Last Updated on August 11, 2026 by omgbart
Running out of a facial cleanser while on vacation. First world problem. Finding Cetaphil Gentle Cleansing Bar in Costa Rica. Miracle. Humbled, but more importantly, properly cleansed again, I am thrilled to report on my new drugstore favorite! Getting this excited about a basic bar of soap confirms you can take the boy out of Poland but not the Poland out of the boy…
I forget why I haven’t been a fan of Cetaphil cleansers before. To me, the gel one smells funny; the creamier one is too heavy. As much as I have wanted to love the brand, which my own dermatologist raves about constantly, I have put this brand on ‘ignore’. Faced with a bare beauty kit and nothing at all at on the shelves at the local supermarket nor pharmacy, I felt very Carrie Bradshaw ‘Hello Lover’ upon seeing the Cetaphil Gentle Cleansing Bar.
Because nothing is easier to use than a bar of soap, the Dora the Explorer inside me skipped over the directions written in Spanish and took my new friend into the shower. Suitable for normal, dry and sensitive skin types, I can confirm that it works great on combination skin as well.
What Makes Cetaphil Gentle Cleansing Bar Different
Though it boasts head-to-toe cleansing ability, I have been using this Cetaphil bar exclusively on my face and getting remarkable results. Completely non-drying, with an almost comforting old-school scent of clean, white soap, it creates soft and rich lather that rinses off easily. It leaves skin feeling soft and never tight. Day or night, this Gentle Cleansing Bar has been the hero and gotten rid of every trace of heavily layered sunscreen, dirt, and CHANEL Les Beiges.
How I Use It
In addition to its outstanding cleansing performance, the bar offers hydrating benefits as well. In spite of the added fragrance, the soap is completely non-irritating and hypoallergenic, and is strangely soothing. It’s a solid option for anyone looking for a basic one-step face-and-body cleanser for the shower. If one of your 2015 resolutions is to shape up your beauty budget definitely check out Cetaphil.
I know that many skincare experts advise against using soap bar formulas on the face. Actually, I’ve had some pretty great experiences about which I’ve written in another post. I’d just never think to travel with a bar of soap, which isn’t exactly convenient. Needless to say, my Cetaphil Gentle Cleansing Bar is traveling back to New York with me in a ziplock bag.
Where to Buy Cetaphil Gentle Cleansing Bar
For more problematic skin, Cetaphil also offers a Deep Cleansing Bar.
$6 or around there per bar at iHerb.com and $9.99 for a 2-pack on amazon.com
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