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I suffer from an all-too-common yet all-too-annoying affliction: extra-dry skin, especially in the winter. In colder temperatures, my face starts to feel like a dry sponge — dull, a little brittle, and desperate for hydration. This is exactly why I’m always on the hunt for products that deliver moisture, protect my skin barrier, and feel gentle and soothing. (My skin skews sensitive, too. Fun!)
Finding the right cleanser, specifically, has required a little trial and error. Often, cleansers can strip my skin and leave it feeling tight and irritated. For a while, I thought that a higher price point would be necessary to find one that worked for me — but I was very wrong.
The solution was at the drugstore the whole time: the Hydrating Facial Cleanser from CeraVe, a brand that’s having a major moment right now thanks to a ubiquitous ad campaign and a Super Bowl ad featuring Michael Cera. Hashtag CeraVe. (Yes, really.)
In reality, CeraVe’s affordable, effective products have long been skincare staples. I tried this cleanser about two years ago — a recommendation from another editor who has a similar skin type — and I’ve never looked back.
I use this product nearly every day, morning and night. Each time, it lathers up nicely, removes any makeup or grime effectively, and — and this is possibly the best part — it leaves my skin feeling refreshed, plump, and glowy after I wash it off with warm water.
It’s all thanks to the formula, which contains ceramides — lipids, or fatty molecules, that help maintain a healthy skin barrier — and hyaluronic acid, which is like a drink of water for the skin. It’s non-comedogenic, so it won’t clog pores, and is made without any added fragrances, which can be irritating to some. (Bonus: It’s accepted by the National Eczema Association, which means it’s safer for eczema-prone skin types, too.)
Today, I recommend this product to anyone and everyone who has a remotely dry skin type. (And for those oiler, acne-prone types? There’s a CeraVe cleanser for that, too.) Really, what more could you want from a cleanser — especially one that’ll set you back less than $20? The answer is nothing.
