According to Dermatology Times, tightness is actually a sign of damaged and dry skin, which is caused by a weakened protective barrier and vital hydration loss. Your cleanser might be one of the biggest culprits behind tight skin, especially if it's more noticeable after washing your face. MDhairmixtress explains that you're likely over-washing and creating a domino effect of things you absolutely do not want for your skin. When you're too aggressive with the cleanser, it sucks out all the moisture, which leads to dehydration. To combat this, your skin overworks to produce oil, and that causes breakouts and fine lines. 

Likewise, your cleanser may be working against you because it's not the right choice for your skin type. A harsh, incompatible cleanser could be robbing your skin of its natural and essential protective oils, and causing an imbalance in its pH levels, which prevents your skin from absorbing moisture and leads to severe dryness (via Marg'd). Many cleansers on the market contain harsh chemicals like sulfates, which are commonly used in laundry detergents. 

Their primary purpose is to deeply cleanse the skin and create a lather that gives a squeaky-clean feel. With sulfates, you may get more than you bargained for because they further contribute to dry skin by cleansing it of too much oil and gnawing away at the skin's protective barrier, per WebMD. Further, dry or low-humidity weather can also cause your skin to feel dry and tight.