HOW TO WASH YOUR FACE PROPERLY?

Here’s Everything You Need to Know

Face the facts: washing your face sounds like the easiest step in skincare. Water, cleanser, rinse, and done. But if your skin still feels oily, dry, tight, irritated, or keeps breaking out despite cleansing every day, the way you wash your face could be part of the problem.

Cleansing is the foundation of a skincare routine. When done properly, it removes dirt, excess oil, sweat, sunscreen, makeup, and other buildup while helping your skin stay comfortable and ready for the rest of your routine.

So, are you actually washing your face the right way?

Why Washing Your Face Matters More Than You Think

Throughout the day, your skin comes into contact with oil, sweat, pollution, dust, makeup, sunscreen, and environmental debris. Leaving that buildup on your skin can clog pores and may aggravate breakouts in acne-prone skin.

But there’s another side to the story.

Over-cleansing can be a problem too.

Using harsh cleansers, washing too frequently, or scrubbing aggressively can strip away too much of the skin's natural oils. That may leave your skin feeling dry, tight, sensitive, or uncomfortable.

The goal isn't to make your face feel squeaky clean. The goal is to cleanse effectively without unnecessarily disrupting your skin barrier.

The Right Way to Wash Your Face

Step 1: Start With Clean Hands

Before touching your face, wash your hands.

Think about everything your hands touch during the day: your phone, keyboard, door handles, bags, and countless other surfaces. Starting with clean hands helps avoid transferring unnecessary dirt and grime onto your face.

Simple step. Easy to forget.

Step 2: Use Lukewarm Water

That super-hot shower might feel relaxing, but your face doesn't need steaming-hot water to become clean.

Very hot water can contribute to dryness and irritation, especially if your skin is already sensitive or dry.

Instead, use lukewarm water. It is comfortable and works perfectly well alongside a suitable cleanser.

And no, you don't need hot water to "open" your pores. Pores don't open and close like doors.

Step 3: Choose a Cleanser for Your Skin

One cleanser won't necessarily suit everyone.

If your skin is oily or acne-prone, look for a cleanser that effectively removes excess oil without leaving your skin excessively dry.

If you have dry skin, consider a gentle, hydrating cleanser that doesn't leave your face feeling tight after washing.

For sensitive skin, simpler and gentler formulas are often preferable, particularly if fragrances or strong actives tend to irritate you.

For combination skin, aim for balanced cleansing the oilier areas without making the drier areas uncomfortable.

The post-wash test:

After cleansing, ask yourself:

Does my face feel clean and comfortable or tight and desperate for moisturiser?

Persistent tightness can be a sign that your cleansing routine is too harsh for your skin.

Step 4: Be Gentle With Your Skin

Your face isn't a kitchen counter. It doesn't need aggressive scrubbing.

Apply your cleanser with your fingertips and gently massage it across your skin, paying attention to areas where oil and buildup tend to collect, such as:

• Around the nose
• Hairline
• Chin
• Jawline

Avoid aggressively rubbing, scratching, or using excessive pressure.

More friction doesn't automatically mean cleaner skin.

Step 5: Rinse Thoroughly

Take a few extra seconds to make sure you've rinsed away the cleanser properly, especially around the hairline, nose, and jawline.

Once you're done, gently pat your skin dry with a clean, soft towel rather than rubbing it aggressively.

How Often Should You Wash Your Face?

For many people, cleansing once or twice daily is enough, depending on skin type, lifestyle, and the products being used.

A morning cleanse can remove overnight sweat and oil, while your evening cleanse is particularly important because it removes the day's buildup, sunscreen, makeup, and excess sebum.

You may also want to cleanse after heavy sweating, such as after a workout.

But washing your face repeatedly throughout the day because it feels oily can backfire by increasing dryness or irritation.

What About Makeup and Sunscreen?

If you wear heavy makeup, water-resistant sunscreen, or multiple layers of products, your usual cleanser may not always remove everything effectively.

This is where double cleansing can be useful.

The first cleanse removes makeup, sunscreen, and surface buildup. The second cleanse cleans the skin itself.

However, double cleansing isn't a compulsory skincare rule. If one gentle cleanse adequately removes your products and leaves your skin comfortable, there is no need to complicate your routine.

7 Face-Washing Mistakes You Might Be Making

Sometimes, better skincare isn't about adding another product. It's about fixing the little things you're already doing.

Common cleansing mistakes include:

1. Washing with very hot water
2. Scrubbing your skin aggressively
3. Using too much cleanser
4. Choosing a cleanser that is too harsh for your skin
5. Washing your face too frequently
6. Sleeping without properly removing makeup and sunscreen
7. Using an unclean face towel repeatedly

If your routine contains several of these habits, correcting them may make your cleansing routine much gentler on your skin.

Should Your Skin Feel Squeaky Clean?

Here's one skincare belief worth leaving behind:

Squeaky clean doesn't necessarily mean properly clean.

That extremely tight feeling after washing isn't proof that your cleanser is "working harder." It can mean you've removed more oil than your skin comfortably tolerates.

A good cleanse should leave your skin feeling fresh and comfortable, not stripped.

What Should You Do After Washing Your Face?

Cleansing is only the beginning.

Once your face is clean, follow with products appropriate for your skin and routine. A simple routine might look like:

Cleanser → Serum/Treatment → Moisturiser → Sunscreen (AM)

At night:

Cleanser → Serum/Treatment → Moisturiser

You don't necessarily need ten products. A consistent routine with products that suit your skin is often more useful than an unnecessarily complicated one.

Your Skin Doesn't Need a Hard Reset Every Morning

Skincare can sometimes make us believe that every pore, bump, or drop of oil needs to be fought.

It doesn't.

Your skin produces natural oils for a reason, and cleansing should help remove unwanted buildup without turning your daily routine into a battle with your skin.

At Kishmi, we believe skincare should feel more like having a best friend supportive, uncomplicated, and there when your skin needs it.

So the next time you wash your face, don't ask:

"How clean can I make my skin?"

Ask:

"Am I cleaning my skin without being unnecessarily harsh on it?"

Because sometimes, better skincare begins with something as simple as washing your face the right way.

And there’s more coming! Our website is launching soon, along with the Kishmi Face Wash, made to give your skin a fresh, gentle start to its everyday routine. Stay tuned, bestie. Your skin’s new favourite is almost here.

kishmi.com