Gentle face wash for dry skin: what to look for

Dry skin does not need less cleansing. It needs a gentle face wash that takes off oil and makeup without taking the comfort with it. Here is what to check on a label, how to wash, and where our own cleansers fit, including where they don't.

Why some cleansers leave dry skin tight

Cleansers work with surfactants, ingredients that lift oil so water can rinse it away. A review of cleanser research in Dermatologic Therapy found that harsh surfactants can disturb the skin's own proteins and lipids, "leading to after-wash tightness, dryness, barrier damage, irritation, and even itch". Milder surfactants interact less with the skin.

The same review points to pH. Very alkaline washes made the outer skin layer swell in the authors' tests, and they suggest that cleansers with a neutral or acidic pH, close to the skin's normal 5.5, may be less damaging.

The third factor is what the wash leaves behind. Humectants and lipids in a cleanser help reduce the damage during washing, according to the review.

What to look for in a gentle face wash for dry skin

Texture is personal. Creams, milks, oils, gels and mousses can all be gentle. The ingredient list and the pH tell you more than the format does.

Our Glow Facial Wash, in detail

Our Glow Facial Wash is a soft mousse with aloe leaf juice and blackberry extract. It lifts away makeup buildup and excess oil without leaving skin tight. It is made for normal, dry or oily skin, and you can use it morning and night as step one.

The details: 99% natural origin, 10% organic, vegan, no parabens and no silicones, in a 4.90 fl oz (145 mL) pump bottle. The mousse has a faint colour from iron oxides, a mineral pigment. Slight separation in the bottle is normal for this formula.

The honest limit is scent. It contains fragrance, plus linalool and limonene from natural essential oils. If your dry skin is also reactive, patch test first or choose a fragrance-free cleanser.

How to wash a dry face

These steps follow the American Academy of Dermatology's face-washing advice, with our product directions added.

1. Wet your face with lukewarm water. Not hot.
2. Use your fingertips. Pump out the mousse and massage gently. Washcloths and sponges can irritate.
3. Don't scrub. A short, gentle massage is enough.
4. Rinse well and pat dry with a soft towel.
5. Moisturize straight away, while skin is still slightly damp.
6. Stop at twice a day, plus after heavy sweating.

For what comes next, see our skincare routine steps, and for the last step at night, what to look for in a night cream for dry skin.

When a face wash is not the right first step

A gentle wash handles a normal day. Two situations call for something else first.

Makeup or long-wear sunscreen. Rubbing at makeup with a face wash means more washing than dry skin wants. Melt it first with our Oil-to-Milk Cleanser, a sunflower-oil cleanser that turns to a milk with water and rinses clean. It is COSMOS Organic and made for all skin types, including sensitive.

It is scented, and it should be kept away from the eyes. The full method is in how to double cleanse.

Eye and lip makeup, or no sink nearby. Our Micellar Water is a no-rinse cleanser with aloe leaf juice and hyaluronic acid at pH 5.00–5.30. Sweep it over face, eyes and lips with a cotton pad until the pad comes away clean. It contains fragrance too.

Signs your face wash is too harsh

The review above lists what a harsh cleanser tends to leave behind: tightness, dryness, irritation and itch. If your face feels tight every time you dry it, change the wash before you add more moisturizer.

If dryness comes with itching, redness or cracking that does not settle, see a dermatologist. A cleanser is a cosmetic, and persistent symptoms need a professional's opinion.

Frequently asked questions

Should I moisturize after face wash?

Yes, if your skin is dry. Apply moisturizer right after washing, while skin is still slightly damp, so it can hold on to that water.

Is a foaming face wash bad for dry skin?

Not by itself. Foam tells you little. What matters is which cleansing agents make the foam, the pH and whether skin feels tight afterwards. Our mousse foams from coco-glucoside and cocamidopropyl betaine at pH 4.90–5.10.

How often should you wash dry skin?

No more than twice a day, and after heavy sweating. If mornings feel tight, try a rinse with lukewarm water or a sweep of micellar water instead of a full wash.

Can you double cleanse if you have dry skin?

Yes, on makeup or sunscreen days, in the evening only. Use an oil cleanser first, then a small amount of gentle wash. On bare-skin days one cleanse is enough.

Will the Glow Facial Wash leave my skin feeling tight?

It is made to clean without that tight feeling. Aloe leaf juice is the base, and sodium PCA and glycerin help skin feel comfortable after you rinse.

Is the Glow Facial Wash fragrance-free?

No. It has a fruity, floral, green scent and contains fragrance. If you avoid fragrance, it is not the right pick.

Sources

Ananthapadmanabhan K.P., Moore D.J., Subramanyan K., Misra M., Meyer F. Cleansing without compromise: the impact of cleansers on the skin barrier and the technology of mild cleansing. Dermatologic Therapy, 2004;17(Suppl 1):16–25.
American Academy of Dermatology. Face washing 101.
American Academy of Dermatology. Dermatologists' top tips for relieving dry skin.
Product details are taken from the exokiss product pages. This article is general information, not medical advice.