What face wash is best for older women?

Why your usual face wash can become too drying

Older skin can produce less oil and sweat, while hormonal changes around menopause can make skin thinner and drier. A cleanser that suited your face years ago can therefore become a poor match for your current skin. Age is useful context, but dryness, oiliness and sensitivity are more useful shopping criteria. Face wash removes makeup, sunscreen, dirt and excess oil, which is a useful job without adding time travel to the brief.34

Signs of dryness include flaking, roughness, itching and tightness after washing. More severe dryness can cause cracks that bleed. Hot water, some soaps, dry indoor air and certain medicines can contribute, so a new bottle is not always the only change needed. Avoid scrubbing flakes away: dry skin needs moisture restored, not more friction.5

What should you look for on the label?

Look for a gentle, moisturizing formula and the words "fragrance free". "Unscented" is not the same thing: an unscented product can contain chemicals that mask the smell of other ingredients and irritate dry skin. Glycerin and hyaluronic acid are moisturizing ingredients that can help reduce dryness. The useful distinction is not simply liquid versus bar; a gentle moisturizing bar is also an option.1

Expensive and inexpensive cleansers can have similar ingredients, so the receipt is not a skin type. Choose for the formula and how your skin tolerates it, rather than price alone.46

Be skeptical of wrinkle reduction claims on cosmetic products. Cosmetics do not need human testing or FDA approval before entering the US market. An antiaging label is not evidence of wrinkle reduction, even if the bottle has given itself a senior management title. Choose your wash for cleansing and comfort rather than treating the product name as a result.3

How to wash your face without making dryness worse

1. 1Wet your face with warm water, not hot water.
2. 2Put cleanser into your hands, add water and gently massage your face. Do not scrub.
3. 3Rinse thoroughly to remove the cleanser.
4. 4Gently pat your face dry, leaving the skin slightly damp.
5. 5Apply moisturizer while your skin is still damp to help lock in moisture.

Washing on waking and at bedtime is a general starting routine, with cleansing after exercise as needed. For oily skin and clogged pores, twice daily cleansing can reduce oiliness and help prevent clogged pores. For dry skin, reduce washing frequency if repeated washing aggravates dryness. Do not add extra washes to chase a cleaner feeling: excessive washing removes surface oils and increases water loss.246

What should go on after face wash?

Moisturizer is the main treatment for dry skin, not an optional correction for an overly harsh wash. Apply it generously to damp skin and reapply as needed. A cream or ointment is useful when dryness is pronounced; the drier the skin, the thicker the moisturizer should be. Moisturizers help reduce itching, improve the skin's protective barrier and reduce water loss. Choose one you tolerate and can use regularly, taking cost and availability into account.6

For the daytime routine, use sunscreen and protective clothing outdoors. Choose a broad spectrum, water resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher for exposed skin. Sun protection still matters in your 60s and 70s.17

What if you still have oily skin or clogged pores?

Look for a gentle cleanser labelled noncomedogenic or oil free. A salicylic acid cleanser can help unclog pores, and some formulas are gentle enough for daily use. If salicylic acid causes dryness or irritation, try a mild cleanser in the morning and the salicylic acid cleanser before bed instead of using the active cleanser at both washes. Acne often needs more than a cleanser, so persistent breakouts are a reason to discuss treatment rather than keep increasing cleansing.2

What if your skin stings or you use acne treatment?

Skin that stings during or just after cleansing is sensitive. Cleansers themselves can cause irritation, and stinging is particularly associated with alcohols, gels, alpha hydroxy acids and other additives. Do not keep using a wash that causes irritation. Be careful about combining an acne cleanser with acne treatments left on the skin: too much treatment can cause excessive dryness and irritation.4

New dryness can also relate to medicines, including oral retinoids and diuretics, or to a medical condition. If dryness began after a medication change, bring the timing and your skincare products to your clinician's attention. A dry skin assessment can include your medical history, medicines, washing frequency, soap use and environmental factors; the answer is not always a stronger moisturizer.6

What should you expect, and when should you get help?

Gentler cleansing and moisturizing can improve dry skin comfort, but there is no fixed number of days to expect from a face wash. Dryness can improve once contributing factors are controlled, or remain an ongoing tendency that needs regular care. Judge the routine by less tightness, roughness and itching, rather than expecting a cleanser to reverse age related skin changes.16

Contact a healthcare professional if:

• Dryness and itching do not improve with gentler washing and moisturizing.
• Itching keeps you from sleeping.
• You feel itchy without a visible rash.
• Scratching has caused open cuts or sores.