Washing your face is arguably the most basic of skin care basics, but let’s be honest—we all have questions about whether or not we’re doing it right! If you’ve been wondering how often you should cleanse your face or whether face cleanser is the same thing as face wash, you’re not the only one. In this Q&A session, we’ll cover:

• What does a cleanser do for your face?
• How many times should you cleanse your face?
• How long should I leave cleanser on my face?
• Is cleanser face wash?
• What temperature water should I use to wash my face?

What Does a Cleanser Do for Your Face?

A cleanser’s primary job is to remove dirt, excess oil, bacteria and makeup from skin. Above and beyond that, cleansers may be formulated to provide other benefits to skin, from soothing dry skin to reducing breakouts.

Try SkinCeuticals Gentle Cleanser Cream. This cream-based cleanser for dry and sensitive skin gently dissolves all traces of dirt and makeup without stripping your skin of its natural moisture. It doesn’t foam like a traditional facial cleanser, but instead, it contains an emollient-rich surfactant system to sweep away impurities and leave your skin feeling clean and residue-free. “This cleanser is even gentle enough to use after in-office procedures such as laser treatments,” says Dr. Schlessinger.

How Often Should You Cleanse Your Face?

Dr. Schlessinger recommends washing your face twice a day, in the morning and at night. If you went to bed with a clean face, you might wonder if it’s truly necessary to wash your face in the morning. “Cleansing in the morning helps wash away any stray dirt or bacteria that may have migrated from your nose, mouth or hair onto your skin by way of your pillow while sleeping,” Dr. Schlessinger says. It’s also a good idea to wash your face after excessive sweating, like an intense session at the gym.

Try water-less cleansing wipes such as Vichy Purete Thermale Makeup Removing Micellar Cleansing Wipes for times when you’ve worked up a sweat but aren’t able to wash your face. Formulated with soothing vitamin E and micellar water, these gentle wipes remove all traces of sweat, dirt and makeup to keep your skin feeling clean and fresh after a hike or workout.

How Long Should I Leave Cleanser on my Face?

Dr. Schlessinger recommends leaving cleanser on your face for about ten to twenty seconds or as long as it takes to massage the cleanser onto your face with your fingertips. “Any longer than that can lead to skin damage from over-scrubbing,” Dr. Schlessinger says. If your cleanser contains active ingredients such as salicylic acid or glycolic acid to help exfoliate and treat acne, this should provide plenty of time for these ingredients to penetrate your skin.

Try Vichy Normaderm PhytoActionDaily Deep Cleansing Gel to give acne-prone skin a deep cleanse. It contains 0.5% salicylic acid to help unclog pores and keep future breakouts from forming. if your skin tends to feel oily, using this cleanser regularly can help balance oil production.

Is Face Cleanser the Same Thing as Face Wash?

Cleansers for your face have lots of different names—facial cleanser, face wash, cleansing wash, facial wash—but they all essentially have the same purpose, which is to clean your face. “When it comes to choosing a cleanser, the active ingredients it contains are a lot more important than the name that is used on the label,” says Dr. Schlessinger.

Try La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser if you have skin that tends to feel dehydrated or dry. This cream-based cleanser helps maintain your skin’s natural moisture barrier and sweeps away dirt, makeup and excess oil without leaving your skin feeling tight or dry. This formula features niacinamide to ease redness, glycerin to hydrate the skin and ceramides to help prevent moisture loss.

What Temperature Water Should I Use to Wash my Face?

When it’s time to wash your face, dial that faucet to warm! The American Academy of Dermatology recommends washing your face with lukewarm water, as hot water can dry out your skin by stripping away its natural oils.

Try SkinCeuticals Glycolic Renewal Cleanser Gel if you’re craving smoother, brighter-looking skin. This foaming gel cleanser contains glycolic acid and phytic acid to buff away built-up dead skin cells that can leave your skin looking dull. The addition of aloe extract and glycerin help hydrate skin, leaving it looking and feeling refreshed.

Are you struggling with acne? Read about the latest facial cleansers, acne treatments and more in our blog post “Skin Care Basics for Clear Skin.”