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Frequently Asked Questions<\/strong><\/p>\nAccordionItemContainerButton<\/span><\/button><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nWe pooled resources here at Allure<\/em> to find out our staffers\u2019 favorite face washes for dry skin, and then bolstered those with some additional picks from dermatologists. And don\u2019t miss our FAQs for a primer on what ingredients to look out for (and avoid), or scroll right on to read about eight exceptional contenders for the best face wash for dry skin.<\/p>\nBest Overall:<\/strong> iS Clinical Cleansing Complex<\/h2>\n\n
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iS Clinical<\/p>\n
Cleansing Complex<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Why it\u2019s worth it:<\/strong> iS Clinical Cleansing Complex is our favorite cleanser for dry skin, since it ticks multiple boxes: Effectively removing dirt and grime is a given, but finding one that\u2019s also gentle enough for sensitive types and<\/em> offers mild exfoliation without stripping is a rare win. \u201cIt uses willow bark extract, a natural source of salicylic acid, along with sugarcane extract, a natural source of glycolic acid, to gently resurface dull, flaky areas,\u201d says Whitney Hovenic, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Reno, Nevada. But despite those exfoliating benefits, \u201cit remains remarkably hydrating and leaves the skin smooth, radiant, and balanced,\u201d she adds.<\/p>\n\n
\n<\/p>\nAllure<\/em> contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee applying the iS Clinical Cleansing Complex<\/p>\n<\/span>Christa Joanna Lee<\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n\n<\/p>\nLee after using the iS Clinical Cleansing Complex<\/p>\n
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\u201cThere\u2019s a new cleanser on my vanity practically every night\u2014sometimes I\u2019ll even use three in one session because I cannot stand failing the white-towel test. iS Clinical Cleansing Complex has quickly become a go-to: It removes makeup nicely, the gel texture leaves my skin hydrated, and the hit of willow bark extract gives me a subtle glow. My bulletproof eyeliner still needs a little extra help, but my skin has been feeling noticeably softer since I added this into the rotation.\u201d \u2014Christa Joanna Lee, contributing commerce writer<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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\nKey ingredients:<\/strong> Centella asiatica,<\/em> chamomile flower, sugarcane, salicylic acid<\/li>\nFragrance-free:<\/strong> yes<\/li>\nTexture:<\/strong> gel<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nBest Foaming:<\/strong> Chanel La Mousse<\/h2>\n\n
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Why it\u2019s worth it:<\/strong> Of course if Chanel were going to dream up the perfect face wash for dry skin, it wouldn\u2019t be a basic gel, cream, or oil\u2026 it would be a mousse<\/em>. The moment you work La Mousse onto your skin, it builds into a plush, cushiony lather that feels instantly soothing. It whisks away sunscreen, sebum, and makeup with ease, while camellia extract, glycerin, and ceramides reinforce your barrier and seal in hydration. The cleanser has a soft, elegant fragrance that makes the whole ritual feel extra luxurious without overwhelming your senses.<\/p>\n\n
\n<\/p>\nAllure<\/em> senior commerce director Shanna Shipin applying the Chanel La Mousse<\/p>\n<\/span>Shanna Shipin<\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n\n<\/p>\nShipin after applying the Chanel La Mousse<\/p>\n
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\u201cA cleanser is a necessary, but uneventful part of a skin-care routine\u2014or so I thought, until I started using Chanel Mousse. Oh my goodness, the texture on this product. Creamy, foamy, luscious, and effective without remotely stripping your skin down. It’s an expensive purchase, for sure, but just a dab is all you need, and it’ll easily cover your entire face and neck once it hits the water. Plus, I used to despise washing my face at night and often skipped it (shh!) before the Mousse entered my life. Now cleansing is a favorite part of my routine. The cream foams up and gently lifts the day away, leaving me with soft, supple, clean skin that doesn’t need to be washed twice.\u201d \u2014Shanna Shipin, senior commerce director<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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\nKey ingredients:<\/strong> glycerin, camellia flower, ceramides<\/li>\nFragrance-free:<\/strong> no<\/li>\nTexture:<\/strong> cream to foam<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nBest for Barrier Repair:<\/strong> Mixsoon PDRN Collagen Hydrating Gel Cleanser<\/h2>\n\n
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Mixsoon<\/p>\n
PDRN Collagen Hydrating Gel Cleanser<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Why it\u2019s worth it:<\/strong> Has your skin barrier been feeling irritated and angry? There\u2019s a K-beauty fix for that. Like many Korean formulas, Mixsoon\u2019s PDRN Collagen Hydrating Gel Cleanser leans ultra-gentle, thanks to a cushion of glycerin, sorbitol, and three types of hyaluronic acid that draw moisture in so your skin never feels tight or squeaky. The star ingredient, rice-derived PDRN, is blended with collagen extract, fermented soybean, and peptides to help strengthen and replenish stressed-out skin. It removes sunscreen and buildup while keeping your barrier hydrated and calm\u2014key if you\u2019re chasing that smooth, glass-skin look.<\/p>\n\n
\n<\/p>\nAllure<\/em> commerce editor Sarah Han applying Mixsoon PDRN Collagen Hydrating Gel Cleanser<\/p>\n<\/span>Sarah Han<\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n\n<\/p>\nHan after washing her face with Mixsoon PDRN Collagen Hydrating Gel Cleanser<\/p>\n
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Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\nAccordionItemContainerButton<\/span><\/button><\/div>\n\n
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\u201cOk, technically, I have combo skin, but depending on the cleansers I use, my skin can definitely feel tight and uncomfy after my usual nighttime double cleanse (I really take my time to very thoroughly massage in my cleansing oil or balm, too). In my experience, gel cleansers are least likely to strip my skin, and Mixsoon’s PDRN Collagen Hydrating Gel Cleanser is no exception. It feels so incredibly soothing on my skin, and I do feel the hydrating benefits from PDRN, hyaluronic acid, collagen, and peptides. While no wash-off product is going to be intensely hydrating, I can always count on this one to keep my complexion happy and balanced. P.S. I also like that Mixsoon discloses the pH, which at 5.5, is very similar to our skin’s natural pH and thus unlikely to cause irritation.\u201d \u2014Sarah Han, commerce editor<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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\nKey ingredients:<\/strong> rice-derived PDRN, collagen, peptides<\/li>\nFragrance-free:<\/strong> yes<\/li>\nTexture<\/strong>: gel<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nBest for Makeup Removal:<\/strong> Merit Great Skin Double Cleanse Face Wash<\/h2>\n\n
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Merit<\/p>\n
Great Skin Double Cleanse Face Wash<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Why it’s worth it:<\/strong> There\u2019s nothing that makes us want to try a product faster than its ability to multitask. Merit\u2019s Great Skin Double Cleanse Makeup Removing Cleanser does exactly that, streamlining your routine with a bi-phase formula that removes makeup and cleanses in a single shake. Instead of traditional oils, it relies on lightweight emollients (like jojoba esters) paired with water-based surfactants and oat-derived amino acids to melt away everyday makeup, SPF, and grime without leaving a greasy film. Hydrators like glycerin help keep skin comfortable, while PHA (gluconolactone) offers gentle exfoliation. If you\u2019re wearing heavy or waterproof eye makeup, you may still want a dedicated remover, but for daily looks, this makes cleansing a breeze.<\/p>\n\n
\n<\/p>\nAllure<\/em> senior editor Jesa Marie Calaor applying the Merit Great Skin Double Cleanse Makeup Removing Cleanser<\/p>\n<\/span>Jesa Marie Calaor<\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n\n<\/p>\nCalaor after applying the Merit Great Skin Double Cleanse Makeup Removing Cleanser<\/p>\n
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\u201cI don’t double-cleanse because it’s fun. Washing my face twice is just what I have to do to get all my makeup and skincare off\u2014until I got this cleanser. The bi-phase formula dispenses as a foam that melts everything away without fussing with two products. My skin dries down to feel clean, soft, and not at all stripped.\u201d \u2014Jesa Marie Calaor, senior editor<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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\nKey ingredients:<\/strong> oat surfactants, PHA, glycerin<\/li>\nFragrance-free:<\/strong> yes<\/li>\nTexture:<\/strong> watery<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nMore face washes for dry skin we love<\/em><\/h2>\nBest for Sensitive Skin:<\/strong> SkinCeuticals Gentle Cleanser<\/h2>\n\n
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SkinCeuticals<\/p>\n
Gentle Cleanser<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Why it\u2019s worth it:<\/strong> Dry skin types should try a cushiony cream formula, according to Deanne Mraz, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Westport, Connecticut, who counts SkinCeuticals Gentle Cleanser among her favorites. \u201cThis cream-based cleanser removes impurities and excess surface oils while soothing and calming the skin,\u201d she says. \u201cIt is an emollient-rich cleanser with a 3% concentration of allantoin, glycerin, and orange oil to soften and repair the skin barrier.\u201d The latter ingredient is a known source of antioxidant vitamin C, which can also help brighten skin and even your complexion\u2019s tone.<\/p>\n