Cleansing is one of those skincare steps that can feel a bit basic.

It is not glamorous like a serum. It is not indulgent like a mask. It is not exciting like a new facial oil or beautiful moisturiser.

But honestly, it is one of the most important steps in your whole skincare routine.

Because if your skin is not properly cleansed, everything else has to work harder.

Your serum cannot absorb as well. Your moisturiser is sitting on top of yesterday’s make-up, SPF, sweat, oil or pollution. Your skin can start to look dull, congested or unsettled.

A good cleanse is not just about taking make-up off. It is about preparing your skin to receive everything that follows.

Why do I need to cleanse?

Throughout the day, your skin collects all sorts of things.

Make-up.
SPF.
Oil.
Sweat.
Dust.
Pollution.
The general evidence of life!

Even if you do not wear make-up, your skin still needs cleansing. SPF especially needs to be removed properly at the end of the day, and if you have been outside, exercising, working in a busy environment or even just touching your face through the day, your skin will benefit from a proper cleanse.

Cleansing helps to leave your skin fresh, comfortable and ready for the rest of your skincare.

It is not about stripping the skin or making it feel squeaky clean. In fact, I would say that is usually a sign your cleanser is too harsh. Your skin should feel clean, but still soft and comfortable.

When should I cleanse?

I would usually suggest cleansing properly at night.

This is when your skin needs it most, because you are removing the day from your face.

In the morning, it depends on your skin, your routine and your personal preference. Some people like a fresh cleanse to start the day. Others prefer a gentle splash of water or a light cleanse, especially if their skin is dry or sensitive.

There is no one perfect rule for everyone.

If your skin is oily, congested or you have used rich night products, you may prefer to cleanse in the morning too. If your skin is dry, delicate or easily unsettled, you may only want a very gentle morning cleanse.

The most important cleanse is the evening one.

How should I cleanse?

Take your time.

That is my first piece of advice.

A cleanser needs a little moment to actually do its job. Massage it over the skin, around the nose, along the jawline, into the hairline and over the areas where make-up or SPF tends to sit.

Then remove it properly.

Personally, I love to remove my cleanser with a hot flannel. There is something so comforting about it. The warmth softens everything, helps lift away the cleanser properly and makes even a simple cleanse feel a little more like a facial at home.

Your flannel does not need to be scorching hot, just warm and steamy enough to feel soothing. Press it gently over the face, then use soft sweeping movements to remove the cleanser without dragging the skin.

And that is the key really.

Make it feel nice, and you are far more likely to do it.

Different types of cleanser

This is where it gets interesting, because the best cleanser is not just about skin type. It is also about preference and lifestyle.

Some people love a wash-off cleanser they can use in the shower. Quick, fresh, easy.

Some people prefer a cream cleanser at the basin, especially if their skin is sensitive or they like something softer and more comforting.

Some people love a balm because it feels rich and luxurious, and it melts away make-up beautifully.

Some people like to keep things simple in the morning and use something more nourishing or thorough at night.

This is why you might actually want more than one cleanser.

Not because skincare needs to be complicated, but because your skin does not need the same thing every day.

You might want one cleanser for the morning.
Another for removing make-up.
Another for when your skin feels dry.
Another for when you have been wearing SPF, been in a city or worked in a dusty or dirty environment.

Think of it like choosing what your skin needs that day.

What about face wipes?

I know they are convenient.

But I am not a fan of face wipes as your everyday cleanse.

They can be useful in an emergency, after travel or if you genuinely have no other option, but they do not really give your skin a proper cleanse.

Often, they just move things around the face rather than thoroughly removing them.

They can also involve a lot of rubbing, especially around the eyes, which is not ideal for delicate skin. And many wipes contain ingredients I would rather not be putting on my skin regularly. Preservatives, fragrance, alcohols and other little nasties can all be part of the reason wipes leave skin feeling dry, tight or irritated.

So by all means, keep them for emergencies if you need to. But please do not let them be your skincare routine.

Your face deserves better than a quick wipe and hope for the best.

What is a double cleanse?

A double cleanse is exactly what it sounds like.

You cleanse twice.

The first cleanse removes make-up, SPF, oil and the general residue of the day.

The second cleanse actually cleans the skin.

This does not mean scrubbing your face twice or making your skin feel tight. It simply means giving the skin a more thorough cleanse, especially in the evening.

You might use the same cleanser twice, or you might use two different cleansers. For example, you could start with a balm or cream cleanser to melt everything away, then follow with a lighter cleanser to leave the skin fresh and balanced.

It is especially useful if you wear make-up, use SPF daily, live or work in a polluted environment, have been exercising or feel your skin is congested.

Why I double cleanse in every facial at My Retreat

Every facial at My Retreat begins with a double cleanse.

Always.

Why?

Because I want to properly prepare your skin before I do anything else.

The first cleanse removes surface impurities, make-up, SPF and the outside world. The second cleanse allows me to really work with your skin and assess what it needs that day.

It also begins the slowing down.

That first beautiful cleanse is not just practical. It is the moment your facial begins. The scent, the touch, the warmth, the soft removal. It tells your nervous system that you are allowed to stop now.

And from a skincare point of view, it means the products that follow can do their job properly.

Your exfoliation.
Your massage.
Your mask.
Your serum.
Your moisturiser.

Everything works better on clean, prepared skin.

Should you double cleanse at home?

In the evening, yes, I think it is a lovely habit.

Especially if you wear make-up or SPF.

It does not have to be complicated. It does not have to take ages. It can simply become a small ritual at the end of the day.

A way of saying, “I am home now. I can take the day off.”

And that is why I love cleansing.

Because yes, it is skincare.

But it is also a pause.

A reset.

A little daily return to yourself.

Love, Julia 🤍