Erin inquires…I have a question about facial cleansers. I have a lot of problems with mild acne, nothing awful, but still consistent and annoying. I have tried various prescriptions and asked a couple doctors, and they have all said a really good cleanser is Cetaphil since it is very gentle. But recently I went to my parents’ house and didn’t have any Cetaphil for several weeks, and suddenly my acne got better. So now I am wondering if Cetaphil might be making things worse. How can you tell if a cleanser will exacerbate acne? What things should I look for/avoid??? And is it possible that it’s better to just not wash your face at all???
The Left Brain reciprocates:
Thanks for the questions Erin. You’ve stimulated a brainy response.
Correlation is not causation
One of the most interesting aspects of your question is the logical connection you make between not using Cetaphil and the disappearance of your acne. Unfortunately, just because something is logical doesn’t mean that it is true. It’s one of the Beauty Brains Basic Beliefs: Two events happening at the same time do not mean they are related. They might be related but that doesn’t mean they are. Think about this, researchers have found that most bank robbers have eaten cheeseburgers within 24 hours of their heist. Does this mean that cheeseburgers and bank robbing are somehow related? Come to think of it, maybe that’s why they call him the Hamburgler.
So too could it be the case with Cetaphil and your acne. Without more evidence or testing you just can’t know if there is a real connection or it’s just a coincidence. Based on the ingredients in Cetaphilit’s most likely a coincidence.
Is Cetaphil making your acnes worse?
The most likely answer for the majority of people is NO, Let’s take a look at the ingredients.
Water, Cetyl Alcohol, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Stearyl Alcohol, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Butylparaben
The formula is mostly water (probably 90% water). The next ingredient is Cetyl Alcohol. This is not the regular kind of alcohol that you drink but a fatty alcohol derived from coconut oil. It (along with its cousin Stearyl Alcohol) will help bind with the oily materials on the face so they can then be washed away. Propylene Glycol is a humectant that will also help bind with oily materials on the skin and provide some moisturization. The Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) is the only true “cleanser” in the formula and it is in there at a relatively low level. It removes all the dirt and oil off your face. The last three ingredients are paraben preservatives that keep the product microbe free. We recently did a post on parabens.
The bottom line is that none of these ingredients by themselves has ever been shown to cause acne. SLS is an aggressive cleanser that can be irritating to some people so that could potentially be making things worse. You could also have a chemical sensitivity to any of these ingredients but that would really be rare.
Can you tell if a cleanser will make acne worse?
For any specific person, you can’t really tell unless you try it. Most any cleanser is designed to improve skin appearance not make it worse. However, if you want to be extra cautious you should buy products from larger, established brands. The companies that make these products will have spent a lot of money researching and testing their products to ensure they work well. Smaller companies do not have the money to invest in testing raising the possibility (albeit small) that their formulas could be exacerbating your acne.
What should you look for or avoid in a cleanser?
It’s an old study, but this one published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology looked at the comedogenicity (the ability to cause acne) of various cosmetic ingredients. Quoted from the article,
Ingredient offenders include isopropyl myristate and its analogs, such as isopropyl palmitate, isopropyl isostearate, butyl stearate, isostearyl neopentanoate, myristyl myristate, decyl oleate, octyl stearate, octyl palmitate or isocetyl stearate…
You should avoid any formula with these ingredients in it. This is not to suggest that the formulas are bad or will cause acne. It’s just that these ingredients could cause acne so are best avoided. One interesting note about this study is it was done in the early 1980s using animal testing. Currently, this is the only effective way to predict if a formula is going to cause acne. Since most companies do not use animal testing on there formulas any more, there is really no way to tell for sure.
Is it possible that it’s better to just not wash your face at all?
An interesting notion, but not one we here at the Beauty Brains can endorse. Washing your face removes excess oil, dead skin cells, dirt and even bacteria that accumulate daily. For some tips on the proper method, check out the information here.
And in the event that we haven’t turned you off to Cetaphil, you can purchase it right here.
What’s YOUR favorite cleanser? Leave a comment for the rest of the Beauty Brains community.
{ 41 comments… read them below or add one }
I’ve had derms tell me to use Cetaphil for acne too. I did, and came to the conclusion that their products are horrible. I used the cleanser for a year, when suddenly it began burning my face. I switched cleansers and saw an immediate improvement in the clarity of my skin. I also used the moisturizer for a long time. It made my skin greasy, yet I still had dry, flaky patches all over my face. I think Cetaphil is really meant for people with super sensitive skin; I don’t know why derms recommend it with a blanket approach.
What I learned: follow your gut when it comes to OTC skin products. There are so many products on the market, there’s no reason to stick with a something you have doubts about just because a doctor recommended it.
Those ingredients mentioned absolutely can cause acne or exacerbate it further. Another chemical to add to the list is PEG-100.
I would suggest sticking with cleansers/moisturizers that you obtain from a health food store. Use an all natural vegan/organic cleanser.
Furthermore you need to look at your diet. It is true that you are what you eat despite what physicians or your friends may tell you. Hydrogenated oils, dairy, sugar, soy, wheat, white flour are culprits not only in causing physical ailments to the body (auto-immune diseases etc.) but also cause acne.
There are only two ways that your body filters out used hormones and toxins from the body and that’s through your skin and/or lungs. People with acne on their face suggests that they are toxic. There are so many preservatives in the foods people eat today it’s no wonder our bodies are taking longer to decompose after death. We become toxic from the aforementioned foods/oils I mentioned. Hydrogenated oils are one heat molecule off from being “plastic” that’s right PLASTIC, think what that gunk is doing to your body. Surely something that close to plastic can’t be pushed out through the skin without clogging the pores and causing nasty breakouts.
If you eat like crap your skin will inherently reflect that. Hydrogenated oils are oils that have been super heated as to preserve longer on the store shelfs. Once heated to these super high temps the triglyceride chains become mutated and the body has not a clue how to rid itself of them. Hence having them hang around in your system wreaking havoc on the body. Anything from skin problems, to lethargy, to arthritis.
Oils to stay away from are hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated: vegetable oil, canola oil, safflower oil, sunflower oil, cottonseed oil etc. You can eat sunflower oil only if it is “coldpressed”.
Safe oils are: Extra Virgin Olive oil (not to be heated above 350 degrees in the oven or higher than medium heat on the stove, again over heated will also mutate the triglyceride chains in this oil causing it to be toxic.) Coconut oil, again cold pressed (not the crap you can get at your local “mart”) and lastly Palm oil, yes Palm oil it is loaded with beta carotene and vitamin E. You can heat Palm oil on high heat without any toxicity occuring. Coconut oil can be heated on high heat but only if you purchase a coconut oil that suggests “high heat” on the jar. Grapeseed oil is good too and will not smoke at higher heats although if you have female issues such as endometriosis it is best to stay away from this oil as it will cause unwanted inflammation.
The best thing to do is eat LIVE foods stay away from any prepackaged foods!!! Juice vegetables and fruits if you have access to a juicer, however stay away from fruits with a lot of sugar content: oranges, ripe bananas, etc. the more “bitter” the fruit the better. It took you a long time to get toxic and will take a while to get “un-toxic”. So patience is needed.
Please also look into kidney cleanses, liver cleanse and parasite cleanses. You can google Hulda Clarke and find out her recipes for the cleanses and order her parasite cleanse, it’s very inexpensive and well worth it.
Please also feel free to further your knowledge on hydrogenated oils, parasites etc. by using your favorite search engine. You won’t look at foods the same again!
Good luck and remember that zinc, selenium, magnesium oratates, Omega 3, 6 & 9 along with beta carotene is important for beautiful, radiant skin. (stay away from Vitamin A it can be toxic in too large of doses) taking beta carotene instead is your better bet, the body converts what it needs into Vitamin A on its own in your system. Your body knows best!
Some great health websites:
http://www.relfe.com
http://www.knowthecause.com
(deals with mycotoxins, *fungus/*mold which also causes diseases and skin problems)
Hi, you talked about how hydrogenated oils are bad, but is it okay to have oils like corn, sunflower, canola, etc. that aren’t hydrogenated? Thank you and let me know!
I disagree, I think if you noticed your skin getting better while off Cetaphil, it’s probably not a coincidence.
It probably is the Sodium Laurel Sulfate. It causes acne/irritaiton in some people, like myself. I’ve stopped using Cetaphil and won’t use it again because of the SLS.
Hi Ashley, No corn oil or canola oil. Sunflower oil is okay if it is “cold pressed”.
Corn oil is toxic by itself and canola oil is a genetically manufactured oil that came from Canada. Hence the name, CAN-OLA (get it Can-ada)and yes it is partially hydrogenated.
Canola comes from the rape seed, the mustard family of plants. Rape is the most toxic of all food-oil plants and is actually a weed. Canola is used for soap, fuel, synthetic rubber base, a lubricant, strips the paint off airplanes and is most commonly used as a pesticide, yes a pesticide, insects won’t even eat it! Try putting some on your flowers, etc. you’ll see!
Effects of Canola Oil on the body:
Agglutinates the red blood corpuscles
loss of vision
emphysema, respiratory distress
anemia
constipation
irritability in humans and animals
blindness of animals
low birth weight in infants
increased incidence of heart disease and cancer
disruption of the central nervous system.
And because canola oil is high in omega-3 fatty acids, which easily become rancid and foul-smelling when subjected to oxygen and high temperatures, it must be deodorized. The standard deodorization process removes a large portion of the omega-3 fatty acids by turning them into trans fatty acids. (hydrogenated oil)
Unless the label says it’s trans fat free you’ll find that it’s partially hydrogenated and just crap.
Hope this helps
Best tips for clear skin:
Stay away from dairy products, concentrated sugars (honey, fruit juices), and chocolate.
Try supplements L-Glutathione and P5P (a particular form of vitamin B6)
We don’t recommend people take supplements as they’ve never been proven to have any positive effect.
I hate Cetaphil. Not only did my acne get worse with it, but no matter how much I scrubbed, my face still felt greasy all day after using it. Even if I cleaned with rubbing alcohol afterwards.
Now my mom, who’s 66, has had dry skin problems ever since her hysterectomy at 35, and roseasha(sp?), swears by the stuff. So maybe it’s good for older people or women past menopause. But not, that I’ve seen, for the acne prone.
My acne and other face irritation has improved dramatically since I stopped using facial cleansers (went from taking oral meds for it to having nearly none ever even without meds). I started just washing it with water and a washcloth most of the time and occasionally a little bit of all natural, locally made shampoo that is very mild and which doesn’t leave a detectable (to me) residue of any sort (no SLS, no alcohol, no silicones, etc.). I wouldn’t even need the shampoo probably except that waterproof makeup can be a bit stubborn. And the only exfoliator I use is a good ol’ washcloth.
Hulda Clarke. Seriously?
http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/Cancer/clark.html
As for Cetaphil, I don’t care for the smell. It’s just too medicine-y for me. I’ve been using Albolene (learned about it here on BB) and love it.
My grandmother had lovely skin and used olive oil. My mom can’t use oil or Cetaphil. We’re still looking for her ‘holy grail’ cleanser.
I’ve never tried cetaphil so can’t contribute there. but as to the question posed at the end:
My fav cleanser is plain old noxzema. One ingredient type that I think should get more attention than it does (which is currently none) as potentially bad in facial cleansers and moisturizers is silicones. I struggled for years with cystic acne, even while using supposedly noncomodegenic products. A friend suggested I cut silicones, and within a month my face was clear…if still scarred. i have no desire to start using them again in an effort to scientifically prove a correlation, though, lol. but here and there on forums you’ll find a few people who have the same circumstantial evidence.
@Dani Page
“There are only two ways that your body filters out used hormones and toxins from the body and that’s through your skin and/or lungs.”
Hi, wow, wrong. The two ways your body excretes metabolites and those pernicious toxins all-natural advocates seem to detect in every “modern” or mass produced product are you liver, which is your blood filter and your kidneys. You alimentary canal also removes waste, but I’ve always thought of that process being more akin to an assembly line processing nutrients and leaving waste behind instead of actively removing it.
Also your “one heat molecule off” comment belies a fundamental mistunderstanding of chemistry. Two which molecule, specifically, do you refer? And do you understand that that one, pesky little chemical change can alter everything about how that substance functions? It doesn’t matter how close it is to another substance, because it isn’t that substance.
@ The OP, could it be now that you’re back with your parents something else changed? I’m kind of sad the Beauty Brains did not use this opportunity to point of the possible instance of a third, causal variable. Are you under less (or maybe more) stress? Has your diet improved? Did you change states/climate zones when you moved? Different laundry detergent? I cannot speak to whether Cetaphil is the devil, as many comments seem to imply, but I can tell you before anyone deduces a causal correlation, all the other potentially confounding variables need to be addressed and dismissed.
And by “Two” I mean “To.”
Oh, Jess, thank you for responding to Dani’s nonsense. I started to, but I was going to have a rage stroke if I continued.
There are only two ways that your body filters out used hormones and toxins from the body and that’s through your skin and/or lungs.
Yeah, those pesky livers and kidneys are just for decoration. Like feng shui but on the inside.
Thanks, Jess, for showing some sanity.
I have always thought that Cetaphil cleanser doesn’t thoroughly remove makeup (and therefore leaves behind makeup to clog the pores). It also may not be strong enough to clean very oily skin. When Erin was unable to use the Cetaphil, did she use a different cleanser? Maybe she started using one that adequately removed makeup, and/or sunscreen, and/or oil, and that was why her skin improved.
I agree with Jess’s comment that there may be one or more other variables that improved your skin. Going to a drier climate might make your skin less oily and sweaty. Using different hair products that are less comodegenic. Erin, if you don’t figure it out so you can duplicate it at home, you may have to move back in with your parents to have clear skin!
Your skin’s clearing could also be due to a hormonal change unrelated to anything you did or didn’t put on your skin. For myself, the hormones of pregnancy, and breast-feeding, cleared my skin. (The acne returned after weaning, unfortunately.)
i use lush products for face washing and all my cosmetic needs.
My clients use our TimeWise 3in1 cleanser for Combination Skin (oil-free formula) to help with mild or occasional acne outbreaks. I have zero complaints from anybody there.
For more acute acne conditions I have found that some clients have success using our Acne Treatment Gel with the daily cleansing routine but that hasn’t been 100% effective with every client; everybody’s skin is different. -Tony
Hi: There are actually 2 different Cetaphil Cleansers … the Beauty Brains have given the ingredients for the Gentle Skin Cleanser. There is also A Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser with a different formulation:
Ingredients: Water, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Acrylates/Steareth-20 Methacrylate Copolymer, Glycerin, PEG-200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Butylene Glycol, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Phenoxyethanol, Masking Fragrance, Panthenol, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Disodium EDTA, Methylparaben.
This product is recommended for “normal, combination or oily skin” … which product is Erin actually using? What do the Beauty Brains think of this second cleanser?
“People with acne on their face suggests that they are toxic.” That is complete drivel.
Cetiphil is probably not cleansing her face enough. I’ve used it before. hate. it. Its the derms. solution to everything. Cetiphil and steriod cream -its all they know.
First, let me just say, I don’t see how animal testing can be the only way to determine if ingredients cause acne. What about testing on actual people? Am I missing something here?
Okay, now that’s out of the way. I have to say the only thing that has ever solved my HORMONAL acne problems is a prescription drug (popular in Europe) called Spironolactone. I was on it for about 12 years and then 4 months ago decided to quit. Well, my acne (and facial hair) came back full force and the hair on my head started falling out en masse. I’m now back on it and waiting for things to normalize.
Spironolactone didn’t have any side effects for me except for a diuretic effect (which actually helps since I tend to retain water easily). It is a potassium-sparing diuretic, so not a dangerous one.
Obviously you should talk to your doctor before making the decision to take it. I recommend it.
Here’s more info:
http://acne.about.com/od/acnetreatments/a/spironolactone.htm
http://www.drugs.com/spironolactone.html
As a Medical therapist I see alot of problems with people who over cleanse their skin, cetaphil is OK just don’t wash with it more than once a day and then only at night time. Wash your face in the morning with just warm water and a washcloth. It is also important to use some salycinic (BHA) acid on your skin to keep the oil from accumalting in your pores you can look for this a lotion or cleanser form and a zinc based sunblock like Uberzinc or Face from Intelligent suncare.
Just wanted to add to my above comment …. the Amazon link (with photo) in this post is for the Daily Facial Cleanser NOT the Gentle Skin Cleanser; therefore the ingredients given by the Beauty Brains is incorrect. For anyone interested in finding out which ingredients are in which product, the official Cetaphil site has a complete listing, as does drugstore.com. I would still like to know what the Brains think of the Daily Facial Cleanser.
What about testing on actual people? Am I missing something here?
That’s pretty unethical. No scientist *enjoys* working on animals but until there are more advances on computer modelling and lab-generated organ systems from stem-cells they’re pretty much our only alternative.
Testing on actual people is done too (e.g. patch testing). But some tests like eye irritation and inhalation tests could potentially blind or kill people. Obviously, that can’t be done.
Cetaphil (GENTLE!) dried the heck out of my skin and made it much much worse than anything else i’ve ever used. It’s terrible and I don’t know why it is always recommended by derms, etc. Try Neutrogena or Oil of Olay products, they seem to be a lot more gentle. I use a gentle face wash from Elizabeth Grady and it is outstanding. But unless you are in the Boston area, you’d have to order it online and it can be pricey.
Okay I have had acne for a really long time, but before I had acne I wasnt using anything on my face at all, my skin was perfectly clear, So in my opinion dont even fucking touch your face with anthing, just dont even touch it dont wash it with shit dont fucking cleanin it with some fucking store bought cleanser cause they dont work in the long run. if you have dirt or makeup on your face just use a bar of soap ar something, more likely just rinse it off with some water.
all the cleanes are just gonna fuck up your skin. And drink lots of water.
@Mercedes
wow, you sound really smart.
Testing is the safest way to make everything! Even an investment. Though, I believe the silver dollars are the best way! I’ve tried it.
Cetaphil has gotten a bad rap.
Sadly too many people use it the wrong way:
Cetaphil is not a cleanser that one uses like other soap:
You use it on dry skin- it melts away anything greasy,
gets in the pores, and gently removes residue and dead skin.
It’s like elmer’s glue in texture.. and it ‘pulls out’ of the skin
all that isn’t necessary.
If you use it correctly, on dry skin, and then massage in
lukewarm water, and rinse rinse rinse with luke warm
water.. you skin is kinda squeaky clean, and can recieve
whatever moisturizer or treatments you apply after patting dry.
This is not a foaming cleanser, but a lifesaver
for sensitive skin.. and skin that tends to break out.
i would have to say Propylene Glycol is the one that make acne worst.. google on propylene glycol and you will see that it is actually a form of cosmetic mineral oil! please stay out of products with ingredients of propelene glycol ,
as for Sodium Lauryl Sulfate,STAY out from it!! the only one we should be fine with using SLS is its cousin, Sodium Laureth Sulfate!
I was using the Cetaphil for normal/oily skin for years and loved it. If you had told me it was making my acne worse, I would have rolled my eyes and ended the conversation. But on a fluke, I started washing my face with some homemade castille soap last month and my skin started clearing up. I’m still not convinced the castille cleared my skin, and will go back to cetaphil for several weeks to test this theory. But I think it’s very possible there is something in cetaphil that some of us react to – even though the ingredients list is benign.
Hey Beauty Brains,
What do you think about Derma 24 Anti-Oxidant Oil Free Daily Moisturizer?
Thank you,
Laura
I’m so confused about all the contradictory information. Sodium lauryl sulfate is listed on every list I can find for comedogenic ingredients. Same with the other SLS.
people,
U need 2 listen 2 what the beauty brains are telling u. Ur acne is coming from w/i ur body. Cleanse…detox…you’ll see. When ur blood is acidic, it causes your skin to burn and sometimes your eyes as well. The beauty brains know what their talking about. Don’t dismiss it..listen!!
Hi, I love Cetaphil cleanser! I am 40 and have had acne on and off since 35 – I had a really nice few years without it and it has come back recently (my periods also stopped not long after!), so I wonder about the hormonal thing though my doctor says it isn’t according to blood tests. Anyway, I use the Cetaphil on dry skin then rub it in with warm water and rinse it off with warm water – very thoroughly and it takes me about 5 minutes or so to wash my face. I use it a couple of times a day too. The difference is though, I have added glycerin to it and some essential oils to the mix (plus a bit of jojoba oil) and changed the cleanser myself a bit. I find it does the trick very nicely. The essential oils I add are rose geranium, lemon, clary sage, lavender, may chang, petitgrain, patchouli (dark), pink grapefruit. They are very good for acne prone skin and I also add them to my moisturisers. I have also still got acne treatment too, unfortunately, but the combo of things keeps it at bay and my skin is not bad at all now. I am not bothered about the use of long term acne treatment (Tazorac and Clindatech solution) as I am not having any kids any time soon and my doctor is monitoring me every three months anyway. I am pretty happy overall. I do like Cetaphil as I said but I think, as with most things, it comes down to individuals. Also, I looked at the study link from BB and it seems the experts also say that comedogenic ingredients will not always cause acne and some ingredients will cause acne in some people but not others. It is all about individual skin and bodily systems in the end. What works for you may not work for someone else. However, it is far better to use gentle cleansers on your face as over-drying will make acne worse and can also cause eczema for us older people with acne problems. (I never had it till I was 35!!). My other love regarding cleanser is Moo Goo milk wash – beautiful, gentle and does the job.
May I also add, it is important to use a toner after you wash your face to make sure you get the skin back in balance from cleansers that are too alkaline like soap. Also, you are preparing your skin for a moisturiser. Good toners are simple old white vinegar mixed with water or witch hazel extract in water (e.g double distilled witch hazel) like T N Dickinson’s witch hazel. Also, witch hazel is very good for all skin types. I guess it boils down to trial and error in the end and btw, the doctors or dermatologists don’t know everything and don’t get it right all the time – plus, as some have said, they always go for the same treatments. For example, I NEVER used coal tar or any steroid creams on my eczema that flares up when my skin gets over dried (not often now), I used a cream (natural) with Manuka honey and a natural vitamin e cream. Worked a treat. Really, if you can, you are better off going down the natural route to treating any skin condition but sometimes you need to use the conventional also.
My Dermatologist prescribed me sulfur atopic cream and I broke.out in little white pimples all over my.face so I quit using it…then a few yrs later I am trying to use cetaphil and it contains sulfates….my face is.breaking out really bad all over with little white heads…could I just be.allergic to this ingredient or will.my face.get worse before it gets better using sulfur containing cleansers????
What frustrating advice. Just because some ingredients aren’t usually known to cause acne doesn’t mean that that will be the case for everyone. Glycerin is touted as being noncomedogenic, but it sure as heck gives me acne. And it’s in freaking everything, just about. Cutting out products that contain it & having my acne improve is proof enough for me. If someone were arrogant enough to suggest that it’s coincidence…well, I wouldn’t be likely to take their advice too seriously.
I’m allergic to Propylene Glycol which is contained in both Cetaphil and Cerave’s facial cleansers. These two products were absolutely the cause of my acne/breakouts.
Unfortunately it took some personal trail and error with no help from
my dermatologist to figure this out. After telling him that I noticed both of the cleansers contain Propylene Glycol he responded, “Oh, Yes some people are allergic to that and it it’s known to irritate the skin.”
Many people are allergic to this chemical. Taking a quick glance at ingredients never hurts.
My derm offered these two cleansers because samples were given to him by the hundreds. Pretty inconsiderate I’d say.
Erin isn’t alone. Clinique has been known to make acne worse too, but for a very small minority. Maybe these people have some special conditions or something, that causes the apperantly beneficial chemicals into nightmare?
Like Dani, I would suggest ditching manufactured chemicals altogether and using natural/herbal cleansers for acne. Or better, make some yourself! That way, you can be absolutely sure of exactly what you are using.
There are several herbs that are quite effective against acne. I won’t try to hide the two downsides: first, you must find out that the herb you’d be using is suitable for your body or not. Second, it takes some time: there are no magic overnight cures in real herbal solutions, and don’t believe in the ads. You’ve got to keep at it, apply the gel regularly, or drink the teas timely, maintain the diet and all that. But you can be sure about two good things. First, it’s going to work, if you’ve looked up the right herbs. Second, you didn’t shovel in a truckload of chemicals your body simply wasn’t built to take.