A clean, clear complexion starts with the right foundation: a facial cleanser that is made for your skin. With pollution, makeup, and daily build up clogging our pores and dulling our glow, it is a good idea to invest in facial cleansers and deep face washes that clean and hydrate.
These days, you will find that some facial cleansers and deep-cleansing face washes have hydrating, moisturizing properties that will leave your skin fresh, smooth, and luminous—not dry or stripped.
This article features some of the best facial cleansers and deep-cleansing face washes made with hydrating moisturizers.
Why Hydrating Cleansers Matter
Most cleansers are made to wash away oil and dirt but many will worsen your skin's moisture barrier. This could leave you with tightness, flakes and sensitivity.
Hydrating facial cleansers contain cleansing agents with moisture-retaining ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, ceramides or aloe. They allow for deep cleaning of pores while retaining hydration needed for healthy looking skin.
Benefits of Hydrating Facial Cleansers:
- Clean skin without stripping natural oils
- Maintains skin barrier integrity
- Reduces dryness, flakiness, and irritation
- Prepares skin to absorb serums and moisturizers effectively
- Enhances radiance and smooth texture
Key Ingredients to Look For
When shopping for a hydrating deep face wash, check the ingredient list for these skincare heroes:
- Hyaluronic Acid – Binds water to the skin and increases hydration
- Glycerin – A humectant that attracts moisture
- Ceramides – Strengthen the skin barrier
- Niacinamide – Brightens and reduces inflammation
- Aloe Vera – Soothes and calms dry or irritated skin
- Squalane – A lightweight, skin-identical moisturizer
Top Facial Cleansers and Deep Face Washes with Hydrating Moisturizers
Here’s our curated list of top-performing products that cleanse and moisturize, all in one step.
1. Silky Cool Hydrating Facial Cleanser – Best for Normal to Dry Skin
Ideal for those with normal, dry, and sensitive skin, the Silky Cool Hydrating Facial Cleanser removes dirt, oil, and makeup without dehydrating the skin! Containing hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, and vitamin E it will hydrate and soothe the skin without drying it out!
Why You'll Love It:
- Deep-cleansing, non-drying formula
- Infused with skin-soothing aloe and hydration-boosting hyaluronic acid
- pH-balanced, non-comedogenic, and free from parabens
- Leaves skin soft, fresh, and glowing
Use daily for healthy, hydrated, and radiant skin—only at Silky Cool.
2. La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser – Best for Sensitive Skin
If your skin reacts to everything; this is your cleanser. This deep face wash cleans deeply without being too aggressive, irritating, or overdrying, perfect for sensitive or reactive skin types.
Key benefits:
- Contains niacinamide and prebiotic thermal water
- Minimal ingredients to reduce irritation
- Dermatologist-tested for safety
3. Neutrogena Hydro Boost Cleanser – Best Gel Cleanser for Hydration
This gel cleanser has hyaluronic acid in it. It gives you a nice light, refreshing and clean feel without stripping off important oils. Perfect if you want that "squeaky clean" feeling without the dryness.
What we love:
- Great for oily and combination skin
- Boosts hydration instantly
- Oil-free and non-comedogenic
4. Fresh Soy Face Cleanser – Best for All Skin Types
A cult favorite for a reason. Fresh's Soy Face Cleanser removes makeup and tones and hydrates in one step. A great formula with soy proteins, rosewater and cucumber extract to soothe and calm while deeply cleansing.
Why it’s worth it:
- Balanced pH
- Excellent for daily use
- Leaves skin smooth, clean, and comfortable
5. First Aid Beauty Pure Skin Face Cleanser – Best Cream Cleanser
This calming yet effective cream cleanser is infused with aloe, glycerin, and allantoin to provide thorough cleansing with nourishing hydration—ideal for stressed, dry, and/or sensitive skin.
Key highlights:
- Sulfate-free and safe for eczema-prone skin
- Ideal for winter or dry climates
- Deeply nourishing yet non-greasy
6. Youth to the People Superfood Cleanser – Best for Dull, Dehydrated Skin
This cleanser is "green juice for your face," filled with kale, spinach, and green tea. It's loaded with dullness fighting antioxidants and hydrators to nourish your skin from the inside out.
Best features:
- Vegan, clean formula
- Energizes tired skin
- Helps maintain a clear, hydrated glow
How to Choose the Right Hydrating Face Wash for Your Skin Type
It’s important to select a cleanser that matches your skin's specific needs. Here's a quick guide:
- Dry skin: Go for cream or lotion cleansers with hyaluronic acid and ceramides (like CeraVe or First Aid Beauty)
- Oily or acne-prone skin: Opt for gel-based formulas with lightweight hydration (like Neutrogena Hydro Boost)
- Combination skin: Try balanced formulas with humectants and minimal irritation (like Fresh Soy Cleanser)
- Sensitive skin: Look for fragrance-free, minimal-ingredient cleansers (like La Roche-Posay)
How to Use for Best Results
- Use lukewarm water – Hot water can strip your skin’s natural oils
- Massage for 30–60 seconds – Let the cleanser work into the skin
- Pat dry with a soft towel – Avoid rubbing
- Follow with toner, serum, and moisturizer – Hydration doesn’t stop at cleansing
If you really want hydration, use your cleanser as the first step in a complete skincare system that contains a toner, serum, and a moisturizer with water-binding ingredients.
Final Thoughts
The key to healthy, glowing skin goes beyond using the right moisturizers or serums. It begins with the way you cleanse. A hydrating facial cleanser or deep face wash may wash off dirt, oil, and makeup; but it also hydrates the skin and prepares the skin for all the products that come next.
If your facial cleanser has the correct balance of ingredients, a facial cleanser can be more than a cleanser. It can be the beginning part of hydrated, glowing skin.