7 hydrating cleansers your thirsty face will thank you for

Does doing your skin care routine feel more like a nightmare than a joy? The slightest wrong move and your sensitive skin chucks a tantrum that can only be described as ‘rivalling the brattiest two year old’. Yep, we’ve been there. Heck, even if your skin isn’t sensitive, the wrong product can be a total mistake and cause your skin to dry out. 

And is there anything worse than having a face that looks like it's cosplaying as the Sahara desert? Honestly, no. And one of the major oil-stripping products in our routine (even when we pare it right back) is our cleansers. Before we dive into the world of appropriate cleansers for dry skin, have you ever stopped to wonder, what causes dry skin?

Okay, maybe that’s a story for another time. But if you find that your skin is feeling just that bit drier lately then it’s probably time to switch up that skin care routine. And the first place to start is with your cleanser. 

So, let’s check out some of the best (gentle) cleansers that will help to hydrate your dry skin…

2024's Top 3 Cleansers For Dry Skin

1. Cerave Hydrating Cleanser, $17.99, Adore Beauty
2. Bioderma Sensibio Micellar Cleansing Oil, From $34, Sephora
3. Cosrx Low Ph Good Morning Gel Cleanser, $19.64, iHerb

Cerave Hydrating Cleanser 

From $17.99 at Adore Beauty

TBH, do we even need to give you a reason for this cleanser? Hailed as the king of cleansers, its well mannered formula plays nicely with all. The hydrating gel-to-foam design is free-from fragrance and promises not to strip your skin while it washes away the day. How can we be so sure? Because it’s backed with a mix of hydrating ceramides, hyaluronic acid and glycerin. See, we told you it’s worth your while.

Key features:

• Fragrance-free 
• Contains hydrating ceramides, hyaluronic acid and glycerin 
• Works to strengthen and maintain your skin barrier 

Available at:

• $17.99 from Adore Beauty
• $17.99 from Priceline
• $15.99 (usually $17.99) from Chemist Warehouse

Bioderma Sensibio Micellar Cleansing Oil 

From $34 at Sephora

What’s one of the best ways to combat dry skin? Oil! This micellar-meets-oil cleanser has been designed with everyone in mind. Seems wild, right? But everyone from your little cousin to nan can happily use this sensitive skin-friendly formula. With dermatological backing, the micellar technology works to gently lift away impurities so as to not set your irritation-prone skin on the warpath. 

Key features:

• Safe to use on eyes 
• Non-comedogenic
• Micellar technology traps and removed impurities 

Available at:

• $34 from Sephora
• $33.99 from Adore Beauty
• $33.99 from Oz Hair and Beauty

Cosrx Low Ph Good Morning Gel Cleanser

From $19.64 at iHerb

By now, you’re probably all over the K-beauty routine. There’s just some incredible cutting edge beauty products coming out of Korea that cannot be beaten. Introducing one of said products: Cosrx Low Ph Good Morning Gel Cleanser. This skin-clarifying (always a good quality in a cleanser) gel has been specially formulated to maintain your skin's pH levels while oil-balancing Beta Hydroxy Acids (AKA BHAs) does the cleansing dirty work. 

Key features:

• pH balanced formula
• Infused with sebum controlling tea tree oil
• Sensitive skin-friendly 

Available at:

• $19.64 from iHerb
• $25 from Adore Beauty
• $11.09 (usually $21.35) from Beauty Amora

Conserving Beauty Sea You Cleansing Balm

From $40 at Conserving Beauty

Have you ever looked at your beauty products and wondered ‘what’s the climate impact?’ on this? Then it’s time to hit the Conserving Beauty website. Because these clever people not only make conscious decisions about what goes into your cleansing balm (blue tansy extract and castor seed oil) but also how their choices impact carbon emissions and waste. Yep, it’s pretty major. Almost as major as how skin-supporting and hydrating the balm itself is. 

Key features:

• Climate transparent brand 
• Oil-to-milk formula 
• Vegan and plant-based 

Available at:

• $40 from Conserving Beauty

Ego Qv Face Gentle Cleanser 

From $14.95 at Healthy Life

If your skin is screaming SOS (save our skin) but your wallet’s all but empty, then this is the budget-friendly pick for you. The wonderfully creamy (to slightly foamy) cleanser has been enriched with safflower oil and vitamin E to help hydrate and protect your skin against the sometimes drying cleansing process.

Key features:

• Enriched with vitamin E
• Creamy formula 
• Soap-free cleanser 

Available at:

• $12.95 (usually $14.95) from Healthy Life
• $14.99 from Priceline
• $11.99 (usually $14.99) from Chemist Warehouse

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Dermo-Cleanser

From $32.95 at Adore Beauty

If you’ve tried just about everything and don’t know where to turn next, here’s your shining neon sign. Specifically formulated with sensitive skin-sufferers (think intolerant and irritation-prone skin types) in mind, the milky moisturising glycerine-enriched cleanser is even gentle enough to use on your eyes.

Key features:

• Milky texture 
• Hypo-allergenic
• Designed specifically with intolerant/irritation-prone skin in mind

Available at:

• $32.95 from Adore Beauty
• $23.06 (usually $32.95) from Priceline 
• $27.99 (usually $32.95) from Chemist Warehouse

Paula’s Choice Skin Recovery Softening Cream Cleanser

From $34 at Paula’s Choice

Cushion-y softness is no longer saved for the likes of beds and sofas (and toilet paper) because Paula’s Choice has ensured this seriously soft, gentle emollient envelops your skin in a big soft hug. How? It’s formulated with plenty of naturally derived oils (oat beta glucan and glycine soja oil⁠) that help boost and protect your skin with natural antioxidants. 

Key features:

• Cushions and softens skin
• Light emollient texture
• Leaping bunny certified 

Available at:

• $34 from Paula’s Choice

How to cleanse very dry skin? 

It’s important to note that even very dry skin still needs cleansing. We totally get the urge to skip the step because it can sometimes just cause more irritation. But using the right cleanser for your skin type will help your skin towards balancing its oils and pH levels. Cleansing tips for dry skin: be sure to only use warm water (like ever), scalding hot water might feel nice, but it’s only going to dry out your skin. And of course, once you’ve cleansed, be sure to hit it with a heap of dry skin-friendly moisturiser.

Related links: 

• Does your dry skin extend to your scalp? Here’s how to moisturise your scalp…
• Looking to give your body a heaping helping of hydration? These luscious oils will do the trick…
• It’s time to (gently) slough that flaky skin away, and these are the best exfoliants for the job.

Main Image Credit: @haileybieber