How to Properly Wash Your Face (So It Doesn't Feel Tight After)

If your face feels tight, shiny-squeaky or slightly hot after you wash it, the problem usually isn't dirt. It's the washing. Too hot, too long, too much rubbing, or a cleanser that's stronger than your skin needs. Fix those and the tight feeling goes away surprisingly fast.

Why your face feels tight after washing

Cleanser can't tell the difference between the oil you want gone and the oils that keep your skin comfortable. Strip too much and your face feels tight within minutes. Cleveland Clinic dermatologist Dr. Jane Wu says "Overwashing can lead to dryness, irritation and the breakdown of the skin barrier."

That squeaky-clean feeling a lot of us grew up chasing? It's a sign you've gone too far. Clean skin should feel soft.

How to wash your face correctly, step by step

This is the routine the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends in its face washing advice, plus a few practical details.

1. Pull your hair back and wash your hands

A headband or clip keeps cleanser off your hairline, which is where most people under-rinse. Clean hands matter because your fingertips are the tool.

2. Wet your face with lukewarm water

The AAD says to "Wet your face with lukewarm water." Lukewarm means it feels neither warm nor cool on the inside of your wrist. If a gentle cleanser still leaves you tight, check the water temperature before you blame the product.

3. Use a nickel-sized amount of cleanser

Cleveland Clinic dermatologist Dr. Sean McGregor suggests a "nickel-sized amount of cleanser" mixed with a little water. That's enough for your whole face and the front of your neck. If you see a thick lather, you've used too much; the AAD's dry-skin advice is to use enough cleanser to remove dirt and oil, but not so much that you see a thick lather.

4. Massage with your fingertips, gently

Rub the cleanser between your fingertips first, then use small circles across your forehead, nose, cheeks, chin and jaw. Don't forget the sides of your nose and along your hairline. The AAD says "Resist the temptation to scrub your skin because scrubbing irritates the skin," and that "Using a washcloth, mesh sponge, or anything other than your fingertips can irritate your skin."

How long? Not as long as social media says. Cleveland Clinic dermatologist Dr. Melissa Piliang says "The ideal way to cleanse is to massage on your cleanser and then rinse it off," and that there's "no benefit to massaging it in longer." Long enough to cover every part of your face is the right amount.

5. Rinse well

Rinse with more lukewarm water until your skin doesn't feel slippery. Cup the water in your hands and splash, rather than rubbing. Check your jawline and hairline in the mirror; leftover cleanser there is a common cause of dry patches.

6. Pat dry with a soft towel

The AAD says "pat dry with a soft towel." Patting, not rubbing. Use a clean towel that's only for your face, so it isn't picking up body lotion and shampoo all week.

7. Moisturize while your skin is still a little damp

The AAD's advice on dry skin is to put moisturizer on while skin is still damp. Damp, not dripping. We aim for within a minute or two of patting dry. This is the step that stops the tight feeling. If you're not sure what goes on next, our guide to moisturizer or sunscreen first has the order.

Should you wash your face in the morning?

Usually, yes. The AAD says to "Wash your face once in the morning and once at night, as well as after sweating heavily." Cleveland Clinic dermatologist Dr. Kathryn Anderson agrees: "I recommend washing your face twice a day with a cleanser."

There's an exception. If your skin is dry or easily irritated, she suggests "You may want to wash your face just in the morning only with water and then use a cleanser only at night." That's a good first change to make if your face feels tight all day.

If you have an oily T-zone and dry cheeks, our combination skin care routine shows how to handle the two areas differently.

How to use cleanser vs. face wash: is a cleanser a face wash?

Yes. "Cleanser" and "face wash" mean the same job: something that removes oil, sweat, sunscreen and makeup from your face. In practice, "face wash" usually means a foaming rinse-off product, while "cleanser" covers everything, including creams, lotions, gels, balms and micellar water.

How you use each one differs a little:

• Foaming face wash: lather it in your wet hands first, then apply. Use less than you think.
• Cream or lotion cleanser: massage onto damp skin. It won't foam, and that's fine.
• Micellar water: soak a cotton pad and wipe. Bioderma says its Sensibio H2O needs no rinsing.
• Cleansing balm: massage onto dry skin first, then add water so it turns milky, then rinse.

Do you need to double cleanse?

Most people don't. Dr. Wu says "Double cleansing is usually not necessary," and that "For most people, washing your face once thoroughly with a gentle cleanser is more than adequate."

It's worth it on days you wear heavy makeup or water-resistant sunscreen. Dr. Wu's alternative is simple: "Using a micellar water to remove makeup before a water-based cleanser is a great alternative to double cleansing." For waterproof mascara specifically, see our eye makeup remover picks. Out of remover? Our guide to removing makeup without makeup remover covers what to use instead.

How to effectively wash your face: common mistakes

• Hot water. The AAD says lukewarm, before and after.
• Washing more than twice a day. The AAD's rule is "Limit washing to twice a day and after sweating."
• A washcloth, brush or scrub every day. The AAD says anything other than fingertips can irritate.
• Using an exfoliating wash as your daily cleanser. Dr. McGregor's advice is to use a cleanser or an exfoliant, not both. If you like an acid wash, keep it to a few nights a week.
• Leaving moisturizer for later. Moisturize within a couple of minutes.
• Face wipes as your only cleanse. Dr. Anderson says wipes usually need "a pretty harsh rubbing motion" that "can strip down your skin barrier."

Picks that help

Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser

Best for: an everyday wash that doesn't leave skin tight, especially if your skin is sensitive.

• Vanicream says it's free of "dyes, fragrance, masking fragrance, lanolin, parabens, formaldehyde," and of "oil, soap, botanical extracts, essential oils and harsh cleansing agents."
• It removes "makeup and excess skin oils." Directions: "Apply to wet skin, lather, rinse and pat dry."
• Keep in mind: it's mild, so on heavy makeup days take makeup off first. More options are in our best cleanser for sensitive skin roundup.

Check price on Amazon

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Facial Cleanser

Best for: dry skin that feels tight after every wash.

• A cream cleanser that doesn't foam. Dr. Wu notes that "Cream cleansers are less drying than foaming."
• La Roche-Posay lists it as soap-free and fragrance-free, for "normal to dry, sensitive skin," with ceramide-3, niacinamide and glycerin.
• Keep in mind: with no lather, it can feel like it isn't working. Massage it in with damp fingertips and rinse well.

Check price on Amazon

Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water

Best for: taking makeup off before your regular cleanser, the way Dr. Wu suggests.

• Bioderma says it "Effectively removes makeup from face and eyes" and needs "No rinsing required."
• Soak a cotton pad and wipe gently; for stubborn makeup, hold the pad on your skin for a few seconds first.
• Keep in mind: it's gentle, which means waterproof mascara may need a second pass or a two-phase remover.

Check price on Amazon

Banila Co Clean It Zero Calming Cleansing Balm

Best for: heavy makeup and sunscreen days, as the first step of a double cleanse.

• Banila Co says it melts from a sherbet texture into an oil that breaks down "makeup, SPF, dirt, and impurities," and calls this version hypoallergenic and dermatologist tested, with cica and madecassoside.
• Directions: massage onto dry skin with your fingertips, add water and massage again until it turns milky, then "Rinse well with lukewarm water."
• Keep in mind: we couldn't confirm a fragrance-free claim on the listing, and it leaves a light film, so follow it with your gentle cleanser.

Check price on Amazon

FAQs

How long should you wash your face?

Long enough to massage cleanser over your whole face, then rinse. There's no magic number. Dr. Piliang at Cleveland Clinic says there's "no benefit to massaging it in longer," so skip the 60-second trend if your skin feels tight.

Should you wash your face in the morning if you washed it at night?

Most people should, because sweat, oil and overnight products build up. If your skin is dry or sensitive, Dr. Anderson suggests rinsing with water in the morning and using cleanser only at night.

Can I wash my face in the shower?

Yes. Dr. Anderson says "washing your face in the shower works just as well as the sink." Just keep your face out of the hot stream, and wash it at the end so you can moisturize right away.

How do I use face wash if I wear sunscreen and makeup?

Remove makeup first with micellar water or a cleansing balm, then wash with your regular cleanser. That's the only time a second cleanse is worth it.

Is it bad to wash your face with just water?

Not in the morning, especially if you're dry. At night you need a cleanser to remove sunscreen and makeup, which water alone won't shift.

Why does my face feel tight after I wash it?

Usually hot water, a strong foaming cleanser, scrubbing, or waiting too long to moisturize. Change one thing at a time, starting with water temperature and a gentler cleanser.

Lukewarm water, a nickel of cleanser, fingertips, pat dry, moisturize. That's the whole method.