Best Cleanser for Dry Skin? Why Oil Cleansing Can Make a Difference

That tight, squeaky feeling after washing your face isn't necessarily a sign that your cleanser has done a particularly good job.

Your skin barrier is made up of skin cells surrounded by lipids, including ceramides, cholesterol and fatty acids. Together, they help keep water in and irritants out.

Dry skin naturally has greater difficulty retaining moisture, so protecting this barrier is particularly important.

Harsh cleansers, very hot water, over cleansing and aggressive scrubbing can all disrupt the skin's natural balance and leave already dry skin feeling even more uncomfortable.

A good cleanser for dry skin should therefore leave your face feeling clean, soft and comfortable rather than tight or stripped.

If you regularly find yourself racing for your moisturiser immediately after washing your face, it may be worth looking at your cleanser first.

When you are choosing a cleanser for dry skin, gentleness really matters.

Look for a formula that cleans effectively without relying on harsh surfactants or leaving your skin feeling squeaky and tight afterwards. Oil based and oil to milk cleansers can be particularly well suited to dry skin because they dissolve makeup, SPF, sebum and grime while providing a much more comfortable cleansing experience.

Texture matters too. If you have dry skin, you are likely to find that rich oils, balms and creamy cleansers feel considerably more comfortable than foaming cleansers.

Ultimately, the best cleanser for dry skin is one that removes what you don't want on your face without taking too much of what your skin needs with it.

Oil cleansing can be an excellent choice for dry skin.

Oil dissolves oil, which makes an oil cleanser particularly effective at lifting away makeup, SPF and excess sebum.

Rather than relying on aggressive stripping to get your skin clean, an oil cleanser works with the oily substances already sitting on its surface. This is one reason oil cleansing works particularly well for dry and sensitive skin.

If the thought of putting oil on your face makes you nervous, please don't panic! A properly formulated facial cleansing oil is a luxurious and gentle experience - completely different from washing your face with a bottle of cooking oil.

When skin is not cleansed thoroughly, a build-up forms on the surface. This can lead to:

• Congested pores and breakouts
• Dull, uneven skin tone
• Increased sensitivity over time
• Reduced absorption of serums and treatments

Environmental pollutants and oxidised sebum can also contribute to premature ageing, making proper cleansing an essential daily practice rather than an optional step.

This is where things get magical! An oil to milk cleanser begins as an oil, allowing it to easily dissolve makeup, sunscreen and oil-soluble impurities on the skin.

When you massage water into the formula, an emulsifier allows the oil and water to mix, transforming the cleanser into a light milk. That milky emulsion is simply rinsed away with water, taking the dissolved makeup and grime with it.

It gives you the richness and cleansing ability of an oil, without needing a hot flannel or repeated wiping or scrubbing to remove it.

For dry skin, that means less rubbing and a much more comfortable cleanse.

Yes. Over-cleansing is one of the most common yet overlooked causes of skin imbalance. Cleansing too frequently or using harsh formulas can strip the skin of its natural lipids, weakening the barrier and leading to:

• Tightness and dryness
• Increased oil production as the skin tries to compensate
• Heightened sensitivity

More cleansing doesn't actually mean cleaner or healthier skin. Washing too frequently, using very hot water or persistently using products that leave your skin feeling stripped can make dryness and discomfort worse.

For most people with dry skin, a thorough but gentle evening cleanse is particularly important because it removes SPF, makeup and the day's accumulated impurities.

In the morning, your skin may not need the same level of cleansing and a quick "once over" with an oil cleanser and lukewarm water is sufficient.

Pay attention to how your skin feels afterwards. Comfortable is good. Tight isn't.

Double cleansing usually involves using an oil based cleanser first to remove makeup and SPF, followed by a second water based cleanser.

If you wear heavy or long lasting makeup, or particularly tenacious SPF, you may enjoy double cleansing. But dry skin doesn't automatically require two cleansers every evening.

For most skin types, cleansing twice daily is sufficient. If your first cleanser removes everything effectively, a second cleanse may be unnecessary.

The important question isn't whether you've followed the latest skincare rule. It's whether your skin is properly clean and still feels comfortable afterwards.

Cleansing is only the beginning of an effective skincare routine.

After cleansing, dry skin generally benefits from a combination of hydration and lipids.

A hydrating serum can help attract and retain water within the upper layers of the skin, while a facial oil, moisturiser or balm helps soften the skin and support its protective barrier.

This is why we often talk about skincare as a routine rather than individual miracle products. Your cleanser, serum and moisturising steps should work together rather than undoing one another's good work.

For dry skin, you could follow cleansing with our Ultra Hydrating Serum, then seal in that hydration with Solstice Facial Oil or, in the evening, a richer product such as Night Balm.

Cleansing isn't just a modern skincare trend. It's a ritual steeped in history, shaped by changing ideas around hygiene, beauty and caring for the skin.

Long before today's foaming washes and micellar waters, people used simple natural materials to cleanse and condition their skin. Ancient cultures developed their own approaches, from early soap like preparations made with ashes and water to the use of plant oils, waxes and botanical ingredients.

In ancient Egypt, oils played an important role in cleansing and caring for skin, helping to lift away dirt while protecting it from the effects of a hot, dry climate. It is an idea that feels surprisingly modern: cleansing doesn't have to mean stripping the skin of oil.

As soap making became increasingly widespread, cleansing became more effective and accessible. But while soap is excellent at removing dirt and grease, traditional soaps can also leave facial skin feeling dry and tight, particularly if your skin is already prone to dryness.

Today, oil cleansing has made a huge comeback, and the principle behind it is beautifully simple. Oils are particularly effective at dissolving oil soluble substances, including sebum, makeup and many of the ingredients found in sunscreen.

For dry skin, this can offer an important advantage. Rather than pursuing the squeaky clean feeling that can leave dry skin uncomfortable, a well formulated oil cleanser can remove the things you don't want while helping skin retain that soft, supple feeling after cleansing.

Contemporary oil-to-milk cleansers take this traditional idea one step further. They begin as oils, then emulsify on contact with water so that the cleanser, along with dissolved makeup, SPF and grime, can be easily rinsed away.

Oil cleansing is an ancient concept refined for modern skincare: cleanse thoroughly, but treat your skin gently while you do it.

If you’re on the hunt for a gentle but transformative addition to your skincare routine, give 24 Carat Cleanser a try. With its unique blend of nourishing oils and exfoliating enzymes, it’s not just a cleanser; it’s a revitalising experience for your skin.

Incorporating a quality cleanser like 24 Carat Cleanser into your daily routine is key to achieving a healthy, radiant glow. Whether you’re just beginning your skincare journey or looking to elevate your regime, this cleanser is the perfect foundation for great skin. Treat yourself to the luxury of beautifully clean, nourished skin - you deserve nothing less!