Why Cleansing Your Face Before Bed Matters — and Which Cleanser to Use

Just as brushing your teeth is a crucial habit for maintaining healthy, balanced teeth, cleansing your face before bed is a vital habit for maintaining healthy, balanced skin. Unfortunately, many people still use bar soap or skip cleansing entirely, unknowingly causing dryness, oil imbalances, and breakouts.

Bar soap is too alkaline for facial skin and strips away essential oils. That squeaky-clean feeling? It signals damage, not deep cleansing—leading to rebound oiliness and clogged pores.

  1. Removes daily buildup: Throughout the day, your skin collects dirt, oil, makeup, bacteria, and environmental toxins. Cleansing at night clears away this debris and gives your skin a clean slate to breathe and repair.
  2. Supports skin’s natural renewal: Your skin exfoliates and regenerates while you sleep. Going to bed with makeup or buildup blocks this process, resulting in dull, congested skin.
  3. Maximizes product absorption: Serums and moisturizers work most effectively when applied to clean, dry skin. Residue from the day prevents actives from penetrating effectively.
  4. Prevents clogged pores and acne: Sebum (your skin’s natural oil) travels through hair follicles to hydrate your skin. If pores are blocked by debris, it leads to inflammation and acne. Clean skin helps keep this natural process flowing.
  5. Improves skin tone and texture over time: Skipping nighttime cleansing causes buildup, enlarged pores, and even premature aging. Clean skin stays brighter, smoother, and healthier.

Choosing the Right Cleanser for Your Skin Type:

Using the right cleanser is just as important as cleansing itself. Avoid products with water or alcohol as the first ingredient. Instead, look for aloe-based formulas that hydrate while cleansing, like:

People with oily skin should opt for a gentle foaming cleanser that removes excess oil without over-stripping. Those with combination skin need a balanced formula—effective for oil yet gentle on dry patches.

If you have sensitive skin, avoid strong fragrances and look for ingredients like aloe vera, jojoba oil, or sweet almond oil. For acne-prone skin, choose a cleanser that both purifies and medicates the skin, like our salicylic-acid based LEROSETT® Botanical Acne Cleanser.

Ending your day with the right cleanser not only protects your skin’s health but also enhances the effectiveness of everything that follows. Make it part of your nightly ritual for clearer, more radiant skin.