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A long-time favorite facial cleanser of people with sensitive skin is the latherless clear unscented cleanser, Cetaphil. It claims to have little to no irritating ingredients and will not strip natural oils from the skin during the cleansing process. It is soap-free, fragrance-free, and hypoallergenic.

Kroger has produced a private label version of this packaged in a similar style and color of container to catch the eye of Cetaphil shoppers and hopefully snag their dollars with the lower price and very similar formula.

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What is Cetaphil, anyway?

A company with a 70+ year history, Cetaphil is one of the top drugstore brands with a wide array of products all focused on face and body care for those with the most sensitive skin types. The line is ever- expanding but the cleansers are the hallmark of the line. I see new and different versions of products introduced from time to time to appeal to consumer demand. It’s good business to adapt to what people want. Features like lathering cleansers for people who just need that to feel clean.

Originally starting in Texas and launched in 1947,  the brand was developed by a pharmacist.  Wanting to help people with sensitive skin issues, products were created to treat and maintain healthy skin with no ingredients that aggravate sensitive skin.  The Gentle Skin cleanser was the very first product introduced in the line and remains popular even today.

Good stuff, right?

Sensitive skin consumers can find body creams and lotions, sun protection and treatment products like serums and eye creams. They even have formulas for babies.

How does Kroger brand gentle skin cleanser compare to Cetaphil?

Because the Cetaphil product line is primarily found in drugstores it won’t break the bank. It is affordable effective face and body care. Sales take place from time to time and even the lower priced Kroger version goes on sale.

People who use the product will claim Cetaphil is one of the gentlest cleaners you can use on your skin- even sensitive skin. The formula is clear and colorless with no scent whatsoever. It is a no-soap face wash, and it is free of ingredients that can strip or irritate delicate skin.

Comparing the normal to oily cleanser formula of both Kroger and Cetaphil, I cannot tell a difference at all. However, my wallet absolutely can.

The price difference can range from 30-40% less if you opt for the Kroger version based on sales, coupons, and other combinations of savings. If you are using this face wash one to two times per day you will be repurchasing it multiple times each year and the savings can add up.

People who wear heavy foundation and waterproof eye makeup will likely need an additional way to remove those products as the gentle skin cleanser do not have the ability to break down some types of cosmetics.

Final verdict of Kroger vs. Cetaphil: Kroger gets a green dot for this one.