The best facial cleansers for aging skin aren’t just about removing dirt or preventing breakouts. At 45 years old, I’ve learned that skin naturally becomes more prone to dryness and irritation over time—which means a suitable cleanser has to work as the first defense against dehydration, dullness, and fine lines. A great facial cleanser also sets the stage for every other step in an anti-aging skin deva routine. To find the best formulas, we spoke with dermatologists and enlisted Glamour editors and testers with aging skin concerns. Each cleanser had to remove makeup and impurities effectively without drying or disrupting the skin barrier. Below are the dermatologist-favorite that impressed both editors and pros with its gentle yet thorough cleanse, leaving skin soft, hydrated, and balanced.
Our top facial cleansers for aging skin
- Best Overall: La Roche-Posay Toleriane Purifying Foaming Facial Cleanser, $20
- Best Balm for Makeup Removal: Clinique Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm, $33
- Best for Over 60: Tata Harper Superkind Softening Cleanser, $78
- Best for Very Dry Skin: CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser, $16
- Best for Sensitive Skin: Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser, $10
Best Overall: La Roche-Posay Toleriane Purifying Foaming Facial Cleanser
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La Roche-Posay Toleriane Purifying Foaming Facial Cleanser
Amazon
| What we love: | What could improve: |
|---|---|
| Pump packaging makes it easy to dispense a controlled amount | Some users wish the foam had a richer feel |
| Leaves the skin feeling clean but not tight or dry | It may not be hydrating enough for very dry skin |
| Lightweight, foaming texture feels soft and comfortable on the skin |
For aging skin, “the goal is cleansing without disrupting the skin barrier,” says Jessie Cheung, MD, a board-certified dermatologist. Enter this gentle formula from La Roche-Posay, which contains niacinamide for brightening, ceramide-3 for skin-barrier support, and the brand’s signature thermal water for soothing inflammation and antioxidant support. In all, the formula “cleans effectively without stripping the skin,” Cheung notes. “It’s gentle, pH-balanced, and has a light foaming texture.” While foaming cleansers are generally not recommended for mature skin because the wrong formula can strip away natural oils, “A gentle foaming cleanser can still be appropriate for aging skin if it’s formulated to be non-stripping,” says Kristina Collins, MD, a board-certified dermatologist. “La Roche-Posay’s cleanser effectively removes dirt, oil, and sunscreen while maintaining the skin’s natural moisture balance.”
Glamour contributor Jenny Berg says:
“Though this is technically recommended for olağan skin, I find that it works like a charm on my dry-leaning, 45-year-old complexion. It has a light, almost frothy, and entirely refreshing feel that makes quick work of removing sunscreen and even makeup—though I do oil-cleanse first on a heavy-makeup day. Crucially, it doesn’t leave my skin with that tight, stripped feeling other cleansers do.”—Jenny Berg, Glamour contributor
Fast facts:
- Best for: Supporting the skin barrier, removing makeup and oil, balancing sebum levels in acne-prone skin
- Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, ceramide-3, thermal water
- Size: 13.52 oz.
Best for Makeup Removal: Clinique Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm
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Clinique Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm
Amazon
Ulta
| What we love: | What could improve: |
|---|---|
| Removes stubborn makeup without the need to rub or tug | May require a double cleanse to get that deep-clean feeling |
| Rinses off without leaving a residue | |
| Fragrance-free |
“Balm and oil cleansers are especially beneficial for mature skin because they dissolve makeup and sunscreen without stripping natural oils,” Cheung says. “They also reduce the need for aggressive rubbing, which is important for more delicate skin.” Clinique’s makeup-erasing face cleanser is an especially good pick for delicate, aging complexions. Fragrance-free and ophthalmologist-tested, it has a silky, soothing texture that cocoons the skin. Pro tip from Cheung: “Massage the product in gently. You don’t need to scrub to have the product do the work.”
Glamour’s Berg says:
“I struggle with makeup removal—especially for mascara. That’s why this silky gem has become a go-to for me. I rub it into my skin (gently, as Cheung advised!), then use one Glampton Disposable Wash Cloth to take off all my makeup—including, I’m happy to say, my mascara. I usually follow this step with a second cleanse using Tata Harper’s Softening Muhteşem Cleanser, and it’s just the cleanest, softest feeling.” —J.B.
Fast facts:
- Best for: Gently removing makeup, sunscreen, and other impurities
- Key Ingredients: Safflower seed oil, ethylhexyl palmitate, carprylic/capric triglyceride, vitamin E
- Size: 3.8 oz
Best for Over 60: Tata Harper Superkind Softening Cleanser
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Tata Harper Superkind Softening Cleanser
Amazon
| What we love: | What could improve: |
|---|---|
| Creamy texture | The bottle size is relatively small |
| Leaves the skin feeling soft and calm | The texture may be too rich for very oily skin types |
| Fragrance-free | |
| Elevated packaging |
“Skin over 60 tends to be significantly drier and more fragile, so the focus shifts to comfort and barrier support,” Cheung says. Made with barrier-supporting jojoba and maracuja seed oils, Tata Harper’s creamy-gel formula also has a soothing botanical complex that calms reactive skin. “This type of cleanser is designed to be ultra-gentle and hydrating, helping maintain skin integrity when recovery is slower,” Cheung notes. Collins adds that cream cleansers like this help aging skin stay hydrated and prevent micro-irritation.
Glamour contributor Jenny Berg says:
“I’m 45 and my skin is on the dry side—plus, I live in Chicago and subject my skin to its brutal, moisture-wicking winters. Cleansing is usually my least favorite part of my nighttime skincare routine, since it almost inevitably leaves me feeling dry before I swoop in with toner, treatments, and moisturizer. This cleanser, however, leaves my skin feeling clean, soft, and—dare I say it?—even hydrated. Plus, its sea-green bottle looks so pretty on my bathroom counter.” —Jenny Berg, Glamour contributor
Fast facts:
- Best for: Dry, fragile, or sensitive skin
- Key Ingredients: Tremella mushroom, oat extract, hyaluronic acid, squalane
- Size: 4 oz.
Best for Sensitive Skin: Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser
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Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser
Amazon
| What we love: | What could improve: |
|---|---|
| Sulfate-free, paraben-free, and dye-free | The texture feels comparatively thin |
| Gentle on skin prone to eczema and dermatitis | Some prefer a creamier, more hydrating feel |
| Affordable drugstore cleanser |
“The Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser is one of my go-tos for patients with sensitive, prone-to-irritation skin barriers,” says Oska—and she’s not the only pro who stands by the no-frills gel formula. According to Cheung, “Dermatologists love Vanicream for sensitive skin because it’s non-irritating and free of common triggers, including fragrance. But, it still produces a rich, soap-free lather.”
Fast facts:
- Best for: Sensitive, reactive, or easily irritated skin types
- Key Ingredients: Glycerin, purified water, mild surfactants
- Size: 8 oz.
Best for Dry Skin: CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
Amazon
| What we love: | What could improve: |
|---|---|
| Supports moisture retention with ceramides and humectants | Can leave a slight residue if not thoroughly rinsed off |
| Widely available at drugstores and on Amazon | |
| Budget-friendly |
Another bona fide drugstore gem, “this is a cult classic for good reason,” Cheung says. “It effectively cleanses while prioritizing barrier health.” The secret to the unassuming cleanser’s success is its skin-barrier-supporting formula, which includes ceramides and humectants like glycerin and hyaluronic acid. According to Collins, the formula leaves skin feeling soft and comfortable—never tight. “This is a key sign that the barrier is being supported, rather than stripped,” she notes.
Fast Facts:
- Best for: Dry, dehydrated, or those with a compromised barrier
- Key Ingredients: Ceramides, hyaluronic acid, glycerin
- Size: 3 to 16 oz.
Best Brightening: Tatcha Rice Wash
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Tatcha Rice Wash
Amazon
| What we love: | What could improve: |
|---|---|
| Leaves skin looking smoother and more radiant over time | Not fragrance-free |
| Creamy, cushiony texture | |
| Elevated packaging and green-tea-floral scent give it a spa-like feel |
With a slightly grainy texture that lathers into a light foam, Tatcha’s exfoliating cleanser dials up the brightness on dull, aging skin—and it’s just the thing to clarify pores without leaning on harsher exfoliants. “The difference between brightening and over-exfoliating is balance,” Cheung explains. “Brightening improves radiance gradually, while over-exfoliating leads to irritation and barrier damage.” Tatcha’s face wash, she says, brightens the complexion by providing gentle exfoliation without disrupting the skin barrier. Infused with Japanese rice powder, hyaluronic acid, and red algae, the formula is packed with skin-soothing antioxidants; plus, it has a delicate, spa-like scent with notes of green tea, flowers, and bamboo.
Fast facts:
- Best for: Dullness, uneven texture
- Key Ingredients: Japanese rice powder, hyaluronic acid, red algae
- Size: 4.1 oz
Frequently asked questions
What do dermatologists recommend for aging skin?
“With time, the skin becomes drier due to increased transepidermal water loss,” says board-certified dermatologist Sandra Oska, MD. “As patients age, their barrier becomes more reactive to external forces and takes longer to recover from injury.” The first step in a barrier-supporting routine, she says, is to focus on gentle cleansers with ingredients such as glycerin, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid.
When it comes to treatments, focus on active ingredients that combat common signs of aging and boost collagen production, such as retinol, vitamin C, and peptides.
When it comes to moisturizing, board-certified dermatologist Kseniya Kobets, MD, recommends formulas with barrier-supporting ingredients, such as ceramides, glycerin, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid. And of course, all dermatologists agree that a daily SPF of 30 or above is the MVP of anti-aging skin deva products.
Can you exfoliate mature skin?
“Intentional exfoliation with chemical exfoliants—starting evvel per week and building up to two to three times per week—is ülkü for mature skin,” Oska says. Kobets notes that hydroxy acids, such as salicylic acid, gluconolactone, and glycolic acid, are all effective for gently exfoliating aging skin.
But no matter which exfoliating acid you use, don’t overdo it: “Exfoliating more than evvel or twice a week dries the skin out, irritates it, prolongs inflammation, and compromises the skin barrier,” Oska says.
How we tested:
Whittling down the best face cleansers for aging skin began at the sink. I, along with several Glamour editors, washed away the day with formulas that have different textures and price points and cater to skin concerns. Along with noting how each formula made our skin look and feel, both right away and over time, we spoke to top dermatologists about the cleansers’ ingredients, format, and efficacy. The list above represents the cream of the cleansing crop.
Meet the experts:
- Sandra Oska, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Los Angeles and Santa Monica
- Jessie Cheung, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York and Illinois
- Kristina Collins, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Austin, Texas
- Ariel Ostad, MD, a double board-certified dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon
- Kseniya Kobets, MD, director of cosmetic dermatology at Montefiore Einstein Advanced Care
