My Secret to Beating Dry Winter Skin? Hydrating Cleansers for the Win
There’s hope for your parched epidermis.
I don’t know if it’s because I’m getting older, but this winter has been doing a number on me. Somehow, my oily skin is also the driest and most sensitive it’s ever been, and let’s not forget that my hormonal adult acne continues to have a mind of its own. In an effort not to make anything worse, I’ve decided that only moisturizing products will get me through the next few weeks, including my face wash. Enter: hydrating cleansers.
But what exactly qualifies as a hydrating cleanser? “These formulas gently but effectively remove dirt, oil, and impurities while retaining the skin’s natural moisture and supporting the skin barrier,” board-certified dermatologist Marisa Garshick, MD, tells me. “Rather than leaving the skin feeling tight or dry after washing, these hydrating cleansers help the skin feel softer and nourished.”
With the way my skin has been behaving recently, my hydrating cleansers have been front and center in my skincare cabinet. That said, they’re among the more universal products on the market, suitable for year-round use. So whether you have dry, normal, combination, or even oily skin, you can never really go wrong by incorporating a hydrating cleanser into your routine. Keep reading to see a few of my favorite formulas on the market, plus a few tips on how to choose the best ones for your skin.
- Best Hydrating Cleanser Overall: Fenty Beauty Total Cleans'r Remove-It-All Cleanser
- Best Calming Hydrating Face Cleanser: Aveeno Calm + Restore Nourishing Oat Facial Cleanser
- Best Foaming Hydrating Cleanser: Korres Greek Yoghurt Foaming Cream Cleanser
- Best Hydrating Cleansing Oil: La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP+ Gentle Foaming Cleansing Oil
- Best Gentle Hydrating Cleanser: Dr Loretta Gentle Hydrating Cleanser
I typically stay on the makeup side of the Fenty brand, but this cleanser has officially made me cross over. The creamy, do-it-all formula can take off my makeup and truly cleanse my skin in one fell swoop, and it feels like a dream on my skin in the process.
Size: 4.9 oz
Key Ingredients: Glycerin (humectant); Acerola (Brightening); Green tea (antioxidant)
What I Love: Easy-to-squeeze tube packaging; Skin feels completely clean after one wash; Sensorially elegant
What I Don’t: The cap can be a bit finicky
Review for MC: “I started using this cleanser a few weeks ago, and I haven’t been able to put it down. It’s one of the only formulas that takes off my makeup without leaving a film behind, so I don't have to wash my face all over again. I rarely champion multi-purpose skincare products, but this one is too good not to rave about.” — Ariel Baker, Beauty Writer
While Aveeno’s body oil is one of my holy grails, this facial cleanser is a close second. It’s a milky, gel-cream formula that was made with sensitive skin in mind. So whether you have dry, combination, acne-prone, or eczematic skin, this formula will work for you.
Size: 7.8 fl oz
Key Ingredients: Feverfew (antioxidant); Oats (soothing and calming)
What I Love: Affordable; Tons of product for the price
What I Don’t: A slim pump and a large bottle can make for awkward handling when my hands are wet
Review for MC: “Not only does this cleanser come in a massive bottle (it will last you months even with regular use), but it has Aveeno’s signature calming ingredients like oats and feverfew. Plus, it’s hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic, which is perfect for people with acneic skin.” — Ariel Baker, Beauty Writer
Korres is one of those skincare brands I will always rave about, and if you’ve never tried anything from this line, start with this cleanser. Not only is it a sensorial delight thanks to its foaming properties, but it also contains pre- and probiotic-rich real Greek yogurt in the formula, which leaves your skin feeling so soft after use.
Size: 2.54 fl oz
Key Ingredients: Greek yogurt (nourishing); Glycerin (hydration); Sea Water (hydration)
What I Love: Sturdy tube packaging; Sensorially elegant
What I Don’t: Can be hard to track down in person, so may have to purchase online
Review for MC: “Korres’s Greek Yoghurt Foaming Cream Cleanser just feels good on the face. That being said, don’t underestimate its cleansing properties. Makeup, sunscreen, random swatches—this formula takes it all off in one go, without leaving my skin feeling like parchment paper afterward. At under three ounces, it’s also fantastic to travel with.” — Ariel Baker, Beauty Writer
La Roche-Posay is a staple in my household, and the Lipikar cleansing oil is one of the first products from the brand that both my husband and I adore. As the name suggests, this cleansing oil feels nourishing and soft on the skin, and it provides a gentle lather that removes impurities without pulling or tugging at your skin.
Size: 13.52 fl oz
Key Ingredients: Niacinamide (brightening); Glycerin (hydrating); Shea Butter (soothing and moisturizing)
What I Love: Generous portion size and still affordable; Contains the brand’s antioxidant-rich Thermal Spring Water
What I Don’t: Some consumers report irritation with use, so be sure to patch test
Review for MC: “La Roche-Posay’s skincare line has long been a staple in my household, but this cleanser in particular is a clear favorite. I typically use it as the first step in a double cleansing routine, but my husband has used it as his all-in-one cleanser, and we both adore this formula. Everything from the massive bottle to the ease with which it's spread on the skin is a delight. This formula feels incredibly luxurious for it to be less than $25, but trust me, I’m not complaining.” — Ariel Baker, Beauty Writer
There’s nothing like a good beauty tip amongst friends, and this suggestion comes from none other than Marie Claire’s Beauty Director, Hannah Baxter. A self-proclaimed “loyalist” to this formula, Baxter is a big fan of everything from the cleanser's gentleness on the skin to it’s easy to use dispenser.
Size: 6.7 fl oz
Key Ingredients: Chamomile oil (antioxidant); Marine oligosaccharides (barrier strength)
What I Love: Editor-approved; Dermatologist-founded brand
What I Don’t: On the more pricey side of the spectrum
Review for MC: “I've been loyal to this cleanser for over seven years, and it never fails me. The formula is super gentle on my skin (which is especially appreciated during this harsh winter weather), but it still manages to erase all traces of makeup, dirt, and oil. The pump top design is flawless, and pretty much every person I've ever recommended this to becomes just as obsessed as I am. Trust me, the extra skin hydration will have you hooked in no time." - Hannah Baxter, Beauty Director
Neutrogena has long been one of my favorite drugstore skincare brands, and this cleanser is beloved by experts and editors alike. Non-comedogenic and great for sensitive skin, it features glycerin as the second ingredient, indicating it is included at a higher concentration in the formula. If you want a high-quality formula for less than $20, start your search for a hydrating cleanser right here.
Size: 16 fl oz
Key Ingredients: Glycerin (hydration)
What I Love: Expert-recommended; Less than $20; Easily available at the drugstore
What I Don’t: This formula has a slight fragrance, which some may not like
Customer Review: “I love using Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Cleanser for my sensitive skin. The texture is light and silky, and it feels soothing as I massage it in. I don't experience dryness or irritation, even with daily use. It rinses clean without leaving any residue, and my skin feels soft, calm, and refreshed every time.” — Ulta
While this Cerave cleanser is one of the more accessible and beginner-friendly products on this list, I still use it just as much as I did when I first discovered it in college. Packed with ceramides, it’s ideal for normal to dry skin and wonderful for anyone looking for a gentle, effective, dermatologist-recommended face wash.
Size: 3 fl. oz., 8 fl. oz., 12 fl. oz., 16 fl. oz.
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid (hydration); Ceramides (strengthen skin barrier)
What I Love: Easy-to-use pump applicator; Fragrance-free
What I Don’t: Some with acne-prone skin may find this formula a little irritating
Customer Review: “CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser is gentle and works really well on my skin. It cleans without making my face feel dry or tight. My skin feels soft and refreshed after every wash. I like that it’s simple, fragrance-free, and suitable for all skin types. A really reliable cleanser for everyday use!” - Target
How to Find the Best Hydrating Cleanser For Your Skin Type
As with any part of your beauty routine, the “best” product is wholly dependent on your personal needs. Before we get to the use of hydrating formulas, let’s understand what exactly cleansers do in the first place. “Cleansers are designed to remove dirt, oil, and other soiling from the skin,” Joshua Zeichner, MD, says. “They contain ingredients called surfactants, which are the molecules responsible for the cleansing action. These surfactants can cause dryness of the skin by disrupting the integrity of the skin barrier itself.”
That being said, the latest generation of cleansers contain newer, more advanced surfactants that are gentler on the skin. To be extra cautious, this is where the marketing around cleansers being labeled "hydrating" can be helpful. You can also shop by formula.
“Dry or sensitive skin types may benefit from creamy, hydrating cleansers that are fragrance-free, while oily or acne-prone skin types may prefer lightweight gel cleansers that still contain hydrating ingredients like glycerin or hyaluronic acid,” Dr. Garshick says. “While combinations can be a little more liberal with the products that they use, that skin type often does well with gentle formulas that cleanse without drying out the skin.” The goal is to choose a cleanser that effectively cleans while not leaving the skin feeling stripped after use.
Ingredients to Look For In Hydrating Cleansers
Not all cleansers are marketed the same way, so you may miss a gem while looking for packaging that explicitly states a formula is hydrating. To combat this, take a closer look at the ingredient lists.
“When shopping for a hydrating cleanser, look for ingredients like humectants that attract moisture, such as hyaluronic acid and glycerin,” Dr. Garshick says. “Additionally, look for ones that support the skin barrier, such as ceramides.” Ideally, these ingredients should appear in the first half of the ingredient list, which generally indicates they are present in higher concentrations. The closer to being the first ingredient on the list, the better.
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Meet the Experts
Marisa Garshick, MD, FAAD, is a leading board-certified dermatologist serving patients throughout Manhattan, New Yor,k and Englewood, NJ
Dr. Joshua Zeichner is the Director of Cosmetic and Clinical Research in Dermatology and an Associate Professor of Dermatology at the Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.
He is Board Certified in Dermatology, considered one of the country's key opinion leaders in treating acne and rosacea, and an expert in cosmeceuticals, skin care, and cosmetic Dermatology.
