Cleansing Demystified: You Need to Wash Your Face (Every Day!)

Let’s keep it simple. “Cleansing” is just a fancy word for washing your face. That’s it. Nothing mystical, nothing reserved for skincare pros. You’re literally removing the dirt, oil, sweat, makeup and SPF that builds up on your skin. And trust me — skipping it is a one-way ticket to clogged pores, dull skin and breakouts.

So, let’s break down why cleansing is so important, how often you should do it, and the best type of cleanser for your skin.

Why You Should Cleanse Every Day

Your skin works hard. Pollution, SPF, makeup, sweat — it all piles up. If you don’t wash it away, you’re basically letting yesterday’s grime hang out on your face. Yuck.

• Morning cleanse → Removes the sweat, oils and leftover skincare from overnight.

• Evening cleanse → Gets rid of SPF, makeup, pollution and daily dirt.

Think of it like brushing your teeth. You wouldn’t skip it, right? Same goes for your face.

Morning and Evening Cleansing (Yep, Both)

Doing it once a day isn’t enough. Cleansing in the morning preps your skin for your SPF and makeup, while the evening cleanse resets everything from the day.

• Skipping the morning? You’re layering skincare over oil and sweat.

• Skipping the evening? You’re sleeping in pollution, SPF and dirt.

Neither is cute. Twice daily is the sweet spot.

Dry Skin Still Needs to Cleanse

I know what you’re thinking: “But my skin’s dry, won’t cleansing make it worse?” Nope — it’s actually the opposite. Cleansing helps your moisturiser work better by clearing away that layer of dead, flaky skin.

The trick is choosing the right type:

• Cream or balm cleansers are your besties.

• Avoid foamy, squeaky-clean ones that strip your skin barrier.

Be gentle, but don’t skip it.

Oily Skin? Cleansing Is Your BFF

If you’re oily, you might be tempted to wash your face a million times a day. Don’t. Over-cleansing will just push your skin to produce more oil.

Here’s the balance:

• Once in the morning, once at night.

• Keep it consistent, not aggressive.

• Add moisturiser — yes, oily skin still needs it!

This way, you’ll control shine without wrecking your barrier.

Don’t Overdo It (Be Kind!)

Here’s the golden rule: twice a day, and that’s enough.
Cleansing 4–5 times a day doesn’t mean extra clean — it means barrier damage, irritation and sometimes more breakouts.

Your skin loves balance, not punishment.

The Different Types of Cleansers (Without the Jargon)

Not all cleansers are made equal, so let’s keep it simple:

• Foaming / Gel Cleansers → As the name suggests- foaming- our least fave here at Glooped.

• Cream Cleansers → Rich, hydrating, perfect for dry skin, those with dehydrated skin (oh hey 👋) and damaged skin barriers.

• Milk cleansers → Thinner than cream cleansers but just as good. Great for those with sensitive skin or those who feel like cream cleansers feel too thick.

• Micellar Water → Quick, lazy-girl option (but rinse it off, please). Not ideal, but better than nothing! Useful for festivals/ camping etc.

• Oil and Balm Cleansers → Break down makeup + SPF like magic, and yes, even oily skin types can use them. But you’ll need one of the above for after as they leave a greasy film.

The key here is to use them consistently.

The Bottom Line

Cleansing isn’t complicated. It’s just washing your face — but doing it right makes a huge difference. Twice a day, with the right cleanser for your skin type, and always gentle. That’s it.

Your future skin will thank you. 💦