Should You Use a Scrub or Cleanser First?
Cleansers and scrubs have long been staple products in skin care routines, but there's much debate about whether you should use a scrub or cleanser first. Some skin care specialists say that cleansing should always come first, while others believe that exfoliation should be the starting point.
There are pros and cons to either side of the argument, so it's important to understand what these products do and how they work in order to make the best decision for your skin.
No matter which you choose, cleansing and exfoliating are both essential steps in maintaining healthy, glowing skin.
What Does Cleansing Do?
Cleansing is the process of removing dirt, oil, sweat, makeup, and other impurities from the skin. It's an important part of your daily skincare routine and can help remove the buildup of dirt and oils that can lead to breakouts and other skin issues. Cleansers come in many different forms, including foams, gels, oils, and creams.
When choosing a cleanser for your skin type, it's important to consider the ingredients. Many cleansers on the market contain harsh chemicals that can strip the skin of its natural oils, leaving it dry and irritated. It's best to look for a gentle cleanser that is free of sulfates, parabens, and fragrances.
Cleansers with natural ingredients such as aloe vera, castile, jojoba oil, and chamomile can help nourish the skin while cleansing.
Our Customizable Cleanser Bar is the ideal place to start with a cleanser that is skin safe for everyone, it's free of sulfates and parabens, you can choose your favorite ingredients, and it ships for free in the US.
What are the Benefits to Using a Scrub?
Using a scrub will implement the exfoliation is the process of removing the top layer of dead skin cells from the surface of the skin. This helps to reveal brighter, smoother skin underneath and can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles, blemishes, and dark spots.
There are two types of exfoliation: physical and non-abrasive.
Physical exfoliants are the granule type ingredients in a scrub to manually remove dead skin cells, while non-abrasive exfoliants typically use acids to loosen and remove them.
When choosing an exfoliator, it's important to consider the type of exfoliation that's best for your preference. For example, if you have sensitive skin, it might be best to opt for a gentle exfoliant or a scrub that have a fine, gentle scrub texture. If you have oily skin you can step it up with a slightly more abrasive scrub or stronger acid product.
If you're not sure, start on the gentle side and work your way up. Everyone can benefit from some kind of exfoliator or scrub at least once a week.
Pros and Cons of Cleansing First
The main argument for cleansing first is that it helps to remove dirt, oil, and debris that can clog pores and lead to breakouts. Cleansing also helps to prepare the skin for other skincare products, such as serums and moisturizers. When used regularly, cleansing can help improve the overall appearance of the skin.
However, some experts argue that some mainstream cleansers can also strip the skin of its natural oils if they contain parabens and sulfates, so it's always best, regardless of your skin type, to opt for cleansers and products that do not contain these.
Our Customizable Cleanser Bar is the ideal place to start with a cleanser that is skin safe for everyone, it's free of sulfates and parabens, you can choose your favorite ingredients, and it ships for free in the US.
Pros and Cons of Using a Scrub First
The main argument for exfoliating first is that it helps to remove the top layer of dead skin cells, revealing brighter, smoother skin underneath. Exfoliation can also help improve the absorption of other skincare products, especially if they contain active ingredients like Vitamin C, Niacinamide, Retinol, etc.
However, some experts argue that exfoliating too often or using a product with too harsh of ingredients can leave the skin feeling dry and irritated. Exfoliating daily is not recommended, and an exfoliator that is a bit too rough for you if you're starting out, can cause skin to be inflamed or red, which makes it uncomfortable to go on to the next product such as a cleanser.
If your skin is not conditioned yet to exfoliation or you're just starting out, once or twice a week is great place to start, with a gentle scrub or non-abrasive product.
How to Choose the Right Cleanser and Scrub for Your Skin
When choosing a cleanser and scrub for your skin type, it's important to consider the ingredients. As mentioned earlier, many cleansers contain harsh chemicals that can strip the skin of its natural oils, leaving it dry and irritated. It's best to look for a gentle cleanser that is free of sulfates, parabens, and fragrances. Cleansers with natural ingredients such as aloe vera, jojoba oil, and chamomile can help nourish the skin while cleansing.
When it comes to exfoliation, it's important to consider the type of exfoliation that's best for your skin type. For example, if you have sensitive skin, it's best to opt for a gentle chemical exfoliant. On the other hand, if you have oily skin, you may want to opt for a physical exfoliant. One of our favorite physical exfoliants is ground clove, which smells fantastic and is a well known anti inflammatory, which can help keep skin looking it's best.
Tips for Combining Cleansing and Exfoliating
If you want to combine cleansing and exfoliating in your skincare routine, it's important to use the right products. You should start with a gentle cleanser and then follow up with an exfoliator. It's best to avoid using a cleanser and exfoliator with the same ingredients, as this can lead to over-exfoliation. Additionally, you should never scrub your skin too hard, as this can cause irritation and damage to the skin.
How to Incorporate Both Products into Your Skincare Routine
When it comes to incorporating both cleansing and exfoliating into your skincare routine, it's important to start with a gentle cleanser. This will help remove dirt, oil, and debris from the skin and prepare it for exfoliation. After cleansing, you can then use an exfoliator. It's best to use a gentle exfoliator and avoid scrubbing the skin too hard.
Once you've exfoliated, you can then apply other skincare products, such as serums and moisturizers. This will help to nourish the skin and keep it looking and feeling healthy.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Using a Cleanser and Scrub
When it comes to using a cleanser and scrub, there are a few common mistakes to avoid. One of the most common mistakes is using a cleanser and exfoliator with the same ingredients, as this can lead to over-exfoliation.
Additionally, it's important to avoid scrubbing the skin too hard, as this can cause irritation and damage to the skin.
It's also important to avoid using harsh cleansers that contain sulfates, parabens, and fragrances. These ingredients can strip the skin of its natural oils, leaving it feeling dry and irritated.
Lastly, it's important to avoid using strong scrubs every day. This can lead to irritation and redness, which can make the remainder of your skin care routine uncomfortable.
Once a week is a great place to start.
Our Customizable Cleanser Bar is the ideal place to start with a cleanser that is skin safe for everyone, it's free of sulfates and parabens, you can choose your favorite ingredients, and it ships for free in the US.
Conclusion
We hope we've answered the question "Scrub or cleanser first?". Cleansers and scrubs are essential to any skincare routine, but there is much debate about which one should be used first. Some experts argue that cleansing should come first, while others believe that exfoliating should be the starting point. Ultimately, it's important to understand what these products do and how they work in order to make the best decision for your skin. No matter which you choose, cleansing and exfoliating are both essential steps in maintaining healthy, glowing skin.