If you’re struggling with dry skin, we don’t have to tell you twice: the cleanser you use can surely make a difference.

It’s not just about removing impurities, either. Of course, we all want that fresh-and-clean feeling, but we also need a formula that won’t strip our skin in the process. It has to be gentle, and it has to be hydrating.

Take it from me, someone who has been combatting dry skin for years. After plenty of visits with my dermatologist saying I have contact dermatitis, we talked through how imperative it is to use a hydrating, nurturing cleanser. Add sensitive skin to the mix, and the ingredients matter more than ever.

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“Cleansers for dry skin should generally focus on preserving and enhancing the skin’s moisture levels,” Jeremy Brauer, MD, board-certified dermatologist, dermatologic surgeon and founder of Spectrum Skin and Laser. “When picking the right cleanser for dry skin, the ingredients are very important as they should be working to repair the skin barrier’s function rather than stripping the skin. Using a good cleanser on dry skin can work to alleviate discomfort, minimize the look of flaking and peeling, and help the skin feel balanced.”

After reviewing nearly every skincare product sold on the Sephora shelves (and elsewhere), I’ve corralled more than 10 years of experience swapping out brands and formulations to put together this review of the very best cleansers for dry skin.

All of our shopping guides are important here at Post Wanted, but this one rings close to home. As always, consult with a board-certified dermatologist to find the best routine for you. Below, you’ll find the cleansers that I’d use every day because they help nurture and hydrate at a high level.

Additionally, check out the in-depth FAQ section following each review for the 411 from derms.

After testing the Cetaphil Hydrating Foaming Cream Cleanser for two years straight, it’s always the formulation I return to when I desire a trusty and nourishing face wash. The best part? It’s budget-friendly, hypoallergenic and fragrance-free. So, instead of being solely geared toward dry skin, it’s just as phenomenal on my sensitive skin.

More than 8,000 shoppers purchase it each month on Amazon alone, though this rockstar cleanser is available elsewhere, too. Because of its cream-to-foam feel, I always notice it effectively washes away impurities but then lathers beautifully onto the skin. It’s like using a cleanser-moisturizer hybrid. Plus, it hails from a dermatologist-loved brand.

If you’ve ever perused the Target beauty aisles or have seen dermatologist-recommended products on advertisements, you’re likely familiar with CeraVe. Its Foaming Facial Cleanser is top-notch, especially if you’re looking for a cleanser that’s “safe.” It has never led to breakouts and it certainly is one I reach for if I’m looking to add a new product to my skincare routine, say a new vitamin C serum or a face mask.

While it’s marketed for normal to oily skin, I find it works best for dry skin. It doesn’t leave that filmy texture that’s so common with drugstore cleansers (spoiler alert: we don’t want them, and never did). It doesn’t disrupt the skin barrier, making it ideal for dry and even flaky areas of the face, like I’ve found around my jawline.

Additionally, it’s packed with three essential ceramides, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid, so it’s bringing you a dermatologist-approved trifecta that has fared well for my skin in the long haul. If you want to avoid a pricier cleanser, this drugstore hero is the way to go.

The La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser is a sensitive- and dry skin-approved option that’s worth grabbing. Take it from me, someone who has reviewed nearly the entire brand.

Because it’s fragrance-free, contains niacinamide and doesn’t strip the epidermis of my skin. Instead, it’s hydrating, effectively removes impurities — especially at the end of the day — and is formulated with the brand’s signature thermal spring water that hails from France. Feel-good cleansing, secured.

I was extremely impressed the first time I tried the ANUA Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil. Ever since, it has been a Korean skincare essential that truly mitigates the appearance of pores, especially on the nose.

As a No. 1 Amazon best-seller with more than 10,000 glistening reviews, it lends itself to that glass-skin look, similar to nearly every product from COSRX that I reviewed. It’s also hypoallergenic, gentle on the skin and even gentler on the eyes. After using it, it feels like I used a cleanser and an eye cream. For the price, it’s spectacular.

Doused with hydration and a creaminess like no other, the Alpyn Beauty Juneberry & Collagen Hydrating Cream Cleanser is a dreamboat to use in the winter months or if you have extremely, extremely dry skin. Not to mention, I reviewed the entirety of Alpyn Beauty and swear by it; it’s the first skincare brand I used consistently that made a noticeable difference to my skin.

It gently exfoliates dry skin thanks to its micro-beads that melt away once it hits the skin. So, it’s non-irritating, leaves my skin soft and smooth every time and contains plant-based collagen for a dreamy finish.

Sometimes, a gel cleanser is preferred. Its consistency is one of the most beneficial for a deep cleanse, helping to reverse the effect of dry skin that has minor oily spots. Options like the Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel offer a refreshing and cooling sensation as well, helping to nurture the skin well.

This particular cleanser is offered in three different size options to accommodate different budgets. More than 2,000 shoppers purchased it this month on Amazon alone, thanks to its effective cleanse and fragrance-free formulation. Plus, it’s an option that’s wholly recommended by dermatologists.

The COSRX Advanced Snail Mucin Gel Cleanser has a tacky, bubble-forming consistency that instantly nourishes my skin whenever I use it. It’s one of those cleansers that feels like it’s instantly working, leaving my skin ultra-clean and hydrated, too.

The brand has hit peak popularity status, with more than 10,000 shoppers purchasing it on Amazon alone. It’s paraben-free and feels refreshing whenever it’s used. As a whole, it’s one I love to use in the mornings, especially, as it awakens my skin.

The Paula’s Choice CLEAR Pore Normalizing Cleanser feels like a dream. If your dry skin is prone to hormonal acne like mine at times, this face wash is the one I reach for.

Specifically, it contains salicylic to help keep blackheads at bay while maintaining its nourishing texture. It’s ultra-light but nourishing at the same time, helping to remove pores but keeping that dry skin feeling at a minimum. For less than $25, it’s one of my favorites to use.

The Hero Cosmetics Dissolve Away Daily Cleansing Balm is foamy upon use, so it’s a bit more effective at removing all of your makeup — for less than $20! It’s one of the best cleansing balms I used for dry skin that doesn’t leave the skin feeling greasy.

A nickel-size amount is all you need, or else it may make your skin shiny. I noticed a subtle shin at the center of my forehead but, once I added more water, the cleansing balm immediately foamed up and resolved that issue. It’s also so good, that I wrote an entire review on it.

Ahead, Post Wanted consulted three board-certified dermatologists to weigh in on what to look for in a quality face cleanser.

First things first — let’s define what dry skin feels like. Of course, if you have dry skin, you’ll likely know, but it’s normal for your skin’s texture to change every so often, which is why the particular cleanser you choose is important.

“Dry skin tends to have a tight sensation, can be itchy, flaky or scaly,” Mina Amin, MD, board-certified dermatologist, shared with The Post. ” A great way to know if you have dry skin is to wash your skin and wait one hour. If your skin is dry and tight, you likely have dry skin.”

For dry skin, look for gentle, pH-balanced, fragrance-free hydrating cleansers that will not strip and irritate skin, according to Blair Murphy-Rose, MD, a board-certified cosmetic, medical and surgical dermatologist specializing in facial rejuvenation at the Laser & Skin Surgery Center of New York and clinical instructor of dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical College.

For dry skin, look for glycerin or ceramides to boost your skin barrier. Glycerin is an important ingredient as it cleanses the skin without stripping away its natural moisture.

“Ceramides are also a great ingredient as they help improve the skin’s barrier function,” Dr. Brauer added. “This barrier helps to prevent moisture loss, keep the skin hydrated, and protect it from environmental irritants.”How often should one use a cleanser for dry skin?

It’s important to avoid harsh soaps, fragrances, or chemicals that can be drying when picking the right cleanser.

“Fragrances are crucial to avoid because most perfumes contain alcohol, which can strip away natural oils and leave your skin feeling dry and tight,” Brauer noted. “Fragrances can also be irritating and cause your skin to flake off.”

Parabens should also be avoided in dry skin cleansers. “While they help to prolong the shelf life of products, they can also have a drying effect on your skin,” he added.

According to Dr. Murphy-Rose, cleanse nightly. “Most individuals with dry skin can skip a morning cleanse,” she advised. “If your skin feels dry upon waking, skip the cleanse or just splash with water and pat dry.”

After rotating face cleansers for my dry skin for four years, here’s what I’ve been keeping in mind for each product:

This article was written by Victoria Giardina, New York Post Commerce Journalist & Content Strategist, who has spent countless hours researching, testing hundreds of products and comparing the latest and greatest makeup, skincare, hair and beauty items and trends to determine what’s truly worth your hard-earned cash. She evaluates formulas, textures, ingredients and more, in addition to consulting medical and industry experts. Some of Victoria’s latest conquests include reviewing the viral Korean beauty brand, Cosrx, and testing dermatologist-recommended acne cleansers. Victoria has been creating shopping guides for the New York Post since 2021 and previously held positions at Insider Reviews and CNN Underscored.

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