Washing your face is nothing new. It’s been a part of your daily routine for as long as you can remember. But, what if I told you that there are some bad habits you may have picked up along the way that make the difference between achieving your glowiest, healthiest skin and not so much?
The fact is variables like water temperature and the type of cleanser you choose (or forego) truly make a difference in your face cleansing routine. Good Housekeeping spoke with dermatologists and skincare experts to bring you all of the details on the habits to kick and mistakes that you should avoid at all costs when it comes to washing your face.
1. Over- (or under-) doing it
“Excessive cleansing with harsh products, tools and aggressive scrubbing or rubbing is one of the biggest no-nos,” says New York City dermatologist and author of The Beauty of Dirty Skin Whitney Bowe, M.D. “This can irritate skin and remove its natural protective oils, contributing to issues like dryness, eczema and even acne.”
Then there’s the 12% of women who don’t regularly use any facial cleanser, per a GH survey of more than 5,000 readers. Not washing can lead to clogged pores, discoloration, dullness and breakouts.
A happy medium: cleansing gently with a rinse-off wash in the a.m. (or post-exercise) and in the p.m. to remove the day’s debris. “Massage in a small dollop of cleanser lightly with fingertips in a circular motion, then rinse and pat dry with a soft towel,” says Sabina Wizemann, director of the Beauty, Health and Sustainability Lab.
2. Not removing your makeup first
For the most complete cleanse, make it a double: makeup remover, then face wash. “Cleansers are not necessarily designed to dissolve makeup, especially on eyes, and haven’t done so effectively in our testing,” says Wizemann. “To fully clean skin, we recommend using a separate makeup remover before cleanser.” Try GH Beauty Award winners Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water & Makeup Remover and Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover.
3. Missing spots
People tend to focus on the T-zone when cleansing, neglecting areas like the hairline and around the nose, where grime can accumulate, causing clogged pores and blemishes. “Pull hair away from your face before washing by securing it with a headband, hair tie or bobby pins,” Wizemann says. Work from the inside of the face up, then out and down along the hairline and perimeter to just under the chin to cover the entire area.
4. Picking the wrong product
Don’t grab any old soap. “A sulfate- and soap-free cleanser specifically for the face will be pH-balanced and gentle to maintain the skin’s barrier without stripping,” says Dr. Bowe. The Beauty Lab has tested face washes that work well across all skin types (dry, combination/oily, sensitive), so choose one according to your needs and product texture preference, and you’ll be more likely to stick to using it.
5. Using hot water
A steamy suds might feel amazing, but it can be harmful to skin, according to Dr. Bowe. Hot water is prone to disrupting the skin barrier, which can cause sensitivity. “For the most skin-friendly cleanse, make sure the water temperature is lukewarm and test it with a finger first,” Wizemann says.
6. Forgetting to moisturize
Skipping out on moisturizing or allowing your skin to dry out completely after cleansing may be causing you more harm than good. “You should moisturize right after cleansing so that your skin doesn’t get dry and tight,” says GH Beauty Lab Reviews Analyst Chiara Butler. Keeping your skin properly hydrated can subdue skin dryness and other potential issues like itching or skin flaking.
7. Relying solely on cleansing wipes
For a thorough cleanse, it's best not to skip on using a proper cleanser. Yolanda Lenzy, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist specializing in medical, surgical and cosmetic skin and hair care for adults and children, notes that “some makeup wipes contain preservatives that can lead to allergic contact dermatitis,” noting that if you go that route, water-based products are better.
8. Using harsh tools
According to Dr. Lenzy, clean hands, washed with soap and water, can serve as the best tools for washing your face. "Devices like brushes can be irritating or abrasive for some skin types," she says.
9. Not double cleansing
The key to removing all of the dirt and grime from your face boils down to cleansing twice. Dr. Lenzy says this can be done by washing with a gentle cleanser with two passes or you can wash your face with an "oil-based cleanser on the first wash and then follow with gentle cleanser."
Cameron Jenkins
Staff Writer
Cameron (she/her) is a staff writer for Good Housekeeping, where she covers everything from holidays to food. She is a graduate of Syracuse University, where she received a B.A. in magazine journalism. In her spare-time she can be found scrolling TikTok for the latest cleaning hacks and restaurant openings, binge-watching seasons of Project Runway or online shopping.
April Franzino
Beauty Director
April (she/her) is the beauty director at Good Housekeeping, Prevention and Woman's Day, where she oversees all beauty content. She has over 15 years of experience under her belt, starting her career as an assistant beauty editor at GH in 2007, and working in the beauty departments of SELF and Fitness magazines.
