Cleansing dry skin is a 2-fold process as cleansers should wipe away debris without overstripping skin of the oils that may lend to such build-up. pH-balanced cleansers that lack harsh ingredients known to strip away natural oil, and rather protect natural barriers, are a great place to start for those with dry skin. Cleansers are tailored to counteract the effects of serious skin conditions like eczema as well. Some products will exfoliate your skin to remove dead skin cells, however such treatments may be too harsh for excessively dry skin. Both adults as well as children can improve overall hydration with the right cleanser.