Transform Your Skincare Routine with These Expert Cleansing Tips

If your skincare routine feels more like a chore than a ritual, you might be missing out on one of the most essential steps to radiant skin: proper cleansing. We all know we should cleanse our skin, but are we really doing it right? Let’s dive into the depths of cleansing, uncover common mistakes, and reveal how you can transform this simple step into the foundation of your skincare routine. At the end, I’ll also share some of my top-rated cleansers with you… how about that?

The Foundation of a Flawless Skincare Routine

Cleansing is like the trusty sidekick in your favourite superhero movie—it’s the first step, and honestly, probably the most important. Think of it as hitting the reset button on your face after a long day. It wipes away all the grime, oil, and makeup that have been partying on your skin while you were busy living life. But here’s the thing—cleansing is about more than just saying goodbye to the day’s dirt. It’s about setting the stage for your skin to soak up all the good stuff you’re going to put on it next. Your fancy serums and moisturisers? They’re not doing their job unless you’ve given your skin a good cleanse first.

But here’s where we often get it wrong—most of us aren’t cleansing as effectively as we think. Cue dramatic music.

The Cleansing Mistakes Holding You Back

Okay, confession time. We’ve all made some of these cleansing mistakes, so no shame in the game. But if you’ve ever wondered why your skin isn’t as radiant as it could be, these little slip-ups might be the culprits:

Using the Wrong Cleanser for Your Skin Type: It’s tempting to grab the cleanser your bestie swears by, but what works for her oily skin might turn your dry skin into the Sahara Desert and vice Versa. Finding the right cleanser for your unique skin is key. Think of it like finding the perfect pair of jeans—it might take some trial and error, but when you know, you know.
Cleansing Too Often or Not Enough: Over-cleansing can leave your skin feeling as dry as a cracker, while under-cleansing means you’re still carrying around yesterday’s grime. Striking the right balance—usually cleansing twice a day—will keep your skin happy and healthy
Skipping the Nighttime Cleanse: If you’re only washing your face in the morning, you’re missing out on some serious benefits. Nighttime cleansing is essential for wiping away the day’s accumulation of makeup, pollutants, and the general stress of being a human.
Using Hot Water: As much as we love a scalding hot shower, your face? Not so much. Hot water can strip away your skin’s natural oils, leaving it feeling tight and irritated. Stick with lukewarm water—it’s your skin’s BFF.
Not Removing Makeup Properly: If you’re relying on a quick swipe with a makeup wipe, we need to talk. Those wipes are great for emergencies, but your skin deserves more. Think double cleansing—start with a makeup remover or cleansing oil, and follow up with your regular cleanser.

The following three steps are ones that I think are often underestimated in their significance and could probably be the most important. When I began to prioritise these, my skincare routine improved dramatically!

Time spent cleansing: Once I actually started really rubbing those cleansers (particular first oil cleanser) into my skin rather than a quick 10 second rub this made the biggest difference. It sounds explanatory but honestly i recommend spending a good minute to actually cleanse the skin getting into all the crevasses and pores like around your nose makes a huge difference to ensuring you makeup is effectively removed and ready for the rest of your skincare.
How you remove your makeup: I used to rely on cotton pads for makeup removal, but I didn’t realise how much they could pull at my skin. If you’re concerned about wrinkles and fine lines, this is definitely something to think about. What you really want to do is rinse both your first and second cleanser off with just your hands and water. However, there are times when using your hands might not be enough, and it’s perfectly okay to wipe your face; I recommend using a SUPER soft facial towel to ensure the makeup comes off as gently as possible. Personally, I love Superdrug’s own brand face towels that come in a pack of 3. They are super soft and super affordable! You can check them out here: Superdrug Studio Microfibre Cloths
Skipping the morning cleanse: There is absolutely no need to cleanse, let alone double cleanse, the skin in the morning. If you have cleansed the night before and applied your skincare, your skin is still clean as you haven’t applied anything to it overnight. Our skin produces natural oils that support and maintain its barrier health, so there’s no need to wash these away. If you’re struggling to heal your skin barrier, this could be why, as over-cleansing can really dry out the skin and cause irritation—especially for those with dry skin. Try skipping the morning cleanse and see how much more hydrated your skin feels… I know you will thank me later! However, if you decide to wash your face in the morning, consider using just water or a gentle cleanser that doesn’t leave the skin feeling tight or stripped.

SIDE TIP: Occasionally, I enjoy applying some hypochlorous acid spray before starting my morning skincare routine, particularly if there’s been a significant gap between waking up and beginning my regimen. This helps to get rid of any bacteria that might have transferred onto my skin during that time.

Shop Hypochlorous acid:

Both sprays are excellent; Tower 28 is slightly pricier due to its additional ingredients, but the Boots option offers the same benefits at a more budget-friendly price.

shop here

shop here

the truth about oil cleansing

If you’ve got oily skin, you might be thinking that adding oil to your skincare routine is like asking for trouble. But here’s the thing—oil cleansing can actually be a total game-changer for oily skin. It sounds weird, but oil cleansing works by breaking down the excess oil and dirt that clog your pores, leaving your skin clean and balanced, not greasy. It’s kind of like fighting fire with fire, but without all the drama. Instead of stripping your skin of its natural oils and causing it to freak out and produce even more oil, oil cleansing helps keep everything in check. You might even notice your skin looking less shiny as the day goes on—how great would that be?

Now, a lot of people worry that using oils on their face will lead to breakouts, but here’s the truth: it often does the opposite. The trick is to use the right oils for your skin type. If you stick to non-comedogenic oils—those are the ones that won’t clog your pores—oil cleansing can actually help prevent breakouts by keeping your skin clean and hydrated. Plus, it’s pretty soothing for irritated skin. Just remember, if you’re prone to breakouts, skip the coconut oil on your face and save it for your hair instead!

The only time that an oil cleanser will cause breakouts is when it’s not followed up with a water-based cleanser and washed off properly.

Why Cleansing Is More Important Than You Think

Cleansing isn’t just about washing off the dirt; it’s more like giving your skin a fresh start every day. It can help prevent breakouts, keep your skin hydrated, and even slow down those pesky signs of ageing. I mean, who really wants wrinkles, right? When you take the time to cleanse properly, you’re getting rid of dead skin cells that can make your complexion look a bit dull and uneven. Plus, by doing this, you’re giving your serums, toners, and moisturizers a better chance to work their magic. And honestly, there’s something kind of therapeutic about washing away the stress and grime of the day. It leaves you feeling refreshed and ready for a good night’s sleep. It’s a small act of self-care that helps signal to your body that it’s time to wind down and relax.