Exfoliating your skin at any age brings about its unique share of benefits. Young women exfoliate their skin to provide a good scrub down to help prevent blemishes and create a healthy looking glow.
As we get older, thankfully we typically don’t have to deal with acne, but we do have to deal with other issues like dull looking skin and clogged pores. Not all face exfoliators are created equal and those that work well for younger skin will not serve mature women’s skin.
Let’s take a look at the best face exfoliators for mature skin, what they do, and why you should exfoliate regularly.
Here is our list of the 7 best exfoliators for mature skin:
- NeoStrata Foaming Glycolic Wash – formulated with 18% glycolic acid that gently removes impurities, unclogs pores and supports healthy dermal cell renewal.
- Clinique Clarifying Lotion – step 2 in their customized 3-Step Skincare System.
- RoC Daily Resurfacing Disks – self-foaming pads that are infused with skin-conditioning cleansers.
- SkinMedica AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser – combines alpha and beta hydroxy acids that remove dead cells and other impurities from your skin to provide a smoother and brighter complexion.
- Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting Exfoliant – gentle leave-on exfoliant that contains salicylic acid which quickly unclogs pores, smooths wrinkles, brightens and evens out skin tone.
- Glossier Exfoliating Skin Perfector – made with three acid groups: Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA), Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA), and Polyhydroxy Acid (PHA) that help improve the appearance of blemishes, visible redness, and enlarged pores.
- Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel – effective dose of 5 AHA/BHAs plus antioxidants and vitamins help lift away dead skin along with excess oils and impurities.
Continue reading to discover more face exfoliators for women over 50.
What Is a Face Exfoliator?
A face exfoliator is basically a product whose main function is to remove dead skin cells from the surface of the skin.
Why remove dead skin cells? Our skin naturally sheds skin cells daily, but as we get older this process slows down. This can create flaky patches, itchiness, and lackluster skin. Exfoliation comes in handy as we get older to help give our skin a little boost with cellular turnover.
There are two types of exfoliators, physical and chemical. The best exfoliator depends on your skin type and your age.
Physical Exfoliator
Physical exfoliators contain microbeads, granules, or other sort of scrubbing material, like apricot seeds for example. These abrasive agents are meant to slough the skin and remove dead skin cells with.
Useful Info: Certain microbeads have recently been banned by the FDA through the Microbead-Free Waters Act.
Chemical Exfoliator
Chemical exfoliators use acids like alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) or beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs) that react with the skin to remove dead skin cells from the surface and clean pores.
Dermatologists suggest that older women should opt for chemical exfoliators as they are less abrasive on our skin than physical exfoliators.
Why Use an Exfoliator?
As we age, our skin tends to start looking dull. We know that accumulated dead cells on the surface of our skin is a major factor for the lack of brightness. Exfoliating can help restore fresh looking skin.
As your face exfoliator removes the dead layer of skin cells and other types of buildup, it leaves your face refreshed and feeling like new. You will notice that your skin absorbs your moisturizer better after you have exfoliated, therefore using the nutrients better and going deeper into your skin, making your moisturizer more effective.
Read 8 BEST NIGHT CREAMS FOR WOMEN OVER 50.
Also read 10 BEST EYE CREAMS FOR WOMEN OVER 50.
Best Face Exfoliators for Older Women
The type of exfoliator for mature skin that you choose will depend on your skin type. Be extra mindful when choosing your exfoliator, especially if you have dry or sensitive skin. You may notice that some brands use the word clarifying instead of exfoliating.
Always moisturize after using a skin exfoliator to restore much needed moisture to your skin.
NeoStrata Foaming Glycolic Wash
This Foaming Glycolic Wash from NeoStrata cleanses and exfoliates at the same time. It helps restore a clear and radiant complexion. It’s formulated with 18% glycolic acid that gently removes impurities, unclogs pores and supports healthy dermal cell renewal. Grapefruit extracts offer rich antioxidants that promote healthy skin and a refreshed feel.
Clinique Clarifying Lotion
The Clinique Clarifying Lotion is step 2 in their customized 3-Step Skincare System. It is a super gentle clarifying lotion that you can use twice a day. The refreshing formula sweeps away grime and dulling skin flakes to reveal smoother, clearer skin.
RoC Daily Resurfacing Disks
RoC Daily Resurfacing Disks are self-foaming pads that are infused with skin-conditioning cleansers. They are textured on one side to gently exfoliate dirt, oil, and complexion-dulling impurities and smooth on the other to gently cleanse and remove make-up around the delicate eye area.
SkinMedica AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser
SkinMedica AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser combines alpha and beta hydroxy acids that remove dead cells and other impurities from your skin to provide a smoother and brighter complexion. Round soft jojoba spheres provide gentle exfoliating action while lavender extract tones and soothes inflammation. Mildly astringent citrus oils minimize large pores for a radiant and refreshed appearance.
Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting Exfoliant
Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting Exfoliant is a gentle leave-on exfoliant that contains salicylic acid which quickly unclogs pores, smooths wrinkles, brightens and evens out skin tone. It is gentle enough to use every day and is good for all skin types.
Glossier Exfoliating Skin Perfector
Glossier Solution is not a physical scrub. Solution uses a 10% blend of skincare acids to “unglue” dead skin and sweep it away. It is made with three acid groups: Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA), Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA), and Polyhydroxy Acid (PHA) that help improve the appearance of blemishes, visible redness, and enlarged pores.
Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel
Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel is a fast-acting, two-step daily treatment. The effective dose of 5 AHA/BHAs plus antioxidants and vitamins help lift away dead skin along with excess oils and impurities. The treatment improves the appearance of uneven tone and skin texture.
More Exfoliators for Mature Skin
Positively Radiant® Brightening & Exfoliating Scrub
Here are a few more drugstore exfoliators that certainly won’t break the bank and that are worth mentioning.
Positively Radiant® Brightening & Exfoliating Scrub is made by the skincare brand Aveeno, which is known for using natural ingredients in their products.
The exfoliating scrub contains moisture-rich soy extract and naturally derived granules to gently remove dead skin cells, dirt, and oil from the skin’s surface. It also contains jojoba and castor oils, which help to nourish and hydrate the skin, leaving it soft and smooth.
The brightening effect of the scrub comes from the soy extract, which is a natural skin brightener that helps to even out skin tone and reduce the appearance of dark spots and discoloration.
Bright Reveal Brightening Daily Scrub Cleanser
Bright Reveal Brightening Daily Scrub Cleanser is made by the skincare brand L’Oreal Paris, which is known for using advanced skincare technology in their products.
The daily scrub cleanser contains glycolic acid, which is a type of alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that helps to exfoliate the skin by breaking down the bonds between dead skin cells, revealing brighter, smoother skin. It also contains micro-pearls, which help to physically exfoliate the skin, further removing impurities and dead skin cells.
It contains a combination of vitamin C and a potent antioxidant complex, which work together to reduce the appearance of dark spots and uneven skin tone, leaving the skin looking brighter and more radiant.
Read 6 BEST SKIN FIRMING CREAMS.
Tatcha The Rice Polish: Classic
This gentle exfoliating powder is ideal for mature skin, combining Japanese rice bran and silk protein to refine skin texture without irritation. The water-activated formula turns into a creamy lather that removes dead skin cells while retaining essential moisture. It’s perfect for those with dry or sensitive skin, as it brightens and smooths without causing redness.
Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser
This powerhouse cleanser blends lactic acid, salicylic acid, and glycolic acid with biodegradable jojoba beads. It effectively sloughs away dullness and dead skin cells, revealing smoother, more radiant skin. Designed to address the needs of aging skin, it minimizes the appearance of fine lines and uneven texture.
Frequently Asked Questions: Best Face Exfoliators
How often should I exfoliate mature skin?
Exfoliate 1–3 times a week, depending on your skin’s sensitivity. Over-exfoliating can lead to dryness or irritation, so always follow with a hydrating moisturizer.
Should I use a physical or chemical exfoliator?
Dermatologists generally recommend chemical exfoliators for mature skin because they are gentler and less likely to cause micro-tears. However, if you prefer a physical exfoliator, opt for products with fine, non-abrasive particles.
Can exfoliation help with wrinkles and fine lines?
While exfoliation won’t eliminate wrinkles, it can help improve skin texture, tone, and radiance, making fine lines less noticeable. It also enhances the absorption of anti-aging serums and moisturizers.
Is it safe to use exfoliators with sensitive skin?
Yes, but choose gentle exfoliators with soothing ingredients like oatmeal, rice bran, or lower concentrations of AHAs/BHAs. Patch test a new product before applying it to your entire face.
Do I need to apply sunscreen after exfoliating?
Absolutely! Exfoliation can make your skin more sensitive to UV damage. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen daily to protect your skin and maintain its health.
Read Revitalize and Rejuvenate: Aromatherapy Muscle Recovery with Dead Sea Salt Blends for Mature Skin and Active Lifestyles.
Let’s Have a Conversation:
Do you exfoliate regularly? Why do you exfoliate? Did you stop exfoliating when you got older? Which product is your favorite exfoliator? Tell us about your exfoliating process in the comments below.
