How to Wash Your Face Properly for a Deep Cleanse

Why the need to know how to wash your face properly? Should we know the proper method or is it just another information overload? Not all cleansing is created equal. Overwashing, underwashing, barrier damage, wrong cleanser? these all happen when you don’t know the right way to wash your skin properly. And besides, there are a million different trends, using only micellar water, double cleansing, oil cleansing, skipping morning cleansing. The conflicting advice is endless.

Think of all the sweat, oil, pollution, SPF, makeup, and whatever gunk the day throws at you. If you don’t wash it off properly, your pores will get blocked, leading to breakouts and the last thing you want in your life is a nasty, unwelcome breakout. If this keeps happening, it just messes with your whole complexion and clear skin goals.

While each of these has its place in a proper cleansing routine, you can’t just swipe some micellar water and call it a day when you’ve been layering SPF, foundation, and the entire Sephora aisle on your face.

Let’s get into it as to how to cleanse properly because your skin deserves better than half-hearted splashes and wishful thinking afterwards.

Choosing the right cleanser

First things first, hunting down the right cleanser for your skin type. Because just any cleanser won’t cut it. An oily skin cleanser won’t exactly be a dream for dry skin. Sure, it will cleanse, but it will also strip away what little oil your skin is desperately clinging onto, because that’s what oily skin cleansers do. And vice versa.

The last thing someone with oily skin needs is a cleanser meant for dry skin. Those are usually lightweight, gel cleansers, and sometimes packed with emollients. These cleansers don’t have enough power to tackle the oil overload of oily skin. So before anything else, step one is to pick the right cleanser.

Washing your hands before cleansing

I have potential OCD (or at least the skincare version of it) so washing my hands is non-negotiable. I spend 60% of my day in the hospital, the rest researching skincare science, dropping truth bombs on the internet, or aggressively binge-watching Netflix. That means a lot of device-touching, phones, keyboards, hospital surfaces, you name it.

So before my hands even think about touching my face, they’re getting a proper wash. No exceptions. And honestly it’s a good cleansing rule for everyone. Between scrolling, typing, touching doorknobs, your hands are basically a bacteria theme park. So before you start rubbing cleanser all over your face, it’s good practice that you wash your hands first.

Use lukewarm water

Dermatologists swear by it because using lukewarm water is just right for your skin barrier. Cold water sounds refreshing in summer, but it will not effectively break down oil, dirt, or any residue. Using hot water tends to strip away natural oils, leaving the skin tight and dry. Lukewarm water is that perfect balance you need, it’s gentle on the skin while still helping your cleanser do its job.

Proper washing technique

Take a pea-sized amount of cleanser (a bit more if it’s a mild lather one or if you feel the urge to use a bit more than pea-sized amount) and massage it onto your face using gentle, upward circular motions for 30-60 seconds. This will actually helps lift dirt and oil while giving your circulation a little boost. Be extra gentle around your eyes because that skin is as fragile as my willpower around skincare sales.

Focus on your T-zone (nose, chin, and forehead), where oil and grime love to throw an all-night rave. Don’t forget your jawline and neck. I used to rush through that part, and surprise, surprise, jawline breakouts. Lesson learned.

Now, I personally swear by using just my fingertips, no fancy tools, because they are gentle and free. But if you are feeling it and want to invest in a good cleansing tool, make sure it’s dermatologist-approved. Your skin barrier deserves better than a random vibrating gadget from the depths of the internet.

Rinse your face thoroughly

Rinse your face thoroughly with lukewarm water. Make sure there is no cleanser residue left behind, specially around your hairline, jawline and nose where the product tends to stay behind.

Pat your skin dry

If you are using a washcloth, go for a good exfoliating one if you have oily skin and a softer, gentler option if your skin is on the dry side or sensitive. Do not aggressively rub your face. Just tap your skin dry with it.

Now that last step of cleansing is done, it’s about locking in hydration and make the most of your cleansed skin. If your next is applying a hydrating toner, make sure you apply on damp face because they are absorbed well at this point when your skin is slightly damp. But if your next step is exfoliation, I would suggest you apply exfoliators like salicylic acid or lactic acid on completely dry skin.

Why proper cleansing is important

Cleansing isn’t just about getting rid of dirt and makeup, it’s the foundation of your entire skincare routine. Think of it as prepping a canvas before painting, if your skin isn’t thoroughly cleansed, anything you apply afterward will not work as effectively. Your serums, moisturizers, and treatments need a clean surface to penetrate and do their magic. But if there’s a layer of leftover sunscreen, oil, or last night’s moisturizer sitting on your skin, your fancy skincare products are just going to sit there, unable to absorb properly.

And let’s be real, if you’re investing in good skincare, you want it to work. Otherwise, that’s just money down the drain, or worse, luxury serums getting wasted on clogged pores that won’t even let them in. Imagine spending on high-performance actives like vitamin C or retinol, only for them to fight through layers of grime instead of getting straight to business. For me, cleansing is not just a formality, it’s the key to making sure every product that follows actually does what it promises.