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.

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.

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. Also check out other ways to use your cleanser that you may not have thought of!
Cleanser Before or After Shower FAQs
  • Washing your face in the shower won’t necessarily cause breakouts; it’s mostly about your shower routine. Avoid running hot water over your face, take shorter showers, and always wash last or right after your shower to wash off any hair products.
  • Washing your face before a shower will not always prevent dryness. The worst enemies of face moisture are hot shower water, rubbing, and harsh cleansers. In all cases, be sure you choose the right type of cleanser for dry skin.
  • There’s no hard-fast rule for using micellar cleansing water before or after a shower, but many prefer to wipe away grime or remove stubborn makeup before hopping in the shower. For those doing a double cleansing routine with a melting cleansing balm plus micellar water, it’s best to wait until after a shower.

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