Cleansing seems a simple step, but this is exactly where people most often go wrong: they take a "deep-cleansing" product, wash until it squeaks — and get dryness and irritation. Good cleansing removes sebum, sunscreen and grime without destroying the barrier. Let us work out how to choose yours.
The main rule: cleansing should cleanse gently, not degrease. Wash no more than twice a day (dry and sensitive skin often needs it only in the evening), with warm water, with the fingers, without scrubs or brushes. Choose the type of product for your skin: a gel for oily, a milk/cream-gel for dry, a very gentle fragrance-free one for sensitive.
01How often and why
Cleansing removes what has built up during the day: sebum, sweat, sunscreen, make-up, grime. Dermatologists advise washing twice a day and after sweating. But this is not dogma: dry and sensitive skin often needs only water in the morning, leaving full cleansing for the evening — so as not to over-dry.
02Technique: gently and without fanaticism
- Warm (not hot) water — hot irritates and dries.
- Apply with the fingers — brushes, sponges and flannels injure the skin.
- Do not rub or scrub — rubbing increases irritation.
- Blot the face with a soft towel, without rubbing.
- If after washing the skin "squeaks" and feels tight — the product is too harsh.
03Types of cleanser
There are many formats, and they are not equivalent. A cleansing oil and balm dissolve sunscreen and make-up — this is the first step of double cleansing. A gel and foam give a more "clean" feeling and suit oily skin. A milk and cream-gel are gentler and retain moisture — for dry and sensitive.
04Common mistakes
- Washing "until it squeaks". The squeak is not cleanliness but a destroyed barrier.
- Using one harsh product for everything. Cleansing is chosen for the skin type.
- Brushes and sponges every day. Micro-injuries and irritation.
- Hot water. Dries and increases redness.
- Skipping the second step when removing sunscreen. A rich sunscreen and make-up are better removed with oil/balm.
05What to try for your skin type
Dry and normal skin
Oily and acne-prone
Sensitive skin
These are affiliate links (YesStyle). Buying through them does not change the price for you, but it supports the project. The selection is based on the type of product and the formula, not on the size of the commission.
06Common questions
Do I need to wash in the morning?
Not necessarily fully. Oily skin benefits from morning cleansing, while dry and sensitive skin often just needs a rinse with water — so as not to over-dry.
Can I cleanse the skin with water alone?
Water copes worse with oil-soluble grime — sebum, sunscreen, make-up. So in the evening it is better to use a cleanser, and leave water for a light morning rinse.
Drawing on dermatological sources:
This material is educational and does not replace a consultation with a dermatologist.