Understanding the Roles: Cleansing vs. Exfoliating
Washing your face isn’t just about removing dirt. It preps the skin, opens pores, and creates a neutral surface for the next steps—like exfoliation, moisturizing, treatments, etc.
Exfoliating does a different job. It sloughs off dead skin cells, clears out unclogged pores, and makes way for newer cells. You’re not just going deeper with cleaning; you’re encouraging skin regeneration. That’s why people often ask: do you shake things up with exfoliation first, or stick to the order?
So, Should You exfoliate before or after washing face?
Short answer: after. Here’s why it works better.
When you wash your face with a cleanser first, you remove the surfacelevel gunk—oil, sweat, sunscreen, makeup, and pollutants. If you exfoliated before cleansing, you’d basically be pushing that stuff around.
Clean skin allows your exfoliator to really do its job. Whether it’s a physical scrub or a chemical exfoliant (like AHAs or BHAs), it’s more effective on a precleansed face. Plus, it reduces the chance of irritation from lingering surface buildup.
So next time you’re facing the mirror wondering if you should exfoliate before or after washing face, remember: cleanse first, exfoliate second.
Physical vs Chemical Exfoliation: Same Rules Apply
It doesn’t matter if you’re using a gritty scrub or a serum packed with glycolic acid. Both methods work best on clean skin. For physical exfoliation, especially, cleansing first prevents you from rubbing dirt deeper into your pores.
Chemical exfoliants like lactic, salicylic, and glycolic acid also penetrate better once your skin is free from oils and buildup.
One exception? If your exfoliator is already built into your cleanser (some 2in1 products do this), then the order is moot—that product’s doing both jobs simultaneously. Just be cautious. Using this kind of product daily can overexfoliate your skin.
How Often Should You Exfoliate?
Let’s set expectations. Exfoliating isn’t a daily task for most skin types. Aim for 2–3 times per week unless otherwise directed by a dermatologist.
Sensitive skin types might only tolerate once a week. Overexfoliating can lead to redness, dryness, and damaged skin barriers.
The rule still stands, though—exfoliate before or after washing face? Stick with postcleanse, and give your skin time to recover between sessions.
Make the Most of Your Routine
Here’s a simple, effective skincare flow:
- Cleanse – wash away dirt and oil
- Exfoliate – clear dead skin, unclog pores
- Apply targeted treatments (like serums)
- Moisturize – lock in hydration
- Optionally apply SPF in the morning or retinoids at night
That sequence helps your products absorb better and work harder without overloading or irritating your skin.
Mistakes to Watch Out For
Skipping cleansing first: Already covered, but it’s worth repeating. Exfoliating too often: More isn’t better—give your skin breaks. Using harsh exfoliants on broken or inflamed skin: This can make conditions worse. Ignoring your skin’s signals: Redness, tightness, or flaking? Cut back.
Listen to your skin—it’ll tell you if your routine’s too aggressive.
Final Take
When people ask whether to exfoliate before or after washing face, they’re asking how to get healthier, clearer skin. The answer is straightforward: cleanse first, exfoliate after. Then everything else you do can be more effective.
Clean skin is foundational. Dead skin cells shouldn’t block your expensive serums or quality moisturizers. Get the order right, keep things simple, and don’t overdo it. Your skin will handle the rest.
