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Finding a Quality Facial Cleanser for Mature Skin

We don't usually consider cleansers as products that could harm the skin. After all, we rinse them off after 60 seconds. What could go wrong in that short amount of time?

While it's true that cleansers don't sit on your skin for long (like moisturizers), they can still cause damage, dryness and other issues. It doesn't take long for your skin to soak in the ingredients of a product and to be stripped of its natural oils.

This is why finding a quality cleanser is essential for your skincare regimen. Especially as you age...you'll likely notice that what worked in your 20s probably doesn't do the job as well in your 50s and beyond. After years of using harmful products, now you may be noticing the effects.

In addition, your cleanser is what prepares the skin to receive other products. It can make a big difference in how effective the rest of your skincare regimen is.

Unfortunately, many popular cleansers fail to clean thoroughly and can also damage your skin, encouraging dullness, dryness, and less elasticity.

Read on to discover how to find a quality cleanser for mature skin.

Understanding pH Levels

pH means potential hydrogen - the measure of hydrogen ions in a concentration. It's the measurement of the ratio of acid to alkaline ions and ranges from 0 (most acidic) to 14 (most alkaline).

The number "7" is the pH midpoint.

pH in skincare

As with most things, your skin has a preferred pH level where it's at peak health. Your skin's outer layer works best when it's slightly acidic, at a 5.5 pH level.

When this outer layer gets too alkaline (high pH), it dries out and becomes sensitive, which can lead to increased wrinkles, fine lines, dullness, and other skin problems.

Also, skin that is too acidic isn't healthy. It experiences increased breakouts and may feel irritated and sore.

Recognizing your skin's pH levels

Balancing your skin's pH is a crucial part of taking care of mature skin and keeping your skin vibrant and glowing.

Unfortunately, you might be upsetting the pH balance when you clean your face, encouraging dryness, irritation, and other problems.

How can you tell if your skin's balance is off? Watch out for these signs:

TOO ACIDIC

You rarely need or use a moisturizer
Your skin looks greasy
Your skin is sensitive to products
Your skin feels oily after cleansing
Your skin often seems red and feels irritated

TOO ALKALINE

You need to use moisturizer more than once a day
Your skin rarely appears dewy
You sometimes get dry and rough patches
Your skin feels tight and dry after washing
Your skin may feel irritated after applying products

Knowing which side your skin is on can help you discover where you're going wrong in your skincare.

Facial cleansers and pH

Why does your cleanser matter to your skin's pH? Because the ingredients that clean skin (surfactants) can easily disrupt your pH. Using a soap that is too alkaline can break up the acid in your skin, inducing dryness.

Most soaps are too drying, with pH levels ranging from 9-12. When you disrupt your skin's pH, it can take hours to restore itself, leaving your skin exposed during that time.

These soaps also strip your skin of its natural oils, causing irritation, dryness, dullness, and other problems.

However, if you start using the right cleanser now, you will be on your way to radiant, healthy skin.

To tell if a product will clean your skin without damaging it, read the ingredient list...

Chemical ingredients to avoid in cleansers

The biggest culprits are sodium laureth sulfate and sodium lauryl ether sulfate. These are too harsh and drying to the skin due to their high pH level of 10.

Ingredients like alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and amino fruit acids exfoliate and deeply clean the skin, but they can be overly acidic. They can disrupt the lipid barrier, especially when used too frequently, and weaken the skin's natural defenses against environmental pollution.

Also watch out for triclosan, an antibacterial and antifungal agent. Studies link triclosan to numerous adverse health and environmental effects like endocrine disruption, bacterial and compounded antibiotic resistance, skin irritation, contamination of water, and its negative impact on fragile aquatic ecosystems.

Pay attention to your skin

Reading the ingredient list on your products will help you choose more nourishing and tender cleansers. Remember though, the best gauge for how your products are working is the condition of your skin.

If skin is red, oily, sensitive, or breaking out, your cleanser may be too acidic, while if it feels irritated, dull, and dry, your cleanser may be too alkaline.

When switching products, give your skin time to adjust. After years of using harmful products, it may take weeks of using a properly balanced cleanser to adjust to its healthy state.

Also, many people make the mistake of switching to an extremely alkaline or acidic cleanser based on whether they have oily or dry skin. The better approach is to find a well-balanced cleanser first and see if that helps get your skin to the right pH levels. Also remember that your other skincare products will have an impact as well.

Sole Toscana's facial cleanser

The goal is to achieve a delicate balance between you, your skin, and your products. First, find a cleanser without the harmful ingredients mentioned. Second, use it consistently for a few weeks. And third, pay attention to your skin.

We highly recommend Sole Toscana's ROSEWATER WELLSPRING CLEANSER. The effective plant ingredients used in this facial cleanser are natural & organic, and the formula is designed to cleanse your skin minus the drying. This is usually what mature skin needs.

This cleanser is also a 2-in-1 cleanser + toner. Consumers say they are able to get rid of a toner in their skincare routine because of the rosewater and rosehip ingredients that tone and nourish the skin while also cleansing.

Finally, the Rosewater Wellspring Cleanser includes protective antioxidants and restorative moisturizers.

Try it out today and get clean, refreshed, and hydrated skin that's properly prepared for the rest of your skincare regimen.