The sensation that follows washing your face with an excessively harsh cleanser is tingling, tight, and irritating—a sensation that those who suffer with dry skin are all too familiar with. Finding gentle face products that won’t strip away your natural oils and irritate your skin barrier is crucial because cracked, flaky, or otherwise parched skin is a symptom of oil underproduction. Dr. Hope Mitchell, founder of Mitchell Dermatology, advises people with dry skin to “avoid products containing alcohol, artificial fragrances, and harsh chemicals like sulfates and parabens as these can trigger inflammation.” Furthermore, avoid exfoliants with large acid concentrations or rough particles because they can be overly harsh.
Dr. Davin Lim, a board-certified dermatologist at Cutis Dermatology, advises using a cleanser rich in emollients (such as petrolatum, lanolin, squalene, and ceramides) for dry skin since they will help keep your skin from drying out. The creator of Prequel Skincare and board-certified dermatologist Dr. Samantha Ellis advises searching for humectants, which attract water to the skin’s surface and help retain moisture. Examples of these include glycerin and hyaluronic acid. Dermatologists recommend the ten face cleansers listed below as the most nourishing, moisturizing, and non-stripping options for dry skin.
CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser
The moisturizing cleanser from CeraVe was recommended by six dermatologists as one of the best products for dry skin. Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Marisa Garshick describes it as having a “creamy consistency, which will leave dry skin feeling nourished and hydrated.” She also appreciates that it isn’t foamy, since foaming cleansers tend to peel the skin. Hyaluronic acid is included in the mix to increase moisture, while ceramides support the maintenance of the skin barrier, according to Garshick. Dr. Mitchell claims that because it has no harsh ingredients and is fragrance-free, “it cleanses without causing irritation, making it an excellent choice for daily use.”
Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser
Experts highly recommend Cetaphil’s mild skin cleanser, which “effectively removes impurities without stripping the skin’s natural oils, making it particularly beneficial for dry skin,” as another really gentle face wash. Dr. Mitchell concurs. Panthenol, glycerin, and nourishing niacinamide are included in the composition. Additionally, it makes use of micellar technology, which is a gentle yet efficient way to remove makeup and debris. Micelles are small washing molecules that attract and dissolve oils.
Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser
For patients of all skin types, board-certified dermatologist Dr. David Kim suggests Vanicream’s mild cleanser. With fewer than 15 components, the recipe is extremely basic and easy to use, “yet it still does a really good job of cleansing,” he claims. If you need to remove makeup, he does recommend using it in conjunction with an oil-based face cleanser; however, for a routine end-of-day cleaning, it will “get everything off your skin without stripping it.”
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Cleansing Gel
Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost washing gel is recommended by board-certified dermatologist Dr. Divya Shokeen for her dry-skinned patients because “it’s a really good product from an easily accessible brand.” The product’s gel texture is gentle and not overly harsh when applied to the skin, and the hyaluronic acid in the composition adds an extra dose of hydration.
Eau Thermale Avene Gentle Milk Cleanser
According to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Carmen Castilla of New York Dermatology Group, Avene’s milk cleanser, which is specifically designed for dry to extremely dry skin, doesn’t suds up as much as other face washes “because it contains less harsh surfactants, which tend to remove more oils from the skin.” The formula’s thermal spring water soothes irritation while the creamy, melting texture leaves skin feeling supple but not oily.
Avene XeraCalm A.D Lipid-Replenishing Cleansing Oil
According to Dr. Shokeen, “using an oil-based cleanser is less drying because the lipid layer leaves a light residue on your face instead of removing the entire top layer.” “So that’s really great for someone who wants a deeper clean without feeling overly clean, but has naturally dry skin.” Since the majority of Avene’s products “tend to be catered to somebody who has had a breakdown of their skin barrier or just really dry skin in general,” she is also a fan of the brand. According to her, makeup may be easily removed with the help of this XeraCalm cleaning oil without leaving the skin feeling unduly drained or dry.
La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP+ Gentle Foaming Cleansing Oil
Despite the fact that La Roche-Posay’s Lipikar cleaning oil “is a foaming cleanser, which means it should be good for oily skin,” board-certified dermatologist Dr. Wallace Nozile suggests it for those with dry skin. This is because, according to him, the company created it with “really hydrating ingredients” including shea butter and niacinamide to counteract any possibly drying effects.
Tatcha Pure One Step Camellia Cleansing Oil
All skin types, but especially those with dry skin, can benefit from the moisturizing components in Tatcha’s Camellia cleansing oil, according to dermatologist Dr. Sejal Shah. “Camellia oil hydrates, nourishes, and protects while cleansing because it is rich in antioxidants and omega fatty acids, particularly oleic acids,” explains Shah. The oil-to-milk mix leaves skin feeling smooth and well-conditioned while removing tough makeup.
Elta MD Foaming Facial Cleanser
Even while those with oily skin types are typically more prone to acne, dry skin can nonetheless result in breakouts. If so, try to find a cleanser that is soft enough not to irritate skin but still has a modest active component for exfoliating purposes. Dr. Jessie Cheung of Cheung Aesthetics loves this foaming cleanser from EltaMD. “I like how it leaves my skin soft and moisturised, and how it bubbles while it’s working to draw impurities out of my skin,” she says. This product is suitable for daily use because it contains the far milder enzyme bromelain, which is produced from pineapples, as opposed to other products that employ stronger salicylic or glycolic acid.
Dove Beauty Bar Sensitive Skin
Dove’s sensitive skin beauty bar is mild enough to use on the face, according to Drs. Garshick and Rachel Nazarian, board-certified dermatologists at Schweiger Dermatology Group. However, washing your face with bar soap is generally not advised because it can be harsher and more irritating. According to Dr. Nazarian, “this hypoallergenic cleanser has been a cult favorite for many, many years and for good reason.” It effectively cleanses without removing natural oils from the skin. Additionally, it has no scent and no fragrance. Dove’s soap is “formulated with moisturizing cream, which leaves skin feeling soft and nourished,” Dr. Garshick continues.
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