Cetaphil : Gentle Cleansing Bar

Brand:
Reviews
3.9
87 Reviews

Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Stearic Acid, Sodium Tallowate, Water, Sodium Stearate, Sodium Dodecylbenzene Sulfonate, Sodium Cocoate, PEG 20, Sodium Chloride, Masking Fragrance (Parfum), Sodium Isethionate, Petrolatum, Sodium Isostearoyl Lactylate, Sucrose Cocoate, Titanium Dioxide, Pentasodium Pentetate, Tetrasodium Etidronate.

May also contain: Sodium Palm Kernelate.

The list of ingredients above is provided for informational purposes only. Always check the actual product label in your possession for the most accurate ingredient information due to product changes or upgrades that may not yet be reflected on our web site.

5
35.6%
4
36.8%
3
13.8%
2
9.2%
1
4.6%

Used Cetaphil : Gentle Cleansing Bar? Rate It:

Choose from 1 to 5 stars
January 30, 2008

Pros:

It's a good all-over cleanser. It left my skin soft, and my face has cleared up somewhat.

Cons:

The scent is a bit stronger than I would like, but it doesn't seem to irritate my sensitive skin.

Overall, gentle yet affective.
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May 31, 2013
If you're going to use a bar with The Regimen, this is a good choice

Pros:

Inexpensive
Lasts a long time
Rich, thick lather

Cons:

Lingering scent

I used this bar for about a year, about 10 years ago. I tried it again recently and remember why I liked it. The lather is truly rich and thick. This makes cleansing a super-low irritation experience since your hands glide so easily over the skin. The thick lather also works brilliantly as a shaving "cream." Overall, this bar does not leave me feeling overly dry. It does its job of removing surface oils without overstripping. However, it does have a distinct scent that sticks around. Long after I've left the shower and arrive at work, my hands still smell. Luckily it's not a horrible scent, but I would much prefer to not carry the scent along with me throughout my day.
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April 10, 2018
Honey, sodium chloride is salt.
August 21, 2018
Thanks for this, Dan! I've been using this bar with the Regimen since I really appreciate the thick lather.
June 27, 2019
My HG cleanser

When I was a teenager, I just used water or whatever face wash was in shower of where i was at. Never had any acne, my skin was perfectly balanced. In my early 20’s a friend freaked when I told her I didn’t have a face cleanser. She got me on the Clinique system back then. Years later I developed a rash around my nose & mouth. My dermatologist switched me to cetaphil bar & lotion. My skin cleared right away. In my 30’s I developed hormonal acne. And switched to the cerave lotion. 

 

My skin got drier with different treatments (I should have left it alone!) so I have tried sooo many liquid cleansers for sensitive skin.  They all leave a film on my skin & clog my pores. I’ve read others felt a film from this. I don’t see how, just keep rinsing until it’s all gone. 

I use this in the morning with cerave pm, & aveeno baby sensitive sunscreen. then at night I use hemp seed oil, remove with baby wash cloth that’s super soft. Cleanse with this- don’t be quick. Move fingers in small circles all over face a couple times. Rinse very very well. I’m in shower for this, so it’s easy to get it all off. I use Paula’s choice vitamin c or persa gel on spots. Once a week I use dr carvers miracle repair serum I found in my husbands stache & love. It has salicylic acid in it.

This keeps my skin free of bumps & rashes. Every time I have strayed, I regret it. I do want to try the vanicream z bar, since it’s fragrance free & very similar. But I’m afraid to try new things now that my skin has settled down. 

 

Also, if you use witch hazel as a toner, STOP NOW!! After 5 years of that, it did help w actual spots at the time. But it RUINED my skin long term. I have damaged spots & I noticed a change a month after stopping this   

February 21, 2018
Loved it
I loved the bar so much. I suggest not using it in the morning considering it makes your face red at first but what I like to do is use my Bioré charcoal cleanser (wash it off) then apply this and massage my face. I end by putting on toner and moisturizer. I have really oily skin and some of these reviews talk about how it is better for dry skin. I found that it got rid of my pimples without fully drying it out and gave a smooth texture at the end. It really just depends if it suits your skin.
June 16, 2010

Pros:

Helps prevent breakouts

Cons:

Not perfect.
Leaves skin feeling tight and looking shiny
Skin dries out a huge amount.

Give it a try if you don't have sensitive skin.
July 29, 2007

Pros:

Lathers very well, easy to shave with, no left behind residue.

Cons:

Expensive(like $10USD in Mexico)

Since I can't buy any of DKR's products I was looking for an over-the-counter cleanser that would be very gentle with my face. With the reviews I found about the Cetaphil Bar, I decided to give it a try. It's just perfect for me! I've been using liquid cleansers with BHA to exfoliate my skin, but even with moisturizers my face was extremely dry and itchy. Now washing my face with it was the most important thing I did. I have some usual breakouts, but not as often as usual, and it happens when I don't wash and/or apply BP on my face. Very good bar, specially when you shave!
May 19, 2007

Pros:

After my skin got really irritated from the Neutrogena Acne Body Scrub, I tried this. I noticed a big difference in my chest and back area at first, but as I continued, I kept breaking out normally. It does leave your skin smooth though.

Cons:

It didn't do that much towards my breakouts.

Everybody's skin is different, so try a few different products and see which ones work best for your skin.
November 7, 2007

Pros:

Cheap.

Cons:

Dried my skin out and made it itchy.

This did not work well for me at all. When I used it, it did not rinse cleanly (even with a facial srubby pad) and it dried out my face and left it feeling "chalky". After I put on moisturizer, my skin still felt dry and itched all day. I have oily skin that is also sensitive so it is nearly impossible for me to find a good cleanser. The closest I've come is Lush Fresh Pharmacy, which has calamine in it which soothes skin, and it also takes most of the oil away. However, as with all Lush stuff, it's EXPENSIVE and I was hoping Cetaphil would be a cheaper alternative. Oh well.