We often make our skincare picks based on the recommendations of our friends and family but if you are someone who has dehydrated skin, using the best cleansers for dry skin can be really helpful. These skin-specific cleansers ensure that dirt, oil, and impurities don’t cloud your skin but they also help in retaining the essential moisture. The struggle is indeed real for people with dry skin, as they often encounter flaking and itching among other skin woes.  But, adding a cleanser that is suitable for your skin can be a game-changer. 

Dr. Alexis Stephens, a Board-certified Dermatologist, says, “Non-foaming cleansers tend to be very good for those with dry skin”.

So, instead of using products that aggravate the skin’s woes, it’s better to remedy it. After all, there is no fruition in continuing with lackluster skin when multiple solutions are available. You must look-out for soap-free and paraben-free products to avoid irritation. To save you some time, we have formulated a list of the 14 best cleansers in the market for dry skin.

• 1
  Best Non-greasy Cleanser

  CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser

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For those of you who aren’t big fans of cleansers producing lather or bubbles the CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser is the best cleanser for dry skin. It includes ingredients to cleanse the skin without stripping it of its essential nutrients. Another concern about cleansers is that they tend to apply a film of grease on the skin. Luckily, this cleanser is non-greasy and offers the right amount of moisture to your dry skin. It is a multi-faceted cleanser that can be used for facial skin and other body parts. Due to the natural occurrence of fewer ceramides in some people's skin, which are natural lipids, the skin cells are not bound together, resulting in the absence of a protective layer for foreign particles. This cleanser contains ceramides to restore that defensive layer and rebel against foreign/unwanted particles.

Key Ingredients:

Ceramide 1

Ceramide 3

Ceramide 6 – II

Hyaluronic Acid

Niacinamide

Glycerine

2

Top pH-Balancer

La Roche Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Face Cleanser

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Some cleansers might distort your skin’s pH and leave your skin thirsty! You don’t want a chemical burn as a gift to start your day. La Roche Posay Toleriane is the best face wash for dry skin that upholds the skin’s natural pH. Also, you wouldn’t have to make your face feel like a barren land while removing makeup! Besides removing dirt, oil, and impurities from the face, this product can be used for makeup removal. The cleanser also consists of prebiotic thermal water to aid the growth of essential microorganisms on the skin (1). It is a non-foaming cream perfect for people with sensitive and dry skin.

Key Ingredients:

Prebiotic thermal water

Ceramide 3

Niacinamide

3

Best Hypoallergenic Facial Cleanser

Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Hydrating Daily Facial Cleanser

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Some people with dry skin might also have acne, rosacea, eczema, and other issues. It does not mean they cannot bring back the lost charisma of their skin. Besides removing dirt, oil, and bacteria from the skin, the poly-glycerine formula of the cream draws moisture, making it on eof the best cleansers for dry skin. Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Hydrating cleanser is designed to be delicate on the skin. Whether you are using the cleanser before or after wearing makeup, it will remain effective. If you have acne, you wouldn’t want to add to your pimple collection by using a cleanser that clogs pores. This cleanser is a non-comedogenic cleanser and thus saves you from unwanted pimples.

Key Ingredients:

Glycerine

Cetearyl alcohol

Polyglyceryl-10 laureate

Sodium hydroxide

Phenoxyethanol

4

Best Gentle Formula

StriVectin Anti-Wrinkle Comforting Cream Cleanser

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Give your skin the dose of hydration it needs with the refreshing cream cleanser by StriVectin. Packed with skin-nourishing ingredients like shea butter, jojoba oil, and olive oil – it is a potent product to quench dry skin, repair the skin barrier, and revitalize the skin. Its gentle formula wipes away skin impurities without stripping the skin of its natural oils and making it dry. When we tested the product, we found that it has a rich and creamy lather that gets absorbed easily and eliminates all the dirt from the skin easily.

5

Best Antioxidant-rich Formula

Murad Environmental Shield Essential-C Cleanser

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Antioxidants and vitamins are known for their skin repairing and hydrating capabilities. The Murad Environmental Shield Essential-C Cleanser prevents skin damage and revitalizes the skin with its potent antioxidant formula. Free radicals can damage the different layers of the skin and present in the form of fine lines, dark spots, acne, and wrinkles. The vitamins present in the cleanser help prevent free radical damage, leaving you with healthy skin. The best thing is that the product boasts a clean formula and can be used both in the morning and at night. 

6

Elite Scented Cleanser

IMAGE Skincare VITAL C Hydrating Facial Cleanser

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We cannot guarantee you a skin spell, but we sure can help you smell like freshly-squeezed oranges to start your day! This cleanser for dry skin by IMAGE Skincare has a citrus smell to give you the feeling of a tropical vacation. Also, it is free from any parabens, thus preventing you from any side effects. Say yes to a cost-effective spa treatment daily with this facial cleanser that does not cause skin irritation while removing makeup.  

Key Ingredients:

Vitamin C

Vitamin E

Vitamin A

7

S CLINICAL Cleansing Complex

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The best face wash for dry skin females can be a little expensive because they leave no stones unturned when it comes to skincare. Unfortunately, some cleansers do not penetrate deep into the pores to remove impurities. But this cleanser is a deep-pore face wash that eradicates dirt from your face. Another reason to use this cleanser is its refreshing chamomile scent. You can start your day with a refreshing floral and fruity smell by using this paraben-free cleanser. Besides suiting dry and normal skin, it is perfect for individuals with acne-prone skin. Also, this cleanser has exfoliating properties, thus helping you remove dead cells. So, you don’t have to get a pricey esthetician’s appointment to remove dead cells from your face!

Key Ingredients:

Centella Asiatica

Chamomile flower

Sugarcane

White willow bark

8

Finest Sulfate-Free Cleanser

Neutrogena Skin Balancing Milky Cleanser

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Not all cleansers can treat your skin magically but Neutrogena Skin Balancing Milky Cleanser is among the best cleansers for dry skin which is made sans any phthalates. Buy this cleanser now, unless you wish to use the wrong product and convert your dry skin into the Sahara Desert. The formula also boasts sulfate-free ingredients that would have otherwise snatched the necessary oils from your skin and distorted the natural pH balance (2). Additionally, this cleanser is great for anyone who is prone to allergies too.  

Key Ingredients:

Polyhydroxy acid

Sunflower seed oil

Glycerine

Sorbitol

Sodium Hydroxide

Allantoin

9

Premier Cleanser With Anti-aging Properties

Obagi Nu-Derm Gentle Face Cleanser

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You might have come across cleansers that give a burning sensation to the skin. Since your skin is not a substrate for chemical tests, you can use this facial cleanser for dry skin. The cleanser is in gel form and offers a revitalized and soothing effect. It provides water-like consistency, thus making your cleansing routine more effective. Also, using this cleanser will ensure that you smell luxurious, thanks to apricot, sage, and aloe vera that are included in its formulation. Another alluring reason for using this product is its reverse effect on aging skin. People with dry and aging skin can use this product to get their lost charm back.

Key Ingredients:

SLES (Sodium Laureth Sulfate)

Aloe vera

Oat amino acid

Panthenol

Glycerine

10

Leading Science-backed Cleanser

Paula’s Choice RESIST Optimal Results Hydrating Cleanser

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While scouring for the best cleansers for dry skin, you might find some that leave the skin tight or dehydrated. Luckily, you have the option of using Paula’s Choice cleanser with hydrating and moisturizing effect. Within a few days of using the cleanser, you will witness a younger-looking skin. Paula’s Choice is known for its potent products that benefit with the maximum impact. Also, you don’t have to worry about the side effects of parabens, as this product does not have any. This multi-faceted cleanser can be the game-changer and help you achieve the perfect skin you’ve always dreamed of!

Key Ingredients:

Green Tea

Chamomile

Stearyl alcohol

Citric acid

Xanthan gum

Glycerine

11

Elite Organic Facial Cleanser

Glo Skin Beauty GlyPro AHA Resurfacing Cleanser

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The best cleansers for dry skin do not include chemical agents that do more harm than good. Instead, the most pleasing cleansers boast natural and organic ingredients. You can use this face wash for dry skin that is sourced from natural ingredients. It also has ingredients to offer resurfacing properties, thus helping with dead cell removal. This multi-purpose product can also help reduce wrinkles and fine lines on facial skin. While cleansing your skin, this product will not alter your skin’s natural moisture barrier. The best part is that it offers a refreshing tea tree and aloe vera fragrance. Use this product and get the best version of you in no time!

Key Ingredients:

Aloe vera gel

Glycolic acid

Glycerine

Canadian willowherb

Green tea leaf extract

Bergamot oil

12

Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Face Cleanser with Soothing Oat

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A sword cannot do what a needle can! Similarly, you cannot use a facial cleanser that does not have the ingredients suited for dry skin. You can use Aveeno Daily Moisturising Cleanser, which consists of prebiotic oat that has fibers and sugars to revitalize the skin’s natural moisture barrier. Prebiotic oat will also augment the growth of skin microbiome that are responsible for maintaining the skin’s health (3). Another reason for using this face wash for dry skin is its biodegradable properties. The ingredients used in the cleanser can naturally disintegrate over time without hampering the environment. Also, the facial cleanser is packed in a recyclable bottle, thus promoting sustainability.

Key Ingredients: 

Glycerine 

Sodium cocoyl glutamate 

Oat Kernel flour 

Xanthan gum 

Citric acid 

Sodium Chloride

13

Tree to Tub Sensitive Skin Face Wash for Dry Skin

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This face wash is the closest one can get to the skincare dreamland. It consists of natural ingredients like chamomile, soapberry, acai berry, and shea butter to provide you with the best natural facial ever. Acai berry and soapberry contain fatty acids and vitamins to improve the elasticity of your facial skin. They augment the production of collagen, which is a protein responsible for the skin’s elasticity (4). To put the icing on the cake, Tree to Tub Sensitive Skin Face Wash has an enchanting lavender smell. So, in addition to smelling great, and removing dirt and oil from your face, it will help you get an even skin tone.

Key Ingredients: 

Wild soapberry 

Organic aloe vera 

Glycerine 

Shea butter 

Organic acai 

Chamomile 

Lavender 

Decyl glucoside

Now that we have explored some of the best cleansers for dry skin, let’s delve deeper into key considerations to choose the right product.

There are several face washes for dry skin available in the market. It does mean you will test your luck and pick a random cleanser for your face. Here are the factors to help you choose the right cleanser for dry skin and get the lost charm back:

•  Ingredients: Take a pledge to never use products with chemical agents! It’s your beautiful face and not some geological sample to apply chemicals! You must use face cleansers with natural ingredients like aloe vera, rosehip oil, chamomile, green tea, tea tree oil, jojoba oil, and witch hazel.

•  Skin Type: Not every face cleanser is a fit-for-all product. You must consider your skin type before selecting a facial cleanser. For example, your skin must be dry and sensitive. In such a case, you must choose a facial cleanser with hydration properties.

•  Product Formula: The list of ingredients present in a cleanser makes up the product formula. It is essential to check whether the product formula suits your skin concerns.

•  Price: We understand that you don’t have Ali Baba’s fortune waiting for you to purchase multiple expensive facial creams. It is crucial that you consider the pricing of the facial cream before making any decision.

•  Additional Benefits: Helping you get rid of bacteria, dirt, and oil is not the only task of a cleanser. Some facial cleansers have additional benefits like a soothing effect, refreshing scent, and deep-pore cleansing.

Here’s how to use the best cleansers for dry skin:

•  Start by applying tepid water to your face. Don’t use hot water to wet your face, as it might become drier.

•  Take some amount of cleanser in your hand and apply it to your face gently.

•  Apply the cleanser to all parts of the face, especially areas that get too dry.

•  Use tepid water again to remove the cleanser in its entirety from your face.

•  Dab your face with a soft cloth/towel. Avoid rubbing your face harshly, as it may cause skin irritation.

•  Apply some cream or dry skin moisturizer for a final touch.

Your face is a mirror to your soul, and you cannot apply just anything to it. You must choose from the best cleansers for dry skin that removes oil, dirt, bacteria, and other impurities with ease. You need the right product to get the best out of your skincare routine. Also, the cleanser must not rip your skin off essential microorganisms and oils while removing impurities. Whether you prefer the creamy texture or gel-based cleansers, there is something for everyone.

For the best results, try using cleansers with sunflower seed oil, aloe vera, glycerine, and other natural ingredients. Also, avoid using cleansers with phthalates, soap, parabens, and sulfates to reduce the chances of side effects. Use this list of the best dry skin cleansers to find the right skin care partner!

Contributor: Dr. Alexis Stephens, a Board-certified Dermatologist