Facial cleansing creams

For all the focus on serums, moisturizers, and anti-aging products , you may forget about an important piece of the skin care puzzle: a good face wash. The colder temps outside coupled with the dry heat inside is already zapping moisture from your skin—so adding a harsh cleanser into the mix can spell trouble for your complexion. Your face wash is designed to clean the skin, so many are often packed with surfactants: soaps that draw dirt, oil, and grime from pores. This can strip even more moisture from the skin and lead to dry patches. But how do you choose when there are dozens of options on the market? Here, dermatologists explain what to look for in an effective face wash for dry skin.

Every product is independently selected by obsessive editors. No other cleanser at Sephora has as many reviews over 11, as the award-winning Philosophy Purity face wash. Other Sephora shoppers who prefer the sherbet-y texture of a balm makeup remover swear by this one from Clinique. This dissolves makeup very quickly and easily. Sephora offers a range of exfoliating face washes for combating acne, but reviewers say this OleHenriksen oil-control cleanser goes the extra mile of keeping them oil-free. A majority mention that it works wonders at cleansing dirt and oil without drying out skin — but said not to expect it to remove makeup.

At ELLE. Here are the cleansers we swear by. One makes all the bubbles, one is especially good at breaking down makeup, and another costs a whopping six bucks. Okay, there's no Spice Girls jam about that, but this Garnier face wash is super gentle and effective. It doesn't have a scent, it washes off easily, and that's all a girl spice or not can ask for.

I would go out on a limb and say that finding and using the best cleanser for your complexion is the most important skincare step. Armed with a hot flannel and these bad boys and we defy you not to look forward to washing your face. Piece of cake.