Gentle Exfoliating SA Cleanser — Reddit Reviews
by Cetaphil
Updated September 23, 2026
Salicylic acid plus PHA cleanser that unclogs pores; can sting retinoid routines.
What the community says
A salicylic acid, gluconolactone, and mandelic acid cleanser for clogged pores, blackheads, and that too-greasy morning feeling. r/tretinoin users like it with spacing and short contact time. If your barrier is angry, it can sting.
What this means for you
What people love
- OTC BHA exfoliation in a cleanser
- Good for blackheads and clogged pores
- Layers into retinoid routines when used sparingly
Watch out for
Product details
Concerns
Use caution
Skin Type
Product Traits
Key Ingredients
Where to buy
Real Reddit threads — 58 mentions across 29 threads
Cetaphil Gentle Exfoliating SA Cleanser on Reddit, in one place — 29 threads from r/tretinoin, r/30PlusSkinCare and 5 more, summarized.
“Cetaphil gentle exfoliating SA cleanser”
Positive
“I even leave the SA cleanser on my skin for 1-2 mins as a ‘mask’ lol.”
Positive
“The moment I skip any of my steps the pimples start coming back.”
Positive
“before using the cetaphil gentle cleanser followed by more moisturizer”
Positive
“I like the cetaphil gentle cleanser because I don’t feel like I have to rub and rub to make sure it’s all off.”
Positive
“My skin gets absolutely pissed if I use too much friction or wash it too much”
Positive
“If you are going to use a Cetaphil cleanser, then go with the one with BHA, AHA & PHA.”
Mentioned
“cetaphil gentle SA cleanser is great”
Mentioned
“if you have adjusted, cetaphil gentle SA cleanser is great or panoxyl benzoyl 4% wash”
Mentioned
“do not use either on retinoid nights”
Mentioned
“Gentle Cetaphil cleanser & cold water”
Cautionary
“cerave and cetaphil are the common denominator for almost every single post with skin problems”
Cautionary
“I also don’t care for those CeraVe cleansers. If it were me I’d switch to a more gentle, hydrating and irritant free cleanser”
Cautionary
“BHA 2-3 times per week: Anua Heartleaf with BHA cleanser OR Cetaphil Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser.”
Mentioned
“A gentle cleanser daily, and a GENTLE exfoliant with 0.5% BHA 2-3 times per week should work well.”
Mentioned
“BHA 2-3 times per week”
Mentioned
