Gentle Facial Cleanser

Worked well after CeraVe repeatedly gave them texture and comedones.

“Vanicream cleanser has worked well for me, OP.”

Even one use of the Vanicream face wash leaves their skin tight and irritated, with tiny red bumps the next day.

“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.”

Too drying for their combo-normal skin.

“Anything else is too drying for me (ex- Vanicream cleanser, Ceravae gentle hydrating cleanser is too drying for my skin)”

The Vanicream cleanser is basic but never irritates their skin.

“the vanicream cleanser is so basic but it never irritate my 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.

“i switched to vanicream gentle cleanser after my skin decided cetaphil was suddenly the enemy.”

Lists it among their holy-grail cleansers.

“My HG’s Vanicream gentle cleanser Thayers milky cleanser Prequel Gleanser”

Part of a simplified routine with which their skin has never been better.

“I just simplified my routine and my skin has never been better! Vanicream wash and moisturizer”

With rosacea and sensitive skin they've used it for years without breakouts or irritation and always come back when they stray.

“Vanicream gentle facial cleanser and their daily facial moisturizer. They’re both just solid and get the job done.”

Part of a simplified routine for sensitive skin that has their skin looking better than ever.

“Kose Softymo Speedy Cleansing Oil, Vanicream Gentle Cleanser, and Dieux Skin Mercy. My skin has never looked better”

Still likes the Vanicream cleanser but can't use it daily; finds it harsh and needs a creamier one sometimes.

“I still like the Vanicream cleanser, but I simply can’t use it every single day. I need to use a creamier cleanser sometimes.”

Vanicream cleanser stripped their face until it squeaked, then they broke out.

“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.”

Loved the Vanicream cleanser but switched to LRP Toleriane, which is much kinder to their skin.

“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.”

With perioral dermatitis, cutting their routine down to Vanicream cleanser and moisturizer gave a lot of relief.

“I got a lot of relief from cutting down my skincare routine to just vanicream cleanser and moisturizer.”

Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser is their favourite cleanser, and their dry, sensitive skin loves it.

“I have not been able to find this cleanser (my favorite) anywhere in person or online.”

After many so-so high-end cleansers, finds Vanicream excellent and the cheapest, most accessible option.

“I have used so many high end products that were just ok. This one is excellent & is the cheapest & most accessible.”

Their go-to basic face wash after giving up CeraVe because of niacinamide.

“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.

“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”

Shocked how bad the Vanicream cleanser was; fine with nearly every other cleanser.

“I was shocked how horrible the vanicream cleanser was, my skin felt and looked terrible.”

The Vanicream cleanser didn't agree with their skin, and they can't work out why.

“The Vanicream cleanser also did not agree with me and I can't figure out why.”

Doesn't remove sunscreen for them.

“I tried to tell him that this cleanser doesn't usually take off sunscreen”

Flared up their rosacea, so they stopped using it.

“The vanicream cleanser flared my rosacea :(”

Washing with it morning and evening was the only thing that cleared their closed comedones.

“the only thing that got rid of the CCs was morning and evening wash with vanicream face wash.”

Fungal-acne safe and saved their skin, alongside Bioderma micellar water.

“You should try the vanicream gentle facial cleanser and the bioderma micellar water. Both are fungal acne safe, and has saved my skin tbh”

Skin never felt clean and they got more sebaceous filaments.

“I tried the Vanicream cleanser and unfortunately my skin never felt clean and I had more sebaceous filaments on my nose with it.”

Made their sensitive, rosacea-prone face burn.

“When I first switched from Cerave, I went to Vanicream facial cleanser - which made my face burn.”

After spending heavily on cleansers, Vanicream is the only one that worked and cut their breakouts.

“Vanicream face wash is the only one that worked for me - I've spent thousands on all different types of cleansers like l'oreal, khiels, micellar and ive noticed a significant reduction in breakouts”

Found the Vanicream Gentle Cleanser too harsh and switched to Torriden Dive In.

“Vanicream Gentle Cleanser was too harsh for me too. I was trying just water after this for a little while but still had some drying.”

The Vanicream cleanser breaks them out; they can't use it at all.

“The vanicream cleanser breaks a lot of people out including me I can’t use it at all.”

Finds it drying on normal-combination skin.

“I find Vanicream to be drying for my normal-combination skin”

The Vanicream cleanser dried out their sensitive skin.

“My sensitive skin found this even more gentle than the Vanicream cleanser, which dried me out”

A week on Vanicream cleanser brought little whiteheads across the forehead and a new chin pimple.

“Most recently, for the past week, I’ve been using the vanicream and I’ve got these little white heads all over my forehead and a new chin pimple.”

Their skin gets dry unless they moisturize right after.

“I use the Vanicream cleanser but my skin will get dry if I don’t moisturize right away.”

Leaves their skin feeling stripped.

“I've tried CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser, Vanicream Gentle Cleanser, Aveeno Oat Cleanser, and the La Roche-Posay (LRP) Hydrating Cleanser. All of them leave my skin feeling stripped”

The worst cleanser for tightness in their experience.

“My skin also feels tight after most cleansers (Vanicream is literally the worst imo!) and I can use the Ordinary one without much issue.”

After testing it, they find the Vanicream cleanser really hard to rinse off.

“I haven’t experienced the same foamy issue as you with the Vanicream cleanser, but I have found it really difficult to wash/rinse off.”

Very acne-prone; loves the Vanicream face wash enough to buy the brand's serum and lotion too.

“Currently I use the vanicream face wash, and have been loving it. So much so that I went and bought the vitamin c serum and face lotion of the same brand.”

Got irritated, textured patches like breakouts after using Vanicream cleanser only twice, and noticed it left a film on their skin.

“Just popping in to add that I also had an immediate bad reaction to Vanicream cleanser.”

Brought out the worst in their skin.

“Cue Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser- it brought all the bad out of my skin.”

Very drying, so they skip morning cleansing now.

“this vanicream cleanser has been drying the HELL out of my skin, i don’t even wash my face in the morning anymore”

Broke them out whenever they used it.

“I noticed whenever I used vanicream face wash I would get a breakout.”

Swears by Vanicream cleanser; at their skin's worst it was the only thing that didn't make it worse.

“I swear by the vanicream cleanser so maybe I’m biased. When my skin was it’s worst it was the only thing that didn’t cause more trouble.”

After another cleanser gave them red bumps, going back to their Vanicream cleanser cleared their skin within 2 days.

“But after going back to my vanicream and a gentle hydrating moisturizer it all cleared out after using it for 2 days.”

Has perioral dermatitis, and the Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser definitely makes it worse.

“By the way, I’m dealing with perioral dermatitis and the Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser definitely makes it worse.”

Using the Vanicream cleanser and moisturizer while repairing a damaged barrier, they find the cleanser slightly drying, especially around the eyes.

“The wash is slightly drying out my skin (I feel my eyes especially being dried out).”

Didn't care for the Vanicream face wash, which really dried them out.

“I know a lot of people say they live by vanicream… but it really dries me out, the wash I didn’t care for”

Could use it even when their skin was sunburned or damaged.

“i was able to use it even when my skin was sunburned, damaged, allergic reactions etc.”

Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser changed their skin for the better.

“Vanicream my love! Their gentle facial cleanser changed my skin for the better. I'll give the Cetaphil cleanser a try when I'm out of the Vanicream one.”

Their favourite cleanser, alongside Vanicream's moisturizers.

“Vanicream Gentle Cleanser is my favorite, along with the Daily Facial Moisturizer (day/night moisturizer) and Moisturizing Cream (for slugging).”

Loves the Vanicream cleanser and always keeps a bottle for when skin is sensitive, though it's a bit boring.

“I absolutely love the vanicream cleanser though. I don’t use it daily because I feel like it’s a little “boring” but I will always have a bottle in my cabinet”

Uses it on extremely sensitive skin and says it works super well.

“I have extremely sensitive skin and use VaniCream unscented Gentle cleanser, it works super well for me”

Started breaking out badly after adding the Vanicream cleanser; their skin cleared when they switched cleansers while travelling, and they suspect the coconut-derived ingredients.

“I did make the mistake of incorporating several products at once but couldn’t figure out why I suddenly started breaking out like crazy.”

Vanicream cleanser gave them the worst skin texture of their life, with closed comedones and whiteheads.

“vanicream cleanser has given me literally the worst skin texture of my life (CCs and white heads everywhere.)”

Says the Vanicream cleanser was a nightmare for their skin too.

“I’m sorry it didn’t work out for you. Vanicream cleanser was a nightmare for my skin too.”

The Vanicream cleanser has done wonders for their skin, but they dislike that the Amazon packaging has no tamper seal.

“This cleanser has been great for me and has done wonders for my skin, however I am not fan of the packaging.”

Vanicream cleanser feels nice going on, but afterwards skin feels tight and gets very oily during the day.

“I've had the exact same experience with the Vanicream cleanser. It feels great to apply, but once I wash it off, my skin feels tight and grows super oily throughout the day.”

Had high hopes for the Vanicream cleanser, but skin got bumpy whenever they washed with it.

“sadly, i found that my skin would become bumpy whenever i washed my face with it.”

Great ingredients but too drying for their face.

“Vanicream Gentle Cleanser: great ingredients but was too drying for my face”

With dermatitis and very sensitive skin, has used Vanicream's cleanser and moisturizer for years without problems.

“I have dermatitis/really sensitive skin and I’ve used their cleanser + moisturizer for years and have had no problem”

With a damaged barrier, found the Vanicream cleanser super stripping and drying; it made skin worse.

“the vanicream cleanser literally has sodium chloride (🧂), super stripping and drying.”

Really likes it and the brand's lighter lotion.

“I really like Vanicream cleanser. I’ve never used the cream itself, but I have the lotion which is lighter and still amazing.”

Their holy grail cleanser on tretinoin, at an affordable price.

“Now my HG's are Vanicream cleanser and moisturizing cream (and lotion). Soooo glad to have found quality products at such an affordable price.”

Loves it; glad they found it through Reddit.

“I found out about the vanicream cleanser on this sub and I'm so glad I did. Love it!”

Dry, sensitive, acne-prone skin does well with micellar water followed by the Vanicream cleanser.

“I have dry and sensitive acne prone skin too and what works for me personally is using micellar water and then the vanicream cleanser.”

Switched to Vanicream after breakouts and finds it even gentler than Cetaphil; loving it.

“While I'm still unsure on the whole thing, I found it even more gentle than cetaphil and I'm absolutely loving it.”

After CeraVe caused redness, the first night with it brought no extra redness and they plan to keep using it.

“That’s the one I got yesterday and last night when I used it I had no extra redness :) will be using this from now on”

Their face was textured, flaky and red the whole time they used it.

“I have been using the vanicream cleanser for the longest time and my face was always horrible. Very textured, flaky, red, blotchy, you name it.”

Combination, sensitive skin: 1.5 weeks in after switching from La Roche-Posay, they find Vanicream cleanses without drying and prefer it.

“I started using Vanicream about 1.5 weeks ago switching from LRP. I haven’t noticed any drying personally and I do prefer Vanicream over the LRP one now!”

Used Vanicream cleanser but found it too drying for their skin.

“i’ve used vanicream but i’ve found it too drying for some reason.”

Finds the Vanicream cleanser super gentle and non-stripping, though it may not clean deeply enough for everyone.

“I find the vanicream cleanser super gentle and non stripping, but it could also mean that it’s not thoroughly cleansing the skin because your skin needs something more.”

Got bumps on their face every time they used it.

“I had no much luck with their cleanser, idk why its gave me bumps on face everytime i use the cleanser”

Says they really like it as a gentle facial cleanser.

“I really like Vanicream’s gentle facial cleanser! Also if you want to try an oil cleanser”

Cleared mysterious forehead bumps that didn't respond to acne or fungal-acne treatments; switching everything to Vanicream saved their skin.

“This cleanser completely cleared up these little bumps on my forehead 😍 I could never figure out what they were!!! They seemed like irritated pores or clogged or something.”

Rosacea-prone skin went dry, red and peeling after a single use of the Vanicream cleanser.

“Bought it yesterday, and I’ve just used it once — and my face is dry/red/angry/peeling.”

Thinks Vanicream cleanser is great, but without follow-up products their face would feel dry and tight.

“Vanicream cleanser is great but if I only used that and didn't follow up with any other product, my face would be so dry and tight.”

Uses it and finds it great and similar to Aveeno's gel cleanser.

“The vanicream cleanser is very similar! My mom used to use the Aveeno one and I use the Vanicream and they’re both great”

The Vanicream cleanser and tub moisturizer seemed to dry them out and irritate.

“I then tried the vanicream cleanser and moisturizer from the tub and that seemed to dry me out more and irritate my skin”

Switched from the CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser and likes it much more, on sensitive rosacea-prone skin.

“Agree! I made the same switch a while ago on a whim but I like the vanicream way more”

A month in and liking it; it has helped with their facial eczema patches.

“I've been using this for about a month and I really like it. I have a few eczema patches on my face and this cleanser has been helping.”

Their favourite cleanser: the only one in 20 years that hasn't stripped their skin or caused breakouts.

“This is my favorite cleanser it’s the only one I’ve found in 20 years that hasn’t stripped my skin or caused breakouts”

Works well as a replacement for the CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser.

“I recently switched from Cerave Hydrating Cleanser to the Vanicream Gentle cleanser due to Cerave being out at several stores near me. It actually works well for me and ended up being a good replacement.”

It is one of their favourite cleansers.

“Some of them are my faves too, love the Vanicream cleanser, Eucerin lip balm and Cicaplast.”

Removes makeup easily with a clean feel and little foam, on sensitive acne-prone skin during isotretinoin.

“I love the facial cleanser as it gets my makeup off easily, has a slick, clean feel, and no intense foaming.”

Years of use without a single issue.

“I’ve been using Vanicream Cleanser and their moisturizing lotion (formerly known as lite lotion) for years. I love the quality and have never had any issues with them.”

Too drying for their very dry skin.

“I wanted to love that cleanser so much, but it’s just too drying for me.”

Harsher and more drying than Vanicream's Free and Clear cleanser.

“it actually less harsh and less drying than the regular Vanicream cleanser.”

Most of their face feels stripped, which they blame on the Vanicream cleanser.

“About 80% of my face still feels stripped which is why I think it was the vanicream cleanser.”

The Vanicream cleanser felt drying and left their skin tight despite high hopes.

“The Vanicream cleanser felt drying and made my skin tight as well. I had such high hopes.”

One of the best cleansers they've used, and it never upsets their skin.

“Another one for Vanicream! Seriously one of the best cleaners I’ve ever used and it never does my skin wrong.”

Still swears by it years after trying it.

“I did get to go to a rep dinner once and got sent a whole box of vanicream products. To this day I swear by the cleanser!!!”

Super gentle for them after Cetaphil irritated their skin.

“I like both but I feel the vanicream is super gentle. I recommend trying it!”

The only cleanser that doesn't upset their very sensitive skin.

“Their Gentle Facial Cleanser is the only one that doesn't upset my *very* sensitive skin”

Helped calm the redness and swelling of newly sensitive eyelids.

“My eyelids recently developed a sensitivity and the cleanser and ointment have helped reduce the redness/swelling I was experiencing.”

Compared with Aveeno's gel cleanser, finds Vanicream's creamier and more hydrating.

“Vanicream is much more creamy and leaves my skin feeling more hydrated”

Broke their skin out in itchy red bumps.

“I wanted to love vanicream, but when I tried it my skin broke out into itchy red bumps.”

Harsher than expected, so they switched to Drunk Elephant's jelly cleanser.

“The vanicream cleanser was harsher than I expected. I switched over to the Drunk Elephant jelly cleanser. My skin is much happier.”

Irritated their skin badly enough to need barrier repair.

“last week I tried the Vanicream Gentle Cleanser for the first time since it's so highly rated and it really irritated the heck outta my skin.”

Never irritates them, unlike many cleansers that claim to be gentle.

“Vanicream Sensitive Skin cleanser! It never irritates me and I've been through a TON of cleansers that claim they're gentle.”

Loves the Vanicream cleanser as a happy medium between CeraVe's hydrating (not cleansing enough) and foaming (too drying) cleansers.

“I LOVE the Vanicream cleanser. I just bought it after reading a recommendation on this subreddit.”

Works for them after every CeraVe product broke them out.

“Yeah cerave broke me out. All their products did. Thankfully Vanicream cleanser & lite lotion work for me.”

Calls it a real blessing for their acne-prone skin.

“The Vanicream cleanser is a real blessing!”

From their own use: thinks it's excellent.

“I just switched to Vanicream gentle and I think it's the bomb...”

Wants to ditch the Vanicream cleanser because it leaves their skin very tight.

“I also think I need to ditch the vanicream cleanser. It makes my skin sooo tight.”

Six months into tretinoin, the Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser is a holy grail that soothes and never irritates.

“my holy grails during that time have been the Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser and Lite Lotion, since they’re the only products that soothe and don’t irritate.”