When it comes to skincare, every step is essential. You have to be intentional about the whole process to achieve glowy, healthy skin with noticeable overall improvement. Still, when it comes to creating a routine, a lot of people don’t even know where to begin. The most common question we see is: Do we start with exfoliation or cleansing?
Both are equally important for getting dewy, radiant skin that makes you look as good as you feel. Yet, there’s a lot of debate out there about which step should lead the routine for the cleanest and healthiest skin.
If you’re trying to craft your perfect skincare regimen and are also wondering which process comes first, you’ve come to the right place. In this post, we’ll answer the question, tell you the benefits, and explain why it’s the best starting point.
Do You Exfoliate or Cleanse First?
We recommend you cleanse your face before exfoliating (and we’ll get to the why in a second.) But if you ask us, your skincare routine should go a little something like this:
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Step 1: Cleanser - Removes makeup, dirt, and oil
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Step 2: Exfoliation - Clears dead skin cells and unclogs pores (Only 2-3 times a week)
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Step 3: Toner - Balances skin pH, preps skin for other products
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Step 4: Moisturizer - Seals hydration and smooths skin
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Step 5: Face Oil - Locks in oil and balances nutrients
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Step 6: SPF - Protects skin from sun damage
Want a more detailed look at an intentional regimen? Check out our founder Lauryn Bosstick’s updated skin routine and her full Korean skincare routine!
What Is Exfoliating?
Exfoliation is the process of gently removing dead skin cells from the surface of your skin. While it's a super beneficial step for getting brighter, smoother skin, exfoliating too often can lead to irritation and redness, undoing all those skincare gains. That’s why moderation is key! Just use your chosen exfoliator 2-3 times per week for best results. There are two main types of exfoliation products to choose from:
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Chemical Exfoliants: Acids like AHAs or BHAs dissolve dead skin cells without scrubbing
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Physical Exfoliants: Scrubs or tools that physically exfoliate/manually scrape off dead skin cells
Why Exfoliate?
There are lots of reasons to exfoliate! When you remove dead skin cells, you even out texture, prevent acne and clogged pores, clear excess oil, and keep your skin fresh. Plus, they help your skincare products absorb better, making your whole routine more effective! Obviously, it’s easy to see why exfoliation needs to be part of your skincare routine.
What Is Skin Cleansing?
This step is all about using a cleansing product and water to remove all the daily buildup off your skin. Think: makeup, dirt, oil, sweat, bacteria, pollutants, and tons of other impurities. It should be done twice a day to keep your skin clean, fresh, and healthy.
Why Is Cleansing Your Skin Important?
All day long, impurities build up on your skin—and half the time you don’t even realize it. Over time, these impurities can clog pores, trigger breakouts, speed up aging, and dull that dewy glow you’re after. Cleansing is a crucial skincare step because it clears away that buildup, keeps your skin fresh, and creates the perfect base for all your other skincare and cosmetic products.
What are the Benefits of Exfoliating Before Cleansing?
We don’t recommend exfoliating before cleansing, but there are some people who swear by it! Here’s why some people start their skincare routine with exfoliation.
Loosens Dirt, Bacteria, and Buildup
The idea is that cleansing can’t be as effective as it should be because there are dead skin cells and other debris built up on the skin. That buildup keeps the cleanser from doing its job, and instead, skims the surface and leaves you with dull and oily skin.
On the other hand, chemical or physical exfoliators can loosen dirt, bacteria, and other buildup. That way, when it’s time to cleanse, you’re actually able to wash those impurities away instead of keeping things surface level. The goal is to remove buildup first, thoroughly clean out those pores, and achieve a nice, glowy complexion.
And since we’re talking about the right way to do things, make sure to also check out “How to Deep Clean Your Pores.”
Promotes a Deeper Cleanse with Less Scrubbing
Like we said, using an exfoliator before cleansing helps loosen dead skin cells, oil, and buildup, making it easier for your cleanser to do its job. That means less scrubbing, less irritation, and a deeper clean without being harsh on your skin. It’s especially helpful for reactive or sensitive skin types that need a gentler approach to get that fresh, clean feel.
Helps Prevent Over-Drying
When you use a gentle exfoliating product first, you delicately break down the barrier of dead skin cells and excess oil that can block your cleanser from working efficiently. This allows your cleanser to penetrate more easily. That way, you don’t have to use a harsh or overly stripping formula to get clean skin. The result? A more effective cleanse with less risk of drying out your skin’s natural moisture barrier. This is a win for those with naturally dry skin.
What are the Benefits of Cleansing Before Exfoliating?
Though there are some benefits to exfoliating before cleansing for some skin types, for most people, exfoliation should come second. This is why:
Ensures You’re Not Pushing Grime Deeper
Cleansing first helps unclog pores and remove surface grime before using a more abrasive product like an exfoliator. Exfoliating without cleansing can actually push dirt and impurities deeper into the skin, which is NOT our goal. Want to save time? Try an exfoliating cleanser to get both benefits in one step!
Reduces the Risk of Irritation or Breakouts
Since exfoliating first could potentially clog pores and trigger breakouts, it’s best to start with a gentle cleanser. This helps remove surface impurities, kill acne-causing bacteria, and prep your skin for exfoliation. (And for the rest of your skincare routine too.)
Makes Exfoliating More Effective
Cleansing before exfoliating makes exfoliation more effective. It removes surface-level dirt, oil, and makeup that can act as a barrier to your skin’s natural exfoliation process. When your skin is already clean, your exfoliator can get right to those dead skin cells instead of wasting energy breaking through layers of grime. This means your exfoliating ingredients can get deeper and do a better job, offering smoother, more radiant skin.
Improves Product Absorption
Cleansing before exfoliating helps improve product absorption by removing surface dirt, oil, and impurities that can block your pores. When your skin is truly clean, exfoliation can work more effectively to shed those dead skin cells without pushing debris deeper into your pores. This creates a smooth, fresh canvas that allows your serums and moisturizers to penetrate more deeply and deliver better results.
Cleanse before you exfoliate for the best results!
For the healthiest, most radiant skin, cleansing should always come before exfoliating. Cleansing clears away surface impurities, allowing your exfoliator to work more effectively and all your skincare products to work their magic. By starting with a clean canvas, you maximize the benefits of each step and set the stage for glowing, fresh skin. So remember: cleanse first, exfoliate second, and enjoy the glow-up!
Want more skincare tips to elevate your routine? Jump into these episodes of the Him & Her Show:
