Unlike my penchant for rotating as many new clothing items throughout my wardrobe as possible, I’m not one to switch up products in my skincare routine. I’ve struggled with acne ever since I was a premature pre-pubescent fifth grader (and I’m still traumatized by that time of my childhood!!). I grew quicker than everyone else in height (I was one of the tallest people in my grade believe it or not– 5’1 in fifth grade!), weight, and boob area. Unfortunately, I also dove into the horrible world of adolescent acne when my classmates’ faces were flawless. Damn you, genetics! I dealt with acne at a rapid rate, forcing my mom to use any treatments she could find in her bathroom cabinet on my young skin. Most of the time, that led to me soaking my face in tea tree oil and covering up each zit with tacky concealer that was two shades too light for me. Add braces and night headgear for three years and no, my puberty process could literally not get any worse. Although I eventually grew into my body and everyone else began to tower over me, I still struggled with massive breakouts that often plagued my face. Even my earliest posts on this old blog featured the chemical acne products I used from a younger age. Because of my skin’s volatility, I’ve ensured that my daily skincare items stay exactly the same unless it’s absolutely crucial to introduce something new. And this “something new” that I truly love is the Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser for Combination to Oily Skin. I used The Body Shop Vitamin E Gentle Face Wash for nearly 10 years, so changing my routine to incorporate the Cetaphil wash was a risk I’m happy I took. Cetaphil is an old, trusted brand that’s been around forever, so I knew the products couldn’t be that scary to introduce. This face wash is gentle, affordable, widely accessible, and beloved by dermatologists (what more could you want?). I didn’t experience any type of new acne when I started using the cleanser early last year. Upon first application, the product feels smooth like a thin lotion and it lathers well into a sudsy liquid. I love how the cleanser makes my skin feel ultra clean without being stripped of moisture and it’s kept my acne at bay (of course I still get the occasional spots, mostly due to stress) for over 12 months. I never have to worry about searching for my bottle’s replacement since it’s available at every drugstore and major retailer like Target and Walmart. If you’re looking for a cheap and satisfying cleanser, look no further than Cetaphil—you won’t be disappointed!
