The Best Face Washes for Dry Skin, According to Dermatologists

Six of the dermatologists I spoke to all mentioned CeraVe’s hydrating cleanser as one of the best options for dry skin. It has a “creamy consistency, which will leave dry skin feeling nourished and hydrated,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Marisa Garshick, who likes that’s it’s also non-foaming, because foaming cleansers are more likely to strip the skin. Garshick adds that the formula contains hyaluronic acid to boost moisture as well as ceramides to help maintain the skin barrier. According to Dr. Mitchell, it’s also fragrance free with no harsh ingredients, “so it cleanses without causing irritation, making it an excellent choice for daily use.”

I initially tried First Aid’s cleanser after a round of tretinoin caused my skin to become extremely flaky and sensitive and was grateful that it provided a thorough cleanse without aggravating my symptoms. It has a creamy consistency that lightly foams up when it comes into contact with water — if you prefer a non-foaming cleanser, the Cetaphil and Vanicream options below may be more your speed, but since I wear a fair amount of makeup on a daily basis, I feel that a foaming cleanser cuts through oil and grease better. It never leaves my face feeling tight or tingly, just balanced and refreshed.

Another ultragentle face wash that comes recommended by several experts, Cetaphil’s gentle skin cleanser “effectively removes impurities without stripping the skin’s natural oils, making it particularly beneficial for dry skin,” says Dr. Mitchell. The formula combines nourishing niacinamide, panthenol, and glycerin. It also uses micellar technology — which involves tiny cleansing molecules called micelles that attract and dissolve oils — to gently but effectively remove dirt and makeup.

Board-certified dermatologist Dr. David Kim recommends Vanicream’s gentle cleanser for patients of all skin types. The formula is very simple and straightforward, containing less than 15 ingredients, “but it still does a really good job of cleansing,” he says. He does advise using it in tandem with an oil-based face wash if you need to remove makeup, but for a regular end-of-the-day cleanse, it will “get everything off your skin without stripping it.” T3 co-founder Julie Chung is also a fan, saying that her entire family, “from my 9-year-old to my acne-prone children to me uses this cleanser.” She especially likes that it’s hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, and doesn’t contain any actives or microbeads. (As an ophthalmologist, she’s seen multiple patients get microbeads stuck in their eyes.)

Prequel’s Gleanser has a silky gel texture and contains 50 percent glycerin; the ingredient increases hydration and prevents water loss, helping to repair the skin’s natural barrier. Strategist writerTembe Denton-Hurst is a loyal everyday user who appreciates the “luxurious texture” and says “it’s great for breaking down my daily SPF and getting my skin clean after a sweaty gym session.” And writer Brenley Goertzen, who tried it as a body wash, was impressed with the way it helped soften “rough spots on my elbows and legs, and I swear it feels like my skin is drinking up the moisture each time I lather it on in the shower.” The formula also contains inulin, a prebiotic that helps draw water into the skin, and aloe vera, another ingredient that soothes and hydrates. When I tried it myself, it felt noticeably thick and occlusive on my face, almost as if I were slugging with the cleanser. When I washed it off, it left a slight filminess which I then sealed with moisturizer, and my skin felt supple and dewy afterward.

Read more: Prequel Gleanser Is the Most Hydrating Face Wash I’ve Used. And It’s Just $18.

Dieux makes one of our very favorite moisturizers, so it’s no surprise that the brand’s cleanser is also excellent at drawing moisture back into the skin. It’s formulated with 10 percent glycerin and 2 percent betaine, an amino acid that prevents moisture loss. I recently tested it out on my dry, flaky, wind-chapped skin; the cleanser started with a light gel consistency before lathering into gentle foam but didn’t leave me feeling tight or tingly. Texture-wise, it’s not quite as thick and rich as the Prequel Gleanser but still felt silky and soothing on my irritated skin. The brand offers both fragranced and a fragrance-free versions, so you can decide which one is right for you (I personally opted for the fragrance-free).

Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Divya Shokeen recommends Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost cleansing gel to her dry-skinned patients because “it’s a really good product from an easily accessible brand.” The hyaluronic acid in the formula provides an extra hit of moisture and the product’s gel texture feels soft and not too harsh when you apply it to your face.

Specially formulated for dry to very dry skin, Avene’s milk cleanser 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,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Carmen Castilla of New York Dermatology Group. The creamy, melting texture leaves skin feeling supple but not greasy, while thermal spring water in the formula works to soothe irritation.

“When you use an oil-based cleanser, it’s less dehydrating because the lipid layer leaves a mild residue on your face rather than completely taking off the top layer,” Dr. Shokeen explains. “So that’s really great for somebody who has naturally dry skin and wants a deeper clean but doesn’t want that squeaky-clean feeling.” She’s also a fan of Avene, since most of the brand’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 says this XeraCalm cleansing oil makes it easy to remove makeup without imparting an overly dry or stripped feeling.

Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Wallace Nozile recommends La Roche-Posay’s Lipikar cleansing oil for people with dry skin even though “it’s a foaming cleanser, which means it should be good for oily skin.” That’s because the brand formulated it with “really hydrating ingredients” like niacinamide and shea butter to counter any potentially drying effects, he says.

Dermatologist Dr. Sejal Shah says all skin types can benefit from the hydrating ingredients in Tatcha’s Camellia cleansing oil but especially people with dry skin. “Camellia oil is rich in omega fatty acids, in particular oleic acids, and antioxidants, so it hydrates, nourishes, and protects while cleansing,” Shah says. The oil-to-milk formulation will melt stubborn makeup away while leaving skin soft and nicely conditioned.

While oily skin types are generally more acne prone, it’s still possible to contend with pimples if your skin is dry. In that case, look for a cleanser that contains a mild active ingredient for its exfoliating properties but is still gentle enough that it won’t be irritating. This foaming cleanser from EltaMD is a favorite of Dr. Jessie Cheung’s of Cheung Aesthetics: “I like how it bubbles while it’s working to draw impurities out of my skin, and how it leaves my skin soft and moist,” she says. Unlike other products that use stronger salicylic or glycolic acid, this one contains the much more mild bromelain, an enzyme derived from pineapples, so it’s safe for everyday use.

It’s generally not recommended to wash your face with bar soap, which can be harsher and more irritating, but both Dr. Garshick and Dr. Rachel Nazarian, board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group, agree that Dove’s sensitive skin beauty bar is gentle enough to use on the face. “This hypoallergenic cleanser has been a cult favorite for many, many years and for a good reason,” says Dr. Nazarian. “It manages to cleanse effectively but without stripping natural oils. It’s also unscented and fragrance free.” Dr. Garshick adds that Dove’s soap is “formulated with moisturizing cream, which leaves skin feeling soft and nourished.”