Cleansing is the first step in any effective skincare routine, but you want to make sure to do things right to achieve maximum benefits for your skin.

Whether you're a skincare novice or a seasoned pro, knowing the following do's and don'ts of cleansing can make a huge difference in skin health and overall appearance. Here are some simple tips to help you maintain a clear, glowing complexion.

1. DO cleanse EVERY morning.

Even if you cleansed your face the night before, it’s important to cleanse again in the morning to remove any toxins and sebum that come up from your skin overnight, while skin is in repair mode. Also, cleansing in the morning will remove ingredients from nighttime products that aren’t suitable for day use, such as retinol or vitamin C. The goal: having a face that is a clean slate, which will help absorb your morning products better.

2. DON’T skip removing makeup and cleansing your face every night.

We all know how tired we can get at the end of a long day, but it is essential to clear makeup, pollution, excess oil, and dead skin cells that build up over the day. If you don’t remove makeup, or don’t even cleanse, you risk getting clogged pores which can lead to milia, those little bumps that are underneath the skin that never go away, not to mention the risk of acne breakouts. Wash off the toxins of the day! Having a clean face will help your evening products absorb better so that skin is at its best during “repair” mode overnight.

3. DON’T make it a habit to regularly use cleansing wipes to cleanse your face or remove makeup.

Cleansing wipes are super convenient and can help out in an emergency, but they are not nearly as effective as a cleanser dissolving makeup and excess oil, and water rinsing away all the gunk. You really need that step of water rinsing. Here’s an analogy: A cleansing wipe is almost like wiping a dirty table with a dishcloth. On the first pass, the cloth will remove dirt and mess, but also smears that mess onto other parts of the table. So, you rinse the cloth and wipe the table over and over again, until the table finally looks clean. In a similar way, for your face, you really need that cleanser AND that water from rinsing, not just a wipe.

4. DON’T wash your face with a traditional, high-foaming, high-lathering bar soap.

This is usually a tip for men who wash their face with whatever happens to be in the soap dish. But traditional bar soaps can dry out your skin. If you prefer to use a soap bar, then be sure to choose a glycerin-based soap, which is very low-lathering. Glycerin is an amazing humectant that absorbs water from the air. That’s why a glycerin-based soap will not be drying, like a traditional bar soap.

Cleansing effectively is key to maintaining a healthy, radiant complexion. By following these cleansing tips, you’re not just washing your face—you’re giving your skin the care it deserves. A well-cleansed face is the perfect foundation for the rest of your regimen, helping your products work their best.