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Home/Brand Safety/Cetaphil

Brand safety report

Cetaphil.

Ingredient safety analysis based on 5 products in our database.

Safety Score

4.6/10

Products

5

Flagged Ingredients

7

The report

Full breakdown.

Cetaphil

Fort Worth, TexasFounded 1947

Safety Score4.6/10Concerning

Cetaphil was created in 1947 by pharmacist for Galderma, a global dermatology company. The brand's Gentle Skin Cleanser was originally developed as a prescription cleanser for sensitive skin conditions and has since become one of the most recommended skincare products by dermatologists worldwide. Cetaphil is now owned by Galderma, which was previously a joint venture between L'Oréal and Nestlé before being sold to an investor consortium in 2019. While positioned as gentle and suitable for sensitive skin, Cetaphil products contain ingredients like propylparaben, methylparaben, sodium lauryl sulfate, and petroleum-derived compounds that some consumers and advocacy groups consider problematic. The brand's clinical positioning and dermatologist endorsements often shield it from ingredient scrutiny.

Products Analyzed

Cetaphil Daily Hydrating Lotion6/10

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser3/10

Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream4/10

Cetaphil Sheer Mineral Sunscreen SPF 506/10

Cetaphil Rich Hydrating Night Cream4/10

Flagged Ingredients Found

dimethicone(in 4 products)phenoxyethanol(in 4 products)polyethylene glycol(in 2 products)propylene glycolparabenspetroleum petrolatumsynthetic fragrance

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Who Owns Cetaphil?

PE / VC Backed

Parent Company

Galderma

Parent Industry

Dermatology

Galderma was acquired in 2019 by a consortium led by EQT Partners and Abu Dhabi Investment Authority. Galderma went public on the SIX Swiss Exchange in 2024. Previously, Galderma was a joint venture between L'Oreal and Nestle.

Corporate ownership does not automatically mean a product is unsafe. It means ingredient and sourcing decisions are influenced by a parent company whose primary business is dermatology. Consumers deserve to know who profits from their purchases.

The line

Products by Cetaphil.

View full ingredient analysis →

Cetaphil Daily Hydrating Lotion

Cetaphil Daily Hydrating Lotion

Cetaphil

Ingredients11

Flagged2

Safety Score6/10

dimethicone phenoxyethanol

Numbrrrz Organic Lip Balm

Numbrrrz

Organic Lip Balm

Ingredients4

Flagged0

Safety Score10/10

Organic Coconut Oil Organic Beeswax Organic Jojoba Oil Vitamin E

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View full ingredient analysis →

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser

Cetaphil

Ingredients8

Flagged2

Safety Score3/10

propylene glycol parabens

Numbrrrz Organic Lip Balm

Numbrrrz

Organic Lip Balm

Ingredients4

Flagged0

Safety Score10/10

Organic Coconut Oil Organic Beeswax Organic Jojoba Oil Vitamin E

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View full ingredient analysis →

Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream

Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream

Cetaphil

Ingredients13

Flagged4

Safety Score4/10

petroleum petrolatum dimethicone polyethylene glycol

Numbrrrz Organic Lip Balm

Numbrrrz

Organic Lip Balm

Ingredients4

Flagged0

Safety Score10/10

Organic Coconut Oil Organic Beeswax Organic Jojoba Oil Vitamin E

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View full ingredient analysis →

Cetaphil Sheer Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50

Cetaphil Sheer Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50

Cetaphil

Ingredients11

Flagged2

Safety Score6/10

dimethicone phenoxyethanol

Numbrrrz Organic Lip Balm

Numbrrrz

Organic Lip Balm

Ingredients4

Flagged0

Safety Score10/10

Organic Coconut Oil Organic Beeswax Organic Jojoba Oil Vitamin E

Shop Numbrrrz Instead

View full ingredient analysis →

Cetaphil Rich Hydrating Night Cream

Cetaphil Rich Hydrating Night Cream

Cetaphil

Ingredients13

Flagged4

Safety Score4/10

dimethicone polyethylene glycol phenoxyethanol

Numbrrrz Organic Lip Balm

Numbrrrz

Organic Lip Balm

Ingredients4

Flagged0

Safety Score10/10

Organic Coconut Oil Organic Beeswax Organic Jojoba Oil Vitamin E

Shop Numbrrrz Instead

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Flagged

Ingredients of concern.

7 different ingredients of concern across Cetaphil’s product line. Each links to a full safety analysis.

Parabens

A class of synthetic preservatives used to prevent microbial growth in cosmetics and personal care products. Parabens can mimic estrogen in the body, raising concerns about endocrine disruption and links to breast cancer.

In 1 of 5 Cetaphil products

Carcinogen LinkedHormone Disruptor

Petroleum / Petrolatum

A semi-solid mixture of hydrocarbons derived from petroleum refining. Widely used as a moisture barrier in lip balms, lotions, and ointments. When inadequately refined, it can be contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are linked to cancer.

In 1 of 5 Cetaphil products

Carcinogen Linked

Synthetic Fragrance

An umbrella term that can hide hundreds of undisclosed chemicals. Under US law, companies are not required to list individual fragrance components, which may include phthalates, musks, allergens, and sensitizers.

In 1 of 5 Cetaphil products

Hormone Disruptor

Polyethylene Glycol (PEG Compounds)

A family of petroleum-derived compounds used as emulsifiers, thickeners, solvents, and penetration enhancers. PEGs themselves are relatively low-toxicity, but they are frequently contaminated with ethylene oxide (a known carcinogen) and 1,4-dioxane.

In 2 of 5 Cetaphil products

Propylene Glycol

A synthetic liquid used as a humectant, solvent, and penetration enhancer in cosmetics. While considered safe at low concentrations, it is a skin irritant at higher levels and enhances absorption of other ingredients — including harmful ones.

In 1 of 5 Cetaphil products

Dimethicone

A silicone-based polymer widely used in cosmetics and skincare for its smoothing, water-repellent properties. Not toxic in itself, but creates a synthetic barrier that can trap impurities, clog pores, and is not biodegradable.

In 4 of 5 Cetaphil products

Phenoxyethanol

A glycol ether used as a preservative in cosmetics, often marketed as a 'safer' alternative to parabens. At regulated concentrations (up to 1%), it is generally well tolerated, but higher concentrations can cause irritation and are toxic to infants.

In 4 of 5 Cetaphil products

Browse all 50 toxic ingredients we track

Questions

Quick answers.

Who owns Cetaphil?

Cetaphil is owned by Galderma, a global dermatology company headquartered in Switzerland. Galderma was previously a joint venture between L'Oréal and Nestlé. In 2019, the company was acquired by an investor consortium led by EQT Partners. Galderma went public in 2024 on the SIX Swiss Exchange.

Is Cetaphil really gentle?

Cetaphil products are dermatologist-developed and tested for sensitive skin, and many people with conditions like eczema and rosacea use them without issue. However, some Cetaphil products contain sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), a surfactant that can be irritating, as well as parabens and propylene glycol. 'Gentle' is a relative term, and ingredients like SLS are not considered gentle by clean beauty standards.

Does Cetaphil contain parabens?

Some Cetaphil products, including certain formulations of their Moisturizing Lotion, contain propylparaben and methylparaben as preservatives. Cetaphil has introduced paraben-free alternatives for some products, but not all formulations have been updated. The brand's dermatological positioning sometimes leads consumers to assume all ingredients are unquestionable, but parabens are endocrine disruptors that many consumers prefer to avoid.