Face felt tight after every wash and I got a few new bumps on my chin by week two. Stopped using it. Maybe fine for dry skin but my oily skin hated it
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Really wanted to like this. No perfume, simple face wash, exactly my thing. But my cheeks feel tight afterwards and I'm reaching for moisturiser straight away. I don't need that squeaky clean feeling. Just too drying for my skin unfortunately.
No breakouts or reactions on very sensitive skin, but it does little, leaves skin dull and can't remove sunscreen.
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“Aveeno calm and restore oat cleanser. My skin doesn’t break out at all with this. No reactions! But my skin is dull because it doesn’t do much and definitely can’t take off sunscreen.”
Super gentle and never stings even when their skin is angry.
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“the LRP hydrating one (the white bottle) is way better, super gentle, never stings even when my skin is angry.”
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most new reviewsIs using it right now and loving it, and sees no reason yet to try the Cetaphil alternative.
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“The CeraVe cream to foam is what I’m using right now and am loving it!”
An oily, acne-prone user who has tried many products says switching to Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser four months ago worked wonders for their breakouts.
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“But now I have switched to Cetaphil gentle skin cleanser since the last 4 months and it has worked wonders honestly.”
Broke them out, worse than any other CeraVe product.
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“every cerave product I’ve tried has broken me out, that face wash especially.”
Worked well after CeraVe repeatedly gave them texture and comedones.
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“Vanicream cleanser has worked well for me, OP.”
The Hydrating Cleanser is a forever rebuy that never leaves their skin tight.
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“the hydrating cleanser is my forever rebuy, never lets my skin feel tight after washing”
Dried their skin out badly, so they switched.
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“Yeah the foaming cleanser dried my skin out bad.”
Calls the Hydrating Cleanser a no-nonsense, affordable and reliable cleanser.
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“Cerave hydrating cleanser for a no nonsense cleanser that’s affordable and reliable”
Even one use of the Vanicream face wash leaves their skin tight and irritated, with tiny red bumps the next day.
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“Every time I use vanicream face wash even once my skin gets tight and irritated and I get tiny red bumps literally the next day.”
Loves the Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser (and the Double Repair moisturizer).
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“I love both of these products!”
The Cream-to-Foam Cleanser is probably their favourite cleanser ever.
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“I absolutely love the cream to foam cleanser. Probably my favorite cleanser I’ve ever tried.”
Loves the Hydrating Cleanser as a morning cleanser.
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“i really love the hydrating cleanser in the morning too!”
The only cleanser that isn't too drying for their combo-normal skin.
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“i have combo-normal skin and i only use LRP Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser. Anything else is too drying for me”
Too drying for their combo-normal skin.
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“Anything else is too drying for me (ex- Vanicream cleanser, Ceravae gentle hydrating cleanser is too drying for my skin)”
Too drying for their combo-normal skin.
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“Anything else is too drying for me (ex- Vanicream cleanser, Ceravae gentle hydrating cleanser is too drying for my skin)”
Redness and flakiness improved within a week of switching.
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“I switched to LRP Purifying Foaming Cleanser and I saw improvements in redness and flakiness in about a week or so.”
Their skin didn’t like it, so they switched cleansers.
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“My skin doesn’t like Cera Ve foaming facial cleanser.”
The Vanicream cleanser is basic but never irritates their skin.
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“the vanicream cleanser is so basic but it never irritate my skin”
The foaming CeraVe cleanser doesn't strip, removes all makeup and doesn't sting the eyes.
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“It won’t strip and it gets every bit of makeup off and doesn’t even sting the eyes.”
A sensitive, combination-skin teen water polo player finds the Beauty of Joseon Green Plum Refreshing Cleanser dries their skin out.
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“or dry my skin out (bc cleanser - beauty of joseon green plum)”
A game changer for their very dry skin.
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“Tatcha Rice Wash cleanser + Aestura ATOBARRIER365 line have been absolute game changers for my very dry skin”
A user who switched from Cetaphil finds the Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser lighter with no film or burn on angry-skin days, and the random red patches stopped after a week.
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“i switched to vanicream gentle cleanser after my skin decided cetaphil was suddenly the enemy.”
Has used CeraVe's Hydrating Cleanser with no tightness at all; it feels light but cleans fine.
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“I've used both and they don't make you feel any tightness whatsoever.”
Has used the Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser with no tightness at all.
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“I've used both and they don't make you feel any tightness whatsoever.”
With very sensitive, rosacea-prone skin, they love the Tatcha Rice Wash.
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“I’m very sensitive, have rosacea, and my skin is temperamental, I love Tatcha rice wash”
Loves it as one of their favourite bargain skincare products.
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“I love the CeraVe night cream, the cream to foam face wash, the lotion in in the tub”
During and after a fluorouracil reaction, the CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser didn't bother their skin.
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“My dermatologist has me using a gentle cleanser (Cerave hydrating doesn’t bother me)”
The only cleanser that has worked for their dry skin after others dried them out.
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“The only thing I've found so far that worked for me was the La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Facial Cleanser.”
Their SKIN1004 Madagascar cleanser seems too harsh for their breakout-prone skin.
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“rn have the skin1004 madagascar one but it seems too harsh.”
The COSRX Good Morning cleanser was the only cleanser that didn't break them out.
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“the cosrx good morning one with bha was the only one that didnt inherently break me out”
CeraVe's salicylic acid face wash has done wonders for their skin, doesn't bleach fabrics like benzoyl peroxide, and the big bottle lasts forever.
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“it's done wonders for my skin, and it doesn't stain anything. I use the one by CeraV”
On their dry skin the CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser made them even drier.
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“Both this one and the CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser make even more dry, and I've no idea why.”
Vouches for the CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser: a no-fuss cleanser that doesn't strip the skin.
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“I can only vouch for the Cerave hydrating cleanser but it’s a great no fuss cleanser that doesn’t strip the skin”
A user says the CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser works well for them, especially as a morning cleanser.
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“I use the CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser. It works well for me, especially in the morning.”
Uses it on oily, slightly dehydrated skin and finds it perfect.
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“I use the SKIN1004 light cleansing oil and it’s perfect.”
Had no issues with the BoJ Ginseng Cleansing Oil, though they disliked the ginseng scent and switched to try another.
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“I had no issues with the BOJ oil cleanser”
Two years with the Green Plum cleanser as part of a BoJ routine: a big early improvement that has since faded.
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“Initially, they really improved my skin. Over the last year, however, I feel like my skin isn’t benefitting as much anymore”
Switched from a $40 cleanser for the price and their skin tolerates it well.
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“I recently switched from Alpha H Balancing Cleanser ($40) to Aveeno Calm + Restore Nourishing Oat Cleanser ($10-$15).”
One of the drugstore products that works well for their hormonal, acne-prone skin at 39.
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“I’m now using mostly drugstore skincare, and honestly, I’ve found some really great products!”
A long-time Sephora shopper lists Bioderma Sensibio micellar water among their holy-grail skincare products.
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“Bioderma Sensibio Wicellar Water”
On sensitive combination skin, the CeraVe Foaming Cleanser works great.
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“I have a foaming cleanser by Cerave for combination skin which work great.”
Lists it among their holy-grail cleansers.
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“My HG’s Vanicream gentle cleanser Thayers milky cleanser Prequel Gleanser”
Super gentle cleanser that suits their acne-prone, oily, sensitive skin.
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“I love the aveeno oat facial cleanser. Super gentle and good for my acne prone, oily and sensitive skin.”
Has used it as a no-rinse cleanser wiped off with a microfiber cloth for close to 10 years.
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“Cetaphil gentle cleanser specifically says it can be massaged in and wiped off.”
Part of a simplified routine with which their skin has never been better.
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“I just simplified my routine and my skin has never been better! Vanicream wash and moisturizer”
Noticed an exceptional improvement in skin texture after switching to it.
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“In my personal experience I noticed an exceptional difference after I switched to a rice wash (Tatcha brand).”
They're obsessed with this benzoyl peroxide wash because it doesn't dry out their skin at all, part of the routine that cleared their hormonal acne.
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“I also stated cerave acne foaming cream wash with 10% benzoyl peroxide (I am obsessed with it- it doesn’t dry out skin at all).”
On very oily skin it removes a stubborn tinted mineral sunscreen that regular soap won't.
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“I use a thick mattifying mineral tinted sunscreen that does not budge with regular soap. I use CeraVe Cream to Foam cleanser and it is magic!”
The gentlest cleanser they have found; part of the routine that finally calmed their inflamed skin.
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“Aveeno is the gentlest I found.”
A repurchase staple, unlike CeraVe which is terrible for their skin.
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“Also, the Cetaphil gentle cleanser. Cerave is terrible for my skin.”
It saved their skin from cystic acne when nothing else worked.
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“The inkey list salicylic cleanser. It saved my skin from cystic acne when nothing else worked!”
A long-time repurchase in their routine.
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“And honestly good ole CeraVe hydrating cleanser.”
The most effective cleansing oil they've tried for blackheads, and it didn't break them out.
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“I've tried a couple different cleansing oils and BoJ's was the most effective (and didn't make me break out!).”
Suspects it caused breakouts on their sensitive, dry skin, both when first bought and with recent heavier use.
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“When i got it years ago I bought it alongside many other Anua products and broke out BAD.”
Trying it as a new cleanser and liking it so far; applied to dry skin before rinsing.
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“I’m trying out the squalane cleanser from The Ordinary.”
A fixture in their routine for more than five years.
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“with portions of it (like my Cerave hydrating cleanser) sticking around even longer than that.”
Broke them out badly, while other oil cleansers don't.
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“Another vote for the Anua oil cleanser. That stuff broke me out horribly.”
Broke out a lot while using it and cleared up after stopping.
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“Get rid of this oil cleanser! I was breaking out so much while using it!! Once I stopped, my skin started to get clear.”
A user loves the INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm: it removes even waterproof mascara, leaves skin soft and feels soothing thanks to colloidal oatmeal.
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“I love the Inkey lists oat balm cleanser it removes even the toughest waterproof mascara and leaves my skin soft.”
With rosacea and sensitive skin they've used it for years without breakouts or irritation and always come back when they stray.
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“Vanicream gentle facial cleanser and their daily facial moisturizer. They’re both just solid and get the job done.”
Dried out their acne-prone skin far too much.
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“I tried cera ve foaming cleanser and it dried out my skin wayyyy too much.”
Part of a simplified routine for sensitive skin that has their skin looking better than ever.
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“Kose Softymo Speedy Cleansing Oil, Vanicream Gentle Cleanser, and Dieux Skin Mercy. My skin has never looked better”
Cleans effectively without being too stripping.
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“I found the Cerave cream to foam cleanser a good balance between effective and not too stripping.”
Has used it and finds it a little stripping, so suggests a gentler water-based cleanser.
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“I’m also familiar with the Cetaphil daily cleanser and it is a little stripping”
Still likes the Vanicream cleanser but can't use it daily; finds it harsh and needs a creamier one sometimes.
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“I still like the Vanicream cleanser, but I simply can’t use it every single day. I need to use a creamier cleanser sometimes.”
After Vanicream stripped their skin, Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser seems to be working well.
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“I'm using cetaphil gentle skin cleanser and it seems to be working well for me.”
Someone with dry, somewhat sensitive skin loves the Tatcha Rice Wash in colder months.
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“I have dry skin and love Tatcha in the cold months and Rhode cleanser in warm months.”
This user loves the Torriden DIVE-IN Cleansing Foam: it foams well, isn't drying, and lasts a long time for $17.
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“I’ve been loving torriden’s dive in face wash. It foams up well but is not drying at all.”
Chronically ill with type 2 rosacea that cleansing balms started triggering, they now swear by Bioderma Sensibio, and on low-energy days a cotton-pad swipe with it is enough.
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“Now I swear by Bioderma Sensibio”
Vanicream cleanser stripped their face until it squeaked, then they broke out.
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“I have no idea why but vanicream cleanser strips my face so bad. The first time I used it I was literally squeaking then got pimples.”
After over-using tretinoin left their skin irritated and dehydrated, they find the Cetaphil gentle cleanser too harsh and are thinking of switching back to another cleanser.
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“i think cetaphil gentle cleanser is to harsh for me.”
They love Bioderma micellar waters and rate the Sensibio as great for wiping off SPF and makeup gently with cotton pads.
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“personally i love bioderma micellars - the sensibio is great”
Loved the Vanicream cleanser but switched to LRP Toleriane, which is much kinder to their skin.
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“I switched from the Vanicream cleanser to the La Roche Posay Toleraine cleanser and it is much kinder to my skin. And i say this when I loved the Vanicream cleanser.”
For someone with dehydrated skin, the Tatcha Rice Wash leaves skin silky and hydrated, holy grail material.
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“The tatcha rice wash makes my skin feel so silky and hydrated! Definitely holy grail material”
Someone with very dry skin found the Tatcha Rice Wash luxurious and mildly exfoliating, but it gave them closed comedones.
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“The tatcha gave me closed comedones, although it was a luxurious experience and mildly scrubby/exfoliating.”
This user used to love the Tatcha Rice Wash, but since developing rosacea finds it abrasive and too fragranced.
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“I used to love the Tatcha one now my skin has rosacea and is drier and very sensitive and I can't use it”
This user wasn't a fan of the Tatcha Rice Wash and gave theirs away.
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“I’ve only tried the Tatcha one and I’m not really a huge fan of it”
This user used to love the Glow Recipe Avocado cleanser, but can't use it since developing rosacea because of its fragrance.
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“I used to love their avocado cleanser and cloudberry moisturizer. Can't use either anymore because rosacea showed up to the party.”
Using Beauty of Joseon's Ginseng Cleansing Oil religiously alongside daily azelaic and retinal creams, they find it gentle and balancing.
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“I have been using their Ginseng cleaning oil, Rice Milk toner, and Glow Deep Serum religiously.”
Likes it, even though CeraVe's moisturisers were too drying for them.
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“I do like their hydrating cleanser though”
Pricier, but it has never broken them out.
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“I went back to First Aid Beauty's cleanser. It's more expensive but has never broken me out!”
Really damaged their skin barrier.
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“I’ve used the cerave salicylic cleanser and it really messed up my skin barrier.”
With perioral dermatitis, cutting their routine down to Vanicream cleanser and moisturizer gave a lot of relief.
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“I got a lot of relief from cutting down my skincare routine to just vanicream cleanser and moisturizer.”
After years of using Cetaphil gentle cleanser without trouble, it started giving them rashes and breakouts over the past year.
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“Im so upset because ive been using it for years and up until last year it started to irritate my skin so bad.”
Their rosacea responds well to Tatcha's Rice Wash.
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“My rosacea responds well to Tatcha rice wash, calming rice polish, and indigo overnight.”
With the CeraVe tub cream, fixed a years-long wrecked barrier.
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“It’s fixed my wrecked skin barrier that I’ve been dealing with for a couple of years.”
Has lately been loving the Glow Recipe avocado cleanser for its rich, full-fat feel, though it is less creamy than a cream cleanser.
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“lately I’ve been loving the glow recipe avocado cleanser (less creamy, but gives me that “full fat” feel you’re describing).”
Bought a large bottle to remove makeup, but it doesn't really take makeup off.
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“I agree with you completely. It doesn't really remove makeup which is why I bought it. Now I have 16oz for nothing.”
Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser is their favourite cleanser, and their dry, sensitive skin loves it.
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“I have not been able to find this cleanser (my favorite) anywhere in person or online.”
It and a CeraVe moisturiser left them with clogged bumps that cleared after switching.
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“I had the same issue with CeraVe (foaming facial cleanser and moisturizer)”
Uses it every two days and it works great, with no bumpy texture on the chin or nose.
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“I started something new last week and started using the squalane cleanser from the ordinary every two days.”
After a decade of use their cheeks and neck are full of clogged pores and closed comedones.
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“I've been using Cerave foaming face cleanser and daily moisturizing lotion for over a decade now. It's clearly not working for me anymore”
Surprised it left someone dry: it's one of the gentlest cleansers they've tried.
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“surprised the Aveeno one left you dry. It’s one of the gentlest cleansers I’ve tried”
Says they have loved this COSRX low pH cleanser for years.
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“I have loved the cosrx low ph good morning cleanser for years!”
Didn't break them out, but dried them out.
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“Cerave Oil Cleanser and Hydrating Facial Cleanser (didn’t break me out but dried me out)”
After many so-so high-end cleansers, finds Vanicream excellent and the cheapest, most accessible option.
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“I have used so many high end products that were just ok. This one is excellent & is the cheapest & most accessible.”
The Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser doesn't strip their sometimes-dehydrated skin, and the pump is handy.
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“It doesn't strip away moisture from my skin which can be dehydrated sometimes. It has a pump which is very convenient.”
Part of a minimal rosacea routine that made their skin look normal again.
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“At night CeraVe hydrating cleanser, azelaic acid and tolerane again.”
Their go-to basic face wash after giving up CeraVe because of niacinamide.
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“Vanicream face wash and I like their lotion. I had to give up on Cerave bc of the niacinamide.”
Used it on and off for years on finicky skin; dependable but a bit drying and dull.
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“I've been using the Vanicream Gentle Face Cleanser on and off for a few years and you nailed it lol. I'd like to switch to a more exciting cleanser that isn't as drying”
On oily sensitive skin it has helped a lot with texture.
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“Try using the cerave foaming one if u have oily sensitive skin, its helped alot especially with my texture it doesnt pop out as much anymore”
Finds it removes sunscreen and makeup really well without stripping their skin barrier.
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“the Cerave one takes my sunscreen and makeup off really well without stripping my barrier”
Found it a bit stripping and not gentle enough, preferring CeraVe's foaming oil cleanser.
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“The cream to foam was a bit stripping and on the solidly mild side. Which isn't gentle enough imo. I wouldn't suggest it unless your options are extremely limited. The CeraVe foaming oil cleanser is just strictly better.”
Finds it nice but it stings their eyes when cleansing near the lashes.
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“I bought the Aveeno Calm and Restore Nourishing Oat Cleanser (by recommendation of my sister). It’s nice…but it stings my eyes”
Likes it for being very basic, especially when their skin is dry.
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“cerave hydrating cleanser is very basic but that’s kind of why i like it, especially when my skin is dry”
Says it burns their eyes, leaving them looking like a sad raccoon.
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“Aveeno also burns my eyes :( I looked like a very sad raccoon after my most recent attempt to use their products”
Dehydrated, clog-prone skin on tretinoin: Tatcha Rice Wash after a balm keeps their skin clean and clog-free without drying, the clearest their skin has been.
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“The tatcha is really the key to keeping my skin clean and clog free and I don’t find it drying.”
Uses the Beauty of Joseon Green Plum cleanser as a light morning wash but doesn't love it, mainly because of its texture.
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“I’m currently using beauty of ioseon green plum cleanser. I don’t love it (more texture reasons)”
Oily skin uses the Tatcha Rice Wash, alongside other Tatcha cleansers, without problems.
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“I have oily skin and I can use the Rice wash, the deep cleanse and the new matcha one without problems.”
Loving it as a makeup remover before their regular cleanser.
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“I got the Centella Light Cleansing Oil for cheap at TJ Maxx and have been loving it, I use it as a makeup remover before a regular cleanser”
Broke them out; they think it was the main culprit.
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“the inkey oat cleansing balm broke me out personally, i’m willing to bet it’s the main culprit.”
Has loved the Pure Skin Face Cleanser's elegant formula for over a decade.
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“I love this cleanser and have been using it for more than a decade. Such an elegant formula.”
On tretinoin, their face turned bright red and warm right after using it.
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“I used it on my dry face and wiped it off with a warm damp cloth and instantly my whole face was lit up BRIGHT red and feeling pretty warm.”
Years of use on extremely sensitive skin with no breakouts or redness.
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“I’ve been using the cetaphil gentle cleanser for years and love it.”
A week into the Anua Heartleaf cleansing oil, an oily-skinned user developed clusters of bumps and whiteheads on their forehead.
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“Been using it for about a week now, and while my nose is fine… my forehead developed all of this.”
Their balm cleanser has caused breakouts on nights they skipped a second cleanse.
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“And my balm cleanser has caused me to breakout on multiple occasions because I didn't follow it up with a second cleanse”