Top 7 Best Face Cleansers For Dry Skin

Dry skin can be a challenging condition to manage, especially when it comes to finding the right skincare products. One essential step in any skincare routine is cleansing, but using the wrong cleanser can further strip the skin of its natural oils and exacerbate dryness. Fortunately, there are formulated cleansers available that cater to the unique needs of dry skin.

One of the first steps in looking at tackling dry skin, as well as cleansing it, is it understand what has caused your dry skin. Is it dehydrated from a lack of water in the body; has your skin been affected by your living environment; have you been spending too much time in the sun, or perhaps you are taking medication which is causing your skin to dry out?

We are going to explore the best men’s skin cleansers for dry skin; featuring gentle, hydrating, and nourishing options that can help replenish and restore moisture to the skin while effectively cleansing away impurities. There’s no need to avoid cleansing, worrying it will worsen your dry skin. It’s so important we keep our skin hydrated, as well as clean!

Stressing the importance of cleansing dry skin

Cleansing is a crucial step in any men’s skincare routine, and it’s just as important for those of us with dry skin. However, it is essential to use gentle cleansers specifically formulated for dry skin to avoid further stripping the skin of its natural oils.

Cleansing helps to remove dirt, makeup, and impurities from the skin's surface, allowing other skincare products (particularly a moisturiser) to penetrate effectively. It also helps to unclog pores and prevent breakouts. Cleansing also promotes a clean canvas for the skin to absorb and retain moisture, which is vital for dry skin that lacks natural oils. It’s important to find a cleanser which works well with your skin type that does not disrupt the skin's moisture barrier and maintains the skin's optimal hydration levels.

For cleansing, try and stick to a routine you can use effectively everyday. Even if your skin is dry, we all need to cleanse our skin once in the morning and once at night. If you wear men’s makeup, or a heavy SPF, remove that first by pre-cleansing. An oil-based cleanser will help to remove makeup. Follow by washing your face with warm water and cleanse the whole area of the face. After cleansing make sure you follow up with a moisturiser to get more hydration back in the skin.

Common causes of dry skin

Dry skin is often caused by lack of sebum (the skin’s natural oil) which helps to keep the skin moisturised. Sebum production can be affected by various factors including genetics, hormone changes (which disrupt the normal function of sebaceous glands), and medical conditions. Severe skin conditions, such as ezcema, cause dry skin due to a breakdown in the skin’s barrier.

Our skin can also become dry by using harsh skincare products. Some contain ingredients which are damaging, or just not suited for our skin type. Low quality skincare products can be formulated using high levels of alcohol which strip the skin of natural oil.
 
Age is a contributing factor to a decrease of moisture in the skin (source). As we get older, the rate of skin cell production slows down, as does the activity of our sebaceous glands. This causes our skin to become thinner, more fragile, and with a less effective skin barrier. A breakdown in the skin’s protective barrier results in an increase in loss of moisture and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles exacerbated.

We can’t forget weather conditions! Annoyingly both warm and cold conditions can dry out our skin. And one of the more concerning effects of dry skin is overexposure to the sun and damage from UV rays. Avoid this by simply incorporating a decent SPF into your skincare routine.

How do I know if my skin is dry?

As mentioned, dry skin can be caused by different factors, but there are signs and symptoms of dry skin which will appear with most of these factors. Flaking skin, being one of them, where flecks of dead skin peel off the surface. Flaking can be due to the healing process of the epidermis if this top layer of skin has been damaged. However, it can also occur if your skin is severely lacking moisture. Flaking or scaling can be a sign of more severe skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis.

Lack of moisture can be shown in discoloration of the skin when it is irritated or inflamed. You'll notice this more in winter months due to the effects of cold weather.

Another common sign your skin is dry is a feeling of tightness. The outer layer of our skin (stratum corneum) loses it’s ability to flex (stretch and relax) when there isn’t sufficient amount of natural oil, or water. As less sebum is produced, the weaker the skin barrier becomes and the more moisture is evaporated from the skin. If moisture isn’t replaced, this tightness will continue to worsen, potentially leading to skin ‘fissures’ (cracks).

Best ingredients in cleansers for dry skin

Ideally, for dry skin, you want a cleanser that will be gentle on the skin. Also, a cleanser which won’t strip the skin of natural oil, clog your pores and will help to hydrate it. The following are ingredients which we recommend you look out for:

• Glycerin - This is used in cleansers to remove unnecessary oil from the skin. It also acts as a humectant which means it actually attracts water to the skin.

• Ceramides - We naturally produce ceramide in our skin/body. Ceramides are extremely important in maintaining the skin’s barrier, as well as keeping moisture in the skin. Ceramides in a cleanser will help protect the skin and in turn improve your complexion.

• Niacinamide - This can be found in a lot of skincare products, due to its many benefits. One of the most important being its capability to help balance oil control.

• pH Balancing Formula - A cleanser with a pH-balancing formula will not only remove dirt and grime from the skin, but will also level out acidity in the skin. These types of cleansers are designed to leave your skin feeling not too oily, and not too dry.

• Aloe Vera - This natural ingredient helps to soothe irritated skin. It is often used in products for acne-prone skin as it can calm ‘angry’ skin. The humectants within aloe vera help to bind moisture to the skin.

• Shea Butter - Although this tends to be a common ingredient in rich moisturisers, shea butter is popular in cleansers due to its moisturising properties.

• Hyaluronic Acid - Much like ceramides, we naturally produce hyaluronic acid in our bodies. It is key for hydration and within a cleanser it will penetrate the skin and replenish lost moisture.

Top 7 cleansers from Humanery

So, taking everything into consideration, we’ve picked out seven top cleansers which we believe are the best for keeping dry skin nourished and hydrated: 

Baldape Parlour Cucumber Facial Cleanser

Gentle Face Cleanser with Cucumber

$13.00

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