Gentle Exfoliating SA Cleanser — Reddit Reviews
by Cetaphil
Updated October 22, 2026
Salicylic acid and PHA unclog pores, smooth bumps; irritation risk with active-heavy routines.
What the community says
A rinse-off salicylic acid, gluconolactone, and mandelic acid cleanser aimed at clogged pores and uneven texture. It fits oily skin using a few times weekly, but tretinoin users and reactive, dry skin may find the combined exfoliation stinging.
What this means for you
What people love
Watch out for
- Can sting alongside tretinoin, adapalene, or azelaic acid
- Over-exfoliation can disrupt the barrier and mimic breakouts
- Some users report no meaningful exfoliation or pore improvement
Product details
Concerns
Use caution
Skin Type
Product Traits
Key Ingredients
Where to buy
Real Reddit threads — 63 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
“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
“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
“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
