Frequently Asked Questions
What ingredients should I look for in a moisturizing face wash?
If you’re in the market for a moisturizing face wash, look for hydrating ingredients like “glycerin, and hyaluronic acid; they’re humectants that attract water and hydration into the skin,” says Dr. Saedi. These ingredients can help counteract the drying effects of cleansing, leaving skin more comfortable rather than stripped.
That doesn’t mean you have to swear off exfoliating cleansers altogether, but acids and physical scrubs may be too much if your skin tends to run dry. “Ultimately, you still have to see how the cleanser feels on your own skin,” says Dr. Kobets. If your skin is also sensitive, she recommends looking for a daily cleanser with soothing ingredients such as Centella asiatica (commonly known as cica), oat, allantoin, or panthenol. Also, prioritize a fragrance-free formula, since fragrance is a common irritant for some people.
How often should you wash your face with dry skin?
Washing your face twice a day, once in the morning and again at night, is a good rule of thumb. A morning cleanse removes sweat, oil, and the residue from your nighttime skin-care products, while an evening wash clears away sunscreen, makeup, pollution, and the day’s accumulated oil and debris. It also gives your morning and nighttime skin-care routines a clean slate so that your subsequent skin-care products can perform their best.
There is one exception: If your skin is extremely dry, actively irritated, or experiencing an eczema flare, a morning cleanse may be more irritating than helpful. In that case, Dr. Saedi recommends simply rinsing with water in the morning and saving your gentle cleanser for nighttime. You should also cleanse after significant sweating, but resist the urge to overwash or scrub repeatedly, which can compromise the skin barrier, cautions Dr. Kobets.
Can a facial cleanser actually moisturize your skin?
Yes, but only to a certain extent. “Cleansers are not a replacement for your moisturizer,” says Dr. Saedi. Even the most hydrating face wash doesn’t get you off the hook for the rest of your routine. That said, a moisturizing cleanser sets the foundation for skin that is balanced. “A well-formulated cleanser can minimize the loss of natural moisturizing factors and lipids while depositing humectants or emollients that leave the skin softer and more comfortable,” says Dr. Kobets.
Meet the experts
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of the best moisturizing face washes, we considered each product’s performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, protection, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors — along with special consideration from dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the “best” for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
