The Cleansers Saving Our Dry Skin This Winter

Are we the only ones who have started waking up with a dry nose? That can only mean one thing: the seasons are finally changing for real and dry fall and winter air has arrived. If you’re among those of us with dry skin, this can spell a major problem. From dry patches to cracked skin, this season can be especially harsh without some serious prep. We love a good face mask and moisturizer, but every step needs to be nourishing and non-stripping—including your cleanser! Here are the cleansers for dry skin that are saving us this season.

Featured Experts

Prepping for Winter With Dry Skin

Omaha, NE dermatologist Joel Schlessinger, MD, says, “Dry skin is a skin type and something that can’t necessarily be changed, but with the right products and lifestyle choices, it can be treated and even improved. People with dry skin types naturally produce less sebum and lipids, which are two components necessary for helping skin retain essential moisture. Dry skin can also be genetic.”

When you have dry skin, it’s important to prioritize both hydration and moisture. Hydrating ingredients attract and hold on to water content, while moisturizers seal water in and protect the exterior of our skin. With dryer and colder air coming, it’s important to look for the ingredients that hold moisture and protect the skin.

“Winterizing skin care means using creamier bases, layering on non-comedogenic oils and seeking more emollient combinations of ceramides, hyaluronic acid, shea butter, glycerin and even petrolatum to help ward off winter dryness, irritation, flaking and itch and bring back the hydration, glow and luminosity of hydrated skin,” explains Bloomfield Hills, MI dermatologist Linda C. Honet, MD. That includes your cleanser!

Hyaluronic acid and ceramides are stellar ingredients to look for when searching for a cleanser for dry skin. Additionally, cleansing oils are an excellent option for dry skin, thanks to their non-stripping formulas designed to keep the skin barrier intact. Shop our favorite options ahead.

Our Favorite Cleansers for Dry Skin

1 / 10

This gel-based foaming cleanser easily and instantly washes away excess oil, impurities and makeup while hyaluronic acid and ceramides hydrate and seal in moisture.

2 / 10

This gentle face wash uses hyaluronic acid, ceramides, squalane, and triglycerides, formulated with the help of dermatologists. It removes makeup, dirt and excess oil without stripping moisture and boasts a non-greasy texture.

3 / 10

This lightweight and luxurious multi-vitamin cleansing oil melts makeup and dissolves buildup with natural oils and esters.

4 / 10

Formulated for dry to extra dry skin, this wash packs soothing ingredients like shea butter and La Roche-Posay’s Prebiotic Thermal Water for a soft and clean feeling.

5 / 10

With a gentle, hydrating formula, this daily facial cleanser features nourishing oats and calming feverfew to hydrate and preserve the skin’s moisture barrier.

6 / 10

This oil-based cleanser melts away makeup and impurities without stripping moisture. The refreshing eucalyptus oil & vitamin E makeup-removing balm also contains avocado, jojoba and clove leaf oil for a nourishing spa-like cleanse without artificial fragrance.

7 / 10

This non-drying, antioxidant-packed gel cleanser gently yet effectively removes makeup, SPF and excess oils, leaving skin hydrated and glowing. The pH-balanced gel-to-foam formula purifies without stripping the skin barrier and improves the look of pores over time.

8 / 10

This rich, jelly-like custard texture removes makeup, impurities and dirt, featuring mood-enhancing notes of Indian jasmine and blue tansy oil.

9 / 10

This jelly-oil cleanser washes away waterproof makeup, sunscreen and impurities for a clean, silky-smooth finish using Baobab, sunflower, safflower, and castor oils.

10 / 10

This cleanser gently removes dirt and makeup using a lightweight botanical oil rich in vitamins, omegas and Hadasei-3™, Tatcha’s proprietary complex of rice, green tea and algae to provide anti-aging nourishment.