Two of Hollywood’s most enduring leading ladies have a beauty secret in common — and it’s not a $300 serum or some bespoke facialist on speed dial. Reese Witherspoon and Julianne Moore both reach for the same humble drugstore staple when packing for a flight. The cleanser sitting in their suitcases? Plain old Cetaphil, the bottle your dermatologist probably recommended back in the ’90s and is still recommending today. That pump bottle is famous to anyone who has ever battled blemishes or irritation, and while the 16-oz size is usually a reasonable $17, it’s currently discounted to $12 during Amazon’s Summer Beauty Event.
Back in 2019, Witherspoon revealed to Refinery29 that the budget-friendly product is one of her favorites. I use the face wash, and I travel with it,” she told the publication. That same year, Moore also explained why this classic earned permanent space in her toiletry kit in a Vogue Beauty Secrets video. “I travel a lot, so I need something I can get kind of all over the world. I use a pretty standard face wash, Cetaphil,” she told the camera, adding that she lathers up with an exfoliating washcloth for optimal results.
Get the Cetaphil Face Wash for $12 (originally $17) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.
The genius of two A-listers cosigning a $12 cleanser is that it confirms what good skin tells us anyway: consistency beats novelty. Witherspoon and Moore could rinse their faces with literal liquid gold if they wanted. Instead, they’re loyal to a fragrance-free formula that won’t throw a tantrum after a red-eye, a long shoot day or a week of recycled hotel-room air. That’s the kind of low-drama beauty pick that ages well, just like its famous fans.
Amazon’s Summer Beauty Sale: 13 Celeb-Loved Gems to Grab First
Cetaphil’s Daily Facial Cleanser earned its dermatologist-recommended reputation by doing one thing exceptionally well: cleaning your face without wrecking it. The hypoallergenic formula skips parabens and sulfates, which is part of why sensitive, reactive and mature skin types tolerate it so beautifully. It’s also soap-free, so it won’t leave that tight, squeaky feeling that signals you’ve just stripped your moisture barrier into next week. Instead, it reinforces that barrier and balances the skin while still delivering a deep clean. Translation: makeup, sunscreen and the day’s grime go down the drain. Your glow stays put.
Aside from getting two very glamorous endorsements, the tried-and-true formula has been hyped up by Amazon shoppers, too. It’s currently rated 4.7 stars on the site, and over 30k bottles have been purchased in the past month — a number that only solidifies its cult status.
“My favorite facial cleanser ever!” one reviewer wrote. “It left my skin feeling clean and soft after one use, and I’m hooked. I use this every morning and every night before bed. No more breakouts and cleans off makeup and residue from the day!
“One bottle has lasted me over a year,” said another happy customer, who called the wash a “gentle, affordable” option. “I have oily, acne-prone skin, and since using this, I’ve gotten multiple compliments on my skin. Buy this!!!!”
If your skincare shelf is overdue for an edit, swapping in this classic feels less like a downgrade and more like a smart return to basics — something your favorite leading ladies have known for years. Whether you toss it in your weekender bag or keep it easily accessible on your bathroom counter, the Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser plays nicely with retinols and acids and currently costs less than a decent glass of wine.
Drugstore find, celebrity-approved and on sale? That’s a triple word score in beauty lover terms! Grab a bottle now!
Get the Cetaphil Face Wash for $12 (originally $17) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.
Not what you’re looking for? Shop other face washes on Amazon and don’t forget to check out Amazon’s Daily Deals here!
Gwyneth Paltrow Calls This Micellar Water the ‘Best Makeup Remover’
Us Weekly has affiliate partnerships. We receive compensation when you click on a link and make a purchase. Learn more!
