The Product That Made Me Completely Rethink Cleansers

Whenever readers complain of dry skin, I advise them to switch from foams or gels to a cream cleanser. Do I take my own advice when suffering from dehydration? Erm, no. Because sadly, I’ve NEVER found a cream cleanser I really like. They just don’t get foamy enough for my liking. They leave my skin feeling like it has some creepy coat of something on it. All that changed today, when I received a package from my lovely friends at CeraVe, containing the brand’s latest launch, the new Hydrating Cream-To-Foam Cleanser.

After a quick test run, I’m ready to praise the minimalist Skincare Gods. I have finally found a cream cleanser, that I not only like, but am ready to integrate into my daily skincare regime. The light, silky texture slips onto the skin like a dream. I pop it on a damp face (loaded with a days worth of tired looking makeup), and massage. Within a few seconds, the luxurious cream transforms into a soft foam that whisks away all my sins, along with any prejudice I had against cream cleansers. Post-cleansing, no tightness, my skin feels clean, fresh, and hydrated. 

The secret? Like all of CeraVe’s dermatologist-developed products, the new Hydrating Cream-To-Foam Cleanser is formulated with three essential skin-loving Ceramides, to moisturise and strengthen the skin’s natural barrier. This one also contains Hyaluronic Acid, and an Amino Acid Surfactant that helps to dislodge grease, makeup, and dirt without disrupting the All Important Barrier. According to dermatologist Dr Eleni Yiasemides from SouthDerm, Sydney, the barrier can’t be underestimated.  

“The skin’s most important function is to act as a protective barrier to the external environment,” she explains. “This barrier function protects the internal organ and system from infections and parasites and provides important temperature control functions. A break in the barrier of the skin weakens the skin and makes it more prone to infection, loss of fluid (and then dehydration) and more prone to irritation and allergy. It’s also associated with diseases, such as eczema and rosacea,” she warns. 

One of the most common breaches of our barrier comes from cleansing too often and with something that’s too harsh. It’s a common problem .

“Over cleansing may strip the skin of the natural lipids that protect the barrier of the skin,” she adds. “Doing this may result in dry, irritated, red and itchy skin that is more prone to allergies.”

She emphasises the importance of using a good, non-irritating, soap-free cleanser. Music to my ears, having just discovered CeraVe’s gentle, soap-free Hydrating Cream-To-Foam Cleanser, that I actually enjoy using. Showcasing CeraVe’s patented Multivesicular Emulsion (MVE) Delivery Technology, this simple, one-step cleansing solution also helps to provide all-day hydration. With perfectly cleansed skin, I’m ready to add my arsenal of active serums. Cue the ABC’s of Vitamin serums – C and sunscreen in the morning, A and B at night. 

However, it’s not just about what you use, as Dr Eleni reminds us, HOW you cleanse is also important. 

Dr Eleni recommends cleansing just once a day (obviously at night), being more gentle when drying your face with your towel, and avoiding super hot water.

“Take care when showering as we tend to use more hot water in winter. Hot water physically dehydrates the skin, leaving it dry, more irritated and more likely to be sensitive. This can cause eczema and dermatitis to flare up. The temperature of the water can also flare up rosacea,” she adds.

All sound advice and easy tweaks to make to your existing routine. The best part? The new CeraVe Hydrating Cream-To-Foam Cleanser is also beautifully purse-friendly, too, at $21.99 from Chemist Warehouse. If that’s not a win, I don’t know what is. 

To read more about the CeraVe Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser, including a full ingredient list, visit this link. 

Story by Sigourney Cantelo. Photography by Claire Wallman. In association with CeraVe.