Cleanser Review: Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser

Pros
- Extremely gentle
-Simple packaging
-Affordable
-No scent

Cons
-Tests on animals
-Confusing pump
-Does not remove makeup

Thoughts

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser has been recommended numerous times over the years by beauty book ‘Don’t Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me’.  This is due to the fact that it was a very gentle cleanser with little ingredients. However, now it is being shunned as it contains sodium lauryl sulphate.

So how did this cleanser work for me?

I used this cleanser every morning and night, except when I wore makeup as it is shocking at removing all traces makeup (I use Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil instead). The cleanser was extremely gentle and my skin felt soft; however, I did still feel a slight tightness in my skin. My skin was less prone to flare up and my monthly hormonal breakouts were kept under control. My skin has become clearer and less prone to small breakouts and sweat pimples.

However, I am not very comfortable with the fact that Cetaphil tests its products on animals. I should have done better research before I purchased and conducted the experiment. The idea that an animal suffered just does not sit right by me.

So in conclusion, yes, the cleanser is a great daily cleanser, cheap and affordable. Will I repurchase? No.

Ingredients

Water - The most widely used cosmetic ingredient; usually listed first as it is usually the ingredient with the highest concentration.

Cetyl Alcohol – fatty alcohol used as an emollient, emulsifier and thickener. It can also be a carrying agent for other ingredients. Can be derived naturally (e.g. coconut fatty alcohol) or synthetically. It is not an irritant.

Propylene Glycol - it is a humectants/humidifying and delivery ingredient used in cosmetics. It is used to stop products from freezing.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate - Used primarily as a detergent cleansing agent, SLS can be derived from coconut. Known to be a potent skin irritant, it is not toxic or dangerous for skin. In concentrations of 2% to 5%, SLS can cause allergic or sensitizing reactions for many people. It is used as a standard in scientific studies to establish irritancy or sensitizing properties of other ingredients.

Stearyl Alcohol - Fatty alcohol used as an emollient and to help keep other ingredients intact in a formulation.

Methylparaben/Propylparaben/Butylparaben - Parabens used as a preservative in cosmetics. It has a broad spectrum activity against bacteria, moulds, and fungus that can contaminate cosmetics.