When you have dry or dehydrated skin, cleansing, arguably the most simple step in your skin care routine, can actually feel like a bit of a nightmare.
Why? Well, using the wrong cleanser can actually strip your skin of natural oils and impair your skin’s natural moisture barrier. These two factors are really important for protecting dry or dehydrated skin and maintaining moisture levels.
An overzealous cleanser can also cause flakiness, redness and irritation. The solution? A gentle cleanser (a cream cleanser will be your BFF).
When someone with dry, dehydrated skin uses a cleanser with gentle ingredients that help to soothe the skin and reinforce the skin’s natural moisture barrier, it helps to keep your skin in optimal health.
So if you’re struggling with skin that feels dry or dehydrated, look no further, because beautyheaven has found the best cleansers for dry skin. Keep reading to discover our top picks…
2024’s TOP Cleansers For Dry Skin
- Neutriderm Foaming Cleanser, $30, Neutriderm
- CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser, $15.99, Chemist Warehouse
- O Cosmedics Gentle Antioxidant Cleanser, $58 at O Cosmedics
- Bondi Sands Everyday Skincare Fresh’n Up Gel Cleanser, $12.99, Chemist Warehouse
The best cleansers for dry skin 2024
Neutriderm Foaming Cleanser
$30 at Neutriderm
For those with normal to dry skin, the Neutriderm Foaming Cleanser is a gentle yet effective solution. It removes makeup and impurities without stripping moisture, leaving your skin feeling clean, hydrated and radiant. Packed with vitamins like niacinamide, panthenol and vitamin C, it nourishes and brightens while promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Key features:
- Ideal for normal to dry skin
- Cleanses without stripping moisture
- Enriched with vitamins for lasting hydration
- Brightens skin with niacinamide and vitamin C
- Fortifies the skin barrier, promoting healthy, radiant skin
- Great for double cleansing with Neutriderm Cleansing Balm
CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser
$15.99 at Chemist Warehouse
Formulated specifically with dry skin in mind, this hydrating cleanser contains a moisturising combination of ceramides and hyaluronic acid, which work to reinforce the skin’s natural moisture barrier.
Key features:
- Contains ceramides and hyaluronic acid
- Reinforces the skin’s natural moisture barrier
- Promotes 24-hour hydration
- Non-comedogenic
- Fragrance-free
Available at:
- $15.99 from Chemist Warehouse
- $14.39 from Priceline
- $17.99 from Adore Beauty
O Cosmedics Gentle Antioxidant Cleanser
$58 at O Cosmedics
The word ‘gentle’ in the name is a green light we love to see when dealing with dry skin! This antioxidant-powered cleanser is powered by anti-pollutant boosters which work to trap dirt and excess sebum, while leaving the skin plump, fresh and hydrated. It’s a luxurious-feeling formula worth the splurge; your shower will feel (and smell) like a spa with this on the shelf.
Key features:
- Features V8 Peptide Complex® to hydrate and refresh skin
- Contains skin-repairing antioxidants
- Traps dirt and sebum
- Gentle enough for rosacea-prone or reactive skin
Available at:
- $58 from O Cosmedics
Bondi Sands Everyday Skincare Fresh’n Up Gel Cleanser
$12.99 at Chemist Warehouse
This gentle gel cleanser contains calendula extract, chamomile and aloe vera, which work to soothe the irritation and redness associated with flaky, dry skin.
Key features:
- Contains calendula extract, chamomile and aloe vera
- Suitable for dry and sensitive skin
- Non-comedogenic
- Fragrance-free
Available at:
- $12.99 from Chemist Warehouse
- $10.46 from Bondi Sands
- $14.99 from Priceline
Bioderma Hydrabio H2O Hydrating Micellar Water Cleanser
$19.99 at Chemist Warehouse
Dry skin benefits from a gentle cleansing routine, which is why this micellar water is one to try. Simply swipe a cotton pad soaked in the stuff over the skin AM or PM to enjoy a slew of hydrating ingredients such as apple seed extract, niacinamide, rapeseed and glycerin. It also utilises a cleansing agent that mimics the skin’s natural lipidic barrier to ensure that skin remains balanced and calm.
Key features:
- Contains apple seed extract, niacinamide, rapeseed and glycerin
- Gentle cleansing agents respect the skin’s natural moisture barrier
- Effectively removes makeup
- Alcohol-free
Available at:
- $19.99 from Chemist Warehouse
- $22.99 from Adore Beauty
- $22.99 from Look Fantastic
Hada Labo Tokyo Gentle Hydrating Cleanser
$24.95 at Priceline
Japanese brand Hada Labo’s signature super hyaluronic acid has been added to this super gentle cleansing option, which combines three molecular weights of hyaluronic acid to encourage long-lasting hydration. The result is a creamy cleanser that effectively purifies, but still leaves your skin feeling moisturised after you wash your face.
Key features:
- Includes three types of hyaluronic acid
- Suitable for sensitive, dry and oily skin types
- Provides long-lasting hydration
Available at:
- $24.95 from Priceline
- $24.95 from Adore Beauty
The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser
$18.30 at Priceline
The Ordinary’s Squalane Cleanser is nothing if not unique. The innovative balm formula contains emulsifying sucrose esters that transform into a clear cleansing oil that dissolves makeup. All you have to do is rub the cleanser between your palms and massage it into your skin to melt away makeup and impurities (and rinse with water of course).
Key features:
- Contains emulsifying sucrose esters that melt makeup
- Non-comedogenic
- Soap-free
- Suitable for all skin types
Available at:
- $18.30 from Priceline
- $18.30 from Adore Beauty
- $18.30 from MYER
Thayers Hydrating Milky Cleanser With Snow Mushroom & Hyaluronic Acid
$14.99 at Chemist Warehouse
This gentle, milky cleanser contains a blend of soothing and hydrating ingredients such as snow mushroom and hyaluronic acid. It whisks away makeup and impurities without disrupting the skin’s natural moisture barrier and leaves the skin looking dewy and plump post-cleanse.
Key features:
- Contains snow mushroom and hyaluronic acid
- Formulated for dry and sensitive skin
- Removes makeup
- Leaves skin hydrated, dewy and plump
Available at:
- $14.99 from Chemist Warehouse
- $14.99 from Priceline
Dermal Therapy Very Dry Face Cleanser
$18.99 at Dermal Therapy
This bargain-status cleanser is gentle, nourishing, and easy on the wallet. Three of our very favourite things! It’s designed to delicately wash away impurities while working to protect and repair the skin barrier and provide a welcome boost of hydration.
Key features:
- Formulated with ceramides to strengthen and restore the skin barrier
- Contains hydrating hyaluronic acid
- Features 1% colloidal oatmeal for soothing
Available at:
- $18.99 from Dermal Therapy
Related articles:
- The 9 Best Moisturisers For Protecting And Hydrating Dry Skin
- 5 Of The Best Face Oils For Nourishing Dry Skin
- 8 Of The Best Hydrating Masks For Soothing Dry Skin
Main image credit: @gwynethpaltrow
Do you have dry skin? What’s your go-to cleanser?
Even though I don’t have dry skin I have used the CeraVe hydrating cleanser. It foams up nicely and works well
I’ve heard good things about th Cerave cleansers.
The Bondi sandss one looks nice, I am sure it is at coles
I need a new cleanser
I have just bought one at Priceline.
Is it as good as it says Normap?
I tried Cerave and I think it’s great value
I would like to try the Thayers one as their toners are awesome
I’m using a Dr Le Winn cream cleanser at the moment. I like it
TO Squalane Cleanser is one of my favourite cleansers of all time.
The CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser at $15.99 looks like a goer, and really good value.
That’s the one I’d like to try next.
never heard of Thayers Hydrating Milky Cleanser With Snow Mushroom & Hyaluronic Acid but it looks nice.
I would be happy to try any of these.
My favourites are oil cleansers and balms. I’m using a CeraVe oil cleanser at present and I have the hydrating cleanser ready for when I run out.
Love The Ordinary products, such good quality for the price paid.
The Hada Labo packaging is so pretty that I’m always tempted just for that.
I’m always tempted with pretty packaging.
I have just bought my second CeraVe cleanser. It’s soft and gentle on my skin as well as inexpensive.
I currently have Combination Skin. I want to try CeraVe Cleanser. I already use Bioderma Micellar water. Which I love. I have Aldi’s Squalene in the cupboard which I haven’t ussed yet.
I’ve heard about snow mushroom – it’s supposed to be an excellent hydrator.
I need a cleanser the Thayers sounds like just the ticket
I feel like cleansers that dry my face after a wash does a better job than a creamy cleanser because i always follow it with a good moisturizer
I love CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser.
I find it better for my skin to use only water to cleanse. I use an oil based balm or cream cleanser on my face.
I like the Dermal therapy which I was given to trial, The Ordinary is great too,
Both great brands
Cerave, Sukin, Dermal Therapy are all great budget options.
Yes prices are good
One way or the other I seem to have landed up with quite a number of cleansers and really do not need to buy any for sometime
I do have dryskin and like either creamy or oil cleansers
I do have dry skin and like either creamy or oil cleansers
I like the Dermal Therapy as well as Cerave dry skin cleansers for my very dry skin, they both are great. Recently, I have started using La Roche Posay Lipikar Wash AP+ as a face cleanser and it is amazing. I love how soft it makes my skin, never dries me out and cleans very well.
The Neutriderm is a lovely brand