Gentle & Precleanse

A pre-cleanse is an oil or balm used as a first step to break down sunscreen, makeup and the oil your skin produces during the day. You massage it on dry skin, add water to turn it milky, then rinse.

You need one if you wear sunscreen or makeup daily, and you should be wearing sunscreen daily. Water based cleansers do not remove those properly on their own, which is a common reason for congestion in people whose routine looks perfect on paper.

If you wear neither, a single gentle cleanse at night is plenty.

Two cleansers, back to back, at night only. The first breaks down what is sitting on your skin, the second cleans the skin itself.

Anua Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil, Dermalogica PreCleanse and Beauty of Joseon Radiance Cleansing Balm are all first cleanses. Follow with something gentle like Image Skincare Vital C Hydrating Facial Cleanser or Obagi Gentle Cleanser.

It should take about a minute in total. If your skin feels tight afterwards, the second cleanser is too strong, not the routine.

Oil or balm is mostly personal preference. Balms feel more cushioning, oils are quicker.

• Congested or blemish prone: Anua Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil
• Dry or mature skin: Medik8 Lipid-Balance Cleansing Oil or Image Skincare Biome+ Cleansing Comfort Balm
• Heavy makeup or high factor SPF: Beauty of Joseon Radiance Cleansing Balm or Dermalogica PreCleanse
• Sensitive skin: SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Light Cleansing Oil

All of them rinse clean. If yours leaves a film, you are not adding enough water before you rinse.

The right one leaves your skin comfortable, never squeaky. Squeaky means stripped.

• Dry or tight skin: Reform Skincare Gentle Hydrating Creme Cleanser or Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Cleanser
• Sensitive or reactive: Medik8 Calmwise Soothing Cleanser or Dermalogica UltraCalming Cleanser
• Normal to combination: SkinCeuticals Simply Clean or Image Skincare Ormedic Balancing Facial Cleanser
• Dull skin: Image Skincare Vital C Hydrating Facial Cleanser

A gentle cleanser is the least glamorous thing in a routine and the one that does most to keep everything else working.

A fair question, because Obagi Gentle Cleanser, SkinCeuticals Gentle Cleanser and ZO Skin Health Gentle Cleanser all sit on this page with nearly the same name.

They are all mild, low foaming daily washes and any of them will do the job. The practical difference is which range you are already using, since each is built to sit under that brand's own routine.

If you are not committed to a brand, pick on texture and size. iS Clinical Cleansing Complex is another in the same category and is the one most often recommended for skin that reacts to everything.

No. In the morning your skin has only your night cream on it, so one gentle cleanse is enough. Some people rinse with water alone and do fine.

Double cleansing morning and night is a reliable way to end up with a stripped, tight, reactive face.

The one exception is if you use a rich overnight balm or mask, where a light first cleanse makes the morning wash easier.