I think we all owe face wash an apology—or at least I do. I considered my cleanser the least important part of my skincare routine for years. I’d splash some water on my face, slather on the cheapest drugstore face wash, mush it around for a good 10 seconds, and then rinse. ButI know better now! For one, most experts say we should spend at least one full minute massaging our cleanser into our face, a time frame that ensures we get every last crumb of naughties expunged from our pores. So set a timer, listen to half your favorite tune, or count to 60 in your head.
Second, the formulation of your face wash can and will make a significant difference in the health and look of your complexion. (Take it from someone who learned the hard way that her cleanser was solely responsible for a never-ending cycle of breakouts.)
Additionally, some face washes are equipped with strategic, higher-quality ingredients for those looking to boost their skin with an extra dose of anti-aging perks. While your cleanser won’t be as important as your serums and moisturizers (those are the products that spend the most amount of time on your skin), every little bit helps, and using a face wash with the right ingredients can definitely encourage a plump, balanced, hydrated, all-around youthful-looking complexion.
To get the scoop about anti-aging face washes, I spoke to celebrity facialist Renée Rouleau and dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, MD, FAAD. Ahead, they’ll break down what to avoid and what to look for when shopping for a face wash. Plus, they share the specific products they recommend. Keep scrolling for the lowdown.
Sorry to be confusing, but the answer is yes and no. “I wouldn’t say that a face wash can be anti-aging, per se, but what I know to be true is that skin cells are like fish, and they need water to live,” clarifies Rouleau. In order to keep your skin looking healthy and in tip-top shape, she explains that it’s important to use a non-drying cleanser that won’t strip essential, glow-giving moisture from your complexion. If you’re stripping the skin, you’re causing damage to the protective barrier, which in turn can expedite visible signs of aging.
Since cleansers are mingling with our skin for a minute maximum, Rouleau says there’s no need to waste your money and efforts on face wash formulas packed with anti-aging actives—they simply won’t have the time that serums and moisturizers do to effectively penetrate the skin. That said, she notes a face wash that utilizes gentle exfoliating beads can softly whisk away any dulling dry skin cells hanging out on the surface of our skin. Once they’re gone, you’ll likely notice a brighter, smoother, younger-looking finish.
“I look at face washes as short contact therapies for the skin,” agrees Zeichner. “They can exert meaningful effects, so long as they are used the right way. I typically have people lather therapeutic cleansers on the skin and let them sit while you sing the alphabet to yourself, which ensures enough contact time for the ingredients to do their jobs.”
Zeichner notes that before we all get ahead of ourselves with fancy-schmancy extras, it’s important to remember the actual purpose of face wash: to remove the soiling of the skin without compromising the integrity of the skin barrier.
“First, do no harm,” he warns, “Over-scrubbing does more harm than good and can disrupt the outer skin layer, leading to irritation and inflammation. Think of your cleanser as the foundation of a skincare routine. It provides a fresh canvas for the rest of your skincare products. You want to make sure that canvas is clean, intact, and well-hydrated.”
That said, if you’re looking for a specific ingredient strategy for your next face wash purchase, Zeichner likes certain additions like hydroxy acids (which can provide anti-aging benefits through their exfoliating effects) and any high-quality hydrating ingredients,which you can also find in traditional moisturizers. Specifically, Rouleau mentions glycerin, aloe vera, and panthenol, which are all moisture-binding humectants and therefore great for encouraging a plump, dewy complexion.
According to both Rouleau and Zeichner, sulfates such as sodium laurel sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate, ammonium laureth sulfate, and ammonium laurel sulfate are on a strict do-not-call list if you’re looking for a gentle, hydrating face wash enriched with anti-aging benefits. “These ingredients generally have a high pH, so they can put your skin at risk for dehydration when used in a cleanser,” Rouleau points out.
Zeichner also recommends avoiding cleansers that contain synthetic fragrances, which are linked to skin allergies if you’re super sensitive. Oh, and while we’re on the topic of sensitivity, you can nix other buzzy ingredients like retinol and potent antioxidants from your face wash shopping list since Zeichner notes that it is still unclear whether or not they’re effective in the form of a cleanser versus other approved carriers like serums and creams.
Pros: Contains gentle AHAs to exfoliate, glycerol glucoside hydrates skin, natural amino acids help reduce the look of fine lines and boost firmness. Cons: AHAs may be too drying for reactive or sensitive skin types. “This cleanser contains a blend of lactic and glycolic acid to exfoliate and brighten the skin. The formula also contains a specialized sugar known as glycerol glucoside, which acts as a super humectant to keep the skin hydrated and plump.” — Zeichner. Customer Review: “Looooove how smooth and creamy this cleanser is! Super gentle yet amazing at removing makeup. I use this daily!”
Pros: Contains glow-boosting extracts, exfoliating jojoba beads, and panthenol to boost moisture levels in the skin. Cons: Not recommended for those with rosacea or those prone to redness. “This is a great exfoliating face wash for smoother skin due to gentle jojoba beads, which lift away dry skin cells, and refreshing mint botanicals. The skin is left looking brighter and smoother while being non-drying to the skin.” — Rouleau. Customer Review: “This cleanser smells wonderful, feels wonderful, and works! My skin was noticeably brighter and smoother after just one use, and that’s no gimmick! I don’t use this daily just yet because I haven’t used an exfoliating cleanser in a while and wondered if it’d stress out my skin by overdoing it right away. Honestly, it’s quite gentle for an exfoliating cleanser, and with the results I’ve gotten, I’m satisfied with using it just a few times a week for now.”
Pros: pH balanced, microfoam technology leaves skin soft and hydrated, contains a blend of AHAs to clarify and exfoliate the skin, fragrance-free. Cons: AHAs could potentially irritate dry, sensitive, or reactive skin types. “A foaming cleanser that delivers a mix of hydroxy acids including gluconolactone, a polyhydroxy acid that actually delivers hydrating and calming benefits to the skin. It is mild enough that it can be used daily.” — Zeichner. Customer Review: “Coming from someone that has very sensitive eczema-prone skin, this is a great summer cleanser. It does all it claims to—smooths, brightens, calms redness, [and] deep cleans without stripping. I use it every other night, followed by an oil while my skin is still wet. I love that it’s affordable and effective. One pump goes a long way. Will be adding this to my minimal routine.”
Pros: Glycerin deeply hydrates, allantoin calms and comforts sensitive skin, and the formula is gentle for dry, damaged, or sensitive skin. Cons: May not be strong enough for acne-prone skin. “For dry, sensitive skin types, this cleanser helps to clean the skin while retaining hydration within the skin cells.” — Rouleau. Customer Review: “My face feels nice and soft after using it! A new favorite from Renée! First time ordering this particular cleanser, and I’m not disappointed!”
Pros: Removes waterproof makeup and improves skin’s moisture levels. Cons: Contains mineral oil and may not be suitable for acne-prone skin. “This is the OG of cleansers. It is my go-to recommendation for people with aging or dry skin. It is a mix of oil and water that gently removes dirt and grease as well as makeup, without drying out the skin. I put it in the anti-aging face wash category due to its ability to hydrate and protect the skin barrier.” — Zeichner. Customer Review: “This stuff works great for tough makeup removal and leaves my skin feeling soft.”
Pros: Helps correct the skin’s natural pH balance, aloe vera soothes irritation, and vitamin E helps repair and hydrate. Cons: Non-foaming (if you like a face wash that lathers), contains fragrance, and may not be suitable for sensitive skin. “This face wash creates a clean slate for your skincare routine. It is ultra gentle and hydrating with aloe and vitamin E to soothe the skin, moisturize, and brighten.” — Zeichner. Customer Review: “I have never tried a facial cleanser that actually removed my makeup and didn’t make me feel like I have to double cleanse! This is amazing for makeup or no-makeup days! Doesn’t dry my skin out or irritate my eyes either!”
Pros: Glycolic acid gently exfoliates, vitamin C brightens and improves radiance, and fruit extracts hydrate and protect the skin. Cons: Does contain a light fragrance. “RoC’s Multi Correxion Revive + Glow Gel Cleanser delivers glycolic acid in a gentle gel formula that can be used across all skin types without causing dryness or irritation.” — Zeichner. Customer Review: “I absolutely love this product. It works way better than the No 7 face wash and [is] at a good price. I’m into [week] two with the RoC face wash, and my face feels and looks better. The wrinkles around my eyes are becoming less noticeable. You also don’t have to pump out a lot. Just one pump is all you need [as it lathers] up pretty well.”
Pros: Restorative nutrients help soothe and soften stressed skin, gentle enough for reactive skin, and contains a lipid complex to support a healthy skin barrier. Cons: Expensive. Meet one of our favorite face washes from Tata Harper—a gentle, softness-inducing concoction that’s dreamy for ultra-sensitive and mature skin alike. It contains rejuvenating ingredients to soothe and hydrate skin sans stripping. Customer Review: “This leaves my sensitive and rosacea-prone skin silky soft. It feels luxurious and like it gets the job done. As usual, Tata Harper can do no wrong!”
Pros: Gently exfoliates, clarifies, and re-energizes skin; amino acid surfactants create a film to hold in key ingredients. Cons: May be too drying for some skin types. Have you tried this cleanser from Glossier yet? If not, our editorial team highly recommends you do so. Each glass bottle is teeming with fragrance-free ingredients designed to caress your skin with purifying ingredients that effectively exfoliate the skin for a brighter finish without agitating a healthy skin environment. Customer Review: “I liked this wash so much I purchased a second one. Best I’ve encountered so far with my changing adult skin.”
Pros: Serum-like texture that locks in hydration, olive and chicory leaf extracts soothe irritation, and oat bran extract nurtures the skin barrier. Cons: Pricier than other cleansers. We talk about this silky cleansing serum a lot here on Who What Wear, but it’s worth every second of airtime. It’s filled with high-quality ingredients designed to calm, soothe, and infuse cranky skin with TLC while still effectively cleansing and detoxifying. A little goes a long way, so each bottle will last at least a few months, depending on how often you use it throughout the day. Customer Review: “Such an amazing cleansing serum! This is my favorite cleanser. It does a great job removing impurities without stripping my skin or leaving me feeling dry. My skin is left super soft and hydrated. I like using this after a cleansing balm. So far, I have loved every Shani Darden product I’ve tried!”
Pros: Contains Bader’s patented TFC8 complex, rose flower water soothes skin, and aloe leaf juice hydrates and protects. Cons: Expensive, contains coconut derivatives, and may not be suitable for acne-prone skin. We all know about the out-of-this-world anti-aging benefits of Augustinus Bader’s iconic face creams. Now that same cell-rejuvenating technology has been stirred into the brand’s creamy cleanser launch. In addition to the patented TFC8 action, a lush mix of botanicals—organic rose water, cucumber extract, and aloe leaf juice—tag-team to reduce redness, clean up lingering breakouts, and tighten up enlarged pores. Customer Review: “This cleanser is my favorite. It does exactly what it was made to do: cleanse. No fragrance, not much lathering. [It] just cleans without stripping your face. I love this cleanser and the entire AB line of products.”
Pros: Natural fruit AHAs gently exfoliate, and Japanese luffa fruit conditions skin. Cons: Pricier than other cleansers and may be too drying for some skin types. This daily gel cleanser is anything but basic. It’s oil-free and safe for all skin types and lightly lathers into a frothy foam that banishes any ills that accumulate through the day or night without leaving your complexion with that dreaded dry and tight sensation. Customer Review: “I’ve struggled with really bad breakouts my whole life, and this cleanser cleared my acne almost instantly! It doesn’t break you out, and it’s great for oily skin!”
This article was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
