The 8 Best Gentle Facial Cleansers for Dry Skin in 2026
Dry skin can often be irritating to deal with, harsh products can lead to flakiness and itchiness. Therefore, searching for the best facial cleansers for dry skin is a must. You should not only look and test for cleansers with mild ingredients, that don’t irritate and dry out the skin, but also to be effective in removing makeup and any impurities while keeping the skin’s natural moisture. We recommend that you also check out our article on the best face washes in the 2026 list, as you can find your ideal product there.
We’ve reviewed and tested a dozen facial cleansers for dry skin with unique formulas and selected the 7 best ones that will cleanse dry skin.
Best Picks
1. CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser is a simple, reliable face wash that dry skin usually gets along with. It cleans away daily dirt and leftover sunscreen without that tight, squeaky feeling, so your skin still feels comfortable after rinsing. The creamy texture is gentle enough for morning and night, especially when your skin feels dry or easily irritated.
It is designed to support the skin barrier while you cleanse, using CeraVe’s MVE technology to help keep hydrating ingredients working on the skin over time. It is also a great “starter cleanser” if you want something effective that does not feel harsh.
Key ingredients: ceramides, hyaluronic acid, glycerin
Why we love it:
It cleans without stripping, so your face feels soft instead of tight
The creamy texture layers well with moisturizers and does not leave residue
2. ELEMIS Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash
ELEMIS Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash is a luxe pick for dry skin that feels dull or rough, especially if you want your cleanser to do more than just clean. It has a rich, pampering feel with a smooth texture and a spa like scent, so it makes washing your face feel like a real step, not a chore. Even though it feels fancy, it is still made to be gentle enough for daily use when your skin needs softness and glow.
What makes it different is the brand’s Tri Enzyme technology, which helps lift away dead skin cells so skin looks smoother and more refined over time. It also features white truffle to support a more youthful looking appearance and babassu to help condition and comfort the skin, which can be helpful when dryness makes skin feel tight.
Key ingredients: white truffle, babassu oil, Tri Enzyme technology
Why we love it
It gives dry, dull skin a smoother look without using harsh gritty scrubs
The creamy feel and spa scent make it an easy cleanser to stick with consistently
3. IT Cosmetics Confidence in a Cleanser
IT Cosmetics Confidence in a Cleanser is a gentle, skin friendly face wash that works especially well if you want one product to cleanse and remove makeup without making dry skin feel tight. IT Cosmetics is known for formulas made with comfort in mind, and this cleanser fits that vibe. The texture feels creamy and cushiony, so it cleans without that stripped feeling you can get from harsher foaming washes.
What I love most is how easily it breaks down makeup after a long day while still feeling soothing on the skin. It is the kind of cleanser you can massage in for a full minute, rinse, and your skin still feels soft, not squeaky. If you wear heavier makeup, you may still want a separate first cleanse, but for daily makeup it does a great job.
Key ingredients: collagen, hyaluronic acid, ceramides
Why we love it
It removes makeup smoothly without stinging or making skin feel tight
The creamy texture leaves skin feeling soft and comfortable after rinsing
4. DRMTLGY Essential Facial Cleanser
DRMTLGY Essential Facial Cleanser is a great everyday cleanser if you want your skin to feel truly clean but still comfortable after rinsing. It removes makeup and daily buildup, then leaves the skin feeling soft and ready for serums or treatments instead of tight and dry. The texture creates a light lather that feels refreshing, but it is not the kind of foam that leaves your face squeaky.
It works well for dry to normal skin, and it can also suit oily skin that still gets dehydrated or sensitive. The formula includes a blend of natural soothing and hydrating ingredients, which helps keep skin calm and balanced. The big win is the after feel. It cleans well without stripping, so your skin feels hydrated enough that your next steps in your routine go on smoothly.
Key ingredients: aloe, glycerin, botanical extracts
Why we love it
It leaves a hydrated, comfortable finish that makes serums apply better right after cleansing
The light lather feels fresh but does not strip the skin barrier
5. Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel
Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel is a gentle, no fuss cleanser that works well when you want a clean face without that tight, stripped feeling. Dermalogica is known for formulas made without many common irritants and pore clogging ingredients, and this cleanser matches that reputation. The gel texture lathers lightly, then rinses clean, so skin feels fresh but still comfortable, which is a big deal if you are dry or easily irritated.
It is a great everyday option because it removes impurities and leftover sunscreen without leaving a heavy film behind. A little goes a long way, so you only need a small amount to get a good cleanse, which helps justify the higher cost over time. If you are very dry, you can follow with a richer moisturizer, but the cleanser itself is a solid gentle base step.
Key ingredients: soap free surfactants, soothing botanicals
Why we love it
It cleans thoroughly while still keeping skin calm and comfortable
You need only a small amount, so the bottle lasts longer than you expect
6. PCA SKIN Creamy Face Cleanser
PCA SKIN Creamy Face Cleanser is a comforting option for dry and sensitive skin, especially if you want a face wash that feels more like skincare than a stripping cleanser. PCA SKIN may be less talked about than some mainstream brands, but it is known for daily care products that support common concerns like acne, aging, and uneven tone, while still keeping formulas gentle. This cleanser has a creamy texture that helps skin feel calm and soft right after rinsing.
It is packed with nourishing, skin friendly ingredients that help cushion the skin during cleansing. Oils and botanical components like aloe vera, sunflower seed, and rose hip seed help support moisture and reduce that tight feeling many dry skin types get after washing. It is a great pick for mornings or for a second cleanse at night when you want your skin to feel balanced, not squeaky.
Key ingredients: aloe vera, sunflower seed oil, rose hip seed oil
Why we love it
It leaves skin feeling comfortable and conditioned, not tight or squeaky
The creamy texture is gentle enough for sensitive skin days and colder weather
7. Neutrogena Deep Clean Daily Facial Cream Cleanser
Neutrogena Deep Clean Daily Facial Cream Cleanser is a solid budget friendly pick when you want a cleanser that actually removes dirt and makeup without making your skin feel tight. The creamy texture helps it feel gentler than a strong foaming wash, so it is easier to use every day if your skin leans dry. It is a great option for people who want a simple cleanser that does the job and rinses clean without leaving a heavy film.
It cleans deeply enough to lift away buildup, but the formula is still designed to feel comfortable, which is important if you want clean pores without that dry, stripped after feel. It is also oil free, so it can work for people who feel dry but still worry about clogged pores. If your makeup is very heavy, you may want a first cleanse, but for daily makeup and sunscreen it is a reliable one step wash.
Key ingredients: glycerin, mild cleansing agents
Why we love it
It removes daily makeup and grime fast while still feeling gentle on dry skin
The oil free finish feels clean and fresh without making skin feel tight
8. La Roche Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Facial Cleanser
La Roche Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Facial Cleanser is a safe, steady choice if your skin gets dry and reactive easily. It is a creamy, non foaming cleanser that feels soft on the skin while still lifting off dirt and everyday makeup. Instead of leaving your face feeling stripped, it helps keep skin comfortable, which is exactly what sensitive, normal to dry skin types usually need.
The formula is made to support the moisture barrier and keep the skin feeling balanced, not tight. It includes niacinamide and ceramide 3 to help calm and strengthen, plus the brand’s prebiotic thermal spring water to support a soothing cleanse. It is the kind of cleanser you can stick with year round because it plays nicely with most routines, even when you are using stronger treatments.
Key ingredients: niacinamide, ceramide 3, thermal spring water
Why we love it
It cleans gently but leaves skin feeling calm and hydrated, not squeaky
It is great during sensitive skin phases when most cleansers feel too harsh
What makes a cleanser gentle for dry skin
A cleanser is gentle for dry skin when it cleans without leaving your face feeling tight, rough, or squeaky. Dry skin usually needs a formula that removes dirt and sunscreen while still respecting the skin barrier. If a cleanser strips too much, your skin can feel tight within minutes, and makeup may cling to dry patches later.
Gentle cleansers often have creamy, milky, or soft gel textures. They use mild cleansing agents and include hydrating ingredients so your skin feels comfortable after rinsing. The easiest test is the after feel. If your skin feels calm and soft, it is likely a good match. If you feel tightness, itching, or a “need moisturizer right now” feeling, the cleanser is probably too harsh.
Is foaming cleanser bad for dry skin
Foaming is not always bad, but many foaming cleansers can be too drying because they are designed to cut through oil. Dry skin often does better with non foaming or low foam cleansers that feel cushiony. These formulas clean in a gentler way and tend to leave less tightness behind.
If you love the feeling of foam, look for a gentle foaming cleanser with a soft lather, not a big bubbly one. Also pay attention to how your skin feels one hour later. Sometimes skin feels fine right after rinsing, then tightness shows up later. That later feeling matters most because it shows how much the cleanser affected your barrier.
Can gentle cleansers remove makeup and sunscreen
A gentle cleanser can remove daily dirt and light makeup, but heavy makeup and waterproof products can be harder. Sunscreen, especially water resistant sunscreen, often needs a bit more help to fully break down. If you wear a full face of makeup, you may get better results with a double cleanse.
Double cleansing does not have to be harsh. You can use a cleansing balm or oil first, then follow with your gentle cleanser. This keeps the second cleanse soft and hydrating while still making sure everything is removed. If you only wear sunscreen and a little concealer, one gentle cleanse may be enough, but you should still check your skin for leftover residue around the hairline and nose.
How often should I cleanse if I have dry skin
Most people with dry skin do well cleansing once a day at night. Night cleansing removes sunscreen, makeup, sweat, and pollution from the day. In the morning, some dry skin types prefer to just rinse with lukewarm water or use a very small amount of cleanser, since over cleansing can increase dryness.
If you work out, wear heavy sunscreen, or live in a very humid climate, you might need a gentle cleanse twice a day. The goal is balance. If your skin feels tight, flaky, or irritated, you may be cleansing too often or using a cleanser that is too strong. If your skin feels greasy or congested, you may need a better makeup removal step or a cleanser that rinses cleaner.
What ingredients should I look for and avoid
For dry skin, look for hydrators and barrier helpers. Ingredients like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, ceramides, squalane, and soothing botanicals can make cleansing feel more comfortable. These ingredients help skin hold onto water and can reduce that tight feeling after washing. Creamy cleansers often include these because they are made to keep skin soft.
Ingredients to be careful with include strong sulfates, harsh alcohols, and heavy fragrance, since these can irritate or dry the skin. Exfoliating acids in a cleanser are not always bad, but dry skin usually does not need them every day. If you want exfoliation, it is often better to use a separate product a few times a week so you can control how often you exfoliate. If you have sensitive skin on top of dryness, fragrance free options are usually the safest bet.
