Cleansing might not be the most exciting step in your skincare regimen, but for those with dry skin, it is arguably the most critical. The wrong product can leave your complexion feeling tight, stripped, and uncomfortable. Fortunately, the market is brimming with nourishing formulas designed to refresh and cleanse without compromising your skin's vital moisture barrier.
Our Rigorous Testing Process
To find the best hydrating cleansers, we subjected dozens of products to a strict testing protocol. Each cleanser was used for several consecutive days, with all other skincare steps kept consistent to isolate its effects. We evaluated performance on bare skin, under sunscreen, and against both powder and liquid makeup. Our testers have moderately dry skin, so results are tailored for those seeking hydration without a heavy, cloying finish.
The Top 10 Hydrating Cleansers for Dry Skin
1. Best for Mature Skin: Perricone MD Chia Cleansing Balm (£39)
This luxurious balm melts away makeup, including waterproof formulas, with a thumbprint-sized amount. Enriched with Vitamin F and the antioxidant Acyl-Glutathione, it offers deep hydration and anti-ageing benefits. The divine bergamot rose scent elevates the experience, though its near-£40 price tag is an investment.
2. Best Oil Cleanser: Dermalogica Oil To Foam Cleanser (£55)
A unique hybrid that starts as a hydrating oil and transforms into a light lather. It removes every trace of grime and stage makeup without leaving a coated feeling. Soothing green tea extract and glycerin make it ideal for sensitive or barrier-compromised skin. The 250ml bottle offers long-lasting value.
3. Best Drugstore Buy: Mamonde Ceramide Amino Foam (£16)
This foaming gel produces an impressively pillowy lather that cleanses deeply without irritation. Its mildly acidic pH and ceramide-rich formula protect the skin's barrier. It is free from harsh surfactants, mineral oil, silicone, and artificial fragrance, making it a safe haven for sensitive skin.
4. Best Cream Cleanser: Charlotte Tilbury Magic Hydration Revival Cleanser (£26)
This innovative formula transforms from a cream to a foam to a milk, providing a thorough yet non-stripping cleanse. Packed with lipids, peptides, and hyaluronic acid, it leaves skin bouncy and quenched. It may struggle with heavy waterproof eye makeup, so a dedicated remover is advised first.
5. Best on a Budget: Q+A Oat Milk Cream Cleanser (£7.50)
Unbeatable value defines this gentle, creamy cleanser made with UK-farmed oats. Rich in fatty acids, ceramides, and Vitamin E, it soothes and nourishes dry, sensitive skin. It's fragrance-free, cruelty-free, and vegan, though very heavy makeup may require a double cleanse.
6. Best Natural Formula: NIOD Hydro-ester Cleansing System (£42)
A unique, oil-free cleanser packed with fruit lipids from tomato skins and seed oil. It effectively breaks down sunscreen and makeup while bolstering the skin barrier with antioxidants. The result is a smooth, supple complexion, though the 120ml size is a splurge.
7. Best for Combination/Oily Skin: Anua 8 Hyaluronic Acid Gentle Foaming Cleanser (£14)
Perfect for those battling both dryness and shine, this Korean cream-to-foam cleanser contains eight forms of hyaluronic acid and zinc PCA. It provides a refreshing lather that controls oil without stripping, making it an excellent morning or second-step cleanse.
8. Best J-Beauty Cleanser: Curel Makeup Cleansing Oil (£16.50)
A Japanese favourite, this pH-balanced, fragrance-free oil is packed with barrier-supporting ceramides. It glides over skin, emulsifying into a milk that removes makeup and SPF effectively, leaving skin plumped and comfortable.
9. Best for Sensitive Skin: Kate Somerville Goat Milk Moisturising Cleanser (£41)
This ultra-gentle, creamy cleanser feels like a moisturiser, thanks to a blend of goat milk, manuka honey, jojoba, and avocado oils. It effectively removes makeup in one step and is safe for use around the eyes, though its premium price reflects its luxurious ingredients.
10. Best Fragrance-Free: Green People Scent-free Cleanser (£29)
Ideal for reactive skin and rosacea, this creamy, non-foaming formula relies on shea butter, calendula, and prebiotics to cleanse and soothe. As a vegan, cruelty-free British brand, it's a ethical choice, best used in the morning or as a first cleansing step.
Expert Skincare Advice for Dry Skin
Are fragranced products bad for dry skin? They can be, as fragrance may contain irritants that disrupt the skin barrier, leading to increased dryness and inflammation. Those with extremely sensitive skin should opt for fragrance-free formulas.
When should you see a dermatologist? If your skin is persistently inflamed, painful, or cracked, professional advice is crucial. This could signal conditions like eczema or psoriasis requiring prescription treatment.
What ingredients should you look for? Seek out humectants like hyaluronic acid and glycerin to attract moisture. Follow with emollients and occlusives like ceramides, squalane, and shea butter to seal it in and repair the skin barrier.
The Final Verdict
Choosing the right hydrating cleanser depends on your specific needs. For a luxurious, makeup-melting experience, the Perricone MD balm is superb, while Curel offers a brilliant budget-friendly oil alternative. For a gentle morning cleanse, the Kate Somerville and Q+A cream cleansers are top picks, and for a refreshing foaming wash, the Anua gel cleanser is unbeatable. Investing in a cleanser that respects your moisture barrier is the foundational step to a healthy, hydrated complexion.
