August 20, 2025, 9:42 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
Our skin is exposed daily to sunlight, cold, heat, or dust—all of which don’t exactly have a positive effect on it. That’s why proper cleansing is essential. The facial care routine should primarily be based on skin type. No matter how exhausting the day was or will be, facial cleansing should never be skipped. Dermatologist Timm Golüke shares the most important tips for washing your face correctly.
How Often Should You Wash Your Face
This depends on personal preference. If you wash your face thoroughly in the evening and don’t tend to sweat a lot at night, it’s perfectly fine to wash your face only in the evening. In the morning, a little water and a light micellar cleanser are sufficient. If you want to cleanse your face in the morning as well, use a product that doesn’t strip moisture from the skin. A gentle cleansing balm is suitable for this. For oily skin types, Dr. Timm Golüke generally recommends cleansing in the morning, as new sebum can accumulate overnight.
Is Washing with Water Enough?
Washing your face with just water is not enough in the evening, especially if you’ve worn sunscreen or makeup. The dermatologist recommends double cleansing in the evening to thoroughly clear the pores of dirt and impurities.
Otherwise, choose a cleanser according to your skin type. For drier skin, it should be richer, while oily skin can benefit from gentle exfoliating cleansers.
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Is the Temperature of the Water Important?
The water should not be too warm or even hot, as this can damage the skin barrier. Lukewarm water is the best option. For rosacea or acne, washing with cold water is even recommended.
How Does Face Washing Differ by Skin Type?
Dry skin should be cleansed with rich products like a cleansing oil or balm to provide moisture in the first care step. Avoid cleansers that contain acids for dry skin. In contrast, for oily skin, cleansing gels with acids like lactic or salicylic acid can often be beneficial.
For acne-prone skin, cleansers with BHA acids are useful, as they are oil-soluble and can penetrate deeper into the epidermis to dissolve dead skin cells and sebum that clog pores. Surprisingly, cleansing oil can also be suitable for acne-prone skin, as it helps maintain the skin’s acid mantle balance.
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What Comes After Face Washing?
After washing your face, follow with a toner or essence, then a serum according to your skin needs, and finally eye care and cream, as well as sunscreen for the day. However, cleansing products don’t always contain harsh ingredients. Many brands have long offered products that help people with sensitive skin.
Things You Should Definitely Avoid
Besides the things you should consider when cleansing your face, there are also a few things you should definitely avoid. While proper skincare initially sounds like a lot of work, you shouldn’t overdo it with cleansing. Sometimes less is more! This means not using too many different cleansing products and not washing your face with overly abrasive movements. Excessive pressure can particularly irritate sensitive skin, especially around the eye area. Also, make sure to wash your hands before cleansing and regularly disinfect your phone to prevent the transfer of dirt and bacteria.