This fragrance-free cleanser from La Roche-Posay is excellent for cleansing dry skin while also keeping the skin hydrated and retaining moisture, says Green. It has glycerin that pulls moisture to the skin along with ceramide-3 and niacinamide to repair and maintain the skin’s natural moisture barrier, according to the brand. The pump applicator makes it easy to disperse product out, and it’s available in a hefty 13.52 fluid ounce bottle so it should last a while.
NBC Select updates editor Mili Godio loves this fragrance-free cleanser for its lightweight consistency, saying that it’s one of the only cleansers she’s tried that doesn’t leave her skin feeling dry or tight. “It’s also really gentle, which is great when you have reactive skin like I do,” she says.
Key ingredients: niacinamide, thermal spring water, glycerin, ceramide-3 | Formula type: cream | Fragrance-free: yes
Green recommends this foaming cream cleanser from Cerave for those with dry skin who are struggling with acne. It’s made with 4% benzoyl peroxide, an ingredient that clears acne and prevents new pimples from forming, she says. Typically, benzoyl peroxide can lead to increased dryness for those with already-dry skin, but this cleanser is also formulated with hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and three essential ceramides to help the skin retain moisture, says Green.
Key ingredients: ceramides, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide | Formula type: foam-cream | Fragrance-free: yes
Godio is a fan of this gentle face wash on days when her sensitive skin needs a break. “During the colder months, my skin gets very cracked, red and irritated due to my rosacea, especially on my cheeks and around my nose. I usually use this cleanser when I need something gentle and soothing — it’s one of the only products that doesn’t cause more dryness or redness when my skin is at its worst,” says Godio. The cleanser has a lightweight gel consistency that easily melts into the skin and it makes Godio’s face feel both clean and hydrated. “My skin feels super soft and smooth afterward, too,” she says.
Key ingredients: glycerin, panthenol, niacinamide | Formula type: gel | Fragrance-free: yes
While Eucerin recommends this cleansing gel for all skin types (even oily, since it’s noncomedogenic), it’s especially great for those with dry, sensitive skin types, says Lankerani. It doesn’t have any fragrance, alcohols or soaps that would otherwise dry the skin out — instead, it’s made with hyaluronic acid and glycerin to help keep the deep layers of the skin moisturized.
Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, glycerin | Formula type: gel | Fragrance-free: yes
Lankerani recommends this mild cleanser for extremely dry, sensitive skin types and even those with eczema since it has the stamp of approval from the National Eczema Association. It’s made without common irritants like fragrance and harsh cleansing agents (like sulfates), and because it’s oil-free you shouldn’t run the risk of clogged pores.
Key ingredients: glycerin | Formula type: cream-gel | Fragrance-free: yes
To deep clean a day’s worth of sunscreen and heavy makeup, this oil cleanser from Fig 1 is up for the task. With antioxidant-rich grapeseed oil and hydrating squalane, it’s especially good for those with sensitive skin, according to the brand. NBC Select reporter Zoe Malin says it doesn't burn when she applies it, even when her skin is dry and raw. Use it as the first part of your double cleansing routine to remove stubborn sunscreen and makeup.
Key ingredients: grapeseed oil, squalane | Formula type: oil | Fragrance-free: yes
NBC Select associate reporter Bianca Alvarez is a fan of this hydrating gel cleanser and makeup remover, which turns foamy once you lather it on your face. “Normally, as someone with dry, sensitive skin, I avoid foaming cleansers, but I can’t pass up this option from Tower 28. It easily removes makeup, grime and sunscreen and leaves my skin feeling soft, hydrated and balanced,” says Alvarez. “The best part is that it deep cleans my skin to the point where I don’t have to go in with another cleanser or makeup remover.” It also has the National Eczema Association’s Seal of Acceptance, so it gives Alvarez peace of mind that it won’t trigger her eczema.
Key ingredients: aloe vera, oat | Formula type: gel-to-foam | Fragrance-free: yes
This cleanser is packed with antioxidants like blueberry, raspberry and apple extract, so your skin doesn’t just feel clean after washing, it feels soothes and hydrated, according to the brand. It’s a favorite of Malin's, who says it doesn’t strip her skin and feels super gentle even on days her skin is feeling sensitive.
Key ingredients: blueberry, raspberry, apple and cucumber extracts | Formula type: gel | Fragrance-free: yes
This creamy cleanser and makeup remover hybrid comes recommended by Alvarez because it’s gentle, softening and fragrance-free. “I love this cleanser because my skin is left softer, smoother and calmer than when I first started using it,” says Alvarez, who received a sample from the brand. The cleanser has a blend of moringa antioxidants (to gently cleanse and soften), oats (to soothe and lock in moisture) and vitamin F (to support your skin barrier). It also has the National Eczema Association’s Seal of Acceptance, so it’s great for sensitive, eczema-prone skin.
Key ingredients: glycerin, moringa oleifera seed oil, oat | Formula type: cream | Fragrance-free: yes
Lankerani recommends this cleanser from Cerave, saying that its hyaluronic acid, ceramides and glycerin help increase hydration in the skin. Alvarez also loves this cleanser. “My favorite thing about this is the creamy, silky consistency, which feels incredible on my dry, eczema-prone skin,” she says. “ It never leaves my skin irritated or dried out — I’ve repurchased it multiple times and even bought the mini version for travel.”
Key ingredients: glycerin, ceramides, hyaluronic acid | Formula type: cream | Fragrance-free: yes
This face cleanser from Fresh is part of the brand’s soy line, which is infused with soy proteins to improve hydration and improve texture and dullness, according to the brand. The fragrance-free formula, which has a 4.4-star average rating from more than 9,000 reviews at Sephora, has soothing aloe vera and cooling cucumber extract, making it great for those with sensitive skin, according to Fresh. It also comes in three different sizes (mini, standard and jumbo) for those who are traveling or like to stock up.
Key ingredients: aloe vera, cucumber extract, borage seed oil, soy proteins | Formula type: gel | Fragrance-free: yes
This mild cleanser from SkinCeuticals comes recommended by Green and is great for those who need to slough away dead skin cells. It has glycolic acid, an exfoliating alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that’s considered milder than a beta hydroxy acid (BHA) since it works more on the surface of the skin and is less likely to be drying, says Lankerani. Aside from this, the cleanser has a creamy formula that soothes irritated skin with orange oil, says Green. It also has ingredients like allantoin and glycerin that soften and hydrate the skin, says the brand.
Key ingredients: orange oil, allantoin, glycerin | Formula type: gel-cream | Fragrance-free: yes
When shopping for a dry skin cleanser, consider factors like key ingredients and function, experts say. Below, I highlight their suggestions of things to consider:
Look for hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, avocado, glycerin, ceramides, jojoba, aloe vera and olive oil, says Lankerani. It’s important for those with dry skin to be wary of certain ingredients, like fragrance.
“Fragrances can disrupt the skin’s ability to retain moisture and impair the skin’s natural moisture barrier,” says Green. “When the skin’s barrier is damaged, tiny cracks can form, allowing for moisture to leave the skin and irritants to enter, which can lead to redness, itching and the worsening of dryness.”
You should also steer clear from harsh cleansing agents like alcohol and sulfates, as well as highly active ingredients like retinols and certain acids like salicylic acid because they can potentially strip away natural oils and have a drying effect on the skin, says Lankerani. Additionally, those with dry skin should avoid cleansers with parabens (chemicals like methylparaben and butylparaben, which are used as preservatives) because they can sensitize the skin and lead to irritation and itchiness, says Green.
Cleansers are primarily made to wash away dirt and oil on the skin, but some products have benefits beyond this. Exfoliating cleansers work to remove dead skin cells to improve cell turnover and bring new, healthy skin cells to the surface, says Green. That said, while they can help brighten up a dull complexion and unclog pores, certain acids can be quite drying on dry skin types, so it’s important to choose them carefully.
“For dryer skin, AHAs are recommended as they are milder and work more on the surface of the skin,” says Lankerani.
There are also cleansing oils, which are oil-based cleansers that help dissolve makeup and sunscreen in addition to clearing away dirt and sebum on the skin. Many cleansing oils are formulated with hydrating ingredients that won’t leave the skin feeling dry once rinsed.
When using a facial cleanser, you should first wet your face with lukewarm water and apply the cleanser to your fingertips, says Green. “Gently massage the cleanser into your skin in circular motions across the face, making sure not to use too much pressure, as harsh scrubbing can irritate the skin.” Rinse the cleanser off with lukewarm water and pat your face dry with a towel. While there isn’t an exact length of time you should cleanse your face, a general rule of thumb is to cleanse for a minimum of 20 to 30 seconds, says Green.
Dermatologists recommend cleansing twice a day: once in the morning and once at night. “Washing your face in the morning will remove any dirt or bacteria on your skin that was transferred from your pillowcase or hair as you were sleeping,” says Green. “Washing your face at night is extremely important for cleansing the skin of any dirt, pollution, oil or sweat that was accumulated throughout the day.” Additionally, you should wash your face after swimming or any activity that causes excessive sweating, notes Green.
Using an exfoliating cleanser requires different guidelines — you should use one less frequently since over-exfoliation can disrupt the skin’s natural pH, lead to irritation and cause tiny cracks in the skin that can further exacerbate inflammation and dryness, says Lankerani. You should follow the instructions on the specific product you’re using, but generally speaking, you can use an exfoliating cleanser once or twice a week if you have dry or sensitive skin, says Lankerani.
Another method of cleansing, called double cleansing, can be effective in the evening to get rid of makeup and prep the skin for your other skin care products like serums and moisturizers. The process involves using light pressure to massage a cleansing oil (the first cleanse) into dry skin, focusing on any areas that may have residual makeup such as the lips and eyes. After working the cleansing oil into the skin for a few minutes, rinse with lukewarm water, making sure not to pat the skin dry in order to prep it for the water-based cleanser (the second cleanse). For the second part of the cleanse, apply your cleanser of choice on wet skin, working in circular motions and using light pressure to get rid of any excess makeup or impurities. Rinse with lukewarm water and gently pat dry before moving on to the rest of your skin care routine.
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
Michelle Rostamian has more than 10 years of experience covering beauty and skin care topics. For this story, Rostamian spoke to board-certified dermatologists and included their direct recommendations and products based on their guidance along with NBC Select staff favorites.
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