Can Facial Cleansers Make Dry Skin Worse?

Cleaning your face on a regular basis is an important part of your skincare routine. It can reduce the risk of acne and other dermatological issues and get rid of dead skin cells, excess oil, and traces of dirt. If you are going to be washing regularly, be careful with the facial cleanser you choose – especially if you have dry skin.

While many facial cleansing products can treat a number of common skin conditions successfully, not all commercial cleansers are actually beneficial. You have to be careful when selecting skin care products as there is a lot of misinformation and deceptive advertising. The last thing you want is to make your dry skin worse while trying to be proactive about maintaining healthy skin.

Below, we will talk over how to ensure your facial cleanser is not making your dry skin worse.

Read Labels Carefully

Skin care products in general can be loaded with harsh chemicals, all of which can be especially hard on dry, sensitive skin. When selecting facial cleansers, the less ingredients the better. Always opt for natural products.

Soap-free cleansers work best. They are generally made of milder ingredients than soap-based cleansers, which can deplete your skin of its natural oils.

Look out for chemical additives like glycolic acid, parabens, formaldehyde, and phthalates. All of these ingredients can be harsh on dry, sensitive skin. Facial cleansers that contain them may do more harm than good in the long run.

While many enjoy fragrances in their skin care products, a nice smell may not be worth the potential side effects. Ingredients that create scents in facial cleansers can irritate your skin, leaving it dry, itchy, and red. Many of the above ingredients are common in scented products. Fragrance free is best for facial cleansers.

Many skincare products, including cleansers, use alcohol to tighten and tone the skin. Alcohol is notorious for causing skin irritation, so it’s better to avoid a product that lists alcohol as a main ingredient.

If you have very sensitive skin or issues like eczema and psoriasis, it may be wise to talk to a dermatologist for recommendations. They may be able to help you find a cleanser that works for your specific skin type.

Use Facial Cleansers Correctly

Even if you do pick a good facial cleanser for your skin, how you use it is just as important as what it contains. Bad face washing habits can make dry skin worse.

If you wear makeup, avoid removing makeup with swabs containing alcohol prior to washing your face. Natural ingredients are also the best route for makeup removal products.

Never wash your face in the shower. Water removes skin’s natural oils, and cleansing your face while you’re showering exasperates this problem. If you do shower before washing your skin, limit your shower time to about five minutes.

The best tool to use to wash your face is your own hands. Scrubbers and washcloths can irritate the skin via friction. So, wash your hands in warm, soapy water before applying your cleanser. Work your cleanser in evenly using circular motions using a very light touch, especially around sensitive areas like near your eyes. When you are done, pat your face dry with a towel instead of rubbing.

Delfina is a natural oil-based moisturizer that works by penetrating the skin’s outer layers and stimulating hydration from within.

Always Choose A Natural Cleanser

In general, the best facial cleansers and moisturizers are the simplest. A shorter list of ingredients is better, especially if most of the ingredients are recognizable to the average person. Multisyllabic chemicals are often a sign a product will be hard on your skin.

Plant-based oils or oils made with botanical seeds often work well. However, one drawback is a potential allergic reaction – especially with ingredients like essential oils. Even an all natural product can cause skin irritation, so be vigilant when trying a new cleanser. If you notice any adverse reactions, cease use immediately.

Remember, a quality moisturizer is a vital companion to any facial cleanser. Delfina Dry Skin Oil comes with myriad benefits. It is made from natural ingredients and is known for not causing allergic reactions or side effects. It is a simple spray-on oil that does not leave your skin greasy afterward.

In addition to moisturizing dry skin, Delfina can also successfully treat issues like eczema, psoriasis, and cracked heels.  

You can read more about how Delfina works here and see before and after pictures here of patients who’ve found success with Defina.

Facial Cleansers: The Bottom Line

Finding the right facial cleanser can be surprisingly difficult – especially if you have dry, sensitive skin. Choosing the wrong product can have unfortunate consequences. The last thing you want is to make dry skin worse while seeking a solution.

Opting for natural, fragrance-free cleansers and following up with a quality moisturizer can help keep your skin healthy. While it takes a little extra effort, it is well worth it for healthy, glowing skin.