As you age, your skin goes through some changes that might require you to build a new starting lineup of go-to products. While each person’s skin will age at a different pace (due to several factors, like your diet, sleep patterns, stress, and sun exposure, to name a few), it’s totally normal to notice a loss of collagen, moisture, and elasticity as early as your 30s, Jenny Liu, MD, FAAD, tells SELF. As your skin starts to become thinner and drier, she explains, it also becomes more sensitive—and that means you might need to find a new cleanser to avoid irritation or dryness.
When you wash your face, the goal is to moisturize and protect while gently scrubbing dirt, makeup, and oils away: “Think of it as both cleaning and treating the skin simultaneously,” Ife Rodney, MD, FAAD, tells SELF. Hydrating ingredients like ceramides, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid work to support your skin’s natural barrier, she says, preventing uncomfortable dryness. Alexis Stephens, DO, FACOD, FAAD, adds that these ingredients can also help reduce irritation, which can pop up more often as we age.
Whether you're in your 30s, 40s, 50s, or beyond, it’s time to rethink what your skin needs. Using the best cleanser for mature skin could make all the difference in maintaining a healthy, glowing complexion for years to come.
Our top picks
- Best Overall: CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
- Best Exfoliating Cleanser: Good Clean Goop The Daily Juice Cleanser
- Best Cleansing Balm: Byoma Melting Balm Cleanser
- Best Gel Cleanser: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Fragrance-Free Hydrating Cleansing Gel
- Best Gentle Cleanser: Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser
- Best Foaming Cleanser: EltaMD Skin Recovery Amino Acid Foaming Cleanser
FAQs about cleansers for mature skin
Why does aging skin need a special cleanser?
According to Dr. Rodney, “Mature skin is unique and requires specific ingredients and formulations for optimal health.” As you age, your skin barrier weakens, leading to increased sensitivity. Dr. Liu adds that aging skin tends to dry out more easily, so it’s essential to use a gentle cleanser that won’t strip your skin’s natural oils away.
What should you look for in a face wash?
When choosing a cleanser, look for hydrating, barrier-repairing ingredients. Dr. Rodney recommends checking for ceramides, glycerin, and niacinamide, which can help moisturize your skin. Dr. Liu also highlights hyaluronic acid to lock in moisture and peptides, which can help boost collagen production (yep, even though you’re rinsing the cleanser off your skin, Dr. Rodney confirms).
Which ingredients should you avoid in a cleanser?
All of the dermatologists we spoke with advised avoiding harsh ingredients like sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), which can strip the skin of its natural oils. Dr. Liu also recommends steering clear of artificial fragrances, essential oils, and alcohol-based formulas—these can irritate sensitive skin, she says.
How often should you use a cleanser?
It depends, but generally, Dr. Liu recommends cleansing “twice daily—morning and night.” If your skin is very dry or sensitive, a gentle rinse with lukewarm water in the morning followed by a full cleanse at night may be enough, she adds. And even on long days, avoid washing your face more than twice—Dr. Stephens says that over-cleansing can also strip your skin, causing dryness.
Shop the best cleansers for mature skin
Now that you know what to look for in a cleanser, browse our top picks below, including some products we’ve tested firsthand and others that dermatologists recommend to their patients.Discover the perfect formula for your skin type—and remember to pair your cleanser with a rich moisturizer and a great sunscreen to complete your skin care routine.
Best Overall: CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
Target
Pros
- Gentle, hydrating ingredients
- Non-foaming formula is ideal for dry, sensitive skin
- Fragrance-free
- Budget-friendly
- Earned a seal of acceptance from the National Eczema Association
Cons
- Not ideal for oily skin
CeraVe’s Hydrating Facial Cleanser is a dermatologist favorite for a reason—it’s gentle, non-foaming, and replenishes your skin with exactly what it needs, making it our top overall pick. Dr. Rodney is a fan of its highly moisturizing formula, which contains three essential ceramides, plus hyaluronic acid. Meanwhile, Dr. Liu says it’s “perfect for restoring and maintaining the skin barrier.”
This cleanser has also earned a seal of acceptance from the National Eczema Association, meaning it’s been tested and vetted by derms, allergists, and eczema experts. Another bonus? It’s pretty budget-friendly, especially considering how large the bottle is.
Other notable ingredients
Glycerin
Runner-up: La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser
Ulta
Pros
- Removes makeup effectively
- Won’t irritate or dry out skin
- No fragrance or harsh chemicals
Cons
- Some Amazon reviewers wish it left their skin feeling cleaner
Drs. Liu, Rodney, and Stephens all listed this cleanser right behind CeraVe, earning it a spot as our runner-up. “This cleanser contains ceramides and niacinamide, which are excellent for soothing and moisturizing aging skin,” says Dr. Liu. It’s also made with glycerin, which helps pull moisture into the skin, and won’t foam up (to keep your skin barrier intact). Dr. Rodney recommends it in particular for removing makeup, as it keeps your face hydrated while removing impurities.
Other notable ingredients
Panthenol
Best for Dry Skin: Avène XeraCalm A.D Lipid-Replenishing Cleansing Oil
Dermstore
Pros
- Restores moisture and replenishes the skin barrier
- Fragrance-free formula is designed for sensitive skin
- Accepted by the National Eczema Association
Cons
- May be too heavy for oily or combination skin
“For individuals with extremely dry skin, Avène’s XeraCalm A.D Lipid-Replenishing Cleansing Oil may help restore the lipid barrier during the cleansing process,” Dr. Rodney says. The formula is extremely gentle, according to Amazon shoppers, with lots of moisturizing ingredients and vitamin E to keep skin feeling clean and healthy. It’s also fragrance-free—plus, we love that it earned a seal of acceptance from the National Eczema Association, like our top overall pick from CeraVe.
Other notable ingredients
Jojoba oil, glycerin
Best Exfoliating Cleanser: Good Clean Goop The Daily Juice Cleanser
Target
Pros
- Hydrates skin with hyaluronic acid
- Fruit enzymes gently exfoliate
- Packed with antioxidants and amino acids
Cons
- Doesn’t come with a pump—a little goes a long way
This gel-to-foam cleanser is made with papaya and pineapple enzymes to gently exfoliate and reveal a brighter complexion, plus hyaluronic acid to hydrate skin. It’s also packed with amino acids, which help moisturize and regulate your skin’s pH, and antioxidants that block potentially harmful free radicals in the environment. Vegan and synthetic-fragrance-free, it provides a thorough cleanse while being gentle enough for daily use.
Target shoppers love how refreshing the formula feels: “The texture is smooth and it lathers well,” one wrote.
Other notable ingredients
Spinach leaf extract, chlorella extract (both contain antioxidants)
Best Cleansing Oil: Tatcha The Camellia Cleansing Oil
Sephora
Pros
- Hydrating camellia oil supports the skin barrier
- Rice bran oil helps gently exfoliate and brighten
- Leaves skin feeling soft, according to Tatcha shoppers
Cons
- May feel too rich for oily skin types
- Pricey
- Contains added fragrance