These Face Washes Clean Up Without Dehydrating Dry Skin (2024)

Deep hydration is the most important factor when you’re weighing which formula out of the best face washes for dry skin will be right for your dry skin. As we enter the tail end of the year, those balanced sebum levels you may have been enjoying in the sweatier months can get a little off-kilter, veering into dryness and patchiness—not to mention some serious cakiness where your makeup is concerned.

Around this time, it’s helpful for people with thirsty skin to shift gears into creamier, oil-based formulas that maintain a healthy skin barrier without stripping all that good hydration. We pooled resources here at Allure to find out our staffers’ favorite face washes for dry skin, and then bolstered those with some additional picks from dermatologists. Check out the FAQs for a primer on what ingredients to look out for (and avoid), or scroll right on to read about 13 exceptional contenders for the best face wash for dry skin.

Our Top Picks

• Best Face Wash for Dry Skin Overall: SkinCeuticals Soothing Cleanser, $39
• Best Travel-Friendly: Olay Cleansing Melts + Hyaluronic (2-Pack), $20 $16
• Best for Dry, Sensitive Skin: First Aid Beauty Pure Skin Face Cleanser, $34
• Best for Removing Makeup: Skinfix Barrier+ Foaming Oil Cleanser, $30
• Best for Eczema-Prone Skin: La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Face Cleanser, $18
• Best for Dry, Mature Skin: BeautyStat Microbiome Barrier Repair Purifying Cleanser, $29
• Best for Post-Procedure Care: Dr. Loretta Gentle Hydrating Cleanser, $40
• A Drugstore Heavyweight: CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser, $18
• Best Gel-Cream: Sofie Pavitt Clean Clean Cleanser, $34
• Best Ultra-Creamy: Kate Somerville Goat Milk Moisturizing Cleanser, $44

Frequently Asked Questions

• What factors make a face wash beneficial for dry skin versus a face wash that’s formulated for acne-prone skin?
• How should someone shop for face washes for dry skin, in terms of ingredients to look out for or avoid?
• How often should people with dry skin wash their face?
• Meet the experts
• How we test and review products
• Our staff and testers

Best Face Wash for Dry Skin Overall: SkinCeuticals Soothing Cleanser

Why it’s worth it: Tender and mild are two key traits of SkinCeuticals’ Soothing Cleanser, a foamy, soap-free, and botanical-rich concentration of gentle surfactants—no sulfate-based surfactants that can strip skin, to be clear—and hydrating glycerin. Combined, they soften skin while they sweep away the day’s dirt and debris, and have been tested to be comforting enough for even post-procedure skin. For busy days, this pump bottle also shaves seconds off your morning routine—transforming this cleanser into a dense emulsion before it even hits your hand.

Key ingredients: glycerin, cucumber extract, orchid extract, and sorbitol | Fragrance-free: yes

Best Travel-Friendly: Olay Cleansing Melts + Hyaluronic

Why it's worth it: Olay's Cleansing Melts deserves the 2024 Best of Beauty Award seal, and not just because they come in clutch for traveling. The water-activated small squares dissolve in your palms and produce a lovely lather once you rub your palms together. Hello, sensorial wash. We recommend the hyaluronic acid-infused melts for sensitive and/or dry skin since your skin will feel properly hydrated. (Of course, you still need to follow up with moisturizer!)

Editor's tip: Besides hyaluronic acid, Cleansing Melts are also available in retinol- and vitamin C-infused versions great for different skin concerns like signs of aging and dullness.

Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid | Fragrance-free: yes

Best for Dry, Sensitive Skin: First Aid Beauty Pure Skin Face Cleanser

Why it’s worth it: This First Aid Beauty Pure Skin Face Cleanser—which boasts a long list of things it doesn’t include, such as alcohol, fragrance, and phthalates—operates on the principle: everything you need and nothing you don’t. The product is one of our recommendations for sensitive skin, as it contains soothing allantoin and aloe. "The creamy, fragrance-free formula with calming aloe has the power to remove every trace of mineral sunscreen, makeup, and grime on my face at the end of the day, but never leaves my reactive skin red or irritated," associate features director Dianna Mazzone Singh attested. "And because it’s so gentle, I also don’t worry about it interacting with the actives—like retinol—I’m using during the rest of my routine."

What's more: New York-based, board-certified dermatologist Brandith Irwin, MD, previously noted that the antioxidants baked into this cleanser protect the skin from environmental stressors that cause signs of aging and skin cancer.

Key ingredients: aloe vera, allantoin, and glycerin | Fragrance-free: yes

Best for Removing Makeup: Skinfix Barrier+ Foaming Oil Cleanser

Why it’s worth it: For the most stubbornly grippy eyeliner and mascara, sometimes you need to call in extra assistance. Take the Skinfix Barrier+ Foaming Oil Cleanser with a base of jojoba and macadamia seed oils that not only hydrates but also gently glides off makeup. The aloe in it is another unsung hero that reduces redness, which is a major reason this face wash is approved by the National Rosacea Society.

Key ingredients: aloe, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, jojoba oil, macadamia seed oil, squalene | Fragrance-free: yes

Best for Eczema-Prone Skin: La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Face Cleanser

Why it’s worth it: Multiple dermatologists have sung the praises of this La Roche-Posay face cleanser to us over the years. That includes Dr. Song, who notes that its formula calms and supports the skin barrier with niacinamide and ceramides. If that wasn’t enough, the brand also has the receipts to back up its reputation: multiple seals of acceptance from the National Eczema Association. Best of all is the size, if you’re buying in bulk. At over 13 ounces, this jumbo bottle is more than double the size of most other picks on this list while still falling under $20 (a steal, in other words).

Key ingredients: ceramides, niacinamide, and glycerin | Fragrance-free: yes

Best for Dry, Mature Skin: BeautyStat Microbiome Barrier Repair Purifying Cleanser

Why it’s worth it: BeautyStat is one of those skincare brands that keeps it low-key on the packaging, but goes all-in on the ingredient list. In this stacked formula of heavyweight ingredients like glycerin, squalane, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid, you’ll also find medical-grade silver with antibacterial properties to protect the skin barrier. "It makes my skin feel so soft afterward," commerce producer Sarah Hoffmann said of the thick, creamy formula. Pro tip: "I keep this cleanser in my shower and leave a layer of it intact on my face while I condition my hair for a little extra barrier boost," Hoffmann shares. We love a mini face mask moment.

Key ingredients: glycerin, coconut oil, squalane, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid | Fragrance-free: yes

Best for Post-Procedure Care: Dr. Loretta Gentle Hydrating Cleanser

Why it’s worth it: Dr. Loretta’s Gentle Hydrating Cleanser earned a spot in Allure’s list of editor-approved face washes and for good reason. As senior editor Jesa Marie Calaor previously stated, "I go through bottles of this stuff," due to the way the bouncy jelly leaves her skin "extra-soft and not at all stripped" post-cleanse. It comes at a steep price point for its size, but the benefits of the moisture-boosting marine peptides and glycerin in it speak for themselves.

Key ingredients: sodium cocoyl wheat amino acids, glycerin, algae, and chamomile oil | Fragrance-free: yes

A Drugstore Heavyweight: CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser

Why it’s worth it: If what you need is an "all killer, no filler" cleanser, chances are a dermatologist is going to steer you toward something like CeraVe’s tried-and-true Hydrating Cleanser. As Teresa Song, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Marmur Medical, tells us, "It contains ceramides and hyaluronic acid for a gentle cleanse," plus redness-reducing niacinamide and glycerin to round out its all-star team. When you consider the jumbo bottle you’re getting for the very reasonable drugstore price, plus the National Eczema Association seal, all that adds up to an extra gentle, extra efficient investment.

Best Gel-Cream: Sofie Pavitt Clean Clean Cleanser

Why it’s worth it: If aesthetician Sofie Pavitt has anything to do with it, your face will be "clean clean," not just "clean," after her face wash has graced your skin. Specifically developed with acne-prone and sensitive skin types in mind (though still effective for dry skin), it uses moisture-boosting glycerin, along with calming panthenol and allantoin, to plump up your skin as it dials down redness and irritation. “The texture of the Clean Clean Cleanser is so satisfying and a treat to use—it starts as a gel but emulsifies into a cream,” commerce editor Sarah Han says.

“While and after dealing with some rogue acne (I have combination skin so breakouts usually appear in my T-zone), this face wash has really calmed my skin, tamping down any redness in its wake".

Key ingredients: glycerin, panthenol, and allantoin | Fragrance-free: yes

Best Ultra-Creamy: Kate Somerville Goat Milk Moisturizing Cleanser

Why it’s worth it: This moisturizing cleanser might actually be the GOAT, depending on who you ask, featuring an unusual goat milk base that goes on like a light and creamy yogurt. On this writer’s odyssey to find a super gentle, extra hydrating cleanser for her dehydrated skin, this one has been the holy grail that deeply moisturizes without triggering redness, and feels like a skin-care indulgence. It even helps whisk away my eyeliner at the end of the day, so I don’t have to use too much makeup remover with it. Developed by founder Kate Somerville as a balm for her eczema-prone complexion, it also contains soothing aloe, manuka honey, botanical oils, and rice bran extract to calm and nourish skin after cleansing.

Key ingredients: goat milk, jojoba oil, avocado oil, manuka honey | Fragrance-free: no

Most Aromatherapeutic: Pai Skincare Middlemist Seven Camellia and Rose Gentle Cream Cleanser

Why it’s worth it: Pai Skincare’s Middlemist Cleanser is one of this writer’s favorites for when she needs some extra soothing and aromatherapy after a long day. The luxurious blend of oils and shea butter in it are nourishing all year round, while the light, botanical scent of rose and lavender elevates a face wash to a spa-like experience. Just make sure you’re not allergic to essential oils before trying this one out, as it features lavender oil.

Key ingredients: camellia seed oil, sweet almond oil, glycerin, shea butter, vitamin E, and squalene | Fragrance-free: yes

Best Exfoliating Face Wash: Tatcha The Rice Wash

Why it’s worth it: For dry, flaky skin that hasn’t had a good scrub-down in a while, perhaps it’s time to get physical. By that, we mean swapping out your garden variety chemical AHAs for Japanese rice powder. The gentle grains in Tatcha’s editor-beloved Rice Wash slough away daily buildup in one creamy, lathering formula while adding moisture back in via hyaluronic acid and red algae.

Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, red algae, and Japanese rice powder | Fragrance-free: yes

Best Bar Soap: Good Time Gentle Cleansing Face Bar

Why it’s worth it: Bar soaps are back, baby, and that even applies to your face wash. This Best of Beauty Award winner is for travelers and anyone else who wants to cut down on skin-care packaging. It only needs a little rinse to get it lathering up, and features plenty of soothing, moisturizing ingredients like oat and squalane to earn its place atop your sink. The brand even sells an ingenious magnetic holder to store your soaps on the shower wall so they’re close at hand.

Key ingredients: jojoba oil, shea butter, willow bark extract, squalane, and oat kernel extract | Fragrance-free: yes

Best Truly Budget Option: Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Hydrating Facial Cleanser

Why it’s worth it: Neutrogena’s Ultra Gentle Hydrating Facial Cleanser keeps things pretty simple with a tight list of ingredients that stars glycerin as its main hydrator. Dr. Song likes that its non-foamy, creamy formula is free of dyes and fragrances. And for the same price as a fancy latte (a mere $10), that means you’re in for a thorough clean minus any surprise irritation.

Key ingredients: glycerin | Fragrance-free: yes

Frequently Asked Questions

What factors make a face wash beneficial for dry skin versus a face wash that’s formulated for acne-prone skin?

Confused by “for all skin type” designations, or just not sure how to shop for your dry skin? Teresa Song, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Marmur Medical in New York City, explains that face washes designed for dry skin are typically formulated with gentle, hydrating ingredients that don’t strip the skin’s natural oils. “Key ingredients focus on hydration, such as glycerin and ceramides, to support the skin barrier,” Dr. Song says, adding that the texture tends to be creamy or oil-based for greater hydration.

She suggests avoiding foaming formulas since they often contain surfactants like sodium lauryl sulfate (or SLS) and sodium laureth sulfate, which cosmetic chemist Kelly Dobos previously told us remove hydrating natural lipids, along with all that grime and sebum, when they’re included in face cleansers. This means that they can strip skin of moisture, and studies have shown that they can be harsh for dry and sensitive skin types. Still, many foaming face washes exclude those types of ingredients (double check your ingredient lists!), and plenty of new surfactants are specifically created to be mild on skin—such as cocamidopropyl betaine, according to Dr. Song —so we wouldn’t rule them out in this category entirely.

Meanwhile, face washes for acne-prone skin still start with a hydrating base, but tend to add in acne-fighting active ingredients such as salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, or tea tree oil. Since acne-prone skin tends to mean greater oil production, cleansers with that skin type in mind will usually also contain stronger surfactants in a lightweight gel or foaming cleanser.

How should someone shop for face washes for dry skin, in terms of ingredients to look out for or avoid?

Face washes for dry skin are going to contain some of the same hydrators as formulas for other skin types, except you’ll likely see multiple of them in tandem since different types perform different functions—and often work well when combined. Dr. Song says to look for a cleanser with moisturizing ingredients such as emollients (which soften skin and restore the skin barrier), humectants (which draw moisture to the skin from the air or deeper in the skin), and occlusives (that help seal all that moisture in so your skin stays hydrated for longer). Hypoallergenic and fragrance-free formulas will be your best bet for sidestepping potential irritation.

How often should people with dry skin wash their face?

If you’ve been hoodwinked by a certain skin-care myth that people with dry skin should wash their face less frequently, we’re very happy to help debunk it. Dr. Song confirms that people with dry skin should still wash their face with cleanser and water (not just with makeup remover!) at least once a day, “as bacteria and environmental debris can accumulate on the skin through daily exposure.”

There’s some debate on exactly how frequently people should be washing their skin, but generally you want to be taking time to wash off makeup and sunscreen, along with the dirt and oil accumulated during the day, which is why Dr. Song suggests cleansing at night. You’ll know you’re overwashing if your face feels tight or dry—an effect that’s also related to the type of cleanser you’re using—so some trial and error to find the right formula for you may be necessary.

Meet the experts

• Teresa Song, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Marmur Medical in New York City.
• Brandith Irwin, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Concierge Dermatology & Laser in Seattle, Washington.

How we test and review products

When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that's included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.

For our list of the best body washes for dry skin, we considered each product's performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance (or lack thereof), texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from board-certified dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.

Our staff and testers

A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.

After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we've solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it's never been tested on curls? We're proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.

More body-care options, you asked? We delivered, including body lotions and body oils to replenish thy barrier:

• These Body Oils Are Giving Glazed Donut Skin
• 15 Best Body Washes That Leave Our Skin Feeling Baby-Soft
• These Body Lotions Work Overtime for Mature Skin
• My Keratosis Pilaris Is No Match for Soft Services' Buffing Bar

Now, watch Ariana Greenblatt talk you through her 10-minute everyday contour routine:

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