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The way you start and end your day is important—and should definitely include washing your face with one of the best cleansers for mature skin. Removing makeup, dirt, oil, sweat, and general grime is a must for a host of reasons (for one, it allows the rest of your skin care to absorb properly). But your cleanser needs to do a little more than that once you're dealing with signs of aging. Over time, "our skin changes in predictable ways. It becomes thinner, drier, and more prone to irritation and allergic reactions,” says Hallie McDonald, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Austin. “Oil production slows down, the barrier weakens, and cell turnover declines, which contributes to dullness.” That's why choosing the right ingredients is so important. "A cleanser with hyaluronic acid or squalane can work wonders by hydrating dry skin and supporting elasticity," says Kristina Collins, MD, a double board-certified dermatologist based in Austin.
Our Top Cleansers for Mature Skin
- Best Overall: Mara Algae Enzyme Cleansing Oil, $58
- Best for Discoloration: Tatcha The Rice Wash, $40
- Best for Dryness: SkinMedica HA5 Hydrating Foam Cleanser, $48
- Best for Redness: EltaMD Skin Recovery Amino Acid Foaming Cleanser, $35
- Best Drugstore: La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Face Cleanser, $20
If age spots, fine lines, or dullness are your focus, Dr. Collins recommends "looking for a cleanser with niacinamide, vitamin C, or gentle exfoliants to brighten and even out skin tone." Avoiding certain ingredients in cleansers for mature skin is also essential. "Harsh detergents like SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate) can strip the skin of moisture, and avoid potentially drying or irritating ingredients like clay, alcohol, charcoal, and essential oils," says Hadley King, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City. With that in mind, scroll ahead for the formulas experts recommend for aging skin.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the best facial cleanser for mature skin?
- What should an older woman wash her face with?
- What is a good skin-care routine for mature skin?
- How do you double-cleanse mature skin?
- Why should you use a cleanser to wash your face, rather than just water?
- Can drugstore cleansers be just as effective as higher-end ones?
- Meet the experts
- How we test and review products
- Our staff and testers
Best Overall: Mara Algae Enzyme Cleansing Oil
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Mara
Algae Enzyme Cleansing Oil
Amazon
Sephora
Credo Beauty
Why we love it: Mara’s signature algae-infused approach to skin care—the brand name itself inspired by “mar,” meaning “sea” in several languages—anchors this 2024 Best of Beauty winner in deep hydration. “I love that the Algae Enzyme Cleansing Oil is both nourishing and exfoliating, two important properties in a cleanser for mature skin,” says Geeta Yadav, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Toronto, Canada. Spirulina and kelp team up with four gentle fruit enzymes—papaya, pineapple, grapefruit, and pumpkin—to lightly exfoliate and refine texture without irritation. “As we age, cellular turnover slows, which leads to fine lines, wrinkles, and discoloration, and our skin becomes thinner and drier. These plant-based enzymes work within a base of rich oils like jojoba, sunflower, and squalane to whisk away debris without compromising the skin barrier,” says Dr. Yadav.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: jojoba seed oil, papaya enzymes, chia, moringa, squalane, spirulina, kelp
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Discoloration: Tatcha The Rice Wash
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Tatcha
The Rice Wash
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Sephora
Why we love it: Inspired by the traditional Japanese practice of cleansing with nutrient-rich rice water (komenuka), Tatcha's The Rice Wash takes this ritual to the next level. It's packed with rice powder, which is full of enzymes and vitamins (A, B2, B12, and E) that soften, brighten, and give your skin a healthy glow. "The creamy texture feels incredibly luxurious as it smooths and brightens the skin," says Dr. Collins. But this cleanser goes beyond surface-level results—Okinawa algae and hyaluronic acid strengthen your skin barrier and lock in hydration. That's a major bonus for mature skin, especially since retaining moisture gets more challenging as we age.
Tester feedback from contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee
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“This is one of those exfoliating cleansers that set the bar high, and you end up comparing every other face wash to it. The rice grains are barely noticeable (if you want a true physical exfoliation moment, the Rice Polish is the better pick), and the texture lathers into this really foamy, luxe cloud—FYI, a little goes a very long way. I use it as the second step in my double cleanse. Since it’s not oil-based, it doesn’t do much to tackle waterproof eye makeup. But on bare-face days or when I’m just washing off complexion products, it leaves my dry, sensitive skin hydrated and baby-soft.” —Christa Joanna Lee, contributing commerce writer
More to know
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- Key ingredients: Okinawa algae, hyaluronic acid, rice powder
- Fragrance-free: no
Best for Makeup Removal: Farmacy Green Clean Cleansing Balm
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Farmacy
Green Clean Cleansing Balm
Amazon
Farmacy
Why it's worth it: Whether you're taking off a full face of makeup or trying to dissolve your fourth layer of sunscreen (good for you), Farmacy's Green Clean Cleansing Balm is up to the task. The minty-green balm melts into an oil as you massage it in, effortlessly breaking down stubborn SPF and waterproof makeup. While dry skin types will especially appreciate it, we’ve found that the residue-free finish makes it just as appealing to those with oily skin. It has since been reformulated since winning a Best of Beauty Award, but the newest version is arguably even better: It swaps synthetic waxes for plant-based ones, updates the emulsifier system, and introduces the brand's Super Greens Blend of upcycled moringa, holy basil, and arugula. While free of synthetic fragrance, its signature citrus-herbal scent comes from essential oils like orange, bergamot, lime, and ylang-ylang. Prefer no scent? There's also a fragrance-free version.
Tester feedback from commerce producer Sarah Hoffmann
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“Few products completely remove every trace of makeup quite like Farmacy's Green Clean Cleansing Balm. My skin is generally pretty clear, but when I'm not washing my face properly, it's quick to let me know it's angry with me. This balm provides such a thorough, gentle cleanse that it's never made my skin unhappy.” —Sarah Hoffmann, commerce producer
More to know
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- Key ingredients: sunflower seed oil, Super Greens Blend (upcycled moringa, holy basil, arugula), papaya extract
- Fragrance-free: free of synthetic fragrance
Best for Dryness: SkinMedica HA5 Hydrating Foam Cleanser
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SkinMedica
HA5 Hydrating Foam Cleanser
Amazon
Dermstore
Bluemercury
Why we love it: If this blue bottle looks familiar, it’s because it mirrors the packaging of SkinMedica’s Best of Beauty Award-winning HA5 Hydra Collagen Replenish + Restore Hydrator. The HA5 Hydrating Foam Cleanser is the newest addition to the hyaluronic acid–packed lineup. “With mature skin that’s chronically dry, I always aim for gentle, soap-free cleansers without any harsh abrasives like this one,” says Shannon Humphrey, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in British Columbia, Canada.
This soothing foam helps keep your skin barrier happy and your pH in check, so you’re left with that clean, but still hydrated feeling. “This practically sparkles on contact and removes makeup well without stripping, thanks to the help of its Amino Acid Complex,” says Dr. Humphrey. “It’s designed to replenish moisture, leaving skin feeling clean, calm, and soft.”
Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han
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“Foam cleansers are naturally lightweight, but SkinMedica managed to up the ante and create a truly weightless formula that envelops my skin in the gentlest cloud. The best part is how hydrating said cloud is, thanks to five types of HA, so my skin always feels soft, replenished, and rebalanced after my nightly double-cleanse, and ready to welcome the rest of my skin care.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: HA5 Hydra Collagen Complex (hyaluronic acid), amino acid complex, hydrolyzed pea protein
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Drugstore: La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Face Cleanser
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La Roche-Posay
Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Face Cleanser
Amazon
Dermstore
Ulta Beauty
Why we love it: When it comes to a minimalist formula that delivers maximal results, La Roche-Posay's Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Face Cleanser stands out as a soothing solution for sensitive, mature skin. "It gently cleanses away dirt, makeup, and impurities without compromising the skin's natural moisture barrier," says Mina Amin, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Los Angeles. "Formulated with ceramides, glycerin, and niacinamide, it hydrates while soothing the skin." What else? The brand's signature prebiotic thermal spring water is rich in selenium, a powerful natural antioxidant known for its soothing, protective properties.
Tester feedback from contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai
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“Sorry, but I love to beat up my skin. There's nothing that I won't put on or in it—Retinol! Glycolic acid! Botox! And whenever that comes around to bite me—meaning my skin feels tight and raw—I rely on this cleanser, which feels instantly nourishing. It's powerful enough to remove my makeup (although I do tackle waterproof mascara with my micellar water) but always leaves my skin calm, cool, and comfortable.” —Deanna Pai, contributing commerce editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: selenium, ceramides, glycerin, niacinamide
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Barrier Support: Ourself Daily Purifying Cleanser
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Ourself
Daily Purifying Cleanser
Ourself
Why we love it: If you've avoided foam cleansers in the past because they left your skin feeling stripped, Ourself’s Daily Purifying Cleanser might just change your mind. The formula starts as a silky gel before transforming into a light foam that lifts away makeup, sunscreen, and excess oil without sacrificing moisture. That's thanks to “gentle, sulfate-free cleansing agents derived from coconut and murumuru butter, plus hydrating ingredients like saccharide isomerate, niacinamide, and beet root extract, which help support the skin barrier and replenish moisture,” says Whitney Hovenic, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Reno, Nevada, who uses this daily. “My skin feels clean and refreshed but never tight or dry.”
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- Key ingredients: coconut, murumuru butter, saccharide isomerate, niacinamide, beet root extract
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Fragrance-Free: Clinique All About Clean Liquid Facial Soap Mild for Dry Combination Skin
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Clinique
All About Clean Liquid Facial Soap Mild for Dry Combination Skin
Amazon
Nordstrom
Ulta Beauty
Why we love it: It's gone through a few updates since its 1968 (!) debut, but the tinkering has been worthwhile: The latest iteration of Clinique All About Clean Liquid Facial Soap Mild draws on hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, soothing aloe vera, and sucrose—a sugar-derived humectant that draws moisture into the skin—as it cleanses. "The lightly foaming texture provides a clean finish while maintaining comfort and balance," says Dr. Hovenic. The Dry Combination Skin formula is especially well-suited for mature skin, which naturally produces less oil over time and is more prone to dryness and barrier disruption, since "it's a dermatologist-tested staple that's fragrance-free, so it's great for those with sensitive skin as well," she says. We love it as the water-based second step in a double-cleansing routine, washing away any lingering residue without leaving skin feeling stripped. As Dr. Hovenic puts it: "It's a classic for a reason."
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- Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, sucrose
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Redness: EltaMD Skin Recovery Amino Acid Foaming Cleanser
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EltaMD
Skin Recovery Amino Acid Foaming Cleanser
Amazon
EltaMD
Why we love it: Turns out, getting older doesn’t mean you outgrow acne or oily T-zones. EltaMD’s Skin Recovery Amino Acid Foaming Cleanser is a dream for mature skin prone to breakouts—whether they’re triggered by shifting hormones, stress, or pore-clogging products—without compromising its delicate moisture barrier. “Though many foaming facial cleansers can strip the skin barrier, this formula actually strengthens it with a blend of essential amino acids, soothing extracts, and gentle hydrators,” says Dr. Yadav. As it lifts away sunscreen, makeup, and environmental grime, it doesn’t just stop there. Thanks to bisabolol and ginger root extract, “it’s also clinically proven to reduce facial redness in just two weeks and relieve dryness in only one,” says Dr. Yadav.
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- Key ingredients: amino acids, bisabolol, ginger root extract
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Post-Procedure: Alastin Ultra Calm Cleansing Cream
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Alastin
Ultra Calm Cleansing Cream
Amazon
Why we love it: Whether your skin is reactive after an at-home exfoliant or tender post-laser, Alastin’s Ultra Calm Cleansing Cream is specifically designed for sensitive complexions. This ultra-gentle, non-foaming cleanser sweeps away impurities, sunscreen, and light makeup without compromising an already-fragile barrier. Its creamy, milky texture is enriched with linoleic acid and oat protein extract to soothe irritation. “Since mature skin tends to be drier and more reactive, it benefits from this formula that also features tremella mushroom, an adaptogen that helps skin adapt to stress and self-regulate, and is a more powerful humectant than hyaluronic acid,” says Dr. Yadav.
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- Key ingredients: silver mushroom, linoleic acid, oat protein extract, panthenol
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Sensitive Skin: Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser
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Vanicream
Gentle Facial Cleanser
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Why it’s worth it: Sensitive skin merits a mild cleanser that won’t create irritation or spark eczema flare-ups. Dr. McDonald recommends Vanicream’s Gentle Facial Cleanser because it’s free from fragrance, dyes, and other ingredients that can cause a reaction. As you suds up, gentle surfactants sweep away dirt and debris, while glycerin restores hydration for a plump, healthy complexion. The formula is so easy on skin that it earned a Seal of Acceptance from the National Eczema Association. “I often recommend it for patients with reactive or allergy-prone skin,” Dr. McDonald confirms. “As we age, we see more cases of irritation from products people have tolerated for years. A minimalist cleanser can be a reset for sensitive, mature skin.”
More to know
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- Key ingredients: glycerin, coco-glucoside
- Fragrance-free: yes
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best facial cleanser for mature skin?
The best facial cleanser for mature skin should check off a few boxes—namely, they should "prioritize hydration, barrier support, and gentle cleansing," says Dr. Collins. She cites ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and peptides, as well as green tea extract and vitamin E for antioxidant protection. "Cream cleansers and oil-based formulations are ideal, as they effectively remove impurities without stripping natural oils," she adds.
What should an older woman wash her face with?
As your skin gets older (and wiser!), it needs a little extra TLC in the cleansing department to keep it looking and feeling its best. Natural oil production decreases, leading to dryness and a weakened skin barrier, so older women benefit from using hydrating cleansers to restore moisture. Dullness becomes more noticeable as cell turnover slows, so incorporating a cleanser with mild alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) like glycolic or lactic acid can help gently exfoliate and reveal brighter, smoother skin. "Those with mature skin should avoid sulfates like sodium lauryl sulfate, harsh alcohols, and high concentrations of acids, as they can strip moisture and exacerbate dryness or sensitivity," says Dr. Collins.
What is a good skin-care routine for mature skin?
A solid skin-care routine for aging skin focuses on three key things: hydration, protection, and repair. According to Dr. Collins, your morning routine should include a cream- or oil-based cleanser to gently remove impurities, followed by an antioxidant serum, like vitamin C, to brighten skin and fight free radicals. Afterward, apply a moisturizer to hydrate, and finish with a broad-spectrum sunscreen (with SPF 30 or more) to shield against UV damage.
For your evening routine, Dr. Collins recommends starting with a face wash—either a single or double cleanse, depending on your needs. "Next, incorporate a retinol or peptide serum to boost collagen and improve skin texture. Wrap up your routine with a hydrating cream or moisturizer to seal in moisture and give your skin the overnight support it needs to recharge and repair," Dr. Collins says. With this simple yet effective routine, you'll address common concerns like dryness, fine lines, and dullness while keeping your skin healthy and radiant.
How do you double-cleanse mature skin?
Double-cleansing mature skin involves using two non-stripping formulas to thoroughly cleanse without compromising hydration or irritating delicate skin. "People may prefer this method, particularly if they are wearing heavy makeup, or if they like to use an oil-based cleanser but don't like the residue that some oil-based cleansers leave behind," says Dr. King. "Start with a cleansing balm or oil onto dry skin to remove makeup and sunscreen, then rinse or gently wipe away with a soft cloth. Follow with a gentle cream or gel cleanser to remove dirt, oil, and makeup stragglers," says Dr. Collins.
Why should you use a cleanser to wash your face, rather than just water?
Let’s dust off your chemistry knowledge for this one. “Water can rinse away sweat and some surface debris, but it cannot dissolve oil, sunscreen, makeup, and environmental pollutants,” says Dr. McDonald. “Those substances are not water-soluble. A proper cleanser binds to oil and lifts it off the skin, so it can be rinsed away.” If you don’t cleanse properly, your serums and moisturizers will sit on top of a layer of buildup, she adds—meaning they won’t absorb effectively. Washing your face is the first foundational step that allows the rest of your skin-care routine to do its job.
Can drugstore cleansers be just as effective as higher-end ones?
Absolutely. “I always tell my patients that a cleanser does not have to be expensive to be effective,” says Dr. McDonald. “What matters most is choosing a gentle, well-formulated product that respects the skin barrier.” La-Roche Posay and Vanicream make some of our drugstore favorites on this list, but we’ve also unpacked our love for other budget-friendly face washes in the past.
Meet the experts
- Mina Amin, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at California Dermatology Specialists, based in Los Angeles
- Kristina Collins, MD, a double board-certified dermatologist based in Austin
- Whitney Hovenic, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and co-founder of Spooge based in Reno, Nevada
- Shannon Humphrey, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and co-founder of Humphrey & Beleznay Cosmetic Dermatology, based in British Columbia, Canada
- Hadley King, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
- Geeta Yadav, MD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Facet Dermatology, based in Toronto
- Hallie McDonald, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Central Texas Dermatology, based in Austin
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that's included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of the best cleansers for mature skin, we considered each product's performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine. You may simply be browsing for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we've solicited opinions from are folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it's never been tested on curls? We're proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we're able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.