Skincare

My body skincare routine has become nearly as extensive as my face skincare routine and I especially like to focus on it leading up to the warmer months. I am often wearing clothing that shows off more skin so I like to focus on products that help with texture and tone of the skin. My skin’s firmness has definitely decreased as I have gotten older which is to be expected but I have found products to use to help combat this. I’ve always had cellulite and always will but there are certain products that can help temporarily reduce its appearance. I am a huge beauty lover so trying out different products to help improve my skin’s feel, texture and overall appearance is enjoyable. I’ve never done anything permanent or surgical so all of my recommendations are things you can purchase and use at home. Products that can help with certain concerns but most of it is temporary and won’t deliver forever results. I am fine with that and my skincare routines and treatments are one of my favorite ways to decompress and do self-care so it’s enough for me. It’s not necessarily a full body contouring routine but rather products that help to improve the overall appearance of my skin.

My Current Body Contouring Products

What is a Body Contour?

A lot of treatments and products fall under the idea of helping contour the body. Some of those treatments can include surgical procedures or things that you can get done in a professional setting that help to sculpt or reshape areas of the body. Additionally there are a ton of over the counter products that you can purchase to help with the tone and texture of the skin. There are devices that you can use to help sculpt certain parts of the body, minimize the appearance of cellulite, firm certain areas, etc. Most of the products that I use provide a less intense approach to body contouring often just focusing on improving appearance, stimulating circulation and possibly adding a bit of temporary firmness to an area. Here are the products that I use to address these concerns:

One Skin OS-01 Body Topical Supplement (discount code: MAREE15)

This is a true body treatment that is designed to help reduce and reverse the signs of aging on the skin. It improves skin hydration and skin barrier function as well as texture and the overall appearance of the skin. There are ingredients in the formula that are designed to help reduce collagen loss, provide anti-inflammatory properties, fade dark spots, repair dry skin and support the skin barrier. While you can use this alone, I like to use it as a first step body product and layer a body cream, oil or balm over top. It feels weightless and layers really nicely so I never have to worry about products pilling.

HigherDose Infrared Sauna Blanket

A sauna blanket is a sleeping bag style blanket that uses infrared technology and infrared heat to mimic the effects you get when sitting in a sauna. They can be used at home to help boost circulation, provide deep relaxation, help muscle recovery, burn calories and detoxify. The HigherDose Infrared Sauna blanket offers far infrared heat which increases your heart rate and provides a deep detoxifying sweat. In addition it can help reduce inflammation and provide inside-out healing for the body.

There are multiple layers in the blanket that provide various benefits to the body. The charcoal layer helps to flush out impurities and toxins, the clay layer emits negative ions and balances the heat and magnetic layer improves blood flow and circulation. A layer of amethyst and tourmaline deepens the benefits of infrared and also emits negative ions which fights free radicals. In addition to all of this, the HigherDose Sauna Blanket is grounded in extremely low frequency currents which makes it safe to use at home.

Osea Anti-Aging Body Balm (discount code: 10MAREE)

The Osea Anti-Aging Body Balm is a body moisturizer designed to firm, smooth and deeply hydrate the skin. It’s a creamy serum that can be used daily to help treat various signs of aging on the body. I love that it is both a beauty product that smells amazing and makes my skin feel SO soft but it also has a handful of skincare ingredients that target more specific concerns. It moisturizes like a body lotion but has the benefits of a serum.

Obviously this body balm is going to deliver intense nourishment to the skin, but there are additional ingredients that target other concerns. It helps to smooth and firm the skin and really makes crepey skin look supple and less noticeable. Also, the glow and radiance that it gives the skin is absolutely amazing. I even love to apply this to my bare legs and arms right before I leave because it is more beneficial to the skin than a regular body glow product but gives me the same effect without any shimmer.

Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream

I’ve repurchased this cream numerous times over the years because the scent is absolutely divine and it really does help to provide a temporary firming effect to the skin. I typically will use regularly during the summer when I plan to be in a swimsuit more often and will use it daily on my hips and thighs where it does help to provide a subtle smoothing effect and firming effect. The cream is very rich but surprisingly absorbs almost instantly without leaving any sticky or tacky feeling to the skin.

Dry Brush

While not a completely new idea, dry brushing has gainly popularity over the past few years as a way to exfoliate your body. As the name suggests, you use a body brush on dry skin and go section by section using soft strokes to “brush the skin”. One benefit of dry brushing that many people find is it stimulates circulation and can help with lymphatic drainage. If you want to try this, I would recommend doing it once a week to start. Some people choose to do it more but it’s best to start slow and see how your skin and body responds. I wouldn’t recommend doing this on the same day you want to use a body scrub because that would be too much physical exfoliation for the skin. If you decide to dry brush and use a body scrub in the same week, try to space them out a few days apart to give your skin a break.

I’ve always been a skincare lover and enjoy testing new products in my routine regularly. But over the past few years, I’ve noticed a major shift in how my skin looks and feels even when using my favorite products. As my skin matures, I’ve had to really change up my skincare routine and reevaluate all the products I use. I used to have an oily/combination skin type but it has slowly moved to a more dry and dull skin type as the years go by. I realize that mature skin does in fact have different needs and so I have been experimenting with products to find formulas that really work well for this new phase of my life.

It’s important as we age to find products that nourish and protect the skin. Even with our cleansers which may seem to be such a temporary part of our skincare routine, it’s essential to find formulas that provide extra support and added benefits for the skin rather than just providing a cleanse. And the great news is that there are so many amazing brands and formulations that offer this! In today’s post, I am going to share a round-up of the best facial cleansers that would be perfect for mature skin.

12 Best Facial Cleansers For Mature Skin

Cleansing may seem like an inconsequential step in one’s skincare routine but it can truly make a huge difference in how your skin looks and feels if done correctly. It’s important to find face cleansers that target your concerns and skin type so that you can ensure your skin is well prepped to benefit from the rest of your skincare routine.

Why Is It Important to Cleanse Your Face For Mature Skin?

Boost product absorption

This may be a benefit that you may not think of but cleansing the skin properly allows the rest of your skincare routine to absorb effectively thus getting better results from your products. Your serums, milky essences (my favorite is the Rhode Glazing Milk – full breakdown in my Rhode skin review) and even moisturizers will all work better on cleansed skin.

Remove dirt and environmental damage

While you may only think you are removing makeup each time you cleanse your skin, you are also removing any pollutants on the face. Even if you only swipe a micellar water over your face quickly to remove any dirt and debris, it is better than nothing!

Keep the skin balanced

It’s important to cleanse the skin to keep it balanced. Depending on your skin type, this can involve removing excess oil or helping nourish the skin.

Reduce aging

Even though a cleanser is rinsed off after using, ensuring your skin is clean and balanced contributes to the overall health of the skin. Often the focus is on serums and active ingredients to help address anti-aging concerns such as fine lines and wrinkles, but cleansing the skin properly is still one of the best ways to keep the skin looking fresh and glowing.

Prevent breakouts

While I don’t break out as much as I did when I was younger, I still experience breakouts from time to time. Mature skin can still break out so using a cleanser daily is key to helping prevent clogged pores.

Improve skin texture

You don’t have to use an exfoliating cleanser specifically to improve skin texture. Sometimes just massaging a cleanser into the skin can be a gentle enough exfoliation to remove dead skin cells which can help to reduce textured skin over time. Also removing your cleanser with a damp wash cloth is another way to help improve skin texture each time you cleanse.

What Is the Best Cleanser for Mature Skin?

Best Facial Cleanser for Dry Mature Skin

Elemis Pro Collagen Cleansing Balm

I’ve been using the Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm for nearly 10 years and loved it from my very first use. It’s one of the best cleansers to remove makeup (even waterproof makeup) and leaves my skin feeling nourished, moisturized and soft. None of that “squeaky clean” feeling that often cleansers will leave me with – which often means it has stripped my skin of all the necessary moisture and oils leaving it dry and dehydrated. A really good cleansing balm should give a thorough deep clean without stripping the skin.

What makes the Elemis cleansing balm so effective is its various essential oil and plant oil ingredients that clean the skin while still leaving it balanced and nourished. It is also mineral-oil free and suitable for ALL skin types. There is a scent to it and if that is something that could bother you or your skin, there is a fragrance free version that is a great option.

Tatcha Rice Polish Gentle

This may not be a traditional exfoliating cleanser, but it is one of my all time favorite formulas. The Tatcha Rice Polish Gentle is a  gentle rice enzyme powder suitable for those with dry skin. My skin is only slightly dry, but I like using this one because it feels the best on my skin. It contains licorice root extract to keep the skin calm and prevent tightness or flakiness. It’s not a cleanser suited for removing makeup, but rather a second cleanse or exfoliating step. After you have removed your makeup or done your first cleanse, you would then use the Tatcha rice enzyme powder. The powder is water activated so you will need to mix a bit of water with the powder in your hands and massage onto the face.

This new formulation has a more finely ground form of rice bran in it along with papaya enzymes and Japanese superfoods. The papaya enzymes help to promote natural skin turnover and the Japanese superfoods – green tea, rice and algae work to restore radiance. Additionally the powders have a pH neutral base which means they won’t strip the skin of any moisture or break the skin’s moisture barrier which could leave it feeling dry or uncomfortable.

OneSkin Prep Facial Cleanser (discount code: MAREE15)

I love all of the products from OneSkin and this cleanser is another hit from them! It is a gel texture but feels really unique and silky. In addition to giving my skin a great cleanse, it has gentle enzymes that help remove dead skin cells and impurities. Especially with mature skin, exfoliation is so important to help the skin look and feel its best. Additionally, this formula contains arnica extract which is an anti-inflammatory ingredient that helps stimulate microcirculation. Prickly pear extract provides that gentle exfoliation while Japanese honeysuckle extract provides an antibacterial and detoxifying benefit. This cleanser offers so many great benefits for those with mature skin!

Skinfix Ceramide + Ecotin Gentle Gel Cleanser

This is a gorgeous pH-balanced gentle gel cleanser that gives a really nice deep clean while still maintaining the skin’s barrier and protecting its natural lipids. It’s a gel to foam cleanser that feels super creamy and refreshing while not stripping the skin. It says it can be used for normal, dry, oily or combination skin types but I feel like its a great nourishing option for those with dry skin who still love a gel foaming cleanser.

Experiment Plasma Wash

As someone who LOVES a unique texture especially when it comes to cleansers, the Experiment Plasma Face Wash is favorite of mine. It’s technically a gel cream but has a jelly-like feel to it. It is chock full of super nourishing ingredients to really support those with mature dry skin types. This formula uses glycerin depositing compounds that delivers moisture that remains on the skin even after you rinse. It doesn’t leave a film but it makes the skin feel intensely nourished and supple much like a serum or moisturizer would do. It’s quite a unique cleanser and one that is fantastic for those with dry mature skin.

Best Cleanser for Mature Sensitive Skin

Tatcha Indigo Cleansing Balm

It says you can use it to remove makeup and while it is effective at doing so, I personally have been using as my second cleanse to really allow the nourishing ingredients to go right on my bare skin. It helps to restore moisture to the skin and replenishes the skin barrier. In fact, it is one of the smoothest and most luxurious cleansing balms I have ever tried. And my skin was left feeling like I had done an entire skincare routine on it. My face felt so soft, so smooth, moisturized and very supple. Though it is designed for those with dry, mature or sensitive skin, I really think other skin types could benefit from using it. It delivers such nourishing results to the skin and maintaining the skin barrier is very important to keeping the skin healthy and balanced.

La Roche-Posay Hydrating Gentle Cleanser

This cleanser could fall both in the dry skin and sensitive skin category because of how gentle and nourishing it is. It’s a cream texture that feels moisturizing and soothing yet still gives the skin a really deep clean. Some of the key ingredients are the La Roche-Posay thermal spring water which is rich in antioxidant properties. Additionally there is ceramide-3 which is a natural component of the skin barrier and glycerin which moisturizes and hydrates the skin. As someone who really focuses on protecting and strengthening my skin barrier, this cleanser is a must have!

Best Facial Cleanser for Mature Oily/Combination Skin

Colleen Rothschild Balancing Gel Cleanser

This is a staple cleanser for my skincare routine and one that I have repurchased numerous times.  It’s refreshing in scent and texture and really provides a great second cleanse without drying the skin or making it feel tight. It does foam up after adding water but thankfully it leaves my skin actually felt balanced and well hydrated. Since my skin is more dry, all of the cleansers in this category will be great for oily/combination skin but also work well on dry skin since I use and love them all.

Farmacy Green Clean Cleansing Balm

The texture of this balm is much more stiff and not as oily as other cleansing balms such as the Elemis Pro-Collagen. For many that is a major selling point because they may not like the oiliness of the Elemis and this is a great alternative. It is just as effective as the Elemis cleansing balm but isn’t as intensely nourishing. Often those with oily or combination skin types need a cleansing balm to effectively remove makeup, but may not prefer an oily texture so this is a great option.

Versed Day Dissolve Cleansing Balm

This cleansing balm has an almost identical texture to the Farmacy but is a touch more creamy. Not as oily as the Elemis so my skin doesn’t feel as moisturized afterwards, but still does an amazing job at removing every last stitch of makeup. And it’s a great price point!

Dieux Baptism Gentle Foaming Facial Gel Cleanser

I’m hesitant to put this cleanser under the oily/combination category only because as someone who has dry skin, this gel cleanser is an absolute moisturizing dream! But it also works really nicely for those with oily/combination skin because it really helps to purify the skin and give it a wonderful cleanse. One of the main ingredients is glycerin which is a powerhouse hydrator, while the gentle cleansing complex in the formula helps to remove impurities without stripping the skin.

Tula Cult Classic Purifying Face Cleanser

Another beautiful gel cleanser that would be great for those with oily/combination skin types but still works well for those with dry mature skin too. Especially if you struggle with enlarged pores or texture, this is a great cleanser for targeting those concerns. The formula contains probiotic extracts which maintain balance, chicory root to nourish and turmeric/white tea/blueberry to improve texture. This is a top seller for Tula and for good reason. It can be used to remove makeup but I prefer to use as my second or morning cleanse.