Best Facial Cleansers for Dry Skin

When it comes to the best facial cleansers for dry skin, I can definitely say that I’ve done my fair share of hunting. As my skin is slightly on the dryer side, I’ve spent many hours searching for the most suitable cleansers and while there’s certainly no shortage of products to choose from, I wanted to know which cleansers stood out from all the rest.

We all know the importance of cleansing and choosing the right type of cleanser for your skin type is also just as important. Using the wrong kind of cleanser can actually cause more harm than good and that’s a lesson I had to learn the hard way with a very harsh foaming cleanser that my dryer skin did not appreciate in any way, shape or form.

So if your skin is normal to dry or in the case of some of the following cleansers, even sensitive too, then take a look at some of the most popular choices of cleansers that may just change your cleansing experience for the better.

Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Milk

Clinique’s Take The Day Off range of cleansers are a good choice regardless of which type you need to use and their cleansing milk is no exception. This is a gentle lightweight lotion formula that has a silky consistency that is suitable for those with normal to dry skin but because it’s so gentle, it is also suitable for those with sensitive skin.

Despite its gentleness, it is still very effective at dissolving even long-lasting makeup quickly and easily and leaves skin soft and supple after use. The formula is fragrance-free and it can be tissued off or rinsed off depending on your preference. It is also gentle enough to be considered a good choice for those with rosacea.

Paula’s Choice Skin Recovery Softening Cream Cleanser

Paula’s Choice has a great range of skin care products including many well-formulated cleansers and this particular cream cleanser is an excellent choice for those with extremely dry or sensitive skin including those with rosacea. This is a richer creamier formula that has the added benefit of being extremely hydrating to the skin.

As well as adding moisture to the skin, this is also a fragrance-free product which means that irritation shouldn’t be an issue and it is easily rinsed away with lukewarm water to leave the skin soft and supple. However, as this is a very gentle cleanser, it may not remove heavy makeup as easily as others so some extra help may be needed in the form of a washcloth to make the job easier.

Estee Lauder Verite Light Lotion Cleanser

The Estee Lauder Verite Light Lotion Cleanser is a slightly more expensive option for those with dry or sensitive skin. It is also suitable for those suffering from skin redness but not so much for those who are acne prone. It is a light milky formula that has hydrating properties to help maintain the skin’s moisture balance.

This is another fragrance-free product that is also free from alcohol and other common allergens. It can be easily rinsed away with lukewarm water or tissued off and it is effective at removing most forms of makeup although heavier makeup wearers may need to use the aid of a washcloth for easier removal.

Dermalogica UltraCalming Cleanser

This cleanser is slightly different in that it is a mix between a cream cleanser and a gel cleanser. It is a gentle cleanser that is suitable for most skin types and contains soothing plant extracts that have anti-inflammatory and healing properties that are said to soothe and calm irritation. It is effective at removing most makeups including eye makeup.

Although this is a popular product that contains no artificial fragrance, it does contain fragrant plant extracts that can be irritating to those with rosacea or sensitive skin so be careful with this one and if irritation does occur, this could possibly be the reason. This cleanser can be easily rinsed off or tissued off with a cotton pad.

Nu Skin Creamy Cleansing Lotion

The Nu Skin Creamy Cleansing Lotion is a mild soap-free cleanser that is suitable for normal to dry skin. Its ingredients are plant oil based but despite this, it doesn’t leave behind a greasy residue like some similarly formulated cleansers. It also contains food sourced nutrients that are said to provide intense nourishment to rejuvenate skin.

It is effective at removing most types of makeup except waterproof mascara so an added makeup remover may be required first to remove anything stubborn. It is also hydrating and can help protect and replenish the skin’s moisture barrier. This cleanser is easily rinsed away with lukewarm water.

Bioderma Sensibio Cleansing Milk

The Bioderma Sensibio Cleansing Milk is a lightly textured cleanser that is very gentle and soothing making it suitable for those with very dry or sensitive skin. As well as being fragrance-free, this cleanser also contains anti-irritants that can help reduce skin redness. The application of this cleanser is to apply with cotton and renew the application until the cotton is clean with no need to rinse.

Despite the fact that it is extremely gentle, it is actually very effective at removing all types of makeup although it does leave behind a very small amount of slightly oily residue but a quick wipe with a washcloth should remove it completely or if you follow your cleansing routine with a toner, this will remove the residue left behind.

Final Thoughts

If you suffer from dry skin then any one of these cleansers would make an excellent start to your skincare routine and as you’ve probably already noticed most of them are also a good choice for those with sensitive skin too.

I hope this has helped to make it easier for you to choose a good cleanser for dry skin or at least narrowed down your search. If you are currently using a cleanser for dry skin that you think deserves a mention, please feel free to tell me all about it in the comments section below and I’ll be sure to take a deeper look into it.