While cleansing your face might seem like one of the most basic elements of any skincare routine, getting it right (or wrong) can actually make or break the health of your skin. How you wash your face lays the foundation for your entire skincare regimen. Well-cleansed skin is more able to drink in vital nutrients, therefore boosting the efficacy of every other product you apply to your face. If you truly want to put your best face forward, cleansing the right way with the best cleanser for your skin type will deliver optimal results.
How To Wash Your Face in 7 Simple Steps
Follow these simple steps to cleansing your face to keep skin clear of oil and debris, reduce breakouts, and ensure your skin is well-prepped for the rest of your routine. Your skin will be ready to drink up nourishing hydration in no time!
1. Choose The Best Facial Cleanser For Your Skin
While “one size fits all” might work for that comfy t-shirt you love to sleep in, the same is not true for your cleanser. It’s essential to remove the build-up from the day with a face wash that is best for your skin type and unique concerns.
We understand that choosing the right skincare products to add to your cleansing routine can feel complicated, and we’re here to simplify that for you. Generally, milk, gel, and cream cleansers are better formulated for dry or sensitive skin types. Foaming cleansers that contain an exfoliating acid are usually best for combination or oily skin types. For more mature skin, we recommend a gentle cleanser containing collagen-building peptides to build up strength in the skin.
Check out our in-depth guide for more information on finding your skin type.
If you're looking for specific guidance regarding what type of cleanser to choose, try our personalized skincare checkup or visit our blog for a deep dive into the best cleansers for your skin type.
2. Use The Dry Cleanse Method
With ANY cleanser, whether oil, cream, foaming, etc., you should always apply to DRY SKIN first. Why is that? Well, the agents used to cleanse the skin (surfactants, oils, esters, etc.) are designed to adhere to the molecules being removed (oils, dirt, debris) and reduce the surface tension of the molecule. This allows for easy removal when washing your face. If you apply water to your face first, you will not give the cleansing agents the full ability to adhere. This doesn’t mean that your cleanser isn't working, but if you use the dry cleanse method, you will maximize the effectiveness.
3. Massage With Damp Fingers
After applying cleanser to dry skin, dampen your fingers with warm water and massage the entire face using a circular motion for two full minutes. This will emulsify the cleanser and loosen up impurities and dead skin cells on your skin. Gently massaging the skin with your fingertips encourages circulation and collagen production.
4. Rinse With Lukewarm Water
It’s best to rinse your face thoroughly with lukewarm water to maintain the integrity of your skin. While it might feel good to use hot water on your face, doing so will disrupt the balance of natural oils that serve as a protective barrier against pollutants and cellular damage. Hot water can leave delicate skin feeling both over-dry and overly oily as sebum production is thrown out of whack, and can also cause damage to the skin barrier.
5. Pat Skin Dry With A Clean Towel
Now that you have fresh, clean skin, the goal is to keep it that way. Reusing a dirty washcloth or drying your face with your bath towel can reintroduce bacteria and molds to the skin. If you have acne-prone or sensitive skin, it’s also important to make sure that any fabrics that come into contact with your skin are free of residues from fabric softeners and artificial fragrances. Be careful not to tug or pull on your skin, which can break down skin structure and lead to wrinkles, sagging, and skin irritation.
Be sure to check out our oh-so-soft AOS Luxe Cloths or single-use AOS Luxe Eco Towels.
6. Double Cleanse
We recommend double-cleansing in the evenings for all skin types, except those with particularly sensitized skin. The first cleanse removes makeup and surface dirt while the second cleanse removes cellular debris that can clog pores, dull your complexion, and prevent the maximum absorption of your serums, correctives, and moisturizers.
AOS favorite combo for double-cleansing
ORGAID Cleansing Oil Ultra Deep Cleanse + ORGAID Gentle Cleanser
7. Nourish and Protect
Your skin should now feel clean and just a little tight, signaling that it’s ready to soak up the nutrients from the rest of your products like a sponge! Toners, serums, and moisturizers should all be applied immediately (and in this order) following your cleansing routine to properly nourish and hydrate your skin. And don't forget the SPF! Sunscreen is essential for protecting your skin and preventing long-term damage.
The Importance of Properly Cleansing Your Face
How Often Should You Wash Your Face?
A few of the most common skincare mistakes that people make are under-cleansing, over-cleansing, and also over-moisturizing. The recommended frequency for cleansing is twice a day, both morning and night. If you are very active and work up a sweat during the day, it’s a good idea to cleanse your face an additional time to wipe away pore-clogging sweat, excess oil, and dirt that can accumulate and harden on your skin following a workout.
Cleansing your face more often than twice a day will only work against you, as doing so can compromise your skin’s protective barrier. Overwashing your skin can create irritation and lead to an overproduction of sebum, causing oily skin that is difficult to bring into balance.
Neglecting regular facial cleansing does not prevent your skin from drying out, despite what some may believe. Washing your face actually increases the water content in your skin! When you skip washing your face in the morning, bacteria from your pillowcase remains on your skin throughout the day, increasing your odds of an acne flare-up. Under-cleansing your skin in the evening or falling asleep wearing makeup is not going to help matters, either. The goal of the entire body is to rejuvenate itself as we sleep, and the skin is no exception. If you like waking up to a face that is clear, renewed, and revitalized, going to bed with a clean face at night is your best ally.
What About Cleansing Devices?
There has been a lot of hype surrounding various cleansing tools recently, some of which come with a high price tag. Rotating brushes, in particular, can be harmful to the skin. They create microscopic tears that damage the skin. At Art of Skin Care, we prefer a more gentle approach with highly effective ultrasonic cleansing devices. Devices such as the MBK Wave deliver ultrasonic vibration waves to lift impurities from the skin and pores. They also make any product you put on your face more effective. If you're looking for that extra boost when it comes to cleansing and healing your skin, this is the best way to go.
Cleansing Guides
Jumpstart your cleaning technique with video guides by Jeana!
Detoxifying Face Massage
I developed this detoxifying face massage to increase circulation and boost lymphatic drainage. It's a powerful routine that will elevate your skincare ritual to the next level.
Dry Cleanse Your Face
Using the dry cleanse method is another way to boost the efficacy of your cleansing routine. It's a little counter-intuitive at first; a lot of folks are used to getting their face wet before cleansing or maybe even cleansing in the shower! Watch the video below to learn this simple, yet effective technique!
