When our skin is dry, something as simple as giving it a wash can easily send it on a downward spiral of doom, bringing about redness, flakiness, and some other very un-cute ramifications. But we’ve actually got amazing news: you can avoid all of this by simply doing it right.
With dry skin, using something even marginally too harsh can strip your skin of whatever moisture it does have. Look for the right kinds of ingredients that benefit dry skin and restore its glow. Read on for our top picks.
IN A NUTSHELL
Main Takeaways: Cleansing dry skin is a must, even if you are prone to flaking and irritation. Using the right cleanser will help prevent issues like these and provide the nourishment and hydration your skin needs.
Good to Know: Know your skincare ingredients and how they function so you can choose a cleanser that will work for you rather than against you.
Recommended Products: So Clean! Facial Cleanser.
1. Best Natural Cleanser for Dry Skin
Fleur & Bee: So Clean! Facial Cleanser
Our vegan and cruelty free cleanser delivers an incomparably gentle cleanse with 12 nourishing actives that purify and fortify all skin types. It is especially perfect for our friends with dry skin because of the myriad of botanically based ingredients that moisturize the skin. Glycerin and aloe vera are total humectant powerhouses, attracting water to your skin like the little moisture magnets they are.
So Clean! features a blend of organic plant-based oils that work to preserve your skin’s natural barrier while simultaneously adding a protective layer that seals in moisture and helps neutralize the deteriorative effects of irritants and environmental stressors. It also helps to remove makeup without the use of harsh astringents and is free of sulfates and detergents, which can pose increasing risks to those with dry skin.
2. Best Oil-Free Cleanser
The Ordinary: Squalane Cleanser
The Ordinary’s Squalane Cleanser is clinically proven to provide a gentle cleanse that moisturizes without the use of oils. Squalane, which is effectively an oil alternative, hydrates and protects while dissolving impurities for the ultimate clean. This cleanser also crushes it in the makeup removal department and is soap-free, so you can be sure that it will have enough chill for your dry skin. However, use requires a unique technique. First, dispense a dime-sized amount onto fingertips and rub together to warm and emulsify. Then, without having first wet your skin, massage onto the face and rinse well.
3. Best Cleansing Balm for Dry Skin
Then I Met You: Living Cleansing Balm
If double cleansing is your thing, this cleansing balm is our top pick for those with dry skin. Formulated to dissolve makeup, water-resistant sunscreen and other impurities, this first step in a double cleansing process is perfect for dry skin types because it is rich in antioxidants, fatty acids, and vitamin E– all of which work to nourish, protect and heal dry skin.
4. Best Moisturizing Cleanser for Dry Skin
Dermalogica: Intensive Moisture Cleanser
For those with ultra-dry skin, we recommend this moisturizing cleanser from Dermalogica. The formula is enriched with lipids to restore your skin’s natural protective barrier while citrus, palmarose, and jasmine extracts lift the senses and refresh your skin. Its rich and creamy texture smooths and soothes your complexion without drying it out.
5. Best Budget-friendly Cleanser for Dry Skin
Versed: Gentle Cycle Hydrating Milky Cleanser
Looking for a budget-friendly find? This pH-balanced and super lightweight formula will melt into your skin to remove everyday impurities while imparting gentle hydration to dry skin. Oat milk and marula oil will soothe and protect dry and easily irritated skin. With a price tag of just $15, you’ll be hard pressed to find a more effective vegan cleanser for dry skin at this price point.
These are some of our faves, but there are so many great cleansers on the market that can deliver an effective clean while hydrating, fortifying, and protecting your skin from increased moisture loss. When making your choice, remember to read your ingredients and opt for gentle formulas. Before you know it, your skin will go from dry to fly.
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