Cleansing your face without drying out your skin barrier
Does your face only feel truly clean when your skin feels tight? That fresh, squeaky-clean sensation might seem like proof that all the dirt is gone, but it can actually mean your cleanser is too stripping. Especially for dry or sensitive skin, this can make the rest of your routine unnecessarily taxing.
A good cleanser removes dirt, makeup, sebum, and SPF without leaving your skin feeling uncomfortable. After cleansing, your skin should feel clean and supple, not dry or burning.
"The cleanser is the foundation of your routine. A mild cleanser that respects the skin makes all subsequent steps more effective. A cleanser that is too harsh undermines exactly what you apply afterwards."
Yvonne van Veen, medical beautician
Four causes of a tight feeling
- Water that is too hot
- A highly foaming or degreasing cleanser
- Rubbing long and hard with a cloth
- Cleansing too often when it is not necessary
How to cleanse mildly
- Moisten your hands and face with lukewarm water
- Gently massage in a small amount of cleanser
- Rinse thoroughly without scrubbing
- Pat dry with a clean, soft towel
- Follow with serum and cream while the skin still feels comfortable
Which cleanser fits?
If you wear little makeup and your skin reacts easily, the IK SKIN Perfection - SILK+ mild 3-in-1 facial cleanser can be a simple base. If you want to dissolve makeup or SPF first, the MAYEE - Pure Micellar is a gentle first step. If you have sensitive skin, it is preferable to rinse off micellar water and follow up with a mild cleanser if necessary.
Morning and evening don't have to be the same
In the morning, rinsing with lukewarm water is sufficient for some skin types. In the evening, you should cleanse thoroughly when wearing SPF, makeup, or a lot of environmental pollutants. Observe how your skin feels instead of automatically cleansing intensively twice a day.
Hydrate immediately after cleansing
If your skin feels particularly dehydrated, apply a hydrating serum such as the IK SKIN Perfection - HYALURON+ and finish with a suitable cream like the IK SKIN Perfection - HYAMAX+ hydrating 24h cream. During the day, SPF follows as the final step.
Personal advice
Not sure if your cleanser is too harsh? Send us a message via the chat on sQincare.shop with the product you are using and how your skin feels immediately after cleansing. We will help you choose specifically without making your routine unnecessarily complicated.
About the author
This article was written in collaboration with Yvonne van Veen, medical beautician, owner of Salon Rustique in Musselkanaal and owner of sQincare.shop. Salon Rustique is affiliated with ANBOS and specializes in skin improvement, skin problems, and medical skincare. Thanks to her daily practical experience and additional dermatological training, she combines treatments in the salon with expert product advice for at home. In case of persistent or severe skin complaints, we recommend an assessment by a doctor.