Finding the perfect cleanser for dry skin is a delicate task.
The right product should be nourishing, not stripping, but still able to purify the skin of the pollution and debris that build up throughout the day.
It’s a dilemma Erin Gorman, Skincare Education Lead at Mecca, knows all too well. “Because people with dry skin are already lacking in sebum, or oil, they may be a little hesitant to reach for that cleanser,” she says.
But, as she explains, cleansing is an essential step in the care of every skin type. Below, her tips and tricks to the best cleansers for dry skin.
Sofia Richie.
(Image: @sofiarichie)Should you still use a cleanser if you have dry skin?
While it might sound counterintuitive, cleanser is still essential for dry skin types.
“With little sebum production, dry skin types may have a weakened skin barrier,” Erin explains.
Rather than exacerbate this she says, the right cleanser should gently remove the kinds of common irritants — think: pollution, bacteria and general debris — that collect on our skin throughout the day, in turn, minimising the risk of inflammation.
“Nourishing cleansing milks, oils and balms […] thoroughly cleanse without stripping the skin of natural oils” Erin tells us.
“The skin will be left feeling cleansed, silky-soft, and smooth.”
Are there certain ingredients people with dry skin should avoid?
“Dry skin will want to avoid cleansers with benzoyl peroxide, soaps, strong surfactants and alcohols which will strip all the oil from the skin and could weaken the skin barrier,” Erin says.
“These ingredients are too strong for dry skin and may create that tight, squeaky-clean feeling and possibly irritate the skin.”
Hailey Bieber.
(Image: @haileybieber)What ingredients work best for dry skin?
Just as we suspected, dry skin craves moisture.
“To quench that thirst,” Erin says, “look for cleansers with ingredients like hyaluronic acid which will help to plump the skin, and glycerin which works to bind all that moisture to the skin.”
Other ingredients in Erin’s dry skin arsenal include squalane, jojoba, vitamin E, ceramides and niacinamide. Combined, these work to repair and nurture the skin barrier, and prevent excessive trans-epidermal water loss (TWEL).”
What sorts of products should you follow your cleanser with if you have dry skin?
Dry skin will benefit from hydrating and nourishing serums and moisturisers, Erin says. For something a little more intensive, a hydrating mask will give an immediate boost of hydration to thirsty skin.
And for best results, she recommends applying these to damp skin. “Damp skin will enhance the moisturising effects of hydrating ingredients as they will bind that moisture to the skin.”
To finish off, Erin suggests adding a face oil to your skincare routine, to replenish and boost the skin’s natural barrier, leaving skin more resilient overall.
The best cleansers for dry skin
01
Skinstitut Gentle Cleanser 200mL
$36.40 at Adore Beauty
Dry or sensitive skin will love Skinstitut’s gentle cleanser. Enriched with Vitamin B5 to calm redness and Vitamin E, Goji Berry, Green Tea, and Aloe Vera to strengthen and soothe your complexion, this formula removes dirt and makeup without aggravating the skin.
Key features:
- Suitable for everyday use
- Highly nourishing
- For oilier skin, follow up with a deeper cleanser
02
Clinique Redness Solutions Soothing Cleanser 150mL
$60 at Adore Beauty
Kiss redness goodbye with Clinique’s Redness Solutions Soothing Cleanser. Formulated to cleanse without irritating, this non-drying creamy cleanser melts away makeup and impurities while preserving the skin’s moisture balance.
Key features:
- Enriched with skin-soothing lactobacillus extract
- For use morning and night
Also available at:
- $60 from David Jones
- $60 from Myer
03
Bioderma Sebium H2O Purifying Micellar Water 500mL
$33 at Sephora
Looking to really simplify your skincare routine? This one’s for you. Bioderma Sensibio H20 is the world’s first micellar cleansing water, designed to gently remove dirt and impurities without requiring you to rinse it off. Simply soak a cotton pad (or similar) with Bioderma Sensibio H20, gently cleanse your skin, and continue on with your skincare routine!
Key features:
- Artificial fragrance free
- Alcohol free
- Paraben free
- Formulated at the same pH as healthy skin, 5.5, to avoid irritation and barrier disruption
- Enriched with hydrating cucumber extract
Also available at:
- $32.99 from Adore Beauty
04
Fresh Soy Face Cleanser 400mL
$107 at Sephora
If you’re not already a cult follower of skincare brand Fresh, this cleanser might just do the trick. Fortified with soy proteins to improve skin elasticity, cucumber extract to cool and calm, aloe vera to hydrate, and borage seed oil to nourish, this might just be the hardest working cleanser on the market.
Key features:
- Designed to maintain the skin’s pH balance
- Hydrates while it cleanses
- Suitable for all skin types
05
SK-II Facial Treatment Gentle Cleanser 120g
$105 at Adore Beauty
For a cleanser that does more than just cleanse, look no further. SK-II’s gentle formula is designed to target skin’s texture, firmness, and radiance, as well as banish spots and prevent wrinkles, with every use. Simply lather and cleanse, and let it’s powerful mix of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids get to work.
Key features:
- Contains Pitera, a naturally derived ingredient containing over 50 micro-nutrients like vitamins, minerals, amino acids and organic acids to condition skin’s natural functions.
06
Alpha-H Melting Moment Cleansing Balm with Wild Orange Leaf Extract
$69.95 at Adore Beauty
Gone are the days of scrubbing at skin to cleanse away the day. Alpha-H’s cleansing balm might just be the gentlest solution to cleaning sensitive skin, thanks to it’s clever balm-to-oil concoction, which melts away any makeup, SPF, dirt and impurities from the face without being harsh on the skin.
Key features
- Supports skin’s natural pH balance
- Enriched with Native Wild Orange Leaf Extract and Grapeseed Oil
- Suitable for all skin types
- Follow up with a foaming cleanser for a deeper cleanse
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