The best facial cleansers for aging skin, tested and reviewed

Has your daily skin care routine become a daunting task due to the countless number of products you use? Between all the serums, creams and moisturizers on the market, it can be quite overwhelming to decide which ones are essential for your skin. However, when it comes to prioritizing skin care for your daily regime, facial cleansers are a must for aging skin.

According to Dr. Marisa Garshick, a board-certified dermatologist in New York, facial cleaners enriched with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin and ceramides help to lock in moisture and support the skin’s natural barrier. She continues by saying that these are “especially important for those with aging skin as the skin barrier can weaken with age and leave the skin more susceptible to dryness.”

Aside from Garshick, we spoke with another dermatologist and a celebrity esthetician to help us find the best facial cleansers for aging skin. Additionally, we included an editor favorite as well as my mother’s go-to pick (which she loves so much that she refuses to share with me).

The best facial cleansers for aging skin, according to experts and editors | What to look for in facial cleansers | Ingredients to avoid | How we chose | Meet the experts

The best facial cleansers for aging skin, according to experts and editors

Cost-effective expert pick: CeraVe Hydrating Face Wash

What we like

• Very moisturizing
• Not greasy

Size: 12.0 oz. | Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, ceramides | Form: Lotion

Garshick recommends this moisturizing face wash from CeraVe that is designed for normal to dry skin. “This cleanser contains ceramides and hyaluronic acid, making it ideal for keeping aging skin hydrated and replenished without stripping it of essential oils while helping to support the skin barrier,” she explains.

Good for sensitive skin: La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Face Cleanser

What we like

• Good for sensitive skin
• Hydrating

Something to note

• May not remove all makeup

Size: 13.5 oz. | Key ingredients: Niacinamide, ceramides | Form: Cream

“Formulated with niacinamide and ceramides, this gentle cleanser soothes sensitive aging skin while maintaining hydration,” says Garshick. This daily face wash is fragrance-free and has an impressive 26,900+ five-star ratings on Amazon.

Foam party: EltaMD Skin Recovery Amino Acid Foaming Cleanser

What we like

• Lightweight
• Good for sensitive skin
• Hydrating

Size: 5.0 oz. | Key ingredients: Glycerin, bisabolol and ginger root extract, amino acids | Form: Foam

“Formulated with a patented complex of three amino acids (AAComplex), this cleanser works to gently cleanse while leaving the skin calm and soothed, reducing the appearance of redness,” states Garshick. “It has been shown to support the skin barrier, making it a great option for those with aging skin,” she says.

Celebrity esthetician Kristin Gunn refers to this cleanser as her “go-to for all skin types” and loves that it is budget conscious. “It’s great for removing makeup, sunscreen etc., but also gentle enough to calm even the most sensitive skin. It also helps get rosacea/redness under control,” she explains.

Mom-approved: Colleen Rothschild Purifying Cleanser

What we like

• Gentle on skin
• Lasts a long time
• Skin doesn’t feel dry

Size: 5.0 oz. | Key ingredients: Niacinamide, salicylic acid | Form: Cream

My [Wise] mom Cindy tried the Colleen Rothschild Purifying Cleanser last year and now can’t go a day without using it. She especially loves the texture and how good it feels on her skin. This facial cleanser “effectively dissolves oil, dirt and makeup without disturbing the skin’s protective barrier,” says the brand.

I [Wise] want to steal this from her (now that I’m in my mid 30’s), but she loves it so much, I just can’t bear to do it.

For oily skin: Epionce Lytic Gel Cleanser

What we like

• Pleasant smell
• Smooth on skin

Size: 8.0 oz. | Key ingredients: Lavender extract, date fruit extract | Form: Gel

For more oil-prone skin, Dr. Brooke Jeffy, a board-certified dermatologist in Scottsdale, Arizona, recommends this Epionce Lytic Gel Cleanser as it exfoliates gently without drying. This face wash and makeup remover is fragrance free and helps remove dirt and oil from the skin. For best results, gently massage product onto dry or damp skin and rinse with warm water, says the brand.

Gentle and easy to use: Colorescience Barrier Pro 1-Step Cleanser

What we like

• Very gentle
• Moisturizing
• Easily removes residue

Size: 5.0 oz. | Key ingredients: Citric acid, glycerin | Form: Gel

This “lightweight gel cleanser helps to gently but effectively remove sunscreen, makeup and buildup without leaving the skin feeling dry,” says Garshick. “It can be used twice daily and helps to support the skin’s microbiome, leaving the skin feeling soft and smooth,” she explains.

Splurge option: Babor Hyaluronic Cleansing Balm

What we like

• Nourishing
• Gentle
• Doesn’t strip the skin

Size: 5.0 oz. | Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid | Form: Balm

“I recently ran out of this cleansing balm that I’ve used for months and can genuinely say I was devastated,” shares commerce editor Vivien Moon. “It’s so deliciously smooth and melts on the skin so you get a deep cleanse without feeling stripped. It has a bit of a gritty consistency that gives a little physical exfoliation that then melts into a balm to gently cleanse the skin,” she continues.

“I never like to wash my face and typically opt for a micellar water to clean my face when I’m lazy, but this balm has made me love washing my face even if it takes a little longer,” admits Moon.

More facial cleansers for aging skin

Most budget-friendly: RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Serum Facial Cleanser

Size: 6.0 oz. | Key ingredients: Niacinamide, retinol | Form: Serum

If you’ve been searching long and hard for an affordable facial cleanser for your aging skin, look no further. This hydrating cleanser “removes oil, dirt, even long-wear makeup trapped on the surface and enriches skin with retinol and niacinamide anti-aging benefits,” says the brand. This deep wrinkle serum is fragrance-free and has an impressive 2,000+ five-star ratings on Amazon.

Affordable cleansing gel: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Facial Cleansing Gel

What we like

• Feels good on skin
• Hydrating
• Very gentle

Size: 7.8 oz. | Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid | Form: Gel

If you’re looking for a trusted facial cleanser, this one from Neutrogena has over 20,500 five-star ratings on Amazon. This hydrating face gel is enriched with hyaluronic acid and is paraben-free. Satisfied customers say this cleanser is gentle and leaves their skin feeling super soft.

Suitable for all skin types: Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cleanser

What we like

• Lightweight
• Super soft
• Easy to apply

Size: 2.5 oz. | Key ingredients: Squalane and avocado oil | Form: Foam

Enriched with squalane and avocado oil, this lightweight face cleanser from Kiehl’s is suitable for all skin types. Not only is it paraben free, but this lightweight foam is PH balanced to be gentle on skin, according to the brand. This Amazon’s Choice cleanser comes in a travel size and can easily be stored in your toiletry or makeup bag for safe keeping.

What to look for in a facial cleanser for aging skin

It’s no secret that there are a plethora of formulas available for facial cleansers, so it can be hard to decide which is best, specifically for aging skin.

Gunn says hydration is key when it comes to finding the proper ingredients for an anti-aging facial cleanser. “Look for hyaluronic acid to attract and retain moisture, ceramides to strengthen the skin barrier, glycerin to draw moisture to the skin and niacinamide to knock out redness while improving skin texture and tone,” she suggests.

Also, search for “cleansers with a mild glycolic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid or enzymes to remove impurities and dead skin without causing too much dryness or irritation,” Gunn recommends.

Garshick also recommends antioxidants, such as vitamin C or green tea extract, which “can provide anti-aging benefits by protecting the skin from free radical damage and helping to soothe the skin.”

What ingredients to avoid in a facial cleanser for aging skin

When it comes to selecting a facial cleanser for aging skin, Garshick advises users to avoid harsh soaps or drying alcohols that can strip the skin of its natural moisture.

“It may be best for those with sensitive skin to avoid heavy fragrance as this can irritate the skin and trigger redness, dryness or flaking,” she suggests.

“The same ingredients that are terrible when you’re 20 are even worse with aging skin!” adds Gunn. “Everyone should avoid parabens, harsh fragrances, alcohol, sulfates, formaldehyde, phthalates and polyethylene glycol. All of these can strip your skin’s natural oils, damage your moisture barrier, irritate your skin and (gasp) rapidly age your skin!” she insists.

How we chose the best facial cleansers for aging skin

The Shop TODAY team rounded up the best facial cleansers for aging skin by enlisting the recommendations of board-certified dermatologists and a celebrity esthetician. We also included a tried-and-true editor favorite as well as my mom’s “holy grail” of facial cleansers.

Meet the experts

• Dr. Marisa Garshick, MD, FAAD is a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS in New York, New York.

• Kristin Gunn is a celebrity esthetician and owner of Halcyon Skincare and Beaux Medspa in Austin, Texas.

• Dr. Brooke Jeffy, M.D. is a board-certified dermatologist in Scottsdale, Arizona and founder of youth skincare brand, BTWN.