Facial
Cleansers
for Dry Skin

If your skin feels dry, tight, or uncomfortable after cleansing, it may be a sign that you’re not using the right cleanser for your skin type. Choosing a face wash that’s formulated specifically for dry skin can help effectively cleanse your skin without leaving it feeling stripped. We recommend reading the label carefully before selecting a facial cleanser to ensure it’s suitable for dry skin. If redness, irritation, sensitivity, or extreme dryness occur after cleansing, seek the advice of a board-certified dermatologist.

People with dry skin may be tempted to skip cleansing because they worry it might worsen their dryness. In actuality, however, daily cleansing is a key part of any skincare routine—even if you have dry skin. This essential first step thoroughly removes dirt, oil, makeup, and dead skin cells from your skin’s surface, which helps prep your skin for the rest of your dry skin routine.

Without proper cleansing, impurities and dead skin cells can accumulate on your skin’s outermost layer, causing various skin concerns. For example, under-cleansing may cause oil and dirt to clog your pores, potentially leading to acne breakouts. It can also result in dead skin buildup and leave your complexion looking dull and rough.

To help keep dry skin looking and feeling its best, we recommend washing your face twice per day, as well as after sweating. In some cases, very dry skin may potentially benefit from a once-daily cleanse, but this depends on your skin’s unique needs and should be advised by a dermatologist.

Caring for dry skin begins with choosing the right cleanser for your daily skincare routine. CeraVe makes choosing a dry skin cleanser easy, with a range of options designed specifically to help meet the needs of this skin type. All CeraVe face washes for dry skin feature our three essential ceramides and are fragrance-free, allergy-tested, and gentle on your skin. Our facial cleansers also feature beneficial ingredients for dry skin, including niacinamide, squalane, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid. When choosing a facial cleanser, it’s important to remember that skincare is personal and it may take some trial and error to find a product that best fits your skin’s needs and personal preferences.

Cleansers are not a one-size-fits-all skincare product. What works best for one person’s dry skin might not necessarily work for you. However, there are a few general considerations you may want to take into account when choosing the ideal type of dry skin cleanser. For instance, some people with dry skin prefer non-foaming or lightly-foaming cleansers over foaming products, as these may feel gentler on their skin.

Along the same lines, cleansers with a creamy texture are often popular among people with dry skin, as these products offer a hydrating, nourishing skin feel. There are many types of cleansers to choose from, but it’s all about finding the one that works for you. In some ways, the best type of face wash for dry skin is the one that you will use consistently, since consistency is key to reaping the benefits of any cleanser.

Dry skin can sometimes have a flaky appearance and a rough, uneven texture. To help smooth the appearance of dry, rough and bumpy skin, we recommend using a facial cleanser that offers gentle exfoliation—such as CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser. This facial cleanser is formulated with salicylic acid, a chemical exfoliant that helps gently dissolve dead skin cells to support smoother, more even-toned skin. Our Renewing SA Cleanser effectively removes oil and dirt and softens rough skin—without leaving it feeling dry. Plus, it contains no harsh microbeads that can scratch your skin, making it a great non-irritating exfoliator for dry, flaky skin.

CeraVe’s facial cleansers for dry skin are formulated with carefully-selected ingredients to help support your skin’s needs. All of our formulas feature three essential ceramides, which work together to lock in moisture and help maintain your skin barrier. Other beneficial ingredients for dry skin to look for in our cleansers include hyaluronic acid and glycerin, depending on the formulation. To learn more, visit CeraVe Ingredients for Dry Skin.

Many people with dry skin use facial toner after cleansing as a way to help remove leftover impurities on the skin. Some toners can also help lock in moisture and help improve the skin’s appearance. With that said, it’s essential to read the product label carefully when choosing a toner to ensure that it’s suitable for dry skin. We recommend looking for toners that are fragrance-free and formulated without alcohol or harsh, drying astringents. The ideal toner for dry skin should be gentle, hydrating, allergy-tested, and pH-balanced—such as CeraVe Hydrating Toner.

Both of these hydrating facial cleansers are suitable for dry skin and offer an effective yet gentle way to start your skincare routine. Developed with dermatologists, these cleansers are fragrance-free, allergy-tested, and feature beneficial ingredients to help support the needs of dry skin.

Although both cleansers make ideal choices for dry skin, they differ mainly in their texture. CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser has a lightweight, non-foaming gel formula that gently removes dirt, oil, and makeup. On the other hand, CeraVe Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser begins as a cream and transforms into a soft-textured foam when you begin to lather it onto your skin with water. Our Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser is an especially effective option for makeup removal. However, choosing between these two options is a matter of personal preference. We recommend trying both of these dry skin cleansers to see which one is right for you.

If you prefer to keep things simple, you can use the same cleanser in the morning and at night. The key is to find a cleanser formula that washes away impurities without leaving your skin feeling dry or tight. Once you find a cleanser that works well for you, it’s important to remain consistent. Achieving hydrated, healthy-looking skin doesn’t happen overnight, but a dedicated cleansing routine can help support skin that looks and feels its best.

If you do choose to use different cleansers for daytime and nighttime, it can be beneficial to swap in a targeted cleanser at night to help address common dry skin concerns. Or, if you wear makeup during the day, you might want to use a makeup-removing balm, like CeraVe Makeup Removing Cleanser Balm. This fragrance-free cleanser has a velvety melting balm texture and is formulated to effectively dissolve longwear makeup, dirt, and excess oil from your skin. It leaves your skin feeling hydrated and clean, with no greasy residue left behind.

Our expert consultants often recommend face wash options that are gentle, alcohol-free, and fragrance-free (since alcohol and fragrance may be drying or cause skin irritation in some people). One cleanser option that fits these criteria is CeraVe Hydrating Foaming Oil Cleanser, our lightweight cleansing oil for normal to very dry skin. Formulated with squalane oil, triglyceride, and hyaluronic acid, this non-comedogenic formula gently cleanses and leaves your skin feeling hydrated and comfortable. Plus, it’s also suitable for use on sensitive skin, eczema-prone skin, and baby skin (3+ months).

The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends cleansing with lukewarm (rather than hot) water and using just enough product to remove dirt and oil (without applying too much).¹ Along the same lines, the AAD also advises washing your face twice per day, as well as after sweating (unless otherwise directed by a dermatologist).² For personalized guidance on how to care for your dry skin, schedule a visit with a board-certified dermatologist.

1. “Dermatologists’ Top Tips for Relieving Dry Skin.” American Academy of Dermatology Association, 2023.
2. “Face Washing 101.” American Academy of Dermatology Association, 2023.