Cleansing your skin is one of the most underrated skincare steps! The truth is, a good cleanser is key to ensuring the rest of your skin routine is able to effectively work. By cleansing well, you’ll remove dirt, oil, and makeup, and will balance your skin to keep it fresh and healthy without stripping it of its natural oils. But did you know some of our most common cleansing habits are doing more harm than good? From your water temperature to the type of cleanser you use, here are five cleansing mistakes you might be making, and how to fix them.

1. Cleansing Too Often

It’s important to cleanse your skin regularly, but overdoing it can strip your skin of its natural oils, leading to dryness and irritation. Typically, cleansing morning and evening is ideal for most skin types. If you have very oily skin, you might be tempted to cleanse more often, but resist the urge! Over-cleansing can disrupt your skin’s natural balance. In fact, if you’ve properly cleansed in the evening, many dermatologists recommend only rinsing your face with water in the morning.

2. Not Using the Right Cleanser for Your Skin Type

There are so many different types of cleansers to choose from, but it doesn’t need to be complicated. Using a cleanser that’s too harsh for your skin can lead to dryness and irritation, while using one that’s too gentle may not effectively cleanse your skin. Similarly, if you have oily skin, you may be tempted to look for a strong cleanser that will end up stripping your skin and causing further irritation or breakouts. We prefer a more balanced approach and recommend cleansers that hydrate and balance the skin but also contain mild exfoliators to ensure the pores are properly cleansed.

3. Not Double Cleansing

Double cleansing, which essentially means cleansing twice, is a game-changer for your skincare routine, especially if you wear makeup or sunscreen regularly. First, use an oil-based cleanser, which is the best type of cleanser for removing makeup, sunscreen, and impurities from the surface of your skin. Remember, oil attracts oil, so an oil-based cleanser, like our AK Pure Skin Cleansing Balm, is the most effective at melting away makeup and SPF while still being gentle and hydrating for your skin. We also love to use our Reusable Cleansing Pads to swiftly and easily remove all residue to prep our skin for the next step.

For your second step, now that all the surface dirt is gone, use a water-based cleanser to clean deep into pores and cleanse the skin. 

4. Using Hot Water

Splashing your face with hot water might feel good, but it can actually damage your skin. High temperatures can strip the skin of its natural oils and disrupt the moisture barrier that may lead to dryness and irritation. Instead, opt for lukewarm water, which will help keep your skin’s natural balance intact.

5. Harsh Towel-Drying

After cleansing, you might be tempted to vigorously rub your face with a towel, and trust us, we know how good that feels, but rubbing with a towel can cause friction and irritation, especially for sensitive skin. Instead, gently pat your skin dry with a soft, clean towel to prevent unnecessary damage and minimize redness. We also recommend using a face cloth and changing it daily, or as regularly as possible to avoid bacteria build-up.

Looking for a cleanser to get your skin routine off to a good start? Our 100% natural origin Cleansing Balm effortlessly removes makeup, SPF, and other impurities. And, thanks to the formulation that’s packed with C15-19 Alkane and naturally derived Sucrose Cocoate to deep cleanse without stripping the skin, it also naturally moisturizes, smooths, soothes, and softens with Meadowfoam Seed Oil, Apricot Kernel Oil, and Murumuru Butter.