Best Face Cleansers for Every Mature Skin Concern

Time is a tricky thing. While we are definitely grateful for the wisdom that age and experience afford us, it’s hard to nurture the same appreciation for the other things that come with the passing years:  wrinkles, age spots and dull and sagging skin. Still, the changes in your skin is all part of the natural aging process. But while laugh lines and crow’s feet are inevitable, you can slow the process down and continue on with your quest to age gracefully. How? By arming yourself with a skin care regimen fitted with products that address the unique needs and concerns of mature skin—starting with the most important step in your routine: cleansing.

How Aging Affects Your Skin

As you grow older, your skin goes through a number of changes. All of a sudden, the products you swore by in your 20s are no longer as effective as you remembered them to be. You may also find that your skin has started to develop certain problems that you’ve never had in the past—like dryness or adult acne. This is because the building blocks of healthy skin—the proteins collagen and elastin—start to break down as you age, resulting in dullness, loss of firmness and fine lines and creases.

Shedding dead skin cells also doesn’t occur as often or as quickly when you have mature skin, and this often causes your skin to look rough and lifeless. The loss of key proteins also leads to the thinning of your dermal layers, making it more prone to tearing and bruising.

Menopause also plays a role. Not only does this joyful time (we’re kidding—menopause is anything but) open up a world of hot flashes, mood swings and slower metabolism, the rapid decline in hormones also takes a toll on your skin, often leading to breakouts, dryness and even facial hair. And if you’ve been taking sun protection for granted, you’ll find that the effects of UV damage become more pronounced as you mature.

“More concerning than the decreased collagen and elastin production is the fact that chronic sun damage throughout our life has a cumulative effect of destroying the collagen and elastin that make up the connective tissue of our skin,” says board-certified dermatologist Hal Weitzbuch, MD, MS, FAAD. “Older patients, especially those who haven’t protected [their skin] from ultraviolet radiation well, usually have very thin skin on sun-exposed areas and frequently complain of how easily they bruise,” he adds.

How to Care for Mature Skin

It’s important to recognize and address the changing needs of mature skin, says beauty chemist and skin care expert David Pollock. “The increasing signs of aging—including wrinkles, larger pores and the appearance of age spots—create different skin care needs,” he says.

When fine-tuning your skin care regimen, making cleansing a priority is key. After all, your anti-aging moisturizers and serums can only do the job they promise if they have a clean canvas to penetrate and seep into. Further, it’s important to pick a cleanser that not only rids your skin of debris and other surface impurities but also contains ingredients—such as vitamins, antioxidants and retinoids—that help address the common concerns of mature skin.

But don’t over-cleanse and hoard all the anti-aging cleansers you can get your hands on, either, says Dr. Weitzbuch. “In general, our face should be cleansed twice daily, our hands as often as needed and our bodies daily. It’s important to remember that very strong and irritating cleansers used too often can hurt the skin. Simpler and softer is usually the best,” he explains.

Ready to cleanse your way to more radiant and youthful-looking skin? We’re here to help! To get you started, here are our top picks for the best face cleanser for the most common concerns of mature skin!

2. Dermalogica UltraCalming Cleanser (8.4 fl. oz.)

Dermalogica UltraCalming Cleanser (8.4 fl. oz.)

48 reviews

$42.00

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[listimage brand_id=100083 prod_id=590] For sensitive skin types, steer clear of products with fragrance, says Dr. Prystowsky, as these are “likely to cause allergies for people with sensitive skin.” You’ll also want to avoid abrasive scrubs, alcohol, and certain essential oils, adds Dr. Green. Instead, she suggests going for “non-irritating ingredients such as oatmeal, shea butter, and panthenol.” Aside from delivering much-needed moisture, these ingredients also help in repairing damaged skin and relieving irritation.

3. SkinCeuticals LHA Cleanser Gel (8 fl. oz.)

SkinCeuticals LHA Cleanser Gel (8 fl. oz.)

SkinCeuticals Gift

598 reviews

$45.00

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[listimage brand_id=100113 prod_id=29854] Perhaps thanks to the ever-growing influence of celebrities and social media, minimally invasive cosmetic procedures have enjoyed a steady rise in recent years. But just as it’s important to carefully think about what procedure you’d like to undergo, it’s also crucial to consider the after-care that your skin will need. “Your healthcare provider should be able to pair a great post-procedure product with the specific procedure, depending on how aggressive it is. Avoid harsh acids,” says Dr. Weitzbuch. According to Dr. Green, “Products containing ceramides and hyaluronic acid are great post-procedure. These help the skin maintain its moisture level, leaving the skin hydrated and allowing it to heal.”

4. iS Clinical Cleansing Complex (6 oz.)

iS Clinical Cleansing Complex (6 oz.)

$16 Gift

1069 reviews

$48.00

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[listimage brand_id=500480 prod_id=10796] While your skin may have been spared from the nightmare of teen acne, there’s a chance that you may begin to experience breakouts as you age—especially as you go through menopause. To prevent adult acne, Dr. Green says, “If you’re prone to acne, avoid products containing oils and alcohol as these can clog your pores and increase sebum production.” Instead, keep an eye out for AHAs and vitamin A, says Dr. Prystowsky. “These ingredients can help relieve breakouts and reduce your skin’s fragility,” she explains.

5. Eminence Organic Skin Care Firm Skin Acai Cleanser 8.4 fl. oz

Eminence Organic Skin Care Firm Skin Acai Cleanser 8.4 fl. oz

Eminence Organic Skin Care Full Size Gift

52 reviews

$48.00

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[listimage brand_id=500221 prod_id=47302] Loss of firmness and elasticity rank high in the list of skin concerns for mature skin, and unfortunately, “There aren’t any magic creams out there that completely reverse sagging skin,” says Dr. Weitzbuch. But not to worry—all is not lost! According to Dr. Green, retinols and vitamins C and E are great for sagging skin as these ingredients can help encourage the production of collagen while protecting your skin from free radical damage.

6. Obagi Medical Obagi-C Rx System C-Cleansing Gel (6 oz.)

Obagi Medical Obagi-C Rx System C-Cleansing Gel (6 oz.)

87 reviews

$45.00

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[listimage brand_id=100108 prod_id=4051] Sun protection is a must at any age, but if you’ve been neglecting your daily SPF for years, then hyperpigmentation is likely going to be a top concern for your skin. To help minimize the appearance of these dark spots, look for lightening ingredients like hydroquinone, kojic acid, niacinamide and exfoliating acids (salicylic, glycolic, and azelaic acids, to name a few). Most importantly, don’t step out of the house without applying broad-spectrum sunscreen. Look for mineral UV blockers like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide to minimize the risk of irritation.

7. Jan Marini Bioglycolic Face Cleanser (8 oz.)

Jan Marini Bioglycolic Face Cleanser (8 oz.)

231 reviews

$48.00

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[listimage brand_id=100146 prod_id=2533] The buildup of dead skin cells on your outer dermal layer is one of the primary causes of dull skin, says Dr. Weitzbuch, so he recommends cleansing with a face wash that contains glycolic acid. As an exfoliant, glycolic acid dissolves the substance that binds dead skin cells to the surface, allowing your skin to renew itself and leaving it with a healthier glow. Antioxidants like vitamins A, C and E can also brighten dull and tired-looking skin, says Dr. Green.

8. PCA SKIN Creamy Cleanser (7 oz.)

PCA SKIN Creamy Cleanser (7 oz.)

77 reviews

$38.00

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[listimage brand_id=100137 prod_id=8649] If your skin tends to be on the parched side, then it’s more prone to developing early signs of aging. When picking out a cleanser, make sure you skip face washes with ingredients that can strip your skin of its natural oils. “Avoid soap and harsh cleansers with sodium lauryl sulfate or sodium laureth sulfate,” says Dr. Prystowsky. Instead, choose a rich and creamy formula infused with moisture-boosting ingredients like aloe vera, hydrating oils and dimethicone.