The best cleansers for dry skin don’t just remove make-up, impurities and grime – they nourish the skin, too, protecting against dehydration and irritation. Not sure which is right for you? We’re here to help.
Finding the best cleanser for dry skin can sometimes prove a struggle. We all know you should be taking off your make-up and cleansing thoroughly every evening, but using an overly harsh cleanser can strip your skin, leaving it feeling dry and irritated.
This can lead to people shying away from certain cleansers altogether – causing other skin irritation, blemishes and acne to develop.
But what is dry skin and why does the cleanser you use matter?
What causes dry skin?
“Dry skin ultimately lacks oil” says Mark Curry, co-founder of The INKEY List. “It is usually genetic, meaning you were probably born with less oil-producing glands than normal. This can leave the skin all over your body tight and dry and can be exacerbated in cold, dry weather.”
Without proper hydration and protection, it can become cracked, sore, dull and irritated. The best cleansers not only remove make-up – but can also help to boost radiance and prep your skin for what’s next to come. They help to slough away surface grime and dead skin cells, allowing you to get the most out of your next skincare steps: your serum and moisturiser.
Whether you were born with dry skin or it’s something that’s developed over time, it’s no secret that dry skin can get worse around this time of year. The cold weather and fluctuation in office temperatures can aggravate the skin further – leading to irritation, redness and dehydration. This means that it’s even more important to find a cleanser that works for you.
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What is the best facial cleanser for dry skin?
To help, we’ve rounded up the very best cleansers for dry skin, all of which will effectively remove make-up and cleanse your skin without overly stripping or drying out your complexion.
CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser, £9.50
This brilliant budget-friendly cleanser uses ceramides to help reinforce the skin’s broken barrier and hyaluronic acid to attract hydration to the surface.
£9.50, lookfantastic.com
Texoane AHA Cleansing Gel, £35
Dry, rough, flaky skin stands no chance up against this exfoliating face wash. It contains glycolic and fruit acids that will dissolve the bonds between dead skin cells, helping to rinse them away. One thing to note is that it’s pretty powerful, so if your skin is particularly irritable, then you’re better off sticking to a gentler formulation.
£35, Teoxane
Avène Gentle Milk Cleanser, £12
Specially formulated for dry to very-dry skin, this French pharmacy favourite gently cleanses the skin without the risk of irritation.
£12, boots.com
Dr Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Pore Perfecting Cleansing Gel, £17
If your dry skin looks dull, this is the cleanser for you. It contains a gentle blend of hydroxy-acids to gently buff away dead cells on the skin surface, cleansing deeply below.
£17, cultbeauty.com
La Roche Posay Toleraine Dermo-Cleanser, £12.50
Clinically formulated for sensitive skin, this wipe-off milky cleanser is perfect if your dry skin type causes you irritation or allergies.
£12.50, laroche-posay.co.uk
Lumity 4-in-1 Cleansing Balm, £55
Packed full of 31 powerful botanical ingredients, this nourishing balm cleanser dissolves impurities without stripping or drying the skin.
£55, lumitylife.co.uk
Origins Mega Mushroom Skin Relief Face Cleanser, £30
This ultra-gentle milk cleanser harnesses the power of cordyceps and reishi mushrooms, to soothe the skin and reduce redness.
£30, origins.co.uk
Tata Harper Purifying Cleanser, £66
Loved by beauty experts, this creamy cleanser uses fruit enzymes to eliminates every last trace of make-up, grime and pollution. Skin is left feeling soft and supple, ready to drink up hydration from your next skincare steps.
£66, cultbeauty.co.uk
Frances Prescott Tri-Balm, £46
This multi-tasking skin hero works as a luxurious cleansing balm, exfoliator and moisturiser in one. Clever!
£46, cultbeauty.co.uk
Image credit: Getty