A Deep Cleaning Face Cleanser That Won’t Strip Your Skin Of Natural Oils
This fragrance-free, pH-balanced formula, has a powerful botanical antioxidant blend that protects the skin against environmental factors that commonly lead to irritation and acne. When mixed with water, this whipped cleanser develop a rich creamy texture that leaves skin feeling soft and supple, and though it deeply cleans the skin, â removing dirt and makeup â it wonât strip your skin of its natural oils. It contains aloe vera, rich in vitamin E, and allantoin, a powerful ingredient known to soothe dry skin.
First Aid Beauty makes all of their products with sensitive skin in mind, which is why you can trust that this gentle cleanser won’t cause irritation or provoke further breakouts. Almost 80 percent of Amazon reviewers gave this cleanser a five-star rating, resulting in a rare overall rating of 4.5 stars.
Helpful review: “Best decision Iâve made for my skin! Switching from an acne medicated cleaner to this less harsh cleanser has done wonders for me! I have sensitive skin and am prone to cystic acne, so I was unsure about using a non acne medicated face wash & this stuff was just what my skin needed! This wash cleanses my skin super well, without drying me out, or leaving my skin tight. I think I am on my third bottle now, and the product is still keeping my skin clean & clear!”
How Often Should You Wash Your Face
oDermatologists recommend washing your face 1-2 times a day, morning and/or evening, depending on your skins needs. Those with dry or sensitive skin may prefer to cleanse only once, while those with oily or acne-prone skin may elect to cleanse morning and evening. After exercise, it is recommended to wash your face to remove excess sweat that may have accumulated. Lastly, for those who wear makeup, it is important to efficiently cleanse to remove makeup and residue before bed.
Neutrogena Soothing Clear Calming Mousse Facial Cleanser With Soothing & Calming Turmeric
- 5-fluid ounce bottle of Neutrogena Soothing Clear Turmeric Mousse Facial Cleanser to cleanse and calm stressed, acne-prone skin.
- Turmeric has been celebrated through the ages for being rich in antioxidants and for its calming properties This formula, including turmeric, gently calms your stressed skin.
- Enriched with skin-friendly turmeric and non-harsh ingredients, this acne cleanser effectively removes pore-clogging dirt, oil, and makeup without stripping for soft and healthy-looking skin.
- The cushioning Turmeric Mousse gentle cleanses while soothing stressed & acne prone skin The oil-free formula rinses completely clean, with no unwanted reside or stains left behind.
- This soothing turmeric face wash is great for acne, combination, or dehydrated skin It is non-staining, non-comedogenic, and free of parabens, mineral oil, silicones, and sulfates This product has also not been tested on animals.
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Glycolic Facial Cleanser Wrinkle
- Face wash InstaNaturals Anti Aging Face Cleanser works hard to clear skin cells that linger on the skin, resulting in buildup, pore irritation, blackheads, & redness.
- Achieve healthy & beautiful skin This anti aging face wash for women and men is a nourishing and oil-free blend of vital ingredients that quenches dry and dehydrated skin for a smooth and beautiful appearance.
- Face exfoliator Made to effectively cleanse skin, slough excess oil & dulling skin cells, notice a brightening effect on facial discoloration.
- Ageless look With Lemon, Apple, Sugar Cane, Willow Bark, Chamomile & Vitamin E, this gentle face exfoliator addresses stubborn skin concerns, helping to restore a youthful appearance.
Best Facial Cleanser For Dry Skin: The Final Word

Dry skin also referred to as Xerosis is a common skin type that accounts for nearly half of all dermatologist visits. Its determined by genetics, age, dry air, lifestyle habits, and environmental factors. The dryness level is influenced by sebum production, natural moisturizing factors, sensitivity, and predisposition to skin conditions such as acne, eczema, and psoriasis. Women are more prone to dry skin than men, and all skin, regardless of type or ethnicity, gets drier as it ages.
Facial cleansing is an integral part of any skincare routine. Its necessary for sweeping away dirt, oil, bacteria, makeup, dead skin cells, and environmental pollutants. Skipping this vital first step can lead to clogged pores, breakouts, dull skin, and accelerated aging. Equally important is choosing the right cleanser for your skin type and washing correctly.
If you have a dry skin type, harsh soaps or the wrong cleanser will only dry your skin out further possibly leading to a more severe condition such as dermatitis. Still, no matter how dehydrated or flaky your skin may be, its vital that youre washing it. The key is using the best cleanser for dry skin.
Sources:Dry Skin, American Skin Association.
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THIS SITE IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND SHOULD NOT BE USED AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR ADVICE OR TREATMENT FROM A QUALIFIED MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL.
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How To Determine Your Skin Type
STEP 1Wash your face gently, wait an hour, then check out your skin in the mirror.
STEP 2Pat a blotting paper on each area of your face: T-zone, forehead, chin, and cheeks. It can be hard to tell whether what youre seeing on your skin is oil, shine, or just glowiness, so check the sheet each time you blot to see which part of your face was oilier.
STEP 3Wait an hour. If oil has reappeared on your face, your skin type is likely oily skin or combination skin . Normal skin isnt dry nor oily, but smooth and balanced.
Normal: Smooth, no signs of dry flakes or shiny oil
Oily: Slick and shiny, larger pores
Dry: Dry flakes, tight-feeling
Combination: Oily T-zone, with normal-to-dry skin everywhere else
Differin Daily Deep Cleanser
- Price: $
The active ingredient in this formula is benzoyl peroxide, a powerful anti-acne agent. Many forms of benzoyl peroxide are only available with a prescription, but this over-the-counter cleanser has just enough to fight acne.
Some reviewers with acne swear by this cleanser, because it gets rid of acne-causing bacteria and clears pores. But some reviewers report redness and dry patches after use.
If you have skin thats both dry and acne-prone, use this cleanser with caution. Start by cleansing your face with it once daily before bedtime, and work up to using it twice per day if your skin can handle it.
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What Kind Of Ingredients To Look For And What Ingredients To Stay Away From
Look for
AHAs and BHA , like glycolic acid and salicylic acid, are found in skincare products you can buy over-the-counter that might help with mild breakouts. These can be irritating to sensitive skin, however, so start with one ingredient at a time, and use it 2-3 times per week at first. This way, you can see if your skin tolerates the first ingredient without dryness or irritation.
Zinc pyrithione is a mineral-based antimicrobial that restores balance and blocks messy bacteria and fungi from multiplying. Zinc soap may also be helpful for those who suffer from fungal acneespecially if you sweat a lot or live in a hot, humid climate. We especially recommend trying zinc soap to get rid of body acne, but it may help with your face, too!
Niacinamide is an antioxidant derived from vitamin B3 that fights acne while keeping inflammation and dark spots at bay. A cleanser with niacinamide in it, such as CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser, can work well for normal to oily skin.
Avoid
Alcohol. Alcohol is unfortunately used in a lot of skincare products, even though it dries out the skin and can damage its protective barrier! Watch out for alcohol on the ingredients list of your products, especially if your skin seems dry, red, tight, itchy, or irritated after using it. However, some products have alcohol at the end of the ingredients list, likely meaning theres not too much of itin that case, it may not irritate the skin as much. But its best to avoid it whenever possible.
Best Cleansers For Acne
Whatever your skin type, our advice is: keep it simple, smartypants. Whether youve got sensitive, combination, or normal skin, a gentle cleanser will do the trick. Even if one part of your face is more sensitive than the other, or more oily or dry than the other, you cant really go wrong with a simple, gentle face wash thats suitable for every skin type.
The cleanser by CurologyWe love this cleanser because we developed it with Curology members in mind. Its great for sensitive, acne-prone skin because its formulated with non-comedogenic ingredients and its free of parabens, allergens, sulfates, fragrances, dyes, or anything else that could irritate your skin. You also dont need an expensive face wash to keep your skin refreshed and cleansed. In fact, our cleanser clocks in at under $10 per bottle when you subscribe to the Curology set!
We also recommend
If you have another favorite cleanser that your skin likes especially if its labeled gentle or formulated for sensitive skin feel free to keep on using it! But if youre breaking out, youll want to check the ingredients to make sure your favorite cleanser isnt the culprit.
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Can Washing Your Face Too Much Cause Pimples
Washing your face more than 2-3 times daily may lead to over-drying of the skin. As a result, the skin’s oil-producing glands, also referred to as sebaceous glands, will increase oil production to compensate for dryness. Increased oil production in the skin may lead to blocked pores and proliferation of harmful skin bacteria, leading to acne breakouts.
Bioelements Sensitive Skin Cleanser
Bioelements Sensitive Skin Cleanser is ranked #2 Facial Cleanser by TotalBeauty.com, and received 5 stars at Dermstore.com.
Pros:
- Some may notice an oily residue after washing
- May not foam enough for some users
Other ingredients: Safflower oil, hazelnut oil, jojoba oil, lavender oil, kissi seed oil, and rosemary
Approximate cost: $30.00 – $45.50 for 4 ounces
Places to Buy: This is a salon-based product. It can be purchased at spas and salons, from Bioelements.com, and other web-sites like SkinStore.com.
Other user comments: Reviewers at SkinStore.com commented that this cleanser removed all makeup, did not irritate their skin, and worked with acne-prone skin or mild rosacea. TotalBeauty.com users noted that it was great for dry and sensitive skin, especially during the winter months.
Summary: This is a mild, oil-based cleanser that may be considered somewhat pricey.
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Etude House Ac Clean Up Daily Cleansing Foam 150ml
- GENTLE DAILY FOAMING CLEANSER: Mild Foam helps to wash impurities, dead skin cell and sebum away on the skin without irritation and dryness.
- TREATMENT FOR ACNE PRONE SKIN: Glycerin and Centella Asiatica Extract help maintain moisture in the skin after washing and smooth sensitive skin.
- PORE DEEP CLEANSING: Helps prevent skin from producing excess sebum.
- LOW pH LEVEL: The low pH level product helps acne prone skin to balance its pH level.
- SAFE INGREDIENTS: Free of animal raw materials, mineral oil, polyacrylamide, imidazolidine, triethanolamine, artificial color, silicone oil and PEG.
A Foaming Cleanser Made With Green Tea To Brighten And Hydrate

Safe for sensitive skin, this green tea foaming cleanser delivers on its promise to brighten and rejuvenate your complexion. Made from fermented green tea leaves, its formula combines the calming properties of green tea with soothing aloe to bring a soft radiance to your skin. This foamy miracle worker is made without sulfates, parabens or phthalates, and is a fantastic natural cleanser to bring into your trusted skin care regimen.
The fan-favorite Korean cleanser also comes in cranberry, blueberry, and cereal formulas. Not only is it a great cleanser on its own, but it’s also an excellent choice for the second step in double cleansing â a method that combines using an oil-based cleanser first, followed by a water-based cleanser for an ultra-deep clean.
Helpful review: “Gentle on my ultra sensitive skin, smell is nice and not overwhelming. Works so well, WAY WAY fewer breakouts for me.”
Read Also: What Is The Best Facial Cleanser For Blackheads
Kiehls Ultra Facial Cleanser
- Price: $$$
This face wash is fragrance-free, and it foams up when you use it. Its also loaded with emollient ingredients, including apricot kernel oil, glycerin, and squalane. Glycerin acts as a humectant and helps bind water to the skin, which increases hydration and helps the skin retain that moisture.
This cleanser contains vitamin E, which has a number of benefits for healthy skin.
Keep in mind that Kiehls Ultra Facial Cleanser is advertised as being for all skin types, so its not specially made for dry skin. It also contains alcohol, which may strip or irritate skin.
Micellar Water: The Oil
Micellar water is a secret one-minute shortcut to clean skin. A skincare staple originating from French pharmacies, a few drops on a cotton pad will gently remove oil, dirt, and makeup in a hot minute. Its great for when youre on-the-go, because it even comes in gentle face wipes you can stick in your bag.
We recommend
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Bioderma Hydrabio H2O for dry skin
When in doubt, custom skincare is what its about
If a cleanser alone doesnt seem to be enough for your acne-prone skin, it might be time to add on with a custom formula of prescription ingredients with Curology.
If you havent given us a try already, sign up for a free trial * today to get your very own custom acne-fighting cream, plus a non-comedogenic cleanser and moisturizer paired with it if you wish! Just apply it at night, after cleansing your face, and let it do the work while you get some beauty sleep.
Were here to tell you what we know. Thats why our information is evidence-based and fact-checked by medical experts. Still, everyones skin is uniquethe best way to get advice is to talk to your healthcare provider.
Empowering you with knowledge is our top priority. Our reviews of other brands products in this post are not paid endorsementsbut they do meet our medically fact-checked standards for ingredients .
*Cancel anytime. Subject to consultation. Subscription is required. Trial is 30 days + $4.95 shipping and handling.
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Curel Foaming Face Wash
Best Foaming Face Wash For Dry Skin
The Curel foaming face wash is so gentle, its perfect for even the most sensitive skin. Youll find it will remove debris without stripping the skin of any natural oil. It contains ceramides and glycerin to lock moisture in and soothe any irritation so that your skin is kept super soft. Its also pH balanced and fragrance- and colorant-free.
What Causes Oily Sensitive Skin
Oily skin happens when the sebaceous glands in your skin make too much sebum. This leads to an oily skin that is shiny with a greasy texture and over time it leads to clogged pores and acne. Apart from the production of too much oil by the sebaceous glands, the following can cause oily sensitive skin.
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Clean & Clear Essentials Deep Cleaning Face Toner With Salicylic Acid Acne Medicine
- 8-fluid ounce bottle of Clean & Clear Essentials Deep Cleaning Toner for Sensitive Skin is designed to fight oil and clean deep down into pores.
- This daily acne face toner contains salicylic acid, an acne medicine that is proven to effectively fight pimples and treat acne.
- Designed for sensitive skin care, the acne toner features an oil-free formula and is designed to help prevent future blemishes and breakouts.
- Suitable for daily use, apply this deep clean face toner after cleansing skin by moistening a cotton ball and applying to the affected area.
- Part of 2-step skincare routine with Clean & Clear Essentials Foaming Cleanser for Sensitive Skin
What Causes Dry Skin
Skin type aside, dry skin can be caused by harsh soaps or detergents, long and hot showers or baths, excessive sun exposure, itchy clothing, certain medications, metabolic changes, fluctuating hormones, and extreme temperatures. Research suggests that six in ten Americans are affected by winter skin syndrome, a temporary condition characterized by dry, flaky, itchy, sensitized skin. Along with deliberately changing their skincare routine , they potentially seek professional help from a dermatologist.
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What’s The Ideal Cleanser For Dry Skin
> Dry, Itchy or Scaly Skin
Choosing a facial cleanser for dry skin doesnt need to be a challenge. As cleansing is the first step in any skincare routine, facial cleansers for dry skin should remove impurities without damaging the skins protective barrier. Understanding the ingredients which protect the skin while providing 24-hour hydration will help ensure you find a fitting cleanser for dry skin types, resulting in a healthy and radiant looking complexion.
The 9 Best Cleansers For Sensitive Acne

We only recommend products we love and that we think you will, too. We may receive a portion of sales from products purchased from this article, which was written by our Commerce team.
Cleansing is a delicate balance for any skin type, but it’s especially difficult to thoroughly cleanse skin that’s prone to breakouts and sensitivity. If you’re lucky enough to find one, the best cleansers for sensitive, acne prone skin will leave your skin feeling soft and clean, without making your face feel tight or causing it to break out more â which is really everything a cleanser is meant to do.
Although a thorough cleanse is essential to treating breakouts and minimizing future acne flare-ups, you don’t need to use a harsh cleanser to get great results. In fact, harsh cleansers can actually make breakouts and sensitivity worse by drying out and irritating your skin, and they often fail to remove makeup completely. And, if you use anacne treatment regularly, you might find that your skin is way more sensitive to harsh ingredients than it used to be.
To minimize the risk of a full-on face freakout, look for a cleanser that’s free of sulfates â harsh cleansing agents that are added to products to produce foam â as well as alcohol and artificial fragrances. And, if you’re buying an oil-based cleanser, which do an amazing job of thoroughly removing makeup and excess oils, be sure to avoid mineral oil, since it’s a common culprit behind clogged pores.
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