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Signs of a damaged moisture barrier—the outer protective layer of your skin—can range from dryness and dehydration to redness, inflammation, painful burning, and stubborn acne. And while many skincare products aim to repair and restore a weakened skin barrier, we can all agree that it’s better to prevent your barrier from becoming compromised in the first place. Although our skin barriers can take a hit from things out of our control (like pollution and harsh weather), drying facial cleansers can wreak havoc as well. Ahead, Beautylish editors share our favorite gentle cleansers that effectively purify skin without stripping essential moisture.
Beautystat Universal Microbiome Barrier Balancing Cleanser, $26
Not only does this lightly foaming formula remove makeup, SPF, oil, and grime—it supports healthy barrier function while you cleanse. Micro-sized particles of pure silver protect against harmful bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens, continuing to boost skin’s defenses even after you rinse it off.
PSA Reset: Acai & Manuka Honey Nourishing Cleanser, $31
Think of PSA Skin Reset Acai & Manuka Honey Nourishing Cleanser like a smoothie for your skin: The superfood-packed formula deeply nourishes skin with manuka honey, acai extract, yogurt, and barrier-building phospholipids.
Hourglass Equilibrium Rebalancing Cream Cleanser, $52
Fans of cream cleansers will love this option from Hourglass. The rich, luxurious lather removes dirt, debris, and 98% of everyday pollutants while replenishing the skin barrier with essential lipids.
Herbivore Pink Cloud Rosewater + Tremella Creamy Jelly Cleanser, $28
A bestseller, this cleanser features a rose water and coconut water base for a hydration boost. Gentle, plant-based surfactants lift dirt and oil without stripping moisture, while superfood tremella mushroom (aka nature’s hyaluronic acid) leaves skin plush, not parched.
Grown Alchemist Gentle Gel Facial Cleanser, $38
Sensitive skin? This one gets you. Powered by calming botanicals, like aloe vera and chamomile, this lightweight formula clears the day away without irritating or overdoing it.
Moon Juice Milk Cleanse Gentle Wash, $32
Like a chill pill for your skin, this creamy, pH-balanced cleanser is made to support your skin’s protective barrier and natural microbiome. It’s powered by adaptogens to protect, calm, and balance for a base that’s soft, nourished, and zen.
Superegg Gentle Elements Cleansing Foam, $34
With a skin-friendly pH of 5.5, this formula is made to preserve the skin’s delicate barrier. Hyaluronic acid, snow mushroom, and saccharide isomerate team up to lock in moisture and ward off sensitivity, making it ideal for dry or reactive skin.
Symbiome The Reset Clarifying Cleanser, $45
This bestselling formula taps into postbiotics and Amazonian terpenes to reset and rebalance your skin’s microbiome. The result? Purified skin that’s hydrated, nourished, and balanced—never stripped.
Facile Bare Necessity Hyaluronic Acid Gentle Foaming Cleanser, $22
The name says it all. This soap-free, low-foam formula uses gentle surfactants and hyaluronic acid to deep-clean without over-drying. Made for cleansing, not stripping.
Nurain Alicharan contributed to this article. This article was originally published March 10, 2022, and last updated on July 1, 2025.
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