5 Must-Have Cream Cleansers for Dry and Sensitive Skin
Sadaf Razi is Adore Beauty's Senior Beauty Editor.
She's a former fashion editor (who worked at various glossy mags) and stylist-turned digital beauty and lifestyle writer. She has been in the lifestyle/media industry for over 10 years and her work has also been featured on international covers like Elle France and Vanity Fair Mexico.
Some of her fave Adore Beauty products include Cicaplast B5, CeraVe Cleansing Oil and Lancôme Renergie Triple Serum.
If tight skin, flare ups and extra sensitivity sound infamously familiar mid-winter, it might be time to switch to a cream cleanser.
Are cream cleansers good for skin?
Ensuring your skin is gently cleansed while not disturbing an already compromised or upset barrier is essential and cream and milk cleansers are here to do just that. So yes, they're very, very good.
Below, we’ve rounded up just five of the best cream cleansers for dry or sensitive skin that will help alleviate any irritations (and face will love you for).
Cream Cleanser Benefits.
Are cream cleansers good?
Whether your barrier needs some extra TLC, you’re dealing with any irritations or you just want a cleanser that feels more comfy, soothing and nourishing during the cooler months, a cream cleanser is going to be much kinder on the skin than your regular cleanser.
Why is cleansing cream better than normal cleanser?
Cream or milk cleansers offer a more gentle, nourishing and hydrating clean rather than gel or foam cleansers that can sometimes leave skin stripped.
Do cream cleansers work?
They're often enriched with moisturising ingredients designed to calm and soothe, leaving your skin balanced and refreshed.
Though they are ideal for those with sensitive and super dry skins, cream cleansers can be used by all skin types!
Personally, I don't usually struggle with dry or sensitive skin, but during the cooler months, I do notice a bit more dryness.
That's why I've previously turned to cream cleansers in winter as the first step in my double cleansing routine.
And if you’re worried about how they perform, don't worry, they're still effective at helping loosen and lift dirt and oil.
However, if you feel like you still need a second cleanse (perhaps another gentle product like a micellar water), then you can do that too.
1. How to Use Cream Cleanser.
Do you wash off cream cleanser?
Some will require a bit of water for a gentle lather and foam or helping it transform into its milky texture, just be mindful and super delicate when rubbing the skin.
Remember to go slow, steady and use light, circular motions then lightly rinse.
Ok read on for five we recommend for you if you’re looking to add a cream cleanser to cart STAT.
1. CeraVe Hydrating Cream To Foam Cleanser.
Fast facts:
- A gentle, hydrating cream to foam cleanser that removes dirt, makeup and pollution.
- Is artificial fragrance and alcohol-free.
- Contains ceramides as well as glycerin, salicylic acid (so might be well suited to those who are also blemish-prone).
- Is only $24.99 for 236ml bottle.
For a cheap but effective cream face cleanser, you can’t go past the CeraVe cream to foam cleanser.
It contains CeraVe’s complex of ceramides, amino acids and hyaluronic acid to help skin retain its moisture.
While it does lather into a foam, it’s still gentle on the skin, non-drying and won't strip any angry barriers.
It also promises to provide 24 hour long hydration.
AB customer Annie says:
"This is the best soothing facial cleanser I've used so far and I've tried a lot. It's so comforting on my very dry rosacea prone skin. Highly recommend."
2. La Roche-Posay Toleriane Dermo-Cleanser.
Fast facts:
- Only $32.95 for a 200ml bottle.
- Has a light milky texture that's gentle on the face while still being able to give it a thorough clean.
- Is hypo-allergenic, alcohol-free and artificial fragrance free.
- Works a treat for intolerant sensitive skins.
The La Roche-Posay Toleriane Dermo-Cleanser is formulated with ingredients like glycerin (a powerful moisturising ingredient that helps relieve dryness and flaking and also leaves your skin more hydrated) and La Roche-Posay's thermal water which helps calm redness and irritation.
This is one I’ve personally used and loved. While I don’t really have sensitive skin, my skin went through a phase when I first moved to Melbourne where it felt more dry than usual, tight, stripped and I definitely compromised my barrier with all the actives I was using.
I started using this cleanser and it felt so nice and comforting on the skin.
With over one hundred five-star reviews, you can see this is a popular choice when it comes to the best cream and gentle cleanser for sensitive skin in winter.
AB customer kjd says:
"My skin had become dry and irritated and my current cleanser only seemed to be making it worse, so I tried a sample I had received of this cleanser and instantly felt like it was working better for my skin. It is gentle with no strong fragrance and leaves my skin feeling clean but not stripped. I have since purchased a bottle and have been using it as my only cleanser day and night ever since."
3. SkinCeuticals Gentle Cleanser.
Fast facts:
- A mild cream cleanser that’s formulated specifically for sensitive or irritated skin.
- Leaves skin feeling soft and is also very soothing.
- Is an ideal cleanser to use post skin rejuvenating treatments.
- Removes excess impurities and oil without drying the skin.
- Is artificial fragrance-free.
This bougie but effective cream cleanser does sit on the pricier end but is a worthwhile add-to-cart thanks to its non-irritating ingredients and its ability to remove stubborn eye and face makeup.
The SkinCeuticals gentle cream cleanser can also be used following any skin rejuvenating procedures to help with those annoying post-treatment irritations.
AB customer Gael says:
"I have been using this cleanser for many years and it's so gentle but always leaves my skin feeling spotless, no dry after feeling and perfect before applying serums."
4. Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Cleanser.
Fast facts:
- Protects and nourishes while also cleansing your skin.
- Great for dry and dehydrated skin.
- Is vegan and artificial fragrance-free.
This powerful bottle won't just give you a gentle cleanse, it will help restore and rebuild your skin barrier plus its star ingredients (ceramides and lipids) leave your skin nourished and more plump.
Phytoactives as well as the BioReplenish Complex™ in the formula work double time to defend and protect dry skins from environmental aggressors.
AB customer Kitty says:
"Like always, Dermalogica do not mess around - this is a fantastic product that does exactly what it says it will do. It is very moisturising, and leaves my skin soft and plump. Almost all cleansers strip my skin, even ones that say they will not, but this does not. It is a winner for dehydrated skin."
5. Aesthetics Rx AHA Cream Cleanser.
Fast facts:
- An exfoliating cream cleanser for dry, sensitive, mature or dehydrated skin.
- Smooths, calms and brightens the skin.
- Reinforces the skin barrier.
What’s special about this cosmeceutical cleanser is its fruit blend (including bilberry, sugar cane, orange and lemon) contains naturally occurring Alpha Hydroxy Acids to help brighten, smooth and even the look of skin.
The water-binding sugars in the formula promote hydration and boost hyaluronic acid levels while those who are redness-prone can find solace in Tasmanian pepper which helps reduce, sooth and calm redness.
AB customer RRMA says:
"I go to a beauty clinic to get skin treatments (peels, LED and microneedling) and this is the brand that was recommended to me by my beautician. I am getting great results using this facial wash (cream cleanser) in conjunction with other Aesthetics RX products for my skincare routine. Great for dry skin as an alternative to the foaming cleanser."
Ok we all know I love to throw in a cheeky extra recommendation.
That honorary mention goes to the Dr Hauschka Soothing Cleansing Milk 145ml which is made for extra sensitive skins, is certified organic and vegan.
Loved by many Adore Beauty customers, it restores skin's natural oils, gently removes makeup leaves behind a smooth complexion.
Out of the sea of five-star reviews it's received, AB customer Jess says:
"I am in love with this cleanser! I use it morning and night and my sensitive skin looks and feels so clean and moisturised afterwards I love it. I start by washing my skin with just water and then massage just use one pump on this in for a couple minutes before washing off with water. It smells and feels divine and it's a joy to use."
Looking for more product recommendations for dry skin? Check out these BIQs next:
