People with dry skin tend to turn to heavy moisturizers to care for their skin. However, a gentle cleanser for dry skin can be just as important in your skin care routine to keep your skin looking great. In fact, choosing the right cleanser for your skin type can be critical to achieving an even, glowing complexion.
When looking for the best face cleanser for dry skin, you may be overwhelmed by the large number of options available. In this article from The Dermo Lab and in collaboration with the dermatologist Dr. Maha Ezzelarab, we will shed some light on how you can choose the best facial cleanser for dry skin. So, without further ado, let’s get started!
What are the signs and risk factors of dry skin?
According to Dr. Maha Ezzelarab, dry skin is an uncomfortable condition marked by:
- A feeling of tightness in the skin, especially after showering, bathing or swimming
- Roughness of the skin
- Itching
- Mild to severe scaling, flaking, or peeling
- Appearance of fine lines
- Gray, ashen-colored skin
- Redness
- Deep cracks that may bleed
She adds that the following factors can contribute to dry skin:
- Weather: Dry skin is more common during the fall and winter months.
- Heat: Central heating reduces moisture and dries out the skin.
- Bathing habits: Frequent bathing or washing with very hot water increases the risk of dry skin. Also, frequent bathing, especially in heavily chlorinated pools.
- Harsh soaps and shampoos remove moisture from your skin because they are specifically formulated to remove sebum.
- Aging: As you age, your pores naturally produce less oil, which increases your risk of dry skin.
- Having other skin conditions: such as atopic dermatitis (eczema) or psoriasis.
Why should I cleanse my face regularly?
It is important to cleanse your face regularly because it provides many benefits, such as:
1- Boosting hydration:
Your skin will not look or feel good if it is not well hydrated. In people with dry skin, the moisture level is naturally low, which makes facial cleansing even more important. Regularly cleansing your face will help prevent it from looking aged, rough, and wrinkled. Facial cleansing also helps balance the skin’s pH level. A balanced pH facilitates the retention of products and water.
2- Removing buildup:
Not cleansing your face can lead to oil, dirt, and debris buildup. Over time, this buildup of impurities can dramatically reduce the radiance of your skin. It can also affect the absorption of other skin care products. Regular facial cleansing can lead to the removal of these impurities, which will help your skin look fresh and rejuvenated.
3- Keeping the skin clear:
The deep layers of the skin are made up of glands that produce sebum, an oil that protects the skin from the penetration of harmful agents like bacteria. However, when the skin is clogged with impurities, the sebum fails to reach the skin’s surface and becomes trapped with dead skin cells and sweat. Over time, this can lead to acne.
What should a daily facial cleanser for dry skin contain?
The best face wash for dry skin contains a wide variety of ingredients. However, some of them may be better suited for other skin types. So, before you buy a facial cleanser for dry skin, make sure it contains one or more of the following ingredients.
1- Hyaluronic acid
Here are some of the benefits of hyaluronic acid:
- Supple, firm skin
- Instant hydration
- Anti-aging properties
- Smooth skin texture
- Rosy complexion
2- Ceramides
Ceramides are of natural origin. They are fats that are part of the skin’s natural protective barrier, and their concentration is highest in the skin’s outermost layer.
However, over time, when the skin is exposed to pollutants and contaminants, their production decreases. Ceramides play a huge role in moisture retention, and for people with dry skin, these fats can do wonders.
In addition to moisture retention, ceramides also offer the following benefits:
- Managing eczema
- Facilitating the formation of a protective skin barrier
- Reducing skin irritation
3- Glycerin
Here are some of the benefits of glycerin for the skin:
- Skin tightening properties
- Exfoliating the skin
- Improving skin tone
- Enhancing the skin’s natural protective qualities
4- Urea
Urea is another substance naturally present in the skin that facilitates hydration. However, with age and chronic exposure to contaminants, urea production decreases. This is why facial cleansers containing urea can be helpful.
Urea’s most important function is to retain moisture, like glycerin and ceramides. However, this substance also has the following benefits:
- Improving cell renewal
- Loosening dead skin to facilitate exfoliation
- Preventing the development of dry skin
- Improving the penetration properties of topical medications into the skin
5- Antioxidants
Compounds that inhibit oxidation are known as antioxidants. Some of the most common antioxidants in skin care products include niacinamide, vitamin C, vitamin E, resveratrol, and retinol (vitamin A).
Antioxidants offer a wide range of skin care benefits, including:
- Anti-aging properties
- Prevention of sun damage
- Brightening of skin tone
When you have dry skin, finding a gentle, non-comedogenic, moisturizing cleanser is essential. The wrong cleanser can potentially dry out your skin even more. That’s why, we’ve rounded up the most recommended facial cleansers for dry skin.
Ducray Ictyane Cleansing Shower Cream
Eau Thermale Avène TriXéra Nutrition Nutri-Fluid Cleansing Gel
What are the best practices for facial cleansing?
In this section, we are going to introduce you to the best skin care practices if you have dry skin.
- Remove your makeup before applying cleanser
If you want your facial cleanser to be as effective as possible, you need to remove your makeup.
Makeup clogs pores, and if you’re wearing makeup while applying the cleanser, the ingredients in the cleanser won’t be able to penetrate the skin sufficiently. Ultimately, this will only lead to clogged pores.
- Use lukewarm water
While you can use hot or cold water to wash your face, we recommend sticking to lukewarm water. The reason is simple: extreme water temperatures can irritate the skin on your face. So, it’s best to opt for water that’s not too hot or too cold.
Lukewarm water is also very effective in removing any remaining impurities from the skin’s pores. So, when it comes to washing your face, there’s nothing better than lukewarm water.
- Don’t use more than the recommended amount
Applying more than the recommended amount can disrupt the skin on your face.
That’s about it for this article. Now you know the importance of facial cleansing and how to choose the best facial cleanser for dry skin. Happy cleansing!
Last Updated on February 16, 2024
