<p>According to Dr. Wang, the best facial wash for dry skin will contain <a href=”https://www.esquire.com/style/grooming/g32825085/best-shaving-creams/” target=”_blank”>hydrators</a> like oatmeal, humectants, and <a href=”https://www.esquire.com/style/grooming/g22838810/best-anti-aging-cream-for-men/” target=”_blank”>ceramides</a> in the product. “They will also often lack salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and other ingredients that will cause tears on the surface of the skin,” he adds. </p><p>It is also important to consider the <a href=”https://www.esquire.com/style/grooming/g45155231/best-eye-serums-for-men/” target=”_blank”>type of formula</a> you plan to use. “Foaming cleansers, in general, tend to be better for oily skin, but there are exceptions,” says Dr. Muneeb Shah, dermatology resident at Campbell University in North Carolina. Dr. Joel Lamm, a board-certified dermatologist and Ever/Body’s supervising physician, also recommends creams, because they help “avoid drying out skin.” </p><p>So, if you are plagued by dry skin and need a facial wash that is up to snuff, we asked all three of these dermatologists to give their <a href=”https://www.esquire.com/style/grooming/g44755051/top-shelf-grooming-august-14-2023/” target=”_blank”>recommendations</a> on the products you need to give your face the smooth, dewy finish that it deserves. </p>”/>
Every product was carefully curated by an Esquire editor. We may earn a commission from these links.
best overall dry skin cleanser
CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
best overall dry skin cleanser
CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
Now 18% Off
Pros
- Great price
- Over 80,000 5-star reviews
- Gentle formula that doesn’t strip the skin
Cons
- Very thick, lotion-like texture
This facial wash get the seal of approval from Dr. Lamm because it is “a gentle hydrating formula that contains hydrating ingredients such as ceramides and hyaluronic acid.”
| Key Ingredients | Hyaluronic acid, ceramides, glycerin |
|---|---|
| Scent | None |
best gentle dry skin cleanser
Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Hydrating Cleanser
best gentle dry skin cleanser
Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Hydrating Cleanser
Now 43% Off
According to Dr. Wang, “this cleanser is soap-free, gentle on the skin, and does not contain fragrances or oils.”
| Key Ingredients | Polyglycerin |
|---|---|
| Scent | None |
best moisturizing dry skin cleanser
La Roche-Posay Lipikar Wash AP+ Moisturizing Body & Face Wash
best moisturizing dry skin cleanser
La Roche-Posay Lipikar Wash AP+ Moisturizing Body & Face Wash
Pros
- Works on eczema and acne
- Very gentle formula
Cons
- Might be too drying for some skin stypes
This foaming formula, recommended by Dr. Shah, sreduces drying effects of water, leaving your skin smooth and soft.
| Key Ingredients | Shea butter, glycerin, niacinamide, prebiotic thermal water |
|---|---|
| Scent | None |
best high-end dry skin cleanser
Dr. Barbara Sturm Cleanser
best high-end dry skin cleanser
Dr. Barbara Sturm Cleanser
Pros
- Effective at preparing skin for other products
- Soothing and rejuvenating properties
Cons
- Pricey
With aloe vera and soothing purslane, this cleanser targets impurities and dirt, while leaving your natural skin barrier and oils intact.
| Key Ingredients | Aloe vera, purslane |
|---|---|
| Scent | None |
best travel-size dry skin cleanser
Tatcha Mini Rice Wash Skin-Softening Cleanser
best travel-size dry skin cleanser
Tatcha Mini Rice Wash Skin-Softening Cleanser
Pros
- pH-neutral formula
- Rice water has vitamins that make skin more luminous
Cons
- Expensive for small quantity
A creamy formula with hyaluronic acid, a gentle, soothing ingredient that delivers hydration to this skin, makes it a top contender for those with dry skin.
| Key Ingredients | Japanese algae, hyaluronic acid |
|---|---|
| Scent | None |
best moisturizing dry skin cleanser
SkinCeuticals Gentle Cleanser
best moisturizing dry skin cleanser
SkinCeuticals Gentle Cleanser
Pros
- Treats discoloration and signs of aging
- Softens skin while cleansing it
Cons
- Higher price point for how much you get
“Skinceuticals Gentle Cleanser is a creamy non-foaming hydrating cleanser designed for dry skin types,” says Dr. Lamm.
| Key Ingredients | Allantoin, Glycerin, Orange Oil |
|---|---|
| Scent | None |
best creamy dry skin cleanser
First Aid Beauty Pure Skin Face Cleanser
best creamy dry skin cleanser
First Aid Beauty Pure Skin Face Cleanser
Pros
- Treats redness and dark circles
- Lightweight, creamy formula
Cons
- Some buyers dislike the natural scent
For those with extremely dry skin and redness, this fragrance-free, creamy cleanser has aloe, allantoin, and glycerin to help soothe and hydrate.
| Key Ingredients | Allantoin, glycerin, aloe |
|---|---|
| Scent | None |
best sensitive and dry skin cleanser
Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser
best sensitive and dry skin cleanser
Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser
Now 11% Off
Pros
- Formulated for sensitive skin
- Non-comedogenic
Cons
- Each batch may have a slightly different aroma
According to Dr. Shah, this cleanser is tops because it is “fragrance-free with gentle surfactants.”
| Key Ingredients | Glycerin |
|---|---|
| Scent | None |
best lightweight dry skin cleanser
EltaMD Foaming Facial Cleanser
best lightweight dry skin cleanser
EltaMD Foaming Facial Cleanser
Now 13% Off
Pros
- Buyers report it feels great on the face
- Good for sensitive skin
Cons
- Some buyers dislike the scent
“This is a very light foam that can gently degrease the skin without removing moisture,” says Dr. Wang. “Its formulation is perfect for those with dry, irritated skin.”
| Key Ingredients | Bromelain enzymes |
|---|---|
| Scent | Cucumber |
best antioxidant dry skin cleanser
Youth To The People Superfood Gentle Antioxidant Refillable Cleanser
best antioxidant dry skin cleanser
Youth To The People Superfood Gentle Antioxidant Refillable Cleanser
For dry skin and combination skin, this antioxidant-packed cleanser is a happy medium between something that’ll effectively cleanse your face and something that won’t be too harsh. The clean, vegan formula has ingredients like kale, spinach, and green tea, which are lightweight yet effective, leaving your skin healthy and glowy.
| Key Ingredients | Kale, spinach, green tea |
|---|---|
| Scent | Fresh |
best softening dry skin cleanser
SkinCeuticals Soothing Cleanser
best softening dry skin cleanser
SkinCeuticals Soothing Cleanser
Pros
- Suitable for sensitive skin
- Soothing for post-procedure skin
Cons
- Some buyers report their skin still doesn’t feel clean after use
Dr. Lamm recommends Skinceuticals Soothing Cleanser because it “is a soap-free formula that contains hydrating and soothing ingredients ideal for dry and sensitive skin.”
| Key Ingredients | Sorbitol, glycerin, orchid extract, cucumber extract |
|---|---|
| Scent | None |
best nourishing dry skin cleanser
Glossier Milky Jelly Gentle Gel Face Cleanser
best nourishing dry skin cleanser
Glossier Milky Jelly Gentle Gel Face Cleanser
Pros
- Very lightweight and gentle
- pH-balanced to be nourishing
Cons
- Some buyers report it isn’t hydrating enough
With a pH-balanced formula that’s meant to be used twice per day without drying your skin out, Glossier’s jelly-like cleanser with rose water is all about leaving your skin feeling freshly conditioned and soft as ever.
| Key Ingredients | Allantoin, rose water |
|---|---|
| Scent | Rose |
best soothing dry skin cleanser
Paula’s Choice Resist Optimal Results Hydrating Cleanser
best soothing dry skin cleanser
Paula’s Choice Resist Optimal Results Hydrating Cleanser
Pros
- Formulated to replenish moisture
- Restores youthful appearance
Cons
- Packaging prone to breaking
“This formulation gently cleanses the skin while soothing the skin with green tea and chamomile.” says Dr. Wang.
| Key Ingredients | Green tea, chamomile |
|---|---|
| Scent | None |
best hydrating dry skin cleanser
Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser
best hydrating dry skin cleanser
Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser
Now 16% Off
Pros
- Hypoallergenic
Cons
- Some find it too drying
“Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser is formulated to gently cleanse and hydrate the skin,” says Dr. Lamm. “It contains hydrating ingredients such as niacinamide and vitamin B5.”
| Key Ingredients | Glycerin |
|---|---|
| Scent | None |
Frequently Asked Questions
What ingredients are best for dry skin?
To soothe and nourish dry skin, it’s all about hydration, hydration, hydration. Even if your skin is only dry seasonally, you want to look for cleansers that remove the dirt and oils from your skin, but not the natural barrier of the skin itself—that’s what leaves you red, rough, and dry.
Ingredients known to sooth and replenish moisture include aloe vera, ceramides, glycerin, and various vitamins. Hyaluronic acid is also great at restoring plumpness and locking in hydration, and gentle ceramides and enzymes are effective, too.
What kind of formula is best for dry skin?
So long as your skin isn’t very sensitive, most formula types should be good for you. If your skin is super dry, a lotion-like cream or lather might feel like it’s doing a better job than, say, a foam or a gel.
Why You Can Trust Esquire
We’re not going to say something is great unless it’s actually great. Every product in Esquire’s round-ups is carefully curated by our grooming and e-commerce teams.
When it comes to dry skin face washes, you can rest assured that we’re hand-selecting styles that we’ve personally tested, tried, and loved. We’ve had to go through a lot of trial and error, and these options are the ones that are simply the best.
Every pick on this list (and our other lists!) comes from years of testing different products, seeing what we love and what we don’t, and going from there. No two tastes are the same, and no two men are the same. Your proverbial mileage may vary. But if you’re looking for the right place to start, with advice from folks who and care (possibly too much!) about this sort of stuff, this is the place to be.
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