Are You Washing Your Face Correctly?
August 11 | 5 minute read
Words by The MECCA Memo
However, there’s one golden rule we should all subscribe to: thou shalt cleanse thy skin – properly!
Whether you’ve been wearing a full face of makeup or just your daily SPF, a good cleanse is a non-negotiable to keep your complexion looking and feeling its best. But with more cleansing options than ever before, how does one choose between balms, gels, foams and mousses? And is there a ‘right’ way to cleanse?
We spoke to MECCA’s Customer Education Manager, Francesca Hyde, to find out how to cleanse like a pro.
Why do we cleanse our skin?
In a sea of sheet masks, essences, serums and treatments, it can be easy to overlook the importance of the humble cleanse in our skincare routines. Cleansing effectively removes any makeup, oil and SPF while clearing pollutants that can irritate or congest the skin. Using a cleanser designed for your skin type can also help to balance your skin, perfectly prepping and priming for all those exciting products you layer on afterwards. If you want to get the most out of your skincare, it all starts with step one: cleansing.
Do we really need to cleanse in the morning?
Just like brushing your teeth, Hyde says we should be cleansing morning and night. “Cleansing in the morning may seem counterintuitive, as our skin should be clean from the night before,” she explains. “However, as we sleep, our skin can accumulate oil, sweat and pollutants from our pillows and the surrounding environment. Devoting a quick minute to cleansing in the morning will refresh the skin, remove any occlusive products from the night before and prep your skin to better accept those high-tech serums you’ve invested in!”
However, the PM cleanse is the one where you can really go to town: “Invest more time in your evening cleanse,” Hyde suggests, recommending a two-step process, also known as double cleansing. “Step one is to effectively remove makeup, dirt and pollution from the day and step two is to help balance your skin, based on your skin type.”
How to get the best cleanse
In the evening, Hyde recommends starting your cleansing ritual with an oil or cream-based cleanser to melt away dirt, pollution, makeup and SPF. “Massage your oil or cream cleanser into a dry face for at least one minute, so your cleanser can attach and ‘pick up’ debris.” The massage isn’t just for fun – it’s got a function, too: “Focus your massage on any areas you tend to get more congested,” Hyde says. “If the formula permits, take it over your eyes to melt away eye makeup in one go.”
If you’re wondering whether a double cleanse is really necessary, the answer is a firm yes! “Two steps may seem like an effort after a long day, but oil-based formulas are much more effective at removing the remains of the day from your face, so you’ll save time (and cotton pads) in the long run.”
Your second cleanser should be selected based on its ability to support and balance your skin type (think: hydrating and soothing for dry skin, or oil-controlling for those more prone to breakouts) and it’s the same one you’ll use for your one-step cleanse in your morning routine (“Leave the indulgent balms for evenings,” Hyde advises.). Massage it into your skin and follow the instructions on the packaging.
If there are some late nights or early mornings where the thought of those extra steps is just too much, keep a micellar water on hand to quickly remove makeup and SPF. Hyde adds: “It’s better than nothing – but best kept for emergencies!”
Avoid this cleansing mistake
“The biggest mistake when it comes to cleansing is using the wrong formula for your skin type,” Hyde explains. “So often we look to serums and treatments to help combat skin concerns, when we need to start at the basics first. If your skin feels dry, tight, dehydrated and sensitised, your cleanser may be too stripping for you. On the flip side, if your skin feels congested and excessively oily, your cleanser may be too heavy and rich. Matching your cleanser to your skin type is key to keeping your skin happy!
Looking for your perfect match? We’re so glad you asked…
Best cleansers for breakout-prone skin
“Your skin is likely oily and oily skin tends to produce excess sebum, so choosing a cleanser is all about finding a gentle formula that balances your oil production,” Hyde says.
Try the MECCA MAX MELT DOWN Makeup Removing Cleansing Balm, a failproof formula that includes key barrier-supporting ingredients, like squalane, ceramide NP and jojoba oil. Another option is the MECCA COSMETICA Nourishing Cleansing Oil – a lightweight, fragrance-free oil cleanser that works wonders for oily or congested skin.
“Then follow up with a clarifying foam or gel-based cleanser that will remove any leftover oil and work to balance your skin,” says Hyde.
Youth To The People’s Superfruit Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser contains salicylic, lactic and glycolic acid – great ingredients for breaking down excess oil in the skin. The main ingredients in Fig.1’s Clarifying Gel Cleanser – tea tree oil, AHAs and BHAs – work together to soften sebum, reduce congestion and offer antibacterial effects. The Nue Co. Barrier Culture pH Balancing Cleanser supports the microbiome; breakout-prone skin can be a sign yours is compromised.
Best cleansers for dehydrated skin
“Dry, dehydrated skin types lack oil, so your cleansing routine will be all about adding it back in,” advises Hyde.
Reach for rich and nourishing balm cleansers to melt away makeup, like Eve Lom’s Cleanser (don’t forget the muslin cloths to remove) or REOME’s Three Suns Balm Cleanser, with 12 bio-fermented actives that leave your skin feeling more hydrated than before you started cleansing. Drunk Elephant’s Mello Marula™ Cream Cleanser soothes and moisturises skin with a nourishing blend of 1 percent colloidal oatmeal and the brand’s signature ingredient, marula oil.
Follow up with milks or lighter balms that continue to replenish your skin’s moisture-locking lipid barrier, like OSEA’s Ocean Cleansing Milk or Glossier’s cult-loved Milky Jelly Cleansing Balm.
Best cleansers for sensitive skin
“Your goal is to cleanse thoroughly without stripping, disrupting or irritating your skin’s natural barrier,” Hyde says.
Look for cream, milk or non-foaming emulsions that are pH balanced, fragrance-free and include hydrating and barrier-supporting ingredients for your step one cleanse. Avoid any strong active ingredients and physical scrubs that may cause micro-tears or flare-ups. Hyde likes: the ELEMIS Pro-Collagen Naked Cleansing Balm – just like the original but without the fragrance – or Kate Somerville’s ultra-gentle Goat Milk Moisturizing Cleanse.
Step two should be all about removing any access impurities while adding in barrier-repairing extras. Avoid anything too foamy or with active ingredients. From sensitive skin-friendly brand Tower 28, the SOS Daily Balancing Gel Cleanser is a low-foam formula that helps soothe inflammation with 100 percent pure aloe vera and oat extract. TULA’s The Cult Classic Purifying Face Cleanser is a refreshing gel that includes pre and probiotics to balance and nourish skin.
Best cleansers for mature skin
“For mature skin, cleansing, overall, is mostly about supporting hydration and adding a boost of antioxidants, peptides or firming ingredients where possible,” explains Hyde.
In step one (your makeup or SPF remover), opt for oil, balm or cream cleansers that dissolve impurities while nourishing the skin. Try Tatcha’s The Camellia Cleansing Oil for a luxurious, spa-like cleanse with Japanese camellia oil (tsubaki) and a trio of Japanese anti-ageing superfoods. Or supercharge your cleanse with a hit of vitamin C along with an ultra-nourishing 8-Oil Complex as found in Allies of Skin’s Vitamin C & Omegas Cleansing Balm.
Step two is your chance to clarify and incorporate firming or skin-replenishing actives. Hyde likes MECCA COSMETICA's Renewing Cleansing Gel, which not only purifies, but brightens and firms with its nourishing botanicals – peony root extract, sea buckthorn oil and Centella asiatica. La Mer’s The Energizing Gel Cleanser adds vibrancy to the skin with the brand’s healing elixir, Miracle Broth™, and tourmaline, a semi-precious gemstone known for its energising properties. The Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta® AHA/BHA Daily Cleansing Gel is a great option if you’re also concerned with texture.
Make cleansing a ritual
Hyde’s top cleansing tip isn’t a product or a technique: it’s all about intention. “Your cleansing routine has the potential to be a powerful moment of indulgence and self-care. Take your time where you can!” she says. “Lock the bathroom door and have a moment to reconnect with yourself after a busy day. Massage your first cleanse into your skin, focusing on areas of tension (slow and steady wins the relaxation race). Apply a steaming cloth over your face, take three deep breaths and repeat once more. Remove your cleanser, finish off with your second cleanse, then return to your real life reborn!”
And if you want to turn your cleansing ritual up a notch, why not add a sonic cleansing device to your routine? We can’t go past the FOREO Luna 3 for a deep cleanse.
