects without negatively impacting bacterial viability.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017Topical dexpanthenol acts as a moisturizer, improves stratum corneum hydration, accelerates wound healing and epidermal regeneration, reduces erythema, and improves symptoms of skin irritation compared to vehicle or no pretreatment.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002A panthenol-enriched mask significantly decreased erythema and hyperpigmentation, increased sebum and stratum corneum moisture, and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to a saline dressing in 60 subjects undergoing facial laser treatment.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025Topical treatment of nicotinamide, alone or in combination with other active ingredients, reduces the progression of skin aging and hyperpigmentation in clinical trials while being well tolerated.
Antioxidants, 2021A topical gel containing chitosan, chlorhexidine, allantoin, and dexpanthenol significantly reduced postoperative pain, trismus, swelling, and analgesic consumption, while improving wound healing after third molar surgery compared to a placebo.
Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral Y Cirugia Bucal, 2020A single application of a moisturizing fluid containing hyaluronic acid 1%, glycerin 5%, and Centella asiatica stem cells extract significantly increased skin hydration by 29% and reduced transepidermal water loss at 24 hours compared to baseline and an untreated control site in twenty healthy women.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017The emollient V0034CR significantly reduced TEWL compared to vehicle and vehicle plus glycerol, and significantly increased corneometry scores compared to vehicle and vehicle plus petrolatum in healthy volunteers with dry skin, demonstrating combined barrier function improvement from petrolatum and hydration improvement from glycerol.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Ten days of treatment with a cream containing 20% glycerin significantly increased skin hydration measured by corneometer values in 17 healthy volunteers compared to a placebo cream, but showed no influence on transepidermal water loss or skin sensitivity to an irritating surfactant.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2001Topical post-laser application of human adipocyte-derived mesenchymal stem cell media combined with niacinamide significantly improved wrinkle index, melanin index, patient satisfaction, and investigator esthetic improvement scores compared to vehicle cream in patients with aging skin.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Topical nicotinamide prevented solar-simulated UV-induced immunosuppression in healthy volunteers, and men experienced immunosuppression at solar-simulated UV doses three times lower than those required for women.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2008Topical 5% niacinamide applied twice daily for 12 weeks reduced fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmented spots, red blotchiness, and skin sallowness, and improved skin elasticity compared to vehicle control in 50 female white subjects with facial photoaging.
Dermatologic Surgery, 2005Moisturizer containing 5% panthenol, madecassoside, and copper-zinc-manganese decreased adverse reactions and downtime after ablative fractional carbon dioxide laser resurfacing with comparable efficacy to 0.02% triamcinolone acetonide cream in 20 subjects.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019Topical dexpanthenol formulated in lipophilic vehicles improved stratum corneum hydration and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to vehicle control in humans.
Arzneimittel-Forschung, 2000Hyaluronic acid, hyaluronic acid plus dexpanthenol, and isotonic saline nasal sprays all significantly improved dry nose symptoms over four weeks in 240 patients, with hyaluronic acid plus dexpanthenol providing superior nasal moisturisation compared to the other two.
Auris, Nasus, Larynx, 2020The cytotoxic effect of sodium lauryl sulphate on normal human keratinocytes was significantly decreased when combined with cocamidopropyl betaine, Tween 20, and Tween 80 at concentrations well below the critical micelle concentration.
Skin Pharmacology and Applied Skin Physiology, 2003
Why other cleansers fit dry skin better
Phytosphingosine increased filaggrin metabolism and skin hydration in human skin by stimulating filaggrin biosynthesis and degradation leading to natural moisturizing factor formation.
Archives of Dermatological Research, 2017
Ingredients
Water, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Panthenol, Niacinamide, Pantolactone, Acrylates C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Benzoate, Masking, Sodium Chloride, Citric Acid
Behind this fit score
Lovi calculates every fit score from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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