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Cleanser, quite literally, comes out in the wash. Still, the foundational skin-care product shouldn’t be an afterthought—particularly in a regimen for aging skin. “As skin matures and produces fewer natural oils, the barrier becomes more fragile, and cell turnover slows,” says Aderonke Obayomi, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at New York’s Mount Sinai Hospital. “Choosing the right cleanser becomes even more critical because it s the first step in setting the stage for healthy skin.”
But don’t confuse critical for complicated. When it comes to sourcing the best facial cleansers for mature skin, dermatologists agree that simpler, gentler products are usually better. Formulaic bells and whistles like foam and synthetic fragrances can be drying, irritating, and dehydrating, Dr. Obayomi warns, while aggressively exfoliating cleansers can damage an already weakened skin barrier.
Vogue’s Favorite Cleansers for Mature Skin
Your best bet? Seek out cleansers with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane. If the formula incorporates ceramides, all the better. “As we age, we produce fewer ceramides naturally,” Dr. Obayomi says. “Replenishing them even at the cleansing step helps protect against transepidermal water loss.”
In terms of texture, Dr. Obayomi says that cream, milk, and oil-based formulas tend to be gentle, nourishing, and nondisruptive to the lipid barrier. Looking for a product that checks all the boxes? Ahead, shop the cleansers that dermatologists green-light for patients with aging skin. Happy wash day!
Best With Ceramides: CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
- Why We Love It: “Mature skin tends to be a bit more sensitive, so it’s best to keep things simple,” says Peterson Pierre, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in California. “I do recommend looking for a cleanser with hyaluronic acid and ceramides to calm, soothe, and hydrate the skin, and this one is hard to beat.” He notes that the drugstore staple is perfect for cleansing mature skin and preparing it for actives to come, and Dr. Obayomi says that it goes a step beyond that. “CeraVe s claim to fame is the three essential ceramides and MVE delivery technology that releases hydrating ingredients over time,” she explains. “For mature skin with a compromised barrier, this provides actual repair at the cleansing step rather than just cleaning.”
- Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, ceramides
- Cleanser Type: Lotion-like cream
- Best for: Cleansing normal to dry skin types
- Size: 12 oz.
Best for Double Cleansing: Le Prunier Plum Cleanse Biome Balancing Oil Cleanser
- Why We Love It: Infused with Le Prunier’s signature Plum Beauty Oil, this new-for-2026 oil cleanser presents a one-step alternative to double cleansing. “For mature skin, an oil cleanser like this gently removes impurities while replenishing moisture and maintaining microbiome balance,” Gretchen W. Frieling, MD, a triple board-certified dermatopathologist and the founder and CEO of GFaceMD, explains. “The plum oil is rich in antioxidants and essential fatty acids that support the lipid barrier and provide anti-inflammatory benefits.” Noting that the cleanser also addresses dehydration, dullness, and barrier imbalance, Dr. Frieling recommends it for mature skin that is dry, sensitive, or compromised.
- Editor’s Experience: “I am always on the hunt for a cleanser that gets the job done, and by that, I mean thoroughly removes stubborn mascara. Le Prunier’s latest launch is up to the task, and then some: with a luxurious texture and a plummy scent, it leaves my skin feeling pampered and moisturized—and looking a touch more glowy.” —Jenny Berg, contributor
- Key Ingredients: Plum Beauty Oil, Midnight Muir Extract, Bacillus ferment, betaine salicylate, jojoba seed oil, squalene
- Cleanser Type: Oil
- Best for: Removing makeup, dirt, and SPF on all skin types, including sensitive and acne-prone
- Size: 3.38 oz.
Best for Dry Skin: La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser
- Why We Love It: “This product is formulated with prebiotic thermal spring water, niacinamide, and ceramide-3, to gently cleanse skin of dirt, makeup, and impurities while maintaining skin s natural moisture barrier and pH,” says Brendan Camp, MD, a double board-certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist at MDCS Dermatology in New York and Long Island. A French pharmacy classic, “This is one of my go-to recommendations because it checks every box for mature skin at an accessible price point,” says Dr. Obayomi. “The milky texture cleanses without stripping, and it s fragrance-free. It’s perfect for patients who need something reliable that won t disrupt their skin while they use actives.”
- Editor’s Experience: “I’ve been using this cleanser for years; it’s one of the rare formulas I’d recommend to anyone. The milky texture is the main selling point that gives it gentle, nourishing properties. The featured thermal spring water and ceramides ensure skin never feels tight or stripped once washed away.” —Kiana Murden, beauty shopping editor
- Key Ingredients: La Roche-Posay prebiotic thermal water, ceramide-3, niacinamide
- Cleanser Type: Milky, non-foaming
- Best for: A daily cleanse for normal to dry and sensitive skin
- Size: 13.52 oz.
Best Exfoliating Cleanser: Dr. Julius Few Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser
- Why We Love It: Dr. Julius Few, the board-certified plastic surgeon Gwyneth Paltrow turns to for skin-care advice, designed this creamy glycolic wash to serve as an all-in-one cleanser and toner. By pairing the AHA with chamomile, shea butter, and aloe vera, “the formula promotes cellular turnover while still respecting the integrity of the skin barrier,” Dr. Frieling says. “This is ideal for mature skin that needs mild resurfacing without irritation.” She adds that the formula also helps address uneven texture, dullness, and early signs of photoaging.
- Key Ingredients: Glycolic acid, chamomile, shea butter, aloe vera
- Cleanser Type: Creamy, lotion-like
- Best for: Refining texture, evening tone, gentle exfoliation on all skin types
- Size: 6.76 oz.
Best Cleansing Oil: Tata Harper Nourishing Oil Cleanser
- Why We Love It: A longtime Vogue-editor favorite, Tata Harper’s cleansing oil takes a farm-fresh approach to cleaning and nourishing the skin. It uses sunflower esters to tackle makeup and SPF, camellia oil to strengthen the skin barrier, and phytosqualane to boost hydration. The formula also earns praise from the pros. “This cleanser works beautifully for mature, dry, or environmentally stressed skin,” Dr. Frieling says. “It targets dehydration and makeup buildup while delivering botanical nourishment.” She adds that the oil-based formula dissolves debris without disrupting the skin’s natural lipids, which is a boon for skin over 40. “Mature skin benefits from this type of formula because it cleanses while reinforcing suppleness and glow,” she explains.
- Editor’s Experience: “While Le Prunier’s oil formula is a new favorite, this honey-hued elixir is one I’ve leaned on for years. Not only does it take off makeup after one pass (a rarity in the land of cleansers, no matter what they promise), but it also gives my skin that post-spa-facial glow. That tracks, given its famously spa-like scent.” —Jenny Berg, contributor
- Key Ingredients: Sunflower esters, camellia oil, phytosqualane
- Cleanser Type: Oil
- Best for: Removing makeup, balancing dry or uneven skin
- Size: 4.1 oz.
Best Cleansing Balm: Clinique Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm Makeup Remover
- Why We Love It: According to board-certified dermatologist Shamsa Kanwal, MD, Clinique’s formula is “excellent for dissolving sunscreen and makeup without harsh rubbing, which is key for thin, fragile skin.” The silky balm-to-oil uses safflower seed oil to dissolve makeup and unclog pores. It’s also made with linoleic acid, a natural emollient that nourishes lashes and brows. Dr. Frieling is a fan. “The balm texture melts into the skin and removes impurities without harsh surfactants,” she explains. “For mature skin, this type of formula prevents the tight, stripped feeling that accelerates the appearance of fine lines.”
- Key Ingredients: Safflower seed oil, linoleic acid
- Cleanser Type: Balm-to-oil
- Best for: Cleansing and removing makeup on all skin types
- Size: 3.8 oz.
Best for Compromised Skin: SkinCeuticals Gentle Cleanser
- Why We Love It: “This is formulated for compromised skin, which makes it perfect for mature skin undergoing treatments like retinoids, peels, or laser procedures,” says Dr. Obayomi. She notes that the allantoin in the formula soothes and protects the barrier, while glycerin provides hydration. What’s more, the formula’s creamy, non-foaming texture removes impurities without any stripping sensation. “For patients who are using potent actives in their routine, this provides the gentle foundation they need,” she says.
- Key Ingredients: Allantoin, glycerin, orange oil
- Cleanser Type: Gel-cream
- Best for: Gently cleansing dry, sensitive, or post-procedure skin
- Size: 6.42 oz.
Best for Drugstore: Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser
- Why We Love It: This drugstore gem is dermatologist-approved for mature skin. According to Dr. Frieling, who particularly recommends it for her dry-skinned patients, “This addresses sensitivity and maintains hydration without over-cleansing.” She notes that the non-foaming formula respects the skin barrier and can be used daily without stripping natural oils. “For mature patients, consistency with a mild formula like this one often yields better long-term results than aggressive cleansing,” she says.
- Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, glycerin, panthenol
- Cleanser Type: Lotion-like, creamy
- Best for: Hydrating, softening, and cleansing normal to dry skin types
- Size: 20 oz.
Best for Sensitive Skin: Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser
- Why We Love It: “Formulated for sensitive skin, this soap-free formula is noncomedogenic—meaning it won t clog pores,” Dr. Camp says. “It contains no harsh cleansing agents, and is pH balanced to remove makeup and excess skin oils without drying your skin.” Dr. Obayami attests to its gentleness. “For mature patients with rosacea, eczema, or a history of contact dermatitis, this is often the only cleanser that doesn t trigger a reaction,” she notes.
- Key Ingredients: Glycerin, coco‑glucoside, sodium cocoyl glycinate, caprylyl glycol, water, citric acid, sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate
- Cleanser Type: Soap-free, oil-free, pH-balanced gel
- Best for: Cleansing dry, sensitive, reactive, or delicate skin
- Size: 8 oz.
Best Cleansing Milk: Irene Forte Almond Cleansing Milk
- Why We Love It: This Italian-made formula was designed as a soothing salve for mature skin. Made with oils rich in omega-3s, -6s, and -9s, the formula supports the skin barrier while brightening the complexion. It also hydrates and soothes with vitamin E, pro-vitamin B5, and aloe leaf juice. “This cleanser works beautifully for mature, dry, or delicate skin types,” Dr. Frieling says. “It addresses dehydration and surface roughness while delivering gentle nourishment, and the milk texture provides comfort and supports barrier resilience. Mature skin responds well to this type of soft cleansing approach that prioritizes suppleness and calm.”
- Key Ingredients: Glycerin, aloe barbadensis leaf juice, sweet almond oil
- Cleanser Type: Milk
- Best for: Cleansing dry, mature, or delicate skin
- Size: 6.8 oz.
Everything You Need to Know
What to Look for in a Cleanser for Mature Skin
“As we age, the skin naturally produces less oil and loses structural proteins like collagen and elastin, so I always recommend a cleanser that supports the barrier rather than stripping it,” Dr. Frieling says.
- Ingredients: “Look for hydrating ingredients such as glycerin, hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and soothing botanicals that calm inflammation,” Dr. Frieling suggests.
- Texture: “Cream-, milk-, or oil-based textures tend to be better tolerated than foaming or gel cleansers that can disrupt the lipid barrier,” Dr. Frieling says.
- What to Avoid: She typically advises steering clear of high concentrations of alcohol, sulfates, and overly aggressive exfoliating beads in a daily cleanser.
“Mature skin thrives on nourishment and balance, not harsh resurfacing at the cleansing step,” she notes.
What do dermatologists recommend for mature skin care?
“For mature skin, I focus on a comprehensive approach that includes antioxidant protection, collagen stimulation, and barrier repair,” Dr. Frieling says. In the morning, she recommends a vitamin C serum, followed by a peptide-rich moisturizer and a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher.” In the evening, a gentle retinoid can help stimulate collagen and improve cellular turnover, but it should be introduced gradually to avoid irritation,” she notes. Exfoliation should be limited to one or two times per week using a mild chemical exfoliant, rather than harsh scrubs, she instructs. “Hydration is key at every step, and layering humectants, emollients, and occlusives strategically makes a significant difference.”
How do you double-cleanse mature skin?
“Double cleansing ensures thorough removal of sunscreen and makeup without aggressive scrubbing,” Dr. Obayomi says. For the first cleanse, she recommends using an oil or balm cleanser on dry skin. “Massage gently for 30 to 60 seconds to dissolve makeup, sunscreen, and sebum. Emulsify with water, then rinse.” For the second step, she advises using a hydrating, non-foaming cleanser to remove any residue. “This should feel like a gentle rinse, not a deep clean,” she says.
How We Tested
When we test and review a product, we take a holistic approach to deliver well-rounded product recommendations. First, we lean on Vogue s vast network of experts—from board-certified dermatologists to celebrity estheticians—to gain professional acumen on the industry s standout products, ones these specialists would actually use on their clients. We pair their expertise with our editorial best practices to curate the thoughtful edits you read on our site.
As it relates to cleansers for mature skin, we selected the best based on the following characteristics: ingredients, cleanser type, texture, packaging, type of surfactants, and the skin-care concerns they address. To do this, we paired our own personal tests of each formula with expert guidance and reviewer insights to determine which we would recommend to you.
Meet the Experts
- Gretchen W. Frieling, MD, is a triple board-certified dermatopathologist and the founder and CEO of GFaceMD.
- Shamsa Kanwal, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and a consultant dermatologist at My HS Team.
- Brendan Camp, MD, is a double board-certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist at MDCS Dermatology in New York and Long Island.
- Peterson Pierre, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Golden State Dermatology in California.
- Aderonke Obayomi, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York.
