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Finding the best cleansers for mature skin isn't just about getting your face clean—it's about giving your skin the care it needs as it changes over time. With age, skin tends to get drier, less elastic, and a bit duller, thanks to slower cell turnover and a weakening moisture barrier. 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.
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.
Our Top Cleansers for Mature Skin
- Best Overall: Tatcha The Rice Wash, $40
- Best for Dryness: SkinMedica HA5 Hydrating Foam Cleanser, $48
- Best Drugstore: La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Face Cleanser, $18
- Best for Makeup Removal: Charlotte Tilbury Multi-Miracle Glow Cleansing Balm, $62
- Best for Sensitive Skin: Tata Harper Nourishing Oil Cleanser, $78
- Best Exfoliating: Mara Algae Enzyme Cleansing Oil, $58
- Best for Redness: EltaMD Skin Recovery Amino Acid Foaming Cleanser, $35
- Best for Post-Procedure: Alastin Ultra Calm Cleansing Cream, $52
Frequently Asked QuestionsLargeChevron
- 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?
- Meet the experts
- How we test and review products
- Our staff and testers
Whether you're into creams, balms, or gels, the right cleanser can do more than just wash your face—it can nourish, refresh, and prep your skin for everything else in your routine, leaving it soft, smooth, and glowing. Without further ado, here are the best cleansers for mature skin.
Best Overall: Tatcha The Rice Wash
Tatcha
The Rice Wash
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Tatcha
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 age-old ritual to the next level. It's packed with rice powder, a chef's kiss of skin-loving enzymes and vitamins (A, B2, B12, and E) that soften, brighten, and give your skin a plump, 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 cleansers that actually makes you look forward to washing your face. When you first start lathering it up, there’s a teeny bit of grittiness from the rice powder doing its gentle exfoliating thing—but then it instantly melts into the softest, creamiest foam. That said, it didn’t really budge my waterproof eyeliner (I don’t blame it; I wear MAC Liquidlast, and it’s truly bulletproof), so I wouldn’t quite rely on it for full makeup removal. But it’s incredible as a second step to a double-cleanse or a no-makeup day.” —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 Dryness: SkinMedica HA5 Hydrating Foam Cleanser
SkinMedica
HA5 Hydrating Foam Cleanser
Dermstore
Why we love it: If this little blue bottle looks familiar, it’s because it mirrors the packaging of SkinMedica’s Best of Beauty-winning HA5 Hydra Collagen Replenish + Restore Hydrator. But this foam cleanser is actually 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. The HA5 Hydrating Foam Cleanser helps keep your 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. It’s designed to replenish moisture, leaving skin feeling clean, calm, and soft,” says Dr. Humphrey.
Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han
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“There's something extra satisfying about a foam cleanser that feels like you're coddling your skin in a blanket of cloud-like fluff. But that's more impressive about the HA5 Hydrating Foam Cleanser is how kind it is to my normally combo skin, which has become drastically drier with the colder weather. My skin is incredibly soothed and soft—this is the second cleanser I use after an oil-based one—and I'm not surprised, given how the ingredient list is frontloaded with tons of glycerin and hyaluronic acid derivatives.” —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
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 mature skin prone to sensitivities. "It gently cleanses away dirt, makeup, and impurities without compromising the skin's natural moisture barrier," says Mina Amin, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at California Dermatology Specialists, based in Los Angeles. "Formulated with ceramides, glycerin, and niacinamide, it hydrates while soothing the skin. Glycerin acts as a humectant to draw in moisture, while niacinamide is particularly unique—it not only helps restore the skin's barrier but also fades dark marks and calms irritation." What else? The brand's signature prebiotic thermal spring water is rich in selenium, a powerful natural antioxidant known for its soothing and protective properties.
Editor’s tip
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As your skin matures, you may find that you no longer need to cleanse twice a day. "Cleansing at the end of the day before bedtime is particularly important, but some people prefer to only rinse with water in the mornings,” Dr. King notes. “This can depend on the person's skin type and lifestyle."
More to know
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- Key ingredients: selenium, ceramides, glycerin, niacinamide
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Makeup Removal: Charlotte Tilbury Multi-Miracle Glow Cleansing Balm
Charlotte Tilbury
Multi-Miracle Glow Cleansing Balm
Nordstrom
Ulta Beauty
Why we love it: We consider it a miracle, too, when one product can multitask—and Charlotte Tilbury’s Multi-Miracle Glow really leans into its name. This luxe balm starts as a silky cleanser, then moonlights as an overnight mask and even a leave-on body balm for dry, flaky spots that need quick smoothing. And because it comes from a makeup artist-led brand, you can bet it melts away makeup like an absolute pro. “Makeup-removing cleansers can be stripping, but this balm is particularly great at removal and hydration thanks to rosehip and camellia oils,” says Debbie Palmer, a board-certified dermatologist based in Harrison, New York. You also get Arctic cloudberry oil for softness, vitamins C and E to brighten tired skin, vitamin A for that baby-smooth finish, and coconut alkanes to lock in moisture for a dewy, nourished glow.
Editor's tip
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If you’re using this as the first step in a double-cleansing routine, follow it with a gentle water-based cleanser—you’ll whisk away every trace of residue while keeping hydration locked in.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: Arctic cloudberry oil, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin A, rosehip oil, camellia oil, coconut alkanes
- Fragrance-free: no
Best for Barrier Support: Tata Harper Nourishing Oil Cleanser
Tata Harper
Tata Harper Nourishing Oil Cleanser
Amazon
Nordstrom
Sephora
Why we love it: Tata Harper formulates everything for her namesake brand with natural ingredients that feel like a vitamin-rich green juice for aging skin. The Nourishing Oil Cleanser is packed with 26 plant-based ingredients like olive, grape seed, green tea, avocado, camellia, argan, and jojoba oils. “This nourishing combination is great at removing makeup without over-stripping the skin,” says Dr. Palmer. Plus, barrier-loving additions like sunflower, castor, apricot kernel, and squalane work together to dissolve even long-wearing formulas while leaving skin soft, balanced, and rejuvenated with every wash.
Editor's tip
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Since it’s an oil cleanser, apply it straight onto dry skin and give yourself a thorough, slow massage. For eye makeup, saturate a cotton pad, press it over your lids and lashes, and let it melt everything off.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: sacha inchi oil, apricot seed oil, sunflower seed oil, avocado oil, calendula, squalane
- Fragrance-free: no
Best Exfoliating: Mara Algae Enzyme Cleansing Oil
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, 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.
Editor’s tip
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Chia and moringa round out this oil cleanser to help leave skin soft, supple, and perfectly balanced.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: jojoba seed oil, papaya enzymes, chia, moringa, squalane, spirulina, kelp
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Redness: EltaMD Skin Recovery Amino Acid Foaming Cleanser
EltaMD
Skin Recovery Amino Acid Foaming Cleanser
Amazon
Dermstore
Why we love it: Turns out, for some people, getting older doesn’t mean you magically outgrow acne or oily T-zones. EltaMD Skin Recovery Amino Acid Foaming Cleanser is a dream for mature skin that still battles breakouts—whether they’re triggered by shifting hormones, stress, or pore-clogging products—but can’t afford to compromise 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. “It’s also clinically proven to reduce facial redness in just two weeks and relieve dryness in only one,” says Dr. Yadav.
Editor’s tip
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Bisabolol and ginger root extract work together to calm irritation and visibly reduce redness, making them ideal for oily skin that’s also stressed out.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: amino acids, bisabolol, ginger root extract
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Post-Procedure: Alastin Ultra Calm Cleansing Cream
Alastin
Ultra Calm Cleansing Cream
Amazon
Alastin
Why we love it: Whether your skin is reactive after an at-home exfoliant or tender post-laser, Alastin Ultra Calm Cleansing Cream is specifically designed for sensitive, easily irritated complexions. This ultra-gentle, non-foaming cleanser sweeps away impurities, sunscreen, and light makeup without compromising a fragile barrier. Its creamy, milky texture is enriched with linoleic acid to reinforce the skin’s natural barrier and oat protein extract to calm and 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. It’s even a more powerful humectant than hyaluronic acid,” says Dr. Yadav.
Editor’s tip
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Panthenol (vitamin B5) and soybean sterols help calm irritation and strengthen the skin barrier—another reason this cleanser is a solid choice for sensitive skin.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: silver mushroom, linoleic acid, oat protein extract, panthenol
- 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, who cites ingredients such as 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 the 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 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.
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
- 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
- Debbie Palmer, a board-certified dermatologist and co-founder of Dermatology Associates of New York, based in Harrison, New York
- Geeta Yadav, MD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Facet Dermatology, based in Toronto, Canada
How we test and review products
Before reviewing any makeup, we ask questions about a number of factors: What ingredients are in it? Does the brand offer a wide shade range inclusive of consumers with all skin tones and undertones? Is it safe for readers who have sensitive skin or wear contact lenses? Is it on the affordable side or more of a splurge? Is its packaging consciously designed or needlessly wasteful?
For our review of the best cleansers for mature skin, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and makeup artists to review the products. This ensures our testing base spans different skin tones, genders, and dermatological conditions. We considered each product's performance across four primary categories: ingredients, wear and longevity, packaging, and inclusivity. For more on what's involved in our reporting, check out our complete review 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.
