The 7 best face washes for dry skin, from cream to milk cleansers

Key takeaways

• Dry skin does best with a gentle, fragrance-free, non-soap cleanser. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) says to avoid using so much that you see a thick lather.

• Our top pick is CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser, a non-foaming cream cleanser with three ceramides and hyaluronic acid.

• For dry, sensitive skin, La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Facial Cleanser is sulfate-free, soap-free and fragrance-free.

• Six of the seven picks are listed in the National Eczema Association’s directory of products with its Seal of Acceptance.

• Wash with lukewarm water, not hot, and put on moisturizer while your skin is still damp.

How to choose a face wash for dry skin

The AAD says to use a gentle cleanser and apply “enough cleanser to remove dirt and oil but avoid using so much that you see a thick lather.” It also recommends products labeled fragrance-free for dry, sensitive skin. Mayo Clinic goes further, suggesting a cleanser “that doesn’t foam and doesn’t have alcohol in it.”

What to look for on the label:

• A non-soap cleanser. A 2022 review in *Molecules* notes that harsh soaps can cause dryness, roughness, tightness and itching, and that mild synthetic cleansers are the preferred choice.

• Sulfate-free surfactants. Look for gentler cleansing agents like glucosides, betaines or amino acid surfactants instead of sodium lauryl sulfate.

• Hydrating ingredients. Glycerin, ceramides and hyaluronic acid help a cleanser leave skin feeling less tight.

• No fragrance. Fragrance is a common irritant, and all seven picks here are either labeled fragrance-free or list no fragrance.

Not sure if your skin is dry or dehydrated? Our guide to dry vs dehydrated skin explains the difference.

We compared each cleanser on its published ingredient list, not on hands-on testing. We looked at the cleanser format, the surfactants, the hydrating ingredients, whether fragrance is listed, whether it’s in the National Eczema Association’s directory and the price.

1. CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser: best overall

CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser is a non-foaming cream cleanser for normal to dry skin, with ceramides NP, AP and EOP, hyaluronic acid and glycerin as the second ingredient. CeraVe labels it free of added fragrance and non-comedogenic.

Key features:

• Three ceramides and hyaluronic acid. It has more ceramide types than any other pick here.

• National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance. It’s listed in the NEA’s product directory.

• Very mild cleansing agents. It relies on gentle emulsifiers rather than sulfate detergents.

Tradeoff: it barely lathers, so it won’t feel squeaky clean.

Best for: normal to dry skin that wants an everyday, low-cost cleanser.

Price: $13.79 for 12 fl oz at Target.

2. La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Facial Cleanser: best for sensitive skin

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Facial Cleanser is a cream cleanser with ceramide NP, niacinamide, glycerin and La Roche-Posay’s prebiotic thermal spring water. La Roche-Posay labels it fragrance-free, sulfate-free and soap-free.

Key features:

• Coco-betaine cleanser. It uses a mild surfactant in a cream base.

• Published study figures. In a four-week consumer study, 94% said it felt gentle on their skin, according to La Roche-Posay.

• National Eczema Association listing. It’s in the NEA’s directory of accepted products.

Tradeoff: La Roche-Posay recommends a separate makeup remover or micellar water for makeup, and says it isn’t meant for oily skin.

Best for: dry, sensitive skin.

Price: $19.99 for 400 ml.

3. Medik8 Total Moisture Daily Cleansing Gel: best gel cleanser

Medik8 Total Moisture Daily Cleansing Gel is an oil-free gel with a blend of amino acid and glycolipid cleansing agents, plus saccharide isomerate, glycerin, prebiotic inulin and fermented rice extract. Medik8 says it’s 100% fragrance-free.

Key features:

• Sulfate-free lather. It foams gently for people who don’t like cream cleansers.

• Published study figures. In a four-week consumer study of 101 people, 84% agreed their skin felt more hydrated, according to Medik8.

• National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance. It’s listed in the NEA’s directory.

Tradeoff: at $36 for 5 fl oz it’s the priciest per ounce here, and Medik8 suggests an oil cleanser for waterproof makeup. It also recommends a patch test first.

Best for: dry or combination skin that prefers a gel texture.

Price: $36 for 5 fl oz.

4. The INKEY List Milk Cleanser: best for removing makeup and SPF

The INKEY List Milk Cleanser is a cream that turns into a milk when you add water. It has 5% rice milk, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, betaine and shea butter, at a stated pH of 5 to 6. The INKEY List labels it fragrance-free, sulfate-free and alcohol-free.

Key features:

• Removes waterproof makeup. In a consumer test of 94 people, The INKEY List says it removed waterproof makeup and SPF without irritation.

• National Eczema Association listing. It’s in the NEA’s directory.

• Works as a single or second cleanse. You massage it onto dry skin, then add water and rinse.

Tradeoff: it doesn’t foam, and its 24-hour hydration claim comes from a one-week study of 34 people. The INKEY List recommends a patch test.

Best for: dry skin that wears makeup or sunscreen daily.

Price: $20 for 240 ml.

5. Paula’s Choice RESIST Optimal Results Hydrating Cleanser: best lotion cleanser

Paula’s Choice RESIST Optimal Results Hydrating Cleanser is a lotion cleanser with a gentle glucoside surfactant, glycerin, camellia oil and chamomile extract. There’s no fragrance in its ingredient list, and Paula’s Choice says it cleanses without leaving skin feeling tight.

Key features:

• Sulfate-free. It uses decyl glucoside, a mild cleansing agent.

• Removes makeup. Paula’s Choice says it can be used around the eyes, with a second pass or a washcloth for heavy makeup.

• Travel size available. A 1 fl oz size is sold alongside the full size.

Tradeoff: it isn’t listed in the National Eczema Association’s directory, and it contains chamomile extract, which may not suit people who react to plants in the daisy family.

Best for: dry skin that wants a soft, lotion-like wash.

Price: $28 for 6.4 fl oz.

6. Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser: best minimal formula

Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser is a gel cleanser with just 12 ingredients, including glycerin and two mild non-soap surfactants. Vanicream labels it fragrance-free, sulfate-free and free of botanical extracts and essential oils.

Key features:

• Short ingredient list. Vanicream says it’s free of fragrance, dyes, lanolin and parabens.

• National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance. It’s listed in the NEA’s directory.

• Low price. It’s about $10 for 8 oz at major retailers.

Tradeoff: it has no ceramides or hyaluronic acid, and Vanicream says waterproof makeup may need a second cleanse.

Best for: dry skin that reacts to almost everything.

Price: about $10 for 8 oz.

7. BYOMA Milky Moisture Cleanser: best budget ceramide cleanser

BYOMA Milky Moisture Cleanser is a milk cleanser with ceramide NP, cholesterol and fatty acids, plus oat extract, panthenol and glycerin. BYOMA labels it alcohol-free and fragrance-free.

Key features:

• Ceramides at a low price. It’s $14.99, though La Roche-Posay and CeraVe cost less per ounce.

• Sulfate-free. It uses glucoside and amino acid surfactants.

• National Eczema Association listing. It’s in the NEA’s directory.

Tradeoff: BYOMA’s directions position it as a second-step cleanse, and it doesn’t publish details on its studies.

Best for: dry skin on a budget that wants ceramides in a milky texture.

Price: $14.99 for 175 ml.

How to wash dry skin without drying it out

• Use lukewarm water. The AAD recommends lukewarm water and your fingertips rather than a washcloth or sponge.

• Wash no more than twice a day. The AAD suggests limiting washing to twice a day and after sweating. Mayo Clinic says people with sensitive skin can wash with a cleanser in the evening and just rinse with water at other times.

• Pat dry and moisturize. Pat your face dry with a soft towel, then apply moisturizer while your skin is still damp. Our list of moisturizers for dry skin has picks.

• Double cleanse only when you need to. If you wear heavy makeup or water-resistant sunscreen, our list of cleansing balms covers a gentle first step.

• Skip harsh scrubs. If your skin feels rough, a gentle chemical exfoliant a few times a week is usually kinder. Our guide to how often to exfoliate explains how often.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best face wash for dry skin?

A gentle, fragrance-free, non-soap cleanser. CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser and La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Facial Cleanser are two widely available picks.

Should dry skin use a foaming cleanser?

Usually not. Mayo Clinic suggests a cleanser that doesn’t foam, and the AAD advises against using so much cleanser that you see a thick lather. If you like a gel, pick a sulfate-free one.

What is the best cleanser for very dry skin?

A cream or milk cleanser with hydrating ingredients like ceramides and glycerin, such as CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser or The INKEY List Milk Cleanser.

Can I wash my face with just water if I have dry skin?

Sometimes. Mayo Clinic says people with sensitive skin can wash with a cleanser in the evening and just rinse with water at other times.

What ingredients should dry skin avoid in a cleanser?

Harsh soaps, sulfates like sodium lauryl sulfate, alcohol and fragrance can all leave dry skin feeling tighter and more irritated.