What's The Ideal Cleanser for Dry Skin?

Overview

To achieve nourished, soft skin, establish an effective skincare routine that's tailored to dry skin. If you have a dry skin type, choose a face wash that incorporates nourishing ingredients that both moisturise and protect dry skin. It should remove dirt and build-up without stripping your skin of its natural oils.

Avoid products that leave the skin feeling dry and tight; the ideal cleansers for dry skin will remove dirt but leave a layer of hydration. 

How Do You Choose a Cleanser For Dry Skin?

Choose:

• a gentle formula that won’t strip the skin when cleansing. 

• a hydrating cleanser that contains ingredients like hyaluronic acid that retain moisture to help dehydrated skin.

• products containing 3 essential ceramides to strengthen the skin’s natural moisture barrier.

• dermatologically formulated products that are fragrance-free and won’t clog pores. 

Dry Skin Explained

Skin can become dry when it loses its supply of water or natural oils. This may be because of environmental influences such as a dry climate or genetic predisposition. Harsh soaps and some chemicals can damage the skin’s natural moisture barrier. Certain medications can also lead to moisture loss, resulting in dry skin on the face.

The underlying cause of dry skin is a compromised skin moisture barrier. This barrier seals in moisture and protects against external aggressors. When it is weakened, moisture evaporates more quickly - leaving your skin feeling dry and more vulnerable to irritants. 

Which Facial Cleanser is Ideal for Dry & Sensitive Skin Types?

When choosing a face wash for dry skin, look for a gentle cleanser which removes impurities without compromising the skin’s moisture barrier.

CeraVe offers a dermatologically formulated range of facial cleansers suited to dry skin types. They're designed to help support and strengthen the skin’s natural moisture barrier for smoother, softer, and more radiant skin. The CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser is a lightweight, gentle face wash that removes any build-up of dirt and sweat, while still nourishing the skin.

Important Ingredients in a Gentle Cleanser for Dry Skin

Deciding on the facial wash best suited to your dry skin begins with knowing the most beneficial ingredients. Adding a cleanser containing these ingredients to your skincare routine will help keep your skin feeling clean, hydrated, and nourished.

Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic acid is a natural component of the skin, which helps retain the skin’s moisture and plumpness. It's a large carbohydrate molecule produced by the body. Hyaluronic acid can retain 1,000 times its volume in water, making it one of the most effective moisturising ingredients in dry skincare.

If you have dry skin and want a non-abrasive cleansing product that provides 24-hour hydration, choose one enriched with hyaluronic acid. 

Ceramides

Ceramides are lipids that help to strengthen the bonds between skin cells, forming a strong protective moisture barrier. Ceramides help protect dry skin from moisture loss and environmental aggressors.

Without a good balance of ceramides, the skin becomes more susceptible to dryness. To avoid dry skin becoming further compromised, a cleanser specially formulated for dry skin should incorporate all three essential skin ceramides. 

Squalane

Squalane is a hydrogenated form of squalene. It's a highly effective emollient and natural antioxidant, widely acclaimed for its benefits in skincare, particularly for dry skin. Squalane helps restore the lipid moisture barrier, preventing moisture loss while improving skin elasticity and texture. Squalane also soothes and calms irritated skin, making it a versatile and beneficial ingredient in moisturisers and serums for those seeking relief from dryness.

Squalane is featured in CeraVe Hydrating Foaming Oil Cleanser, where its lightweight, non-greasy texture offers deep hydration without clogging pores.

Glycerin

Glycerin, also known as glycerol, is a humectant. In the world of skincare, glycerin is used to hydrate and maintain the moisture balance in dry skin, drawing water into the outer layers of skin both from the air and from deeper layers of the skin. In doing so, it helps to plump the skin, reducing the visible appearance of fine lines and helping maintain the moisture barrier that protects skin from external aggressors.

Glycerin is an important ingredient in many CeraVe face washes and cleansers, creams, and serums. Its gentle nature also makes it suitable for sensitive, providing a soothing effect while enhancing skin hydration.