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Any solid skin-care routine begins with a cleanse, but for aging skin, not any old cleanser will do. The best cleansers for mature skin gently whisk away impurities, excess oil, and debris, all while flooding the skin with ingredients that tackle common concerns that reflect signs of aging. And, oh yes: Any cleansers with the potential to irritate are out of the running.
“As skin matures, the key to cleansing is to use a formula that’s gentle yet hydrating,” says Whitney Tolpinrud, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist and the medical director at Curology. “When shopping for a face cleanser—especially if you have sensitive skin— it’s important to carefully review the ingredient list. Some may choose to avoid products with fragrances, for instance, as they are a common cause of allergic reactions.”
In general, Dr. Tolpinrud recommends that mature patients seek out mild, fragrance-free cleansers packed with skin-replenishing ingredients like ceramides, peptides, and moisture-attracting ingredients like glycerin.
It also helps when cleansers have active ingredients like vitamin A or vitamin C, which can have time-rewinding effects on the skin by boosting cellular turnover and radiance.
Vogue’s Top Cleansers for Mature Skin:
- Best Overall: La Roche-Posay Toleraine Hydrating Gentle Cleanser, $18
- Best Luxury Pick: Dior Prestige La Mouse Micellaire, $110
- Best for Combination Skin: SkinCeuticals Replenishing Cleanser, $39
- Best Drugstore Staple: CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser, $18
- Best Makeup Remover: Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm, $69
- Best Exfoliating: Tatcha The Rice Wash, $40
In This Article:
- What should an older woman wash her face with?
- What to Look for in a Cleanser for Mature Skin
- Meet the Experts
Ahead, shop the 12 cleansers that turn an everyday wash into a moment of pampering and soothing. Happy cleansing!
La Roche-Posay Toleraine Hydrating Gentle Cleanser
- Why We Love It: A popular pick among dermatologists, this gentle cream cleanser is infused with thermal spring water to soothe the skin and douse it with antioxidants. It also contains niacinamide and Ceramide-3 to support the skin barrier and help the skin retain moisture. “This is perfect for patients with dry or sensitive skin,” says Lycia Thornburg, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist and national lecturer based in Rapid City, South Dakota. Doubling as a gentle makeup remover, the cleanser is also a favorite for Anna Chacon, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Miami. She notes that the inclusion of niacinamide can help improve skin tone.
- Key Ingredients: La Roche-Posay thermal spring water, Ceramide-3, niacinamide
- Type: Cream cleanser
- Fragrance: No
- Size: 13.52 oz
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Softens and brightens the skin, removes makeup | Some users miss a foamy lather, which this cleanser does not have |
Dior Prestige La Mouse Micellaire
- Why We Love It: Infused with extracts of Rose de Granville plucked from the Dior Rose Garden, this foaming cleanser has a fan in Michelle Henry, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Manhattan. “Luxurious and gentle with a beautiful rose scent, this is cleansing but still nurturing,” she says. The brand’s rose extracts are made at a laboratory at the heart of its garden, and they help stimulate collagen, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides in aging skin. Also made with moisturizing glycerin and soothing mallow extract, the French salve removes makeup while giving the skin a garden-fresh glow.
- Key Ingredients: Rose de Granville micronutrients, glycerin, mallow extract
- Type: Foaming cleanser
- Fragrance: Yes
- Size: 4.2 oz
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Removes makeup, softens the skin | It’s not fragrance-free, which could irritate some sensitive-skin types |
SkinCeuticals Replenishing Cleanser
- Why We Love It: Enriched with a ceramide complex, SkinCeuticals’s lightweight cream cleanser was designed for combination skin. Made with a blend of essential oils to refresh a dull complexion, the dual-action product also has panthenol to fuel moisture retention. Meanwhile, its amino acid-based surfactant system helps whisk off debris and makeup without drying out the skin. “The SkinCeuticals Facial Replenishing Cleanser is elegant and moisturizing through the action of ceramides and essential oils,” says Jared Jagdeo, MD, MS, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York. Though she notes that it may not be ideal for sensitive skin, Dr. Tolpinrud says: “This cleanser can be beneficial for mature skin, as it contains emollients and humectants like glycerin and panthenol, which can help maintain hydration and support the skin barrier.”
- Key Ingredients: Ceramide complex, panthenol, blend of natural oils,
- Type: Cream cleanser
- Fragrance: No
- Size: 5 oz
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Paraben, sulfate, and alcohol-free | Not ideal for makeup removal |
CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
- Why We Love It: With a gentle, lotion-like texture, this drugstore gem is a go-to recommendation for dermatologists. Enriched with hyaluronic acid and ceramides, the eczema-safe formula improves the health of the skin barrier to keep moisture levels in check. Dr. Jagdeo notes that the cleanser is both hydrating and soothing, and Vogue editors who have tested the product tend to agree. After seeing CeraVe have an improbable viral moment on TikTok, contributor Rachel Besser was inspired to pick up its Hydrating Cleanser at her local drugstore. When her bottle was down to its last few drops, she reported: “The TikTok hype wasn’t wrong. My dry skin looks good (and less dry) after consistently using the hydrating cleanser.”
- Key Ingredients: Ceramides, hyaluronic acid
- Type: Lotion-like, non-foaming cleanser
- Fragrance: No
- Size: 16 oz
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Easy to find, generously sized, leaves skin feeling soft and hydrated | Doesn’t wash off makeup very well; not ideal for those who prefer foaming cleansers |
Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm
- Why We Love It: With a dash of shape-shifting magic, this beauty editor-loved cleansing balm transforms into a nourishing oil as it melts into the skin, then takes on a rich, milky texture as it interacts with water. Suitable as a mask or as a daily face wash, the formula earns high praise from Anna Andrienko, a cosmetic dermatologist at Dr Ducu Clinics in London. With a blend of nine essential oils that accounts for its calming, eucalyptus-spiked scent, the balm is what Andrienko recommends for mature patients wanting “something a bit more luxurious,” she says. “It melts away makeup and leaves the skin feeling soft without any tightness.” As for its youth-restoring capabilities, the cleanser is infused with algae-derived Padina pavonica, which restores hydration, elasticity, and guards the skin against environmental damage.
- Key Ingredients: Padina pavonica, elderberry oil, starflower oil
- Type: Balm
- Fragrance: Yes
- Size: 3.5 oz
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Doubles as a cleanser or a mask; effectively wipes off makeup | Its fragrance can be irritating to very sensitive eyes |
Tatcha The Rice Wash
- Why We Love It: Made with Tatcha’s signature Hadasei-3 complex, which melds fermented rice with green tea and algae, The Rice Wash nourishes the skin with superfoods while providing gentle exfoliation. “Creamy cleansers are great for mature skin, but sometimes they don’t lather well. That’s not the case with Tatcha’s Rice Wash,” says Maral Kibarian Skelsey, MD, a double-board-certified dermatologist based in the Washington, DC area. She notes that the foaming wash leaves the skin clean, but its pH-neutral formula stops it from stripping the skin of natural oils. “ I love how the rice powder granules gently exfoliate and make the skin glow,” she adds.
- Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, red algae, Japanese rice powder, pH-neutral amino acid base
- Type: Cream
- Fragrance: Yes
- Size: 4.0 oz
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Free of potential irritants such as parabens and sulfates | Some find the scent a bit strong |
Image Skincare Vital C Hydrating Facial Cleanser
- Why We Love It: Like a burst of citrus for the face, Image Skincare’s antioxidant-packed cleanser brightens mature skin with an infusion of vitamin C. It’s also infused with vitamin E to take the radiance up a notch, and it has retinyl palmitate (a form of vitamin A) to kickstart cellular turnover. Made all the more refreshing by its light, orangey scent, the cleanser is one that Dr. Chacon frequently recommends. She notes that its ability to target both dryness and dullness is ideal for mature skin types. Follow up with sunscreen if you’re using this in the morning.
- Key Ingredients: Vitamins C and E, retinyl palmitate
- Type: Creamy
- Fragrance: Yes
- Size: 6 oz
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Packed with antioxidants, refreshing citrus scent | It may feel a bit heavy on oily skin |
Isdin Micellar Solution
- Why We Love It: Free of alcohol, soap, and fragrance, this ophthalmologist-tested formula is one that dermatologists, including Henry, eagerly sign off on. “This is a super-gentle micellar water that’s great when you want a no-fuss cleanse,” Dr. Henry says. “I also love it for sensitive-skin days.” Toning, hydrating, and cleansing, the solution is best applied with a cotton pad. It uses micelles—or teeny, spherical structures suspended in water—to cleanse the skin by trapping dirt, oil, and makeup.
- Key Ingredients: Micelles, glycerin, betaine
- Type: Micellar water
- Fragrance: No
- Size: 13.5 oz
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Gentle, hydrating, free from common irritants | Some users report that it can leave a slightly sticky finish at first, though that fades as it dries |
Dr. Few Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser
- Why We Love It: As a Chicagoan, I happen to know that Dr. Julius Few—the board-certified plastic surgeon who’s something of a skin-care guru to Gwyneth Paltrow—gives the city’s best facials. And since I can’t get to his Michigan Avenue clinic every day (which is a real shame, since the views are fantastic and the treatment beds are ultra plush), I can prolong the post-treatment glow by using his skincare products at home. The Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser is an all-in-one toner and cleanser that brightens and softens the skin as it cleans. Made with exfoliating glycolic acid, soothing chamomile, and moisturizing shea butter, the formula can also even out excess pigmentation and reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles. I once saw Dr. Few speak at Neiman Marcus, and a woman in her sixties raised her hand to tell him that this is the product responsible for her youthful-looking complexion. I, for one, had to do a double-take when she said her age.
- Key Ingredients: Glycolic acid, chamomile, shea butter
- Type: Gel
- Fragrance: Yes
- Size: 6.7 oz
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Acts as a toner and cleanser in one | One user wishes that the ingredients were listed on the bottle as well as on the product box |
SkinMedica AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser
- Why We Love It: “Skin Medica’s AHA/BHA exfoliating gel cleanser contains the same AHAs and BHAs that are used in chemical peels,” Dr. Kibarian Skelsey says. She notes that the ingredients, which include lactic, citric, malic, and salicylic acids, help improve skin texture and tone for those with acne-prone skin. “The gentle exfoliation also allows better penetration of active ingredients,” including anti-aging products and acne medication,” she notes. “This cleanser is a plus for mature skin [still experiencing breakouts] as it won t dry out the skin.” Dr. Tolpinrud adds that the formula also contains soothing ingredients like panthenol and licorice-root extract, which can calm the skin.
- Key Ingredients: AHAs (glycolic, citric, malic, and lactic acids), BHA (salicylic acid), jojoba oil
- Type: Gel
- Fragrance: No
- Size: 6 oz
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Improves skin texture and tone | May irritate sensitive or dry skin; may increase sun sensitivity if not followed with SPF |
EltaMD Skin Recovery Amino Acid Foaming Cleanser
- Why We Love It: “EltaMD Skin Recovery Amino Acid Foaming Cleanser is superb post-procedure, or for anyone with sensitive skin,” says Dr. Kibarian Skelsey. “It gently removes makeup and dirt without causing dryness or irritation, and the amino acid formula helps preserve the skin barrier function.” She adds that the formula contains bisabolol and ginger root extract, which soothe redness and calm rosacea-prone skin. What’s more, “It’s fragrance-free,” she says—“This is very important for sensitive skin, as fragrance can inflame it.”
- Key Ingredients: Amino acids, bisabolol, ginger root extract
- Type: Foaming cleanser
- Fragrance: No
- Size: 5 oz
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Gentle enough for sensitive skin, oil-free | Some users report that it doesn’t do a great job of washing off makeup or SPF |
Shiseido Future Solution LX Extra Rich Cleansing Foam
- Why We Love It: “Shiseido LX Extra Rich Cleansing Foam is almost a mini spa treatment,” Dr. Kibarian Skelsey says. The moisturizing cleanser lathers beautifully, leaving her patients’ skin clean, refreshed, and moisturized. (She particularly recommends it for those with combination skin.) Infused with Japanese Enmei herbal extract, the formula helps mature skin retain moisture. “The Enmei herb is also believed to help make the skin less susceptible to damage and boost skin firmness,” she says.
- Key Ingredients: Japanese Enmei herb extract, N-Methyltaurine
- Type: Foaming cleanser
- Fragrance: Yes
- Size: 4.7 oz
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Moisturizing, lathers well, ideal for combination skin | Takes off most makeup, but can be hard to remove mascara |
Everything You Need to Know
What should an older woman wash her face with?
For his mature patients, Dr. Jagdeo recommends washing the skin with cleansers that are gentle on the skin, geared toward evening out the skin tone and texture, and are—perhaps above all—hydrating. “Hydrating the skin results in a more youthful, smooth appearance,” he says.
What to Look for in a Cleanser for Mature Skin
“As our skin ages, it can become drier, duller, and lose elasticity,” Dr. Chacon says. “You want to look for cleansers with hydrating and brightening ingredients—such as niacinamide and Vitamin C—and a formulation that can help even out skin tone and texture.”
Meet the Experts
- Anna Andrienko is a cosmetic dermatologist at Dr. Ducu Clinics in London.
- Anna Chacon, MD, FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist based in Miami.
- Michelle Henry, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Skin Aesthetic Surgery Manhattan.
- Jared Jagdeo, MD, MS, is a board-certified dermatologist based in New York.
- Maral Kibarian Skelsey, MD, is a double-board-certified dermatologist based in the Washington, DC area.
- Lycia Thornburg, MD, FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist practicing in Rapid City, South Dakota.
- Whitney Tolpinrud, MD, FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist and the medical director at Curology.