Beginners Guide: How to wash your face properly.
Image of hand with bubbles from face wash
Many people don't realize that washing your face properly is one of the most important steps in any skincare routine. If you're new to skincare or feeling confused about where to start, this guide will help you understand what makes a good facial cleanser and how to use it correctly.
Why Your Cleanser Matters
Your skin faces a lot throughout the day: makeup, sunscreen, pollution, sweat, and natural oils. Many people use harsh soaps or makeup wipes that actually disrupt the skin barrier, leaving skin feeling tight, dry, or irritated.
A good facial cleanser should:
Remove sunscreen, makeup, and daily buildup effectively
Leave your skin feeling clean and comfortable, not tight or squeaky
Work well with the rest of your skincare routine
Be gentle enough for daily use
What Makes a Cleanser "Gentle"?
When we talk about gentle cleansing, we're looking for products that clean effectively without stripping away your skin's natural protective barrier.
Here's what to look for:
Soothing Base Ingredients
Many cleansers use plain water as their base. Better formulations use hydrating, soothing ingredients instead. For example, aloe leaf juice provides a calming, hydrating foundation that supports your skin while it cleanses.
Gentle Cleansing Agents
Look for mild surfactants like Coco-Glucoside or Cocamidopropyl Betaine. These create a soft foam that lifts away impurities without the burning, stinging, or tightness that harsh cleansers cause.
Hydrating Ingredients
Ingredients like Glycerin and Sodium PCA are humectants that help your skin hold onto moisture even as you cleanse. This means your skin feels clean and soft, not stripped and uncomfortable.
ALGAEE COSMETICS organic aloe based cleanser
How to Wash Your Face Properly: Step-by-Step
Morning Cleansing Routine
Why cleanse in the morning? Overnight, your skin produces oils, sheds dead skin cells, and any skincare products from the night before can leave residue. A morning cleanse gives you a fresh start.
Steps:
Wet your face with lukewarm water (not hot - hot water can be drying)
Dispense product - if using a pump cleanser like our Purifying Mousse, use 1-2 pumps into your hands
Massage gently onto your face for 30-60 seconds, avoiding the eye area
Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water
Pat dry with a clean towel (don't rub)
Follow immediately with a simple hydrating serum or moisturizer, then SPF
Evening Cleansing Routine
Why cleanse at night? This is when you remove the day's accumulation: SPF, makeup, pollution, sweat, and excess oil.
Steps:
Double cleanse if needed - If you wear heavy makeup or waterproof sunscreen, start with a makeup remover or cleansing oil first
Use your gentle cleanser - Apply 1-2 pumps and massage for 30-60 seconds
Rinse thoroughly
Pat dry
Follow with your routine - Any treatments (serums, etc.) and then moisturizer
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Pro Tip: Your skin should never feel tight or "squeaky clean" after washing. That tight feeling actually means your cleanser is too harsh and has stripped your skin's natural protective oils.
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Introducing Purifying Mousse: A Beginner-Friendly Cleanser
Cleanser aloe based seaweed
At Algaee Cosmetics, we designed Purifying Mousse specifically for people who want a simple, gentle introduction to proper skincare.
What makes it different:
Aloe-based formula - Instead of using plain water as the base, we start with aloe leaf juice to soothe and hydrate your skin while you cleanse
Gentle foaming agents - Create a soft foam that actually cleans without stripping
Hydrating ingredients - Glycerin and Sodium PCA help your skin hold onto moisture
Simple promise - Your skin feels clean, soft, and comfortable - not tight or dry
How Often Should You Cleanse?
For most skin types, cleansing twice daily (morning and evening) is ideal. However, if you have very sensitive or dry skin, you might want to:
Start with once per day (evening) and see how your skin responds
Use only water in the morning if your skin feels good
Listen to your skin - if it feels comfortable and not tight, you're on the right track
Who Is This Guide For?
This beginner's guide is perfect if you:
Are new to skincare and don't know where to start
Want something simple, gentle, but actually effective
Dislike that tight, stripped feeling after washing your face
Have been using harsh soaps or wipes and want something better
Feel overwhelmed by complicated skincare routines
Tips for Best Results
Use lukewarm water - Hot water can strip your skin and cause irritation, while cold water doesn't effectively remove buildup.
Pat, don't rub - Be gentle when drying your face. Rubbing can cause irritation and drag on delicate skin.
Always moisturize after - Even if you have oily skin, following up with a moisturizer helps maintain your skin barrier. This is especially important for beginners.
Be consistent - Skincare takes time to show results. Give your new routine at least 2-4 weeks before deciding if it's working for you.
Keep it simple - You don't need 10 products. A good cleanser, moisturizer, and SPF are the foundation of any effective skincare routine.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Using hot water - This strips natural oils and can cause redness
❌ Scrubbing too hard - Your skin needs gentle care, not aggressive scrubbing
❌ Using makeup wipes as your only cleanse - Wipes leave residue and don't properly clean
❌ Skipping moisturizer - Even oily skin needs hydration after cleansing
❌ Expecting instant results - Give your skin time to adjust to a new routine
Start Your Skincare Journey Today
Starting with a good cleanser is the foundation of healthy skin. If you're looking for a gentle, beginner-friendly option that actually works, Purifying Mousse is designed exactly for that purpose.
Your skin should feel clean and comfortable after every wash - never tight, never dry, never irritated. That's the promise of proper, gentle cleansing.
Ready to begin? Visit our shop to try Purifying Mousse and start your journey to healthier, happier skin.
Follow us on Instagram and for more beginner-friendly skincare tips, tutorials, and simple routines that actually work.
Have questions about building your first skincare routine? Comment below or message us - we're here to help!
