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If you have dry skin, it’s especially important to choose a face wash that won’t strip it of moisture like Monday leeching our collective joy from the weekend. Dermatologists are quick to remind us that if your skin feels tight after cleansing, it doesn’t mean your products are working better.
Your face wash should have a milky, emollient texture and be packed with nourishing, soothing ingredients that gently-but-thoroughly cleanse your complexion. Maybe your lather even contains some gentle exfoliants to help keep flaky skin at bay. I just came to the sad realization that my standards for a face wash are higher than my standards for men. I’ll unpack that at a later time. Anyhow, shop 10 soothing face washes for dry skin below.
1. Renee Rouleau Moisture Protecting Cleanser, $38
Remember in the first Toy Story where the squeeze toy aliens follow Mr. Potato Head around, repeating: “You have saved our lives, we are eternally grateful.”? I am basically those little aliens when it comes to celebrity esthetician Renee Rouleau. When someone asks me for skin-care recommendations, I send them straight to her eponymous line of products. This cleanser has a gel-to-milk texture that thoroughly whisks away debris from dry or sensitive skin, without leaving skin tight and irritated.
Shop Now: Renee Rouleau Moisture Protecting Cleanser, $38
2. Blume Daydreamer Face Wash, $15
This nourishing cleanser has a light lavender scent that’s not overpowering—think like how La Croix tastes, but for smell.
Shop Now: Blume Daydreamer Face Wash, $15
3. Mara Chia + Moringa Algae Enzyme Cleansing Oil, $58
I could go on and on about how this cleanser is packed with nourishing oils and gentle exfoliants, and how it can take skin from dry to dewy but, like, just go look at how healthy brand founder Allison McNamara‘s skin is.
Shop Now: Mara Chia + Moringa Algae Enzyme Cleansing Oil, $58
4. Monastery Rose Cleansing Oil, $48
This is very aesthetically pleasing; it looks like it belongs in the bathroom of a woman who owns clogs—in a cool way—and dresses in expensive neutrals.
Shop Now: Monastery Rose Cleansing Oil, $48
5. Cannuka Gel Balm Cleanser, $34
This cleanser contains Manuka honey. Manuka honey is only found in New Zealand. New Zealand is where Lord of the Rings was filmed. Lord of the Rings had Sean Astin in it. Sean Astin was in White Water Summer with Kevin Bacon. (Did I do this right?)
Shop Now: Cannuka Gel Balm Cleanser, $34
6. Ranavat Luminous Ceremony Cream Cleanser, $42
This cream-gel hybrid cleanser helps dry skin get a deep clean thanks to manjistha, an Ayurvedic herb known for its skin-cleansing properties.
Shop Now: Ranavat Luminous Ceremony Cream Cleanser, $42
7. 100 Percent Pure Calendula Flower Cleansing Milk, $28
A bouquet of rose, chamomile, and calendula botanicals calm both dry skin and anxious brain that can’t stop overthinking about whether or not to reply to your crush’s Instagram story.
Shop Now: 100 Percent Pure Calendula Flower Cleansing Milk, $28
8. Garnier Green Labs Hyalu-Melon Smoothing Milky Wash, $10
Watermelon extract teams up with hyaluronic acid—basically the top banana of hydrating ingredients—in this vegan cleanser.
Shop Now: Garnier Green Labs Hyalu-Melon Smoothing Milky Wash, $10
9. Farmacy Green Clean, $34
If all of your makeup wasn’t washed away by your tears during your daily allotted sobbing time, this luxe balm will come to the rescue and gently remove anything that’s left.
Shop Now: Farmacy Green Clean, $34
10. Holifrog Tashmoo Water Lily Nourishing Milky Wash, $38
When HoliFrog launched as a cleanser-only line, expectations were high, and brand founder Emily Parr did not disappoint on any front. Particularly, this ultra-gentle milky wash replenishes skin with moisture while whisking away any dirt or grime from the day or remnants of retinol from the night.
Shop now: Holifrog Tashmoo Water Lily Nourishing Milky Wash, $38
Have you checked out The Well+Good SHOP? Our editors sift through hundreds of products every week so that you don’t have to—and now, you can find their faves (from skin care to self care and beyond) in one carefully curated space. What’re you waiting for? Get shopping!
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