We're always game to splurge on trendy new luxury skin care products, though more often than not, you can find us hunting for the best drugstore brands that deliver real results for our skin woes.
And through our research, we've found that Cetaphil is one of those brands. The company was founded in 1947 by a pharmacist hoping to help treat patients with sensitive skin and launched its first product, the Cetaphil Cleansing Lotion — now known as the Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser. The name Cetaphil comes from the hydrating ingredient, cetearyl alcohol, and the root word "-phil," which means love.
All these years later, the brand still puts sensitive skin first when creating its products. The range of formulas feature ingredients like niacinamide (vitamin B3), panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) and glycerin to help calm inflammation, reduce dryness and maintain your skin barrier's proper function, the brand says.
So, are its products really good for your skin? And which ones are worth trying? We consulted with dermatologists to get all of the info.
Best for oily skin$14.38$17.99
Do dermatologists recommend Cetaphil?
Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Noah Gratch, says that he's a fan of Cetaphil and often recommends the brand in his practice "because it is gentle and dermatologist designed."
Dr. Brendon Camp, a dermatologist in New York City says that Cetaphil is one of "the most commonly recommended skin care brands by dermatologists" because of its commitment to skin health, the range of products and its efficacy.
Who should use Cetaphil?
While Cetaphil makes products for all skin types, they are geared toward those with sensitive skin. "They design their products advertised for sensitive skin with a pH balance that maintains the skin’s acid-alkaline balance and reinforces the skin’s natural barrier," says Gratch.
While anyone can use Cetaphil products, Gratch says, "I specifically recommend the brand to those with sensitive skin, excess oil, redness, or dehydrated skin, since they have a range of products targeted to these concerns."
Though, he notes that certain products contain ingredients like retinol or fragrances, which might be too harsh for those with eczema.
Below, we're sharing some of the top Cetaphil products recommended by both dermatologists and our staffers.
Best Cetaphil face products, according to experts and editors
"Cetaphil’s healing ointment can be used to address a number of skin concerns, like chapped lips, rough cuticles, and minor cuts and scrapes," Camp says.
It features petrolatum along with shea butter, so the brand says that it can hydrate skin for up to 48 hours.
Dr. Noelani González, a board-certified dermatologist at New York City’s Mount Sinai West, previously recommended this moisturizer for those with rosacea.
“This moisturizer is gentle enough for those with sensitive skin and contains a mineral sunscreen. It helps prevent any flare-ups from UV light and contains caffeine and allantoin to reduce the appearance of redness and hydrate skin. It’s a great bargain find."
Writer Jennifer Wirth previously shared that after using this serum for a month, her "under-eyes have completely transformed." Not only do they appear more hydrated, but she said that she even noticed a reduction in the appearance of fine lines.
"Whether I choose to go makeup-free for the day or apply full glam, I’m constantly shocked by how well this serum lasts," she said. "I no longer worry about my under-eye makeup ending up patchy after just a few hours due to the dry skin peeking from underneath."
“People with rosacea tend to have more sensitive skin, so it’s important to choose the right facial products. This gentle cleanser is a good choice because it does not contain soaps or fragrances and it actually can condition the skin as it cleanses,” says Westchester, New York-based dermatologist Dr. David E. Bank.
Camp says this daily moisturizer is "great for those with acne-prone skin," and appreciates how it has a mattifying effect "to limit the appearance of oil and shine." Even better? It's designed to provide SPF 30 protection.
Best Cetaphil body products, according to experts and editors
Dermatologist Dr. Marisa Garshick previously recommended this body wash for people with sensitive, dry skin. “It cleanses without stripping the skin of its natural moisture,” she said.
The brand says that it's gentle enough for daily use.
This daily moisturizer can be used anywhere on your face or body, from your cheeks to your dry knees. Camp calls it a "reliable daily moisturizer," and shares that ingredients like glycerin, panthenol and nicinamide help to smooth skin and maintain the integrity of the skin barrier.
"This is my holy grail body cream," says editorial assistant Madison San Miguel. "I have very dry skin and depending on the season, prone to eczema, so I’ve gone through many body products to narrow down my perfect match. This cream has continuously impressed me, as it is highly moisturizing year-round. I sometimes switch my products out for winter, but this cream is always in my routine. I use it for both my face and body, and one tub lasts me about 2 to 3 months. It also isn’t heavy or greasy!"
How we chose
We chose to highlight Cetaphil's products in this article, because it's a popular brand that's perfect for those looking for quality skin care products at an affordable price. We spoke with board-certified dermatologists to get their opinions on the brand and its products. All of the items listed above were recommended by dermatologists or editors who have had personal experiences with the products.
Meet our experts
At Shop TODAY, our reporters interview a range of qualified sources and experts to capture a wide scope of perspectives on a given topic. We also ensure that all expert guidance and recommendations are provided independently and without any undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Dr. Noah Gratch, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology who sees patients in Manhattan, Commack and Plainview, NY. He specializes in treating conditions like acne, eczema, hyperhidrosis and more well performing procedures for advanced skin cancer treatment.
- Dr. Brendan Camp, MD, is a dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology in New York City. He is double board-certified in dermatology and dermatopathology and is experienced in treating medical conditions such as acne, rosacea, eczema and more, as well as helping patients with cosmetic concerns and treatments.
- Dr. David E. Bank, MD, is a dermatologist and founder of The Center for Dermatology Cosmetic & Laser Surgery in Mount Kisco, New York.
- Dr. Marisa Garshick, MD, is a dermatologist in New York City and an assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Weill Cornell New York Presbyterian Medical Center.
- Dr. Noelani González, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at New York City’s Mount Sinai West in New York City. She has written book chapters and articles across the fields of cosmetic dermatology, surgical dermatology and more.
