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The 15 Best Face Washes for Dry Skin, According to the Experts
Avoid flakes and cracking with these dermatologist-approved cleansers.
Skincare is tricky enough as it is, and it gets even trickier when you have a specific skin type you need to keep in mind. You don't want to get the wrong thing—especially when it comes to face wash. This is, after all, the money-maker that we're talking about. If you have dry skin, you know the struggle of finding the perfect daily cleanser—one that doesn't strip away your natural oils and cause your skin to be even more dry, even as it strips away the day's dirt and pollutants from your face.
“Regular face washes are focused on removing dirt and grease, so they will function as detergents to remove as much oil as possible,” explains Dr. James Y. Wang, a double board-certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist, and founder of Metropolis Dermatology. “However, this often backfires because it forces the skin to make even more oil to compensate.”
best moisturizing dry skin cleanser
La Roche-Posay Lipikar Wash AP+ Moisturizing Body & Face Wash
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According to Dr. Wang, the best facial wash for dry skin will contain hydrators like oatmeal, humectants, and ceramides in the product. “They will also often lack salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and other ingredients that will cause tears on the surface of the skin,” he adds.
It is also important to consider the type of formula you plan to use. “Foaming cleansers, in general, tend to be better for oily skin, but there are exceptions,” says Dr. Muneeb Shah, dermatology resident at Campbell University in North Carolina. Dr. Joel Lamm, a board-certified dermatologist and Ever/Body’s supervising physician, also recommends creams, because they help “avoid drying out skin.”
So, if you are plagued by dry skin and need a facial wash that is up to snuff, we asked all three of these dermatologists to give their recommendations on the products you need to give your face the smooth, dewy finish that it deserves.
CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
Pros
- Great price
- Over 80,000 5-star reviews
- Gentle formula that doesn't strip the skin
Cons
- Very thick, lotion-like texture
This facial wash get the seal of approval from Dr. Lamm because it is "a gentle hydrating formula that contains hydrating ingredients such as ceramides and hyaluronic acid."
| Key Ingredients | Hyaluronic acid, ceramides, glycerin |
|---|---|
| Scent | None |
Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Hydrating Cleanser
Pros
- Very mild formula
- Good for sensitive, acne-prone, and blemished skin types
- Developed by dermatologists to be hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic
Cons
- Some buyers report irritation
- Very oily formula
According to Dr. Wang, "this cleanser is soap-free, gentle on the skin, and does not contain fragrances or oils."
| Key Ingredients | Polyglycerin |
|---|---|
| Scent | None |
La Roche-Posay Lipikar Wash AP+ Moisturizing Body & Face Wash
Pros
- Works on eczema and acne
- Very gentle formula
Cons
- Might be too drying for some skin stypes
This foaming formula, recommended by Dr. Shah, sreduces drying effects of water, leaving your skin smooth and soft.
| Key Ingredients | Shea butter, glycerin, niacinamide, prebiotic thermal water |
|---|---|
| Scent | None |
Pros
- Effective at preparing skin for other products
- Soothing and rejuvenating properties
Cons
- Pricey
With aloe vera and soothing purslane, this cleanser targets impurities and dirt, while leaving your natural skin barrier and oils intact.
| Key Ingredients | Aloe vera, purslane |
|---|---|
| Scent | None |
Pros
- pH-neutral formula
- Rice water has vitamins that make skin more luminous
Cons
- Expensive for small quantity
A creamy formula with hyaluronic acid, a gentle, soothing ingredient that delivers hydration to this skin, makes it a top contender for those with dry skin.
| Key Ingredients | Japanese algae, hyaluronic acid |
|---|---|
| Scent | None |
Pros
- Treats discoloration and signs of aging
- Softens skin while cleansing it
Cons
- Higher price point for how much you get
"Skinceuticals Gentle Cleanser is a creamy non-foaming hydrating cleanser designed for dry skin types," says Dr. Lamm.
| Key Ingredients | Allantoin, Glycerin, Orange Oil |
|---|---|
| Scent | None |
First Aid Beauty Pure Skin Face Cleanser
Pros
- Treats redness and dark circles
- Lightweight, creamy formula
Cons
- Some buyers dislike the natural scent
For those with extremely dry skin and redness, this fragrance-free, creamy cleanser has aloe, allantoin, and glycerin to help soothe and hydrate.
| Key Ingredients | Allantoin, glycerin, aloe |
|---|---|
| Scent | None |
Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Cleanser
Pros
- Vegan formula
- Feels lightweight
- Treats dullness and uneven texture
Cons
- Higher price point for how much you get
"This product uses phytoactives to nourish the skin as it cleans away the grease," says Dr. Wang.
| Key Ingredients | Extracts of citrus, palmarosa, and jasmine, phytoactives from coconut and murumuru seed butter |
|---|---|
| Scent | None |
Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser
Pros
- Formulated for sensitive skin
- Non-comedogenic
Cons
- Each batch may have a slightly different aroma
According to Dr. Shah, this cleanser is tops because it is "fragrance-free with gentle surfactants."
| Key Ingredients | Glycerin |
|---|---|
| Scent | None |
EltaMD Foaming Facial Cleanser
Pros
- Buyers report it feels great on the face
- Good for sensitive skin
Cons
- Some buyers dislike the scent
"This is a very light foam that can gently degrease the skin without removing moisture," says Dr. Wang. "Its formulation is perfect for those with dry, irritated skin."
| Key Ingredients | Bromelain enzymes |
|---|---|
| Scent | Cucumber |
Youth To The People Superfood Gentle Antioxidant Refillable Cleanser
Pros
- Vegan formula
- Removes SPF and excess oils
- Tightens pores and reduces acne
Cons
- Some report it leaves skin feeling tight
- Some dislike the scent
For dry skin and combination skin, this antioxidant-packed cleanser is a happy medium between something that'll effectively cleanse your face and something that won't be too harsh. The clean, vegan formula has ingredients like kale, spinach, and green tea, which are lightweight yet effective, leaving your skin healthy and glowy.
| Key Ingredients | Kale, spinach, green tea |
|---|---|
| Scent | Fresh |
Pros
- Suitable for sensitive skin
- Soothing for post-procedure skin
Cons
- Some buyers report their skin still doesn't feel clean after use
Dr. Lamm recommends Skinceuticals Soothing Cleanser because it "is a soap-free formula that contains hydrating and soothing ingredients ideal for dry and sensitive skin."
| Key Ingredients | Sorbitol, glycerin, orchid extract, cucumber extract |
|---|---|
| Scent | None |
Pros
- Very lightweight and gentle
- pH-balanced to be nourishing
Cons
- Some buyers report it isn't hydrating enough
With a pH-balanced formula that's meant to be used twice per day without drying your skin out, Glossier's jelly-like cleanser with rose water is all about leaving your skin feeling freshly conditioned and soft as ever.
| Key Ingredients | Allantoin, rose water |
|---|---|
| Scent | Rose |
Paula's Choice Resist Optimal Results Hydrating Cleanser
Pros
- Formulated to replenish moisture
- Restores youthful appearance
Cons
- Packaging prone to breaking
"This formulation gently cleanses the skin while soothing the skin with green tea and chamomile." says Dr. Wang.
| Key Ingredients | Green tea, chamomile |
|---|---|
| Scent | None |
Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser
Pros
- Hypoallergenic
Cons
- Some find it too drying
"Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser is formulated to gently cleanse and hydrate the skin," says Dr. Lamm. "It contains hydrating ingredients such as niacinamide and vitamin B5."
| Key Ingredients | Glycerin |
|---|---|
| Scent | None |
Frequently Asked Questions
What ingredients are best for dry skin?
To soothe and nourish dry skin, it's all about hydration, hydration, hydration. Even if your skin is only dry seasonally, you want to look for cleansers that remove the dirt and oils from your skin, but not the natural barrier of the skin itself—that's what leaves you red, rough, and dry.
Ingredients known to sooth and replenish moisture include aloe vera, ceramides, glycerin, and various vitamins. Hyaluronic acid is also great at restoring plumpness and locking in hydration, and gentle ceramides and enzymes are effective, too.
What kind of formula is best for dry skin?
So long as your skin isn't very sensitive, most formula types should be good for you. If your skin is super dry, a lotion-like cream or lather might feel like it's doing a better job than, say, a foam or a gel.
Why You Can Trust Esquire
We’re not going to say something is great unless it’s actually great. Every product in Esquire’s round-ups is carefully curated by our grooming and e-commerce teams.
When it comes to dry skin face washes, you can rest assured that we’re hand-selecting styles that we’ve personally tested, tried, and loved. We’ve had to go through a lot of trial and error, and these options are the ones that are simply the best.
Every pick on this list (and our other lists!) comes from years of testing different products, seeing what we love and what we don’t, and going from there. No two tastes are the same, and no two men are the same. Your proverbial mileage may vary. But if you’re looking for the right place to start, with advice from folks who and care (possibly too much!) about this sort of stuff, this is the place to be.
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