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14 things you never knew about Cetaphil (like how to pronounce it)

It's one of the most ubiquitous drugstore products in the country, but what DON'T you know about Cetaphil and its myriad of uses.
/ Source: TODAY

Look in your bathroom: If you don't personally own a bottle of Cetaphil skin cleanser, you probably know someone who does. It's one of the most ubiquitous drugstore products in the country, yet there are a lot of uses that people may not know. Here are 14 things you need to know about this gentle giant of the skincare world.

Cetaphil

First things first:

1. It's pronounced SEET-a-phil.

Sorry, everyone who says "SET-a-phil!" But according to the brand's publicist, you've had it wrong this whole time.

2. It was invented by a pharmacist.

Originally dubbed "Cetaphil Cleansing Lotion," the first product was invented by a pharmacist in 1947 for dermatology needs. Cetaphil Cleansing Lotion was only available from select pharmacists in its early years, but quickly became a highly recommended product by dermatologists, pediatricians and other healthcare professionals to treat common skin conditions. Due to consumer demand, more drugstores began selling the increasingly popular cleanser and by the 1980s, it was available at all major retail stores across North America.

3. Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser still uses the original formula developed in 1947!

If it ain't broke...

4. You don't have to wash it off.

Many people do rinse the cleanser off with water, but you can also choose to gently wipe it off with just a washcloth or towel, especially if you have very sensitive skin that could use the extra moisture.

5. There's a Cetaphil baby line.

The paraben, colorant, and mineral oil-free Cetaphil for babies line includes Daily Lotion and Ultra Moisturizing Wash. All of the products are formulated with soothing and sweet-smelling calendula — perfect for little ones!

6. About one bottle of Gentle Skin Cleanser is sold every minute.

Woah.

7. And Cetaphil is currently sold in 82 countries around the world.

Although, some market the same product with a different name. For example, here in the U.S. You can buy a normal to oily cleanser called Daily Facial Cleanser, but in Australia it's called Cetaphil Oily Skin Cleanser.

8. You can use it to make a gentle, natural facial scrub.

Celebrity makeup artist Lauren Lazaro (clients include Taylor Swift, Ivanka Trump, and Regis Philbin), says she loves using Cetaphil mixed with raw oatmeal and sugar. "It's great for an all-natural exfoliation on your face, neck and chest," she says. "It gently removes dry, dead skin and leaves (you feeling) soft with a natural glow."

9. Some people even use it to wash their color-treated hair, though experts are skeptical.

There are entire articles on the Internet dedicated to this practice, but Marissa De Lory, the lead stylist at Facebook HQ in Menlo Park, CA, tells us she can't imagine why. De Lory, who is Aveda and Vidal Sassoon trained, says: "Cetaphil isn't targeted towards protecting color and there are so many good, salon quality and cost-effective products to specifically care for colored hair." She says Redken Color Extend and Paul Mitchell Color Care are great examples of salon-quality products that won't break the bank. "Save the Cetaphil for your face!"

10. Speaking of hair, it's considered an alternative for killing lice!

As the New York Times reported: "In one study published in the journal Pediatrics in 2004, 133 children with hard-to-treat head lice were recruited and subjected to a regimen that involved coating the hair with Cetaphil, combing it, then blow-drying it hardens and shampooing it out eight hours later ... This method produced a roughly 95 percent success rate when it was repeated once a week for three weeks. That beats the general success rate of more conventional treatments like Malathion (about 17 percent) and Dimethicone (about 73 percent)."

New York area Board Certified Dermatologist Dr. Rebecca Baxt agrees that this method works.

"Of course it must be done with the usual nit removal, and laundry and cleaning of the house," she adds.

11. Some people like to use Cetaphil to care for new piercings or tattoos.

A quick Google search will find lots of results when it comes to Cetaphil and piercings or tattoos. But is is safe?

Dermatologist Dr. Jill Waibel, the medical director of the Miami Dermatology and Laser Institute in Miami, Florida, says that post-tattoo and piercing care is similar to post-wound care. "A Cetaphil cleaner could be used," she says. "Also, since this treated as a wound, we would recommend Aquaphor, Vaseline, and antibiotics for two to three days after getting a tattoo." However, she adds, patients may be allergic to Polysporin or Neosporin, so it's best to consult a doctor before topically applying an ointment or cream you haven't used before.

12. You can use Cetaphil as a gentle, moisturizing alternative to shaving cream ...

This is especially great in the winter or for those of us prone to dry, itchy skin. (The Pioneer woman swears by it!)

13. ... eye makeup remover ...

Just use a drop on each eyelid, then gently massage and wipe off with a cotton ball or pad.

14. ... or even to clean your makeup brushes.

Just wet the brushes, add a dab of Cetaphil and thoroughly (but gently) wash the brush, then rinse!