The Best Face Wash For Dry Skin – 2023 Reviews and Top Picks

the best face wash for dry skin

In our commitment to help you find products that will perfectly match your skin’s needs, we are presenting our list of the best face washes for dry skin this year. The review is a product of more than 19 hours of hard work to assure you that we’ll only be recommending face washes that are compatible for dry skin, guaranteed to deliver great results and friendly on the budget.

Phisoderm Deep Cleaning Cream Cleanser is loaded with skin nourishing ingredients, like vitamin E, chamomile and aloe. It contains a good amount of product and for its price, this face wash is can give you your money's worth.

Earth Science A-D-E Creamy Fruit Oil Cleanser is a unique product on this list. Compared with the other ones that foam up, this one doesn't.

Despite that, the product works well in cleansing dry skin. In fact, it can even remove makeup.

Soap-free, Garnier Clean+ Smoothing Cream Cleanser For Dry Skin claims that it can revitalize and hydrate your skin in just one wash. It has great nourishing oils, like jojoba and macadamia oil, to get the job done.

A Korean product, The Face Shop Rice Water Bright Cleansing Foam promises to detoxify and brighten your skin. It has a subtle smell that will remind you of rice (No joke, you guys!).

Dermatologically tested, Nivea Men Original Moisturizing Face Wash is loaded with pro-vitamin B5 and E which are beneficial to dry skin. It has a gel formulation that will leave your skin clean and refreshed.

2017’s Reviews of The Best Face Washes for Dry Skin

Rankings

Brands

Quantity

Packaging

Editor’s Rating

#1

Phisoderm

6 oz

Pump bottle

#2

Earth Science

8 oz

Pump bottle

#3

Garnier Clean+

5 oz

Tube

#4

The Face Shop

5 oz

Tube

#5

Nivea Men

5 oz

Tube

#1- Phisoderm Deep Cleaning Cream Cleanser

Phisoderm

If it’s hydration and nourishment you are looking for in a face wash for dry skin, then Phisoderm Deep Cleaning Cream Cleanser is a really good product to consider. It has chamomile, aloe and vitamin E.

Apart from that, it’s also soap-free and comes without any alcohol content.

It leaves the skin clean and smooth without disrupting its natural oil and stripping off its natural moisture. It has a creamy consistency that would bubble up but not completely lather.

The price is also reasonable, considering that you’ll get 6 fl oz per bottle. I also find its lockable pump dispenser nice.

What We Like:

  • Has soothing and nourishing ingredients
  • Soap-free
  • Contains a generous amount of product
  • Cheap
  • Doesn’t dry out the skin

What We Didn’t Like:

  • Change in formulation
  • Has fragrance

#2- Earth Science A-D-E Creamy Fruit Oil Cleanser

Earth Science

Offering more product, Earth Science A-D-E Creamy Fruit Oil Cleanser comes in an 8 0z- pump bottle. It’s loaded with jojoba, sunflower and other fruit oils to condition the skin as it cleanses.

And by cleansing, the product is also marketed to be able to remove makeup. But, don’t get your hopes too high as it can only remove makeup to a certain extent.

Using the product is a bit tricky but if you read instructions first, then you should be good.

To get the full benefits of this wash, make sure to use it on dry skin first. Massage it well and rinse off with lukewarm water.

Because of how it’s meant to be used, you shouldn’t expect the product to foam up or lather. This is actually nice since a lot of foaming agents can strip the skin off of its natural moisture.

What We Like:

  • Contains skin conditioning fruit oils
  • Gentle
  • Doesn’t contain foaming agents

What We Didn’t Like:

  • Easy to misuse the product
  • Can only remove makeup to a certain extent

#3- Garnier Clean+ Smoothing Cream Cleanser For Dry Skin

Garnier Clean+

Garnier Clean+ Smoothing Cream Cleanser For Dry Skin is another soap-free face wash. It claims to revitalize and hydrate skin in just one wash.

Although its promise can feel too ambitious, the product actually has jojoba and macadamia oil to deliver what it says it can do. It’s specially formulated to cleanse, comfort and soothe dry skin.

The consistency of the face wash is almost similar to a lotion. It’s a bit runny and feels a little slippery on the skin upon application.

It is scented, just like most Garnier products. I don’t feel too comfortable with it, especially how irritating fragrances can be to dry skin.

What We Like:

  • Contains nourishing oils
  • Soap-free
  • Leaves skin soft
  • Can remove makeup to a certain extent

What We Didn’t Like:

  • Can cause breakouts
  • Has fragrance

#4- The Face Shop Rice Water Bright Cleansing Foam

The Face Shop

The Face Shop Rice Water Bright Cleansing Foam is infused with rice water, moringa oil and soapwort. These ingredients claim to brighten up your skin complexion and detoxify it from impurities.

Its texture is creamy and cushiony. It’s rather thick and foams up really well, so you won’t need a lot of product for your face.

The face wash has a subtle smell that’s not overpowering. I think it smells a lot like, well, rice.

What makes this product nice for dry skin is that even though it’s able to clean it well, it won’t dehydrate it further. In fact, it has a hydrating property that you won’t end up with taut skin after washing.

One issue that you might encounter with this face wash is that it can cause breakouts. We have a detailed buying guide about Best facial washes for acne in case you want to check out.

What We Like:

  • A little goes a long way
  • Hydrates skin well
  • Affordable
  • Leaves skin soft

What We Didn’t Like:

  • Brightening effect isn’t that dramatic
  • Can cause acne in some people

#5- Nivea Men Original Moisturizing Face Wash

Nivea Men

For men struggling to keep in control of their dry skin, Nivea Men Original Moisturizing Face Wash is the bomb.

The face wash is infused Pro-vitamin B5 and E. The combination of these two vitamins, along with its other ingredients, helps condition the skin as it gets cleansed.

Having a gel formulation, it foams up well without leaving any residue on the skin that can further dry it out. And the best part is that it’s also dermatologically tested.

The face wash is refreshing to use, especially after a hard day spent at the gym.

One concern I have with this product is that it contains menthol and fragrance. So, if you have sensitive skin as well, you might want to skip this one.

What We Like:

  • Dermatologically tested
  • Has vitamin E
  • Doesn’t leave the skin tight

What We Didn’t Like:

  • May not be compatible with sensitive skin
  • Contains parabens

Reviews and Comparisons of The Best Face Wash for Dry Skin

Rankings

Best Overall

2nd choice

3rd choice

4th choice

5th choice

Top-Rated Face Wash for Dry Skin2017

Phisoderm
Earth Science
Garnier Clean+
The Face Shop
Nivea Men

Brand

Phisoderm

Earth Science

Garnier Clean+

The Face Shop

Nivea Men

Claims

Removes dirt, makeup and oil without leaving the skin dry

Cleanses gently, leaves skin smooth

Removes dirt while leaving skin hydrated

Moisturizes, brightens and detoxifies skin

Conditions the skin, helps retain moisture

Key ingredients

Aloe, Vitamin E and Chamomile

Sunflower, jojoba and other fruit oils

Macadamia and jojoba oil

Moringa oil, rice water and soapwort

Pro-vitamin B5 and E

Scented

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Get Started

Is Your Skin Dry or Just Dehydrated?

Here’s the thing:

Dry skin is different from dehydrated skin. And their differences can be all you need to know to solve your skin issues.

Dry skin feels, well, dry. It’s a general condition which means that the dryness isn’t only limited to your face or your hands. You should have dryness all over.

In most cases, it’s genetics. It’s your natural skin condition since you were born.

Dry skin lacks sebum or the skin’s natural oils. This makes your skin prone to damage and even premature skin aging.

To soothe dry skin, you’ll need to constantly apply your moisturizer, especially during the cold season where it tends to get drier.

Your skin will benefit most from products that are oil-rich.

Dehydrated skin, on the other hand, basically means that there’s not enough water on your skin. Unlike the dry skin type, dehydration comes and goes, depending on your diet, products and environment.

It isn’t general, too. You can be both oily and feel dry at the same time.

To care for dehydrated skin, you should stick with products that are water-rich. Find out the products and factors that are eliminating water from your skin and you should be able to correct the issue.

These two conditions can be a bit tricky to recognize right off the bat. Both of them can make you feel dull, sensitive and tight.

Apart from that, they can also cause flaking and itching.

How To Wash Your Skin Without Making It Even Drier

When you have dry skin, flaking and itching aren’t issues you can only encounter during the cold months. It’s there to stay no matter what season it is- unless you do something about it.

With dry skin, it’s easy to think that you need to wash it more often to get rid of the flaking and crusting. Unfortunately, it’s that idea that makes things worse.

One of the best things you can do for your dry skin is to switch cleanser. If you have been feeling your skin tight and taut after cleansing, there’s a good chance that it’s the one to blame for the way your skin behaves.

Choose a cleanser that’s especially formulated for your skin type. It should be hydrating, gentle and free from harsh ingredients.

Just think about chemicals, fragrances and preservatives and you’ll have a clear idea of what ingredients you should avoid.

You can also try looking for a cleanser that’s infused with cleansing oils. Jojoba, argan and avocado oil are some of your great options.

As for the actual cleansing process, make sure to use lukewarm water and not hot, as it can be drying. You should use your cleanser in a massaging motion and avoid rubbing it too vigorously.

Don’t be tempted to spend a lot of time in washing your face. Prolonged time in the water can strip the skin of its natural oils and disrupt its pH level.

Conclusion

Dry skin can make you feel too conscious about yourself, especially if it comes with flaking and itching. These discomforts can be enough to intimidate you to go out and explore your options.

We know exactly how this feels like and, for that reason, we are recommending Phisoderm Deep Cleaning Cream Cleanser. It has really good ingredients to soothe your dry skin.

Apart from that, it’s also free from soap and alcohol, which are exactly the things that can aggravate your skin concern. It’s budget-friendly as well, so you won’t have to worry about it drying out your savings.

Related Post

Dr Kathleen May Eusebio-Alpapara

A board-certified dermatologist who practices both medical and cosmetic dermatology

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