Should you cleanse before or after shower? - Garnier Should you cleanse before or after shower? - Garnier

Face Washing 101: The Best Time to Cleanse Your Face

Some people love washing their face in the shower. Others keep their body and face cleansing routines separate. Both options are fine, but there are some pros and cons to consider either way. Before making up your mind, it’s best to look at the arguments to see what’s best for your skin care routine and type of skin.

Should I Cleanse My Face During a Shower?
The Pros
The Cons
01
The Pros
1. Cleaner: There’s a reason spas use face steamers! Shower steam gently opens your pores and releases dirt, oil, and excess sebum. This gives you a deeper cleanse.
2. Faster: Cleansing in the shower kills two birds with one stone, which is great for the morning rush. Plus there’s no prep work like tying up your hair, etc.
3. Easier: Everything easily washes away in the shower, so you don’t have to worry about spilling your cleanser or getting it in your hair.
02
The Cons
1. Heat: Hot water can dry out your skin and damage its protective barrier.
2. Time: In the shower, your skin is in constant contact with water for several minutes, which can strip away necessary oils and remove too much moisture from your skin.
3. Slippery when wet: With the water quickly washing everything down the drain, your cleanser may not stay on long enough to work as well.
Should I Cleanse My Face After a Shower?
The Pros
The Cons
01
The Pros
1. No crossover: Keeping your shampoo and conditioner separate from your face cleanser ensures that you aren’t accidentally irritating your skin with any fragrances in hair products. This also makes more sense when using an oil-rich deep conditioner.
2. Instant moisture: If you cleanse your face after a shower, you can apply moisturizer right away to immediately lock in hydration.
02
The Cons
1. Longer: Separating your shower and face cleansing makes your routine twice as long, which may tempt you to skip washing your face. That’s a big no-no for healthy skin!
2. Shallower: Without the shower steam to open your pores, you could miss out on a nice deep cleanse.

Choosing the Right Method for Your Skin Type

Dry skin is especially susceptible to heat damage, so it’s best for this skin type to take a shorter shower and cleanse the face afterwards. Oily skin reacts well to the pore-opening power of steam, which is why a deeper cleanse in the shower tends to work better. People with combination skin can choose what works best depending on how their T-zone reacts to lots of hot water.

Regardless of when you cleanse, a good option for all types of skin is to wipe your face with micellar water before a shower to perk up your pores. Be sure to choose the right micellar water for your skin type by taking our Micellar Water Quiz.

Tips for Cleansing During Your Shower Routine

If you decide to cleanse your face while showering, it’s much more efficient to keep a second bottle of face wash in the shower/tub. This keeps your skin care routine on schedule because your cleanser is always at hand, even if you don’t shower every day. Here are some other pro tips for shower cleansing.

Use Lukewarm Water
Choose a Gentle Cleanser
Keep It Short
Go Easy
Wash Your Face Last
Use a Clean Towel
01
Use Lukewarm Water
Splashing very hot water on your face for the duration of a shower will strip natural oils and dry out your skin. Turn down the heat to tepid when washing your face in the shower.
02
Choose a Gentle Cleanser
Gentle cleansers wash away dirt and impurities while maintaining the balance of sebum. You don’t want a harsh cleanser when your pores are wide open in the shower.
03
Keep It Short
The shorter the shower, the less time your face is exposed to hot running water. This helps all types of skin stay hydrated and maintains the skin barrier.
04
Go Easy
Any sort of scrubbing and rubbing can be overly abrasive for your skin – plus it won’t make your face cleaner! This goes for both while you’re applying cleanser and when drying your face. Massage in the cleanser and always pat your skin dry.
05
Wash Your Face Last
The ingredients in hair care products can clog pores or irritate skin when running down your face. Make sure they’re thoroughly rinsed away by washing your face last.
06
Use a Clean Towel
Use a clean towel on your face after every shower to keep your routine hygienic. This also helps avoid transferring any bacteria or impurities from the towel to your face.

Is It Better to Cleanse Your Face in The Morning or Evening?

It is especially important to cleanse your face every evening to wash away the day. Most skin care routines include a morning cleanse to start the day with a fresh face and prep for makeup.

Cleanser Before or After Shower FAQs

  • Will washing my face in the shower cause breakouts?
  • Does washing my face before a shower prevent dryness?
  • Should I use micellar cleansing water before or after I shower?

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