How to Cleanse Your Face: Benefits and Routines

The benefits of face cleansing, routines, and recommended products for a healthy-looking skin

Whats in the article?

Read Time: 7 minutes

Why is it important to cleanse your face?
How often do you clean your face?
Step-by-step face cleansing routine
Facts overview
What to cleanse your face with?
Serum-infused micellar water
Cleansing your face for men
Summary
Frequently asked questions

Why is it important to cleanse your face?

A facial cleansing routine is imperative to your morning and evening skincare ritual to encourage healthy and radiant-looking skin. Throughout the day your skin absorbs many pollutants so it is important to clear your skin of these impurities daily.

Regular cleansing also allows for the following:

Removal of dirt, oil, makeup and impurities
Preventing clogged pores, breakouts, and dullness
Better absorption of skincare products
Enhancing skin hydration
Preserving the skin's natural barrier.

How often do you clean your face?

Cleansing your face twice daily is recommended - once in the morning and once at night.

Morning: Cleansing your face in the morning helps to remove sweat, oil, and impurities that your skin accumulated overnight.

Evening: Cleansing in the evening is essential to remove makeup, dirt, and pollutants from the day, and ensure your skin can repair and regenerate in the best possible way while you sleep.

However, note that the frequency of face cleansing may depend on your skin type and lifestyle. For example, if you have very dry or sensitive skin, cleansing once daily in the evening may be sufficient.

Step-by-Step Face Cleansing Routine

Achieving healthy-looking, glowing skin requires a consistent skincare routine tailored to your needs. Here’s a consolidated guide for both morning and evening routines:

young woman using Nivea Refreshing Wash Gel

1. Wash Your Hands

Start with clean hands to avoid transferring dirt and bacteria to your face. Remember to tie your hair back to avoid wetting it whilst cleansing your face.

2. Remove Makeup (Evening)

If you wear makeup during the day, use a gentle makeup remover in the evening to clear your skin. NIVEA offers a range of options for various skin types and concerns. The NIVEA Double Effect Waterproof Eye Make-Up Remover, enriched with Biotin to care for your eyelashes, effectively removes extremely waterproof mascara and make-up without any rubbing needed.

NIVEA Makeup Remover

3. Cleanse

Wet your face with lukewarm water to open pores. Apply a suitable cleanser to your damp face. For example, the NIVEA Refreshing Wash Gel is ideal for normal and combination skin, enriched with Lotus Flower and Hydramine to effectively remove daily impurities while maintaining your skin’s natural moisture balance.
Gently massage the cleanser into your skin for 30-60 seconds, focusing on oily areas like the T-zone. Rinse off the cleanser from your face and move on to the next step.

NIVEA Cleansers

4. Exfoliate (Evening, 2 to 3 Times a Week)

After cleansing, gently exfoliate your skin 2-3 times a week to remove dead skin cells. Choose an exfoliator that matches your skin type.

NIVEA Face Exfoliators

5. Pat Dry

Gently pat your face dry with a clean, soft towel to avoid irritation from rubbing.

6. Moisturise

Apply a moisturiser suited to your skin type to hydrate your skin. In the morning, this helps create a smooth base for makeup if you wear any. Use a nourishing night cream to help repair your skin overnight in the evening.

NIVEA Face Creams

7. Apply Sunscreen (Morning)

Finish your morning routine by applying sunscreen with an SPF 30 or higher to protect your skin from harmful UV rays.

NIVEA Face Sunscreens

Consistency is key to maintaining healthy-looking, glowing skin. Stick to your routine both morning and night to see the best results.

By following this comprehensive skincare routine, you can maintain healthy, refreshed, and protected skin throughout the day and night.

Facts Overview

How to cleanse your face

Benefits:
Regular facial cleansing is crucial for maintaining healthy and radiant skin by removing dirt, oil, makeup, and impurities, preventing clogged pores, breakouts, and dullness.

Frequency:
It is generally recommended to cleanse your face twice a day—once in the morning to remove overnight buildup, and once at night to clear away makeup, dirt, and pollutants.

Importance:
A proper cleansing routine is fundamental to any skincare regimen, enhancing the absorption of other skincare products, maintaining hydration, and preserving the skin's natural barrier.

What to cleanse your face with?

When washing your face, choosing a cleanser that suits your skin type and addresses any specific concerns you may have is important. Here are some common types of facial cleansers:

Gel Cleansers: Suitable for most skin types, especially oily and combination skin. They typically cleanse deeply without leaving residue.
Cream Cleansers: Ideal for dry or sensitive skin as they are moisturising and gentle. They help retain moisture while cleansing.
Foam Cleansers: Good for oily and blemish-prone skin as they help remove excess oil and impurities effectively.
Oil Cleansers: Effective for removing makeup and dirt, even waterproof products. They can be used for most skin types.
Micellar Water: A gentle option for all skin types, including sensitive skin. It removes makeup and cleanses without rinsing.

Choose a cleanser based on your skin's needs and preferences to maintain a clean and healthy complexion. NIVEA offers a range of facial cleansers, for most skin types to suit most skin concerns.

Serum-Infused Micellar Water

NIVEA serum-infused micellar waters are a triple action range, designed to effectively remove makeup, cleanse the skin, and apply serum:

NIVEA Skin Glow Serum-Infused Micellar Water:

Achieve an instant glow and more radiant skin with this micellar Water, specially formulated for dull and sensitive skin. Enriched with a 5% serum containing Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and an Amino Acid Complex, it revitalises your skin for a smooth, even, and instantly glowing complexion.
Clinically tested and dermatologically approved, this gentle cleanser leaves no greasy residue, making it an ideal addition to your daily skincare routine.

NIVEA Skin Glow Micellar Water

NIVEA Regenerating Serum-Infused Micellar Water:

Experience the power of NIVEA Regenerating Serum Infused Micellar Water, specially designed for tired and sensitive skin. This advanced formula effortlessly removes waterproof makeup, impurities, and dirt easily, making it perfect for your nighttime routine.
Enriched with 5% serum containing Panthenol, Squalane, and an Amino Acid Complex, it not only cleanses but also restores moisture and supports skin regeneration. Wake up to beautiful, rested-looking skin, thanks to its clinically tested and dermatologically approved formula that leaves no greasy residue.

NIVEA Regenerating Micellar Water

Cleansing your face with oily skin

Choose products adapted to oily skin to cleanse your face, to remove excess oil, without stripping the skin of its natural moisture.
Focus on the oiliest parts of your face, usually the T-Zone (forehead, nose, chin)
Choose an adapted moisturiser to keep your skin balanced and hydrated.

For oily or blemish-prone skin, try the NIVEA Derma Skin Clear range. Featuring Niacinamide, Salicylic Acid, and Fruit Acids, these vegan-friendly products target blackheads, whiteheads, and pimples and have been clinically proven to visibly improve skin clarity within seven days.

NIVEA Derma Skin Clear

Cleansing your face for men

Just like women, men should cleanse their faces twice daily. Start by wetting the face with lukewarm water, then apply the cleanser, massaging it in circular motions to remove dirt, oil, and impurities. Pay special attention to areas that may have more buildup, such as around the nose and forehead. After rinsing thoroughly, pat the face dry with a clean towel and apply a moisturiser to keep the skin hydrated.
Regular shaving can also exfoliate the skin, so it’s essential to use soothing, non-irritating products to maintain a healthy appearance of the skin. NIVEA MEN Sensitive offers a range of products that minimise skin irritation and help boost the skin’s natural protective layer.

NIVEA MEN Sensitive

Summary

Cleansing your skin twice daily ensures you are removing dirt, oil, and makeup while preventing clogged pores and breakouts. As well as enhancing the absorption of skincare products, cleansing preserves hydration and maintains your skin’s natural balance. A consistent routine with a cleanser suited to your skin type should form the foundation of any skincare regimen, which is crucial for a clean, fresh, radiant complexion.

FAQs

Can I wash my face with just water?

Washing your face with just water can help remove some dirt and sweat, but it will not effectively remove oil, makeup, and impurities that are deep in your pores. While water suffices for a quick refresh, a gentle cleanser suited to your skin type is recommended for thorough cleaning.

Is micellar water enough to clean your face?

Micellar water is effective for removing dirt, oil, and makeup gently and without rinsing. It's convenient for quick cleansing, especially for removing makeup. For a more thorough cleanse, especially at night or for specific skin concerns, using a dedicated facial cleanser after your micellar water will be beneficial.

Should I wet my face before cleansing?

Yes, it's generally recommended to wet your face with lukewarm water before applying a cleanser which is not a micellar water. This helps to open up pores and makes the cleansing process more effective by allowing the product to lather and spread evenly across your skin.

Do I need to rinse after using micellar water?

No, you generally do not need to rinse your face after using micellar water. Micellar water is designed to be used without rinsing, as it contains micelles—tiny oil molecules—that effectively lift dirt, oil, and makeup from the skin. After applying micellar water to a cotton pad and gently wiping your face, it leaves behind a clean and refreshed feeling without the need for rinsing with water.

What is double cleansing?

Double cleansing involves using two types of cleansers sequentially: an oil-based cleanser or micellar water to remove makeup and oil-based impurities, followed by a water-based cleanser to deeply cleanse the skin of remaining debris and sweat, ensuring thorough purification and preparing the skin for skincare products.