Choosing the Best Face Cleanser After 50: Gentle & Effective Options

As women over 50 experience changes in their skin, using the right face cleanser becomes crucial. That drugstore or grocery store cleanser you relied on in your and 30s may no longer meet your skin's needs.

Mature skin often requires gentle yet effective cleansing to maintain hydration and address specific concerns like dryness, sensitivity, and blemishes. In this guide, we'll explore the best face cleansers for mature skin, including key ingredients and what to avoid.

The Importance of a Targeted Face Cleanser

Your facial cleanser is the cornerstone of any effective skincare routine. It sets the stage for optimal absorption of serums, moisturizers, and other treatments.

Choosing a cleanser tailored to your skin's unique needs ensures thorough cleansing without stripping essential moisture.

I have sensitive, mature skin and love using our Micellar Water in the morning and our Creme Fraiche face cleanser in the evening.  Micellar water refreshes my skin, and the Creme Fraiche cleanser cleanses it thoroughly and gently—perfect for my sensitive skin.

Identifying Your Skin's Needs

If you're looking for a hydrating cleanser for sensitive skin, or you have dry skin, opt for a cream or ultra-gentle gel type cleanser. If you're looking for oily skin, anti-blemish or anti-redness cleansers, check your ingredients for those that will cleanse, but not strip your skin of vital oils.

Our Recommended Cleansers:

1. Creme Fraiche Cleanser: Gentle hydration for dry, sensitive, skin:

This gentle face cleanser is ideal for normal to sensitive, mature skin.

Key Ingredients:

• Organic Honey: Acts as a natural humectant and emollient, increasing hydration and reducing dryness.

• Organic Oat straw Extract & Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein: Help to soothe and calm the skin, minimizing redness and irritation.

• Provitamin B5: Humectant that attracts and maintains moisture in the skin.

Avoid: Cleansers containing sodium lauryl sulfates (SLS), sulfites, artificial fragrances, or phthalates. Sulfates are the ingredient that makes a product create a significant amount of foaminess. Studies have proven that sulfates can strip the skin of its natural oils, leading to dryness, irritation and increased sensitivity.

Instead, opt for cleansers with sodium coco-glucoside tartrate, a surfactant derived from coconut oil and tartaric acid (found in grapes). These safe and gentle ingredients along with others are found in Creme Fraiche Face Cleanser.

Reviews & Recommendations

"This is the only cleanser I would recommend. Cleanses my skin thoroughly. Never irritates. My skin feels refreshed afterward. Love it!" Linda N. - A Creme Fraiche Cleanser customer

"Great to be back. This product speaks for itself. I left Parisians pure for a popular trend over the top expensive brand that left my skin dry, broken out and in extremely bad shape. My skin is coming back to a healthy glow. It feels moist, soft & the breakouts have stopped. I'm never leaving again. Thank you Kelli for getting me back on track." Lynda F. 

2. Balance Cleanser: Deep pore cleansing for oily, blemish-prone skin:

Balance Deep Pore Cleanser is perfect for oily skin. It effectively cleanses pores without stripping natural oils.

Key Ingredients:

• Activated Charcoal: Absorbs toxins, pollutants, and excess oil without drying the skin.
• MSM & DMAE: Known for its anti-inflammatory properties, MSM can help to soothe irritated skin and reduce redness.
• Rooibos Tea Extract: Purifying and soothing, Rooibos contains natural AHAs, which can gently exfoliate the skin, promoting a smoother and brighter complexion. Excellent for blemish-prone skin.

Avoid: Parabens, Sodium Lauryl Sulfates, Artificial fragrances, Phthalates, Gluten.

Reviews & Recommendations:

"This cleanser has been the ONLY cleanser I have found that keeps my occasional acne and oily skin under control! if I switch even for couple of days to something else my skin gets oily again or my acne rears its bad temper. Couldn't be more pleased with the Anti-Blemish Cleanser" Shana H. 

"Fabulous Cleanser!  I’ve used Cetaphil cleanser for years and now realize that my skin was never ‘clean.’ Balance removes all the make-up from my face and is very mild on my skin. Love this product. Nancy R.

3. Micellar Water: No rinse cleanser/toner

Everyone's talking about micellar water, and for good reason! It's a super gentle way to cleanse your skin, and it really works. Let's break down the key benefits you'll get from using it and why it’s become a go-to for mature, sensitive skin.

• Gentle Cleansing: Micellar water is known for its mild formulation, making it suitable for all skin types, including mature, sensitive skin. It effectively removes dirt, oil, and makup with harsh rubbining or stripping the skin's natural oils.
• Makeup Removal:  It efficiently dissolves makeup, including foundation, mascara, and even some waterproof products.  It's a convenient way to remove makeup, especially before using a traditional cleanser. 
• No Rinsing Required:  One of the biggest advantages is that micellar water typically doesn't require rinsing, making it a quick and easy cleansing option.  

This is especially beneficial for those on the go or when water access is limited.

Parisian's Pure Micellar Water

Reviews & Recommendations

Micellar Wateris my go-to in the morning before the gym. It’s refreshing and does a great job getting off any extra eye makeup that I missed from the night before! Nancy R.