How to Wash Your Face the Right Way: When, How, and Why It Matters

Let's start with a revolutionary concept that might surprise you: skip the morning cleanser.

This wisdom comes from generations of beauty secrets, even passed down from Salma Hayek's grandmother. Throughout the night, your skin works hard, regenerating and producing natural, beneficial oils (sebum) that protect and nourish your complexion. Using a cleanser in the morning can strip away these vital natural oils, leaving your skin feeling tight, vulnerable, and potentially leading to an overproduction of oil to compensate. It's like constantly telling your skin it's "too dry," making it work overtime to produce more oil.

For most skin types, a simple splash of lukewarm water in the morning is all you need. This refreshes your skin without disrupting its delicate balance.

When to consider a morning cleanse:

• Oily Skin in Humid Environments: If you have particularly oily skin and live in a very humid climate, you might be an exception. The combination of your skin type and environment can sometimes benefit from a gentle morning cleanse.
• Listen to Your Skin: If you wake up feeling excessively greasy and truly feel the need for a morning cleanse, try this: start by skipping it twice a week and observe how your skin reacts. Your skin is smart, it will tell you what it needs!

Night: The Essential Deep Cleanse

The evening cleanse is non-negotiable. Think of your face as a magnet for the day's impurities: dirt, pollution, sweat, and makeup all accumulate, creating a barrier that prevents your nighttime skincare from truly working. If you don't remove this daily grime, none of your nourishing serums, treatments, or moisturizers will be able to penetrate and do their job effectively. You'd essentially be applying beneficial ingredients onto a dirty canvas!

Timing is everything: Always wash your face at night, and ideally, after brushing your teeth. This ensures you wash away any toothpaste residue that could irritate the skin around your mouth.

Here's your Nature's Circle Care nighttime cleansing ritual:

       1. Melt Away Makeup First (if applicable): While our Nature’s Circle Care soaps can handle light makeup, a dedicated first step makes all the difference—especially for heavier or waterproof products around the eyes. For a natural option, use a lightweight plant-based oil like jojoba oil or sweet almond oil. 

Massage a few drops onto dry skin, focusing on areas with makeup. This gently dissolves the product without stripping your skin. Then, wipe off with a soft cotton pad or warm, damp cloth. This method lifts away residue while keeping your skin balanced, no harsh rubbing required.

       2. Prep Your Cleanser or Soap: Once your makeup is removed, it’s time to cleanse. Our handmade soaps are made with nourishing ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil, and infused herbs. They cleanse without stripping your skin and are pH-balanced, so you can skip the toner altogether. To use:

• Wet your hands and lather the soap
• Warm it up between your palms
• Massage gently onto dry skin, including around the eyes
• Wet a clean towel with lukewarm water and wipe off
• Rinse lightly if needed
• Pat dry with a fresh towel

These soaps also help remove light daily makeup, making them a practical and gentle choice. 

       3. The Clean Towel Method: Forget messy splashing! Grab a clean, soft washcloth or small towel. Wet the towel with lukewarm water, wring it out, and use it to gently wipe off the soap from your face. This method offers better control, ensures all product is removed, and keeps your sleeves dry! Once the soap is mostly wiped off with the towel, you can do a final splash of lukewarm water over your face to ensure all residue is gone.

       4. Pat Dry with a Fresh Towel: Do NOT rub your face vigorously. Instead, take a nice, fresh, clean towel and gently pat your face dry.

       5. The All-Important Follow-Up: After cleansing, your skin is fresh and ready to receive nourishment. While many people reach for a store-bought moisturizer, there are natural alternatives that work just as effectively, without unnecessary additives or fillers.

Here’s what we recommend:

• Plant-based oils like jojoba, rosehip, or sea buckthorn are excellent natural emollients. They help seal in moisture, support the skin barrier, and provide essential nutrients.
• Aloe vera gel (pure, cold-pressed) is a lightweight option that hydrates and soothes, especially for sensitive or acne-prone skin.
• Shea butter (in small amounts) works well for drier skin types, particularly in colder climates, offering deep nourishment and protection.

These ingredients not only replenish what cleansing might remove, but they also allow your skin to breathe and balance naturally, the way it was meant to.

Apply your chosen natural hydrator while your skin is still slightly damp to help lock in moisture effectively.

Winter Wisdom

Canadian winters can be tough on your skin. The cold air outside and dry indoor heat can leave your face feeling tight, flaky, or uncomfortable. During these months, your usual routine might need a little adjusting.

You may find that your skin craves something richer, whether that’s a more emollient cleanser or an extra layer of nourishment like a thicker face oil or a balm. Even a gentle water-only rinse in the morning might feel too drying for some. That’s okay. Tune in to what your skin is telling you and respond with softness, not intensity.

No matter the season, the core principle remains: gentle care always wins. By respecting your skin's changing needs, especially during the winter, you give it space to thrive, naturally.

The Nature's Circle Care Difference: Gentle & Balanced

At Nature’s Circle Care, our handmade soaps are formulated to cleanse gently yet effectively, without stripping your skin of its essential moisture.

We prioritize balanced formulations that support your skin’s natural barrier and maintain a healthy pH. This gentle approach means you may not even need a separate toner, our soaps are designed to leave your skin feeling clean, calm, and naturally in sync.

In today’s world of over-exfoliating and excessive cleansing, even so-called “gentle” products can disrupt your skin’s rhythm. This often leads to irritation, sensitivity, or a compromised barrier.

Our philosophy is simple: respect your skin’s natural intelligence.
When you treat it with care and intention, balance isn’t something you force, it’s something you protect.

What’s one small shift you’re ready to make in your face-washing routine this season?