How To Properly Cleanse Your Skin

Why is it important to cleanse your face twice a day? What's the best cleansing routine for healthy-looking skin?

Explore our Cleansing Masterclass...


The ultimate skin cleansing guide.  Includes expert tips.

Here at ARK Skincare, we are passionate about cleansing. We truly believe that practicing a good facial cleansing routine with high-quality products is one of the most important ways to keep your skin looking and feeling great.

Throughout the day, bacteria builds up on the skin from touch, sweat and airborne pollutants. Therefore, it is important to cleanse your face regularly to remove any dirt, oil, pollution and excess sebum.

Neglecting to cleanse your skin could result in your pores becoming congested which could lead to unwanted skin concerns, plus it may result in skin looking dull and lacklustre. Cleansing your face thoroughly also helps to create a clean surface on which to apply your skincare products, helping them to absorb properly.

The DOs and DON'Ts of Cleansing Your Face

Washing your face... It sounds so simple, doesn’t it? If you didn’t wash your face and left bacteria to build up on the skin, it could contribute to skin concerns and early signs of ageing, so it's important to get your cleansing routine right.

It’s not just about how you cleanse either. It’s also important to think carefully about which products you use and get into good habits to make sure you're taking good care of your skin.

In this section, we share our top do’s and don'ts for cleansing to help you establish a great cleansing routine.

DO

DO choose formulas that are free from harsh ingredients

When choosing your cleanser, don’t just reach for a bar of soap. Instead, make sure you choose a product which contains high-quality ingredients made for delicate skin. Believe us, your skin will thank you in the long run!

All ARK Skincare cleansers are made with sensitive skin in mind and use a blend of natural ingredients to cleanse and nourish. All of our cleansers are also sulfate free, meaning that they cleanse skin gently and effectively without any harsh chemicals.

DO select a Cleanser suited to your skin's age-related needs

It’s always best to choose a cleanser that is suited to your age. Young skin needs balancing, but not over stimulating. Mature skin needs to be nourished with ingredients to rejuvenate and repair.

Skin changes with age and needs to be treated accordingly, which is why ARK Skincare offers three Age Intelligent Cleansers, specifically formulated for each age group.

DO take your time massaging the cleanser into your skin

Give your skin some TLC. Make sure that you massage the cleanser into your skin for at least 30-60 seconds to allow the active ingredients to absorb into the skin and lift away any excess dirt and grime. Use the pads of your fingertips & work in gentle circular movements to work the cleanser into your skin before washing off.

DO use a fresh muslin cloth or flannel everyday

It may seem excessive, but it is important to use a clean face cloth every day to avoid spreading bacteria. Re-using the same wash cloth over and over again will spread more bacteria to your face which could contribute to skin concerns.

Top tip: Make sure you have a couple of high-quality face cloths so that you can pop them in the wash after each use, while still making sure you have a clean one to use the next day.

DO keep to a consistent routine.

Caring for your skin takes time and persistence, but it is time worth spending. Consistency is key. By taking good care of your skin and keeping it clean, it will look much brighter, healthier and also help you to avoid skin concerns in the future.

It’s important to note that it takes time for your skin to regenerate, so try to avoid switching up your routine too often. You will see the best results by practicing an effective cleansing routine with a few high-quality products which you consistently.

DON'T

DON'T wash your face in the shower

The water you use in the shower will most likely be too hot. Hot water strips skin of its natural oils & can exacerbate sensitivities, so it is always best to cleanse your face over the sink with lukewarm water instead. Lukewarm water helps to loosen the dirt and grime, but preserves your skin's natural hydrating oils.

DON'T use face wipes

Although face wipes may seem like a convenient option, they do not cleanse your face anywhere near as well as a high-quality cleanser since they are not able to effectively break down the dirt and excess oils on the skin.

Not only are wipes poor at cleansing the skin, they often contain lots of added ingredients which can be responsible for leaving skin dry and irritated. In addition the physical effect of rubbing and pulling at the skin with a wipe can be an irritant in itself.

The extra couple of minutes it takes to cleanse properly is most definitely worth it and you will certainly see a difference.

DON'T ever sleep in your make-up

When you go to sleep, your skin works hard to regenerate and repair. During the skin cell turnover process, new skin cells push to the surface while your skin sheds old cells.

Leaving make-up on overnight can trap the dead skin cells, preventing the skin from regenerating. This can cause buildup of dead skin cells, excess oil and bacteria which can lead to a number of skin concerns and leave the skin looking dull and aged. So, no matter how late it may be or how tired you are, make sure to always cleanse before bed!

DON'T avoid a cleansing oil if you have oily skin

If you suffer from oily skin, don't shy away from using an oil based cleanser. It will not produce any more oil on the skin. In fact, the cleansing oil helps to attract the excess oil and carefully balances and nourishes the skin, leaving it feeling clean and comfortable.

DON'T skip the double cleansing step from your evening routine

If you haven’t heard of double cleansing before, it may come as a surprise that you should actually be cleansing your face twice. Double cleansing is essential for removing daily grime and ensuring the skin is left properly cleansed.

For your first cleanse, choose an oil based cleanser. Oil cleansers are very efficient ways of removing make-up, dirt and excess sebum from the skin. Cleansing oils also prevent congestion and shine without stripping away natural oils needed for healthy balanced skin.

For your second cleanse, opt for an age specific cleanser with high-quality ingredients. The second cleanse will help to ensure your skin is left thoroughly clean while the active-ingredients help to nourish your skin.

The Beginner's Guide To Double Cleansing

ARK Skincare's CEO Tamsin Styles is a strong beliver in the benefits of double cleansing to to thoroughly wash your face and prep your skin for your twice-daily skincare routine.

If you're new to the world of double cleansing, you're likely to have a few questions. Tamsin has therefore answered a sample of our most frequently asked double cleansing questions, to help you to understand how it could be the perfect addition to your skincare.

Tamsin Styles, CEO of ARK Skincare

Q. WHAT IS DOUBLE CLEANSING? 

A. Double cleansing is simply cleansing twice with two cleansers. Step one is to cleanse with an oil-based cleanser to remove make up, pollutants and daily grime; step two is to cleanse skin with a gel or cream water-based cleanser to leave skin thoroughly clean.

Q. MY SKIN FEELS CLEAN AFTER THE FIRST STEP, SO WHY DO I NEED A SECOND CLEANSE?

A. Once you remove your daily makeup, pollutants and grime, you can move on to cleansing the skin. Use an age specific cleanser which also includes active ingredients to treat and nourish the skin as you clean it. You will really notice a difference.

Q. WHY USE AN OIL CLEANSER AS THE FIRST STEP?

A. Oil attracts oil so a first step oil-based cleanser will efficiently lift away make up and oil-based grime, and excess sebum, as well as clinging to pollutants to ensure they are thoroughly removed. This is essential for skin health.

Q. I HAVE OILY SKIN, SO IS USING AN OIL CLEANSER A GOOD IDEA?

A. It is. Oil cleansers are very efficient ways of removing excess sebum from the skin and preventing congestion and shine without stripping away natural oils needed for healthy balanced skin. Massage the ARK Skincare Pre Cleanse oil onto the skin and once you add water it turns milky, and washes off very easily along with unwanted oils, dirt and grime leaving your skin soft, clean and clear, but never greasy.

Q. WHAT IF I DON'T HAVE TIME TO DOUBLE CLEANSE?

A. Using a first step pre cleanse is faster than a wipe! Our pre cleanse was formulated for professional use by facialists wishing to have a very fast efficient way of removing their client’s make up when they arrived for a treatment. It is so fast you won’t look back!

Q. WILL ALL THIS DOUBLE CLEANSING MAKE MY SKIN FEEL TIGHT?

A. No. Not if you are using a good quality oil cleanser and an age specific cleanser. The ARK Skincare cleansers are formulated with the antioxidants, vitamins and lips your skin requires for optimal health and will leave a soft, calm feeling after use.

Q. DO I NEED TO DOUBLE CLEANSE BOTH MORNING AND NIGHT?

A. You should always double cleanse in the evenings to ensure every last bit of makeup, daily pollutants and SPF are removed. It is vital that you do not go to sleep with these clinging to your skin. However, in the morning it is not necessary to perform a full double cleanse, but it is still important to clean skin with your age intelligent cleanser before applying your serum, moisturiser and daily SPF.

Woman properly washing and cleansing her skin

ARK Skincare Cleansers

Formulated for your teens & 20s

Age Protect Skin Clear Cleanser (200ml)

The complexion-clearing cleanser designed for young skin

Our Age Protect Cleanser, specially formulated for younger skin, is packed with hard-working active ingredients which help to clear blemishes, reduce excess sebum and illuminate excess shine. It also cleverly balances oily and dry areas of the skin, leaving skin clear and comfortable.

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A gentle and ultra-nourishing cleanser, perfect for sensitive skin

Our ultra nourishing Conditioning Cleanser helps to effectively remove daily grime and make up while boosting the skin's firmness, leaving skin clean, plump and supple. This moisturising cleanser also defends against moisture loss and instantly calms any appearance of redness or irritation.

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Formulated for your 30s & 40s

Age Defend Conditioning Cleanser (200ml)

Formulated for your 50s onwards

Age Defy Brightening Cleanser (200ml)

Combat signs of skin stress and fatigue

Specially formulated to combat the signs of hormone loss in mature skin, our rich cleansing cream encourages a radiant complexion while helping to reduce the signs of ageing. Natural ingredients help to strengthen the skin and give it a generous boost of moisture. Perfect for skin needing brightening and hydrating.

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Vegan make-up remover and powerful cleansing solution

Introduce a pre cleanse to your skincare and make-up removal routine and you'll never look back. This multi-fruit lipid blend with Omegas 3, 6 & 9 is perfect for thoroughly removing your make-up and clearing away everyday grime build-up.

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Formulated for all ages

Pre Cleanse & Make-up Remover 150mlm