Fall is here, which we all know means colder weather and, incidentally, dry skin. While every skin type is different, most of us could use a bit of extra hydration during the colder months — especially those of us with dry skin. Skin is a sensitive microbiome — even the smallest changes can drastically affect the look and feel of your skin. While the effects may be gradual at first, the onset of colder weather can seriously dry out your skin, sometimes even to the extent of being painful (been there).
With the onset of colder weather comes a much needed update to our beauty routines. While a great moisturizer is so important, starting with your cleanser is an even better way to ensure your skin is getting all of the moisture it needs. To combat the oh-so-annoying flaking and itching that comes with dropping temps, treat your skin to a rich, moisturizing cleanser this season. Read on for 30 of the best face washes for dry skin.
- Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser
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Cult-favorite brand Glossier’s Milky Jelly Cleanser ($19) is formulated with five skin conditioners, including allantoin and vitamin B5. After washing, this cleanser leaves your skin feeling baby soft without that dry, tight feeling that can come before moisturizing.
- CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
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Created with dermatologists, the CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser ($15) removes dirt, makeup, and other debris from your skin while delivering a powerful boost of hydration. Ceramides and hyaluronic acid work together to restore the skin’s natural barrier to help the skin lock in moisture.
- The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm
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This Allure 2020 Best of Beauty Award Winner is a fan-favorite for a reason. The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm ($11) melts away makeup and absorbs excess oil without drying out your skin. Oat kernel oil moisturizes and hydrates while colloidal oatmeal reduces redness and soothes irritated skin. Plus, it’s vegan, gluten free, and cruelty-free!
- Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cleanser
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Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cleanser ($28) is a lightweight gel formula that is loaded with skin-loving ingredients like apricot kernel oil, avocado oil, glycerin, and squalene to lock in moisture. Its extra gentle formula is also suitable for all skin types, not just dry!
- Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Facial Cleansing Gel
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Hyaluronic acid is the star ingredient in the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Facial Cleansing Gel ($13), helping attracting and locking moisture into the skin. This hypoallergenic cleanser leaves the skin feeling clean, supple, and hydrated.
- BYOMA Creamy Jelly Cleanser
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Dermatologist tested and approved, Byoma’s Creamy Jelly Cleanser ($13) is an Allure Best of Beauty 2022 Award Winner for Best Cream Facial Cleanser. Licorice root and green tea are rich in antioxidants, while the brand’s unique Tri-Ceramide Complex supports skin barrier health.
- Skinfix Barrier+ Foaming Oil Hydrating Cleanser
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Skinfix Barrier+ Foaming Oil Hydrating Cleanser ($30) has a lightly foaming formula that cleanses the skin, without removing lipids. Formulated with ingredients such as a seaweed hyaluronate blend and hydrating aloe barbadensis leaf juice, this antioxidant-packed cleanser leaves skin hydrated, dewy, and glass-like.
- La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Face Cleanser
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The La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Face Cleanser ($16) is infused with prebiotic thermal water, ceramide-3, niacinamide, and glycerin. It’s gentle enough for everyday use, while maintaining skin’s natural pH balance. Plus, the brand is recommended and backed by 90,000 dermatologists worldwide, so you know it’s legit.
- Origins Checks and Balances™ Frothy Face Wash
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This bestselling face wash is not only great for retaining moisture, it’s also suitable for acne prone skin. The Origins Checks and Balances™ Frothy Face Wash ($26) contains broad-leaf kelp extract, wheat protein, and tourmaline, plus mint to invigorate the skin. Dry zones are left hydrated and comfortable, while oily zones are refreshed and balanced.
- Tatcha The Rice Wash Skin-Softening Cleanser
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The Tatcha The Rice Wash Skin-Softening Cleanser ($38) is inspired by the Japanese ritual of women using milky water leftover from rinsing rice for cooking to use in their beauty routines. Your skin will be left feeling healthy, radiant, and nourished.
- Paula’s Choice Skin Recovery Softening Cream Cleanser
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The Paula’s Choice Skin Recovery Softening Cream Cleanser ($19) leaves the skin feeling cushiony soft and dewy!
- Dr. Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Enzyme Foam Cleanser
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Hydrating glycerin in the Dr. Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Enzyme Foam Cleanser ($26) keeps skin soft and hydrated while Dr. Jart+’s signature Green Repair Solution soothes irritated, red skin.
- Versed Gentle Cycle Hydrating Milky Cleanser
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Great for both dry and acne prone skin types, the Versed Gentle Cycle Hydrating Milky Cleanser ($15) contains anti-inflammatory oat milk and antioxidant-rich marula oil.
- Hero Cosmetics Gentle Milky Cleanser
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The Hero Cosmetics Gentle Milky Cleanser ($15) is a dream for anyone with dry and sensitive skin. Oat, jojoba, and ceramides leave the skin feeling super-soft and calm.
- First Aid Beauty Pure Skin Face Cleanser
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The First Aid Beauty Pure Skin Face Cleanser ($24) contains powerful ingredients like glycerin and aloe. This lightweight cream cleanser calms, hydrates, and soothes irritated skin.
- innisfree Hydrating Cleansing Foam With Green Tea
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The innisfree Hydrating Cleansing Foam With Green Tea ($10) is loaded with Jeju Green Tea Root Extract, which is a natural surfactant that helps deliver a gentle cleanse using micro bubbles.
- Summer Fridays Super Amino Gel Cleanser
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This brand is a cult-favorite for a reason. The Summer Fridays Super Amino Gel Cleanser ($35) contains 11 curated amino acids with unique powers to replenish, protect, and support skin elasticity.
- Drunk Elephant E-Rase Milki Micellar Water
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The Drunk Elephant E-Rase Milki Micellar Water ($28) gently removes dirt, oil, and makeup from the face, while a 3-ceramide blend and wild melon oil lock in moisture.
- Cetaphil Gentle Skin Facial Cleanser
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Looking for something simple and free of irritating ingredients? Look no further than the Cetaphil Gentle Skin Facial Cleanser ($10).
- The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser
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The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser ($20) utilizes the power of squalane, a plant-derived moisturizing agent, to cleanse the skin while keeping it soft and moisturized.
- Dove Beauty Bar for Sensitive Skin
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Bar soap may seem like an odd addition here, but the Dove Beauty Bar for Sensitive Skin ($16 for a six-pack) is hypoallergenic and recommended as a face wash as well as a body soap. Plus, it’s loaded with moisturizing cream, so your skin will feel soft and not stripped.
- Farmacy Green Clean Makeup Removing Cleansing Balm
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Looking for a double whammy cleanser that’ll hydrate your dry skin and remove makeup? The Farmacy Green Clean Makeup Removing Cleansing Balm ($36) effortlessly melts away makeup with a dreamy balm consistency while papaya enzymes naturally exfoliate your skin.
- Tatcha The Camellia Oil 2-in-1 Makeup Remover & Cleanser
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The Tatcha The Camellia Oil 2-in-1 Makeup Remover & Cleanser ($50) is a luxurious cleanser loaded with Japanese camellia oil to leave skin silky soft. Treat yourself, bestie!
- Korres Greek Yoghurt Foaming Cream Cleanser
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The Korres Greek Yoghurt Foaming Cream Cleanser ($28) is a bestselling superfood cleanser formulated with Greek yogurt to leave your skin looking healthy after just one wash. Plus, sea water and antioxidants boost hydration and minimize the look of pores.
- LANEIGE Cream Skin Milk Oil Cleanser
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This low-pH cleanser is formulated with milk oil and white leaf tea water to cleanse, hydrate, and soothe. The LANEIGE Cream Skin Milk Oil Cleanser ($34) is truly a must-have for dry skin baddies!
- IT Cosmetics Confidence in a Cleanser Hydrating Facial Cleanser Serum
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The IT Cosmetics Confidence in a Cleanser Hydrating Facial Cleanser Serum ($29) combines the cleansing power of a foam cleanser with the hydration of a serum. Ceramides and hyaluronic acid are the star ingredients that really lock in moisture.
- Caudalie Vinoclean Gentle Cleansing Almond Milk
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The Caudalie Vinoclean Gentle Cleansing Almond Milk ($30) is formulated with nourishing sweet almond oil, soothing cornflower water, and antioxidant polyphenols. Plus, the new formula also includes castor oil, which is known to promote lash growth.
- Aveeno Calm and Restore Nourishing Oat Cleanser
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Have dry and sensitive skin? This one’s for you. Aveeno Calm and Restore Nourishing Oat Cleanser ($12) is specifically formulated for sensitive skin with its nourishing oat and calming feverfew.
- Honest Beauty Gentle Gel Cleanser with Chamomile + Calendula
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Jessica Alba’s Honest Beauty is known for clean formulas and sustainable packaging, and the Honest Beauty Gentle Gel Cleanser with Chamomile + Calendula ($13) is no exception. This cleanser gently removes impurities without stripping the skin of its natural oils.
- Derma E Ultra Hydrating Alkaline Cloud Cleanser
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The name of this cleanser says it all. Derma E Ultra Hydrating Alkaline Cloud Cleanser’s ($16) blend of hydrating hyaluronic acid and snow mushroom extract work together to moisturize and condition skin, leaving it with cloudlike softness.
