Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser vs Gentle Skin Cleanser

So, you've decided you want to try one of Cetaphil's cult-favorite, best-selling cleansers, but you can't quite figure out what the differences are? We've all been there, don't worry!

Come with us as we compare the Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser vs Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser side-by-side to help you decide which is right for you. Enjoy!

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Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser vs Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser

With both cleansers appearing practically identical on the shelf with their signature Cetaphil branding, we're going to have to dive straight into their formulas to find any differences of note.

2024 update: Since we originally published this comparison, Cetaphil has updated their packaging (several times, by the looks of it)! Their formulas appear to be unchanged, but the marketing seems to place more of an emphasis than ever on being hypoallergenic, paraben-free, fragrance-free, and sulfate-free.

First and foremost, it's worth highlighting the fact that the Daily Facial Cleanser and the Gentle Skin Cleanser are formulated for completely different skin types.

Though both cleansers boast the same nourishing base of Niacinamide, Panthenol, and Glycerin, the Gentle Skin Cleanser contains just a single, soap-free, mild surfactant (cleansing agent) - Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate - which is particularly renowned for its ability to mitigate disruption of the skin's moisture barrier.

The Daily Facial Cleanser instead contains *three* surfactants, namely: Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, and Sodium Cocoamphoacetate. While all three are also relatively mild when compared to typical cleansing agents - such as SLS & SLES - combined, they form a potent, soapy, deep-cleansing trio that tackles excess oil and makeup with ease.

Immediately we can begin to see the contrast, with the Daily Facial Cleanser clearly being more suited to oilier skin types and the Gentle Skin Cleanser more suited to drier, sensitive skin types.

This fact is further reinforced when we compare their textures: the Daily Facial Cleanser is a gel that lathers into a foam for the deep cleansing of pores (making it great for oily skin types). The Gentle Skin Cleanser on the other hand is a non-lathering cream, thus making it more moisturizing and less likely to strip the moisture barrier (making it great for normal-to-dry/sensitive skin types).

Other points of note include: price, in which they are practically the same per fluid ounce, and fragrance, in which it has to be noted that the Daily Facial Cleanser does contain a "masking" fragrance, whereas the Gentle Skin Cleanser is completely fragrance-free. Furthermore, while the Daily Facial Cleanser is to be used on the face, the Gentle Skin Cleanser is for the face and body.

This article was originally published on June 28th 2022, but it has been reviewed and updated with the latest available information on February 7th 2024 by Sara Mckay, MA.