Cleansing 101
Time to read 2 min
The Foundation of Healthy, Glowing Skin
Cleansing isn’t glamorous. It doesn’t come in a shiny dropper bottle or promise overnight transformation. But here’s the truth: without it, everything else in your routine falls flat. If your skin isn’t improving despite investing in serums and moisturisers, chances are the missing link is your cleanse. Spring is the perfect moment to reset your routine and get back to this essential foundation.
Why Cleansing Matters
Think of cleansing as clearing the stage before the performance. All day, your skin collects sunscreen, sweat, pollutants, and natural oils. At night, it also carries the weight of makeup and the debris your skin naturally sheds. If this layer isn’t removed, serums and creams can’t land evenly. Instead, they get soaked up by build-up on the surface, never reaching where they’re needed.
That’s why cleansing is the step that quietly dictates whether your skin thrives or stalls. And yet, it’s often overlooked in favour of more exciting actives.
The Science of Cleansing
A good cleanser doesn’t just remove surface debris — it respects and supports your skin barrier. Here’s what a well-formulated cleanser does:
Dissolves oil and makeup without disrupting your natural lipid balance.
Lifts away dead skin cells and pollutants, reducing oxidative stress.
Prepares the skin’s surface so actives and serums can spread evenly.
Supports hydration by balancing pH and protecting ceramides.
In short: cleansing is both a reset button and a primer. It clears away what doesn’t belong and creates a smooth, receptive canvas for what comes next.
Why Serums Work Better After Cleansing
Your skin absorbs more when it’s not blocked. Just as exfoliation clears away compacted dead cells, cleansing sweeps off the daily film of sweat, oil, and sunscreen. Without this step, your serums act like trying to water a plant through a layer of cling wrap — they sit on top instead of feeding the roots.
When you cleanse properly, your hydrators bind more effectively, brighteners distribute evenly, and barrier-supporting actives reinforce your skin instead of getting lost in the mix.
Cleansing for Different Skin Types
Oily or Breakout-Prone
What you need: Gel or foam cleansers that cut through oil without stripping. Look for salicylic acid or niacinamide.
Try: Dermalogica Clearing Skin Wash or Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse.
Dry or Dehydrated
What you need: Cream or balm cleansers rich in hydrating agents like glycerin or ceramides.
Try: Aspect Gentle Clean or Medik8 Lipid Balance Cleansing Oil.
Sensitive or Reactive
What you need: Fragrance-free, soothing milks or micellar formulas that calm while they cleanse.
Try: Dermalogica UltraCalming Cleanser or Image Skincare BIOME + Cleansing Comfort Balm.
Combination
What you need: A balancing cleanser that removes oil from the T-zone while keeping cheeks hydrated.
Try: Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel or Environ Skin EssentiA Mild Cleansing Lotion.
Best Practice: How to Cleanse
AM cleanse: Think of it as a refresh. Overnight, your skin produces oil and sheds cells. A gentle cleanse clears this away so your SPF and serums apply evenly.
PM cleanse: This is the non-negotiable. Always double cleanse if you wear sunscreen or makeup — first to break down oils and residue, second to clear away sweat and pollutants.
Water temperature: Keep it lukewarm. Too hot can strip your barrier; too cold won’t lift oils effectively.
Time: 30–60 seconds of gentle massage allows the formula to work and supports circulation.
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