Do You Need a Face Wash and a Cleanser Both?

Face wash and cleanser. Many skincare beginners are confused about whether a face wash and a cleanser are the same thing. They serve the same purpose, to clean your skin, Yet, they are not the same thing. Many people use their name interchangeably, especially with social media recommending multiple cleansers. But it completely depends on your specific skin type, concern, makeup and overall lifestyle. 

In this dermatologist-approved guide, we help explain face wash vs cleansers, the difference between the two, and help you decide which one or more you need depending on your specific skin needs. 

Deconstruct — Vitamin C Brightening Face Wash

Gentle face wash enriched with Vitamin C that helps remove impurities, reduce dullness, and reveal brighter, refreshed-looking skin.

Loading...

Face Wash vs Cleanser: What's the Difference? 

What Is a Cleanser? 

Facial cleansers help clear your skin by unclogging pores, debris and dirt on your skin, helping your skin better absorb serums and moisturizers better 

• Designed to remove dirt, makeup, sunscreen, and impurities

• Often available in cream, balm, oil, or lotion formats

• Usually gentler and more hydrating

What Is a Face Wash?

A face wash is a water-based foaming or gel-based formula that helps keep skin refreshed, washes away dirt, sebum and impurities while prepping the skin for the rest of your skincare routine.

• Water-based cleansing product

• Removes sweat, oil, and daily buildup

• Typically creates a fresher cleansing experience

Key Differences at a Glance

So, do you need both a cleanser and a face wash?

Not everyone needs both a cleanser and a face wash. If you wear makeup, heavy sunscreen or have significant buildup on your skin, using a facial cleanser before your face wash can be helpful to clear out dirt, the excess makeup and SPF buildup along with sebum, effectively. For many, a single, lightweight and well formulated face wash is enough, twice a day.

When Do You Actually Need Both?

So under these circumstances, your skin will benefit from both a cleanser and face wash:

If You Wear Makeup Daily

If you’re someone who wears a lot of makeup on a daily basis, you need a (oil-based) cleanser. Using just a face wash cannot completely dissolve the waxes, polymers and silicone found in makeup. It can leave traces of microscopic makeup that remain trapped in your pores and overtime this results in

•  Trapped dead skin

• Clogged pores 

• Persistent dullness. 

If You Use Heavy Sunscreen

Heavy SPF formulas, like mineral SPF or water-resistant SPF formulas are engineered to stick to your skin, resisting sweat, water and friction. Just a water-based face wash cannot fully break this protective film down on its own. It causes trapped sebum, sweat and dirt along with dead skin to build up. Leading to

• Congestion

• Clogged pores

• Frequent breakouts from trapped pores and acne-causing bacteria 

 If You Have Oily or Congested Skin 

If you’re someone with oily, acne prone or congested skin, even if it seems like an oil-based cleanser may be counterintuitive, it’s most effective in clearing out

• Excess sebum(oil) buildup 

• Keeping pores clear and preventing acne causing bacteria 
  

When a Face Wash Alone Is Enough

Minimal Skincare Routines

When your skincare routine is simple, with 

• No makeup usage

• Light sunscreen use daily 

 Morning Cleansing

When you wake up, your skin has a buildup of sweat, sebum and last night’s skincare. A face wash is more than enough to refresh your skin for the day. 

 Everyday Skin Maintenance 

If your day consists of basic 

• Moisturizer 

• Sweat 

• Standard indoor grime

A face wash alone is enough for daily maintenance, along with your serum to target specific skin concerns + your  moisturizer for daily hydration 

Recommended Face Washes Based on Skin Type 

Here’s a dermatologist-recommended face wash specific to your skin type:

Deconstruct Face Wash

Best for Everyday Cleansing

Deconstruct’s line of face washes for both men and women, are ideal for daily cleansing and suitable to remove the day-to-day grime 

• Suitable for regular daily use

• Helps remove dirt, sweat, and daily impurities

• Supports a simple skincare routine

• Appropriate for users seeking a straightforward cleansing step

Deconstruct Salicylic Acid Oil Control Face Wash

Best for Oily and Congestion-Prone Skin

Dermatologists highly recommend the Salicylic Acid Oil Control Face Wash from Deconstruct for oily and acne prone skin as it: 

• Helps remove excess oil

• Supports cleaner-looking pores

• Suitable for oily and acne-prone skin

• Salicylic acid helps manage buildup associated with congestion and clogged pores 

Instead of using multiple cleansing products unnecessarily, you can often achieve your skincare goals by choosing the best face wash as per your specific skin type. 

What to Do After Cleansing

Cleansing is not the only step. It helps keep your skin 

Why Cleansing Is Only the First Step 

Its job is to only break down the heavy oil-soluble barrier on your face (heavy makeup, SPF) so your next step face wash can reach your skin and clear it.

Whether you’re using a face wash or a cleanser, or both, they’re only the foundation for the rest of your entire skincare routine. They ensure a perfect and clear base for your dedicated treatment or serums to help effectively target your specific skin concerns such as acne and hyperpigmentation. 

Recommended Follow-Up: Deconstruct Vitamin C Serum with Liposomal Technology

Formulated with Vitamin C and ferulic acid, this stable and gentle formula is dermatologically recommended as it:  

• Supports brighter-looking skin 

• Provides boosted antioxidant protection and protects your skin from oxidative stress from environmental stressors such as UV, pollution 

• Helps improve overall radiance from within 

• Increased stability with ferulic acid 

• Complements a consistent cleansing routine

• Suitable for daily use

• Beginner-friendly 

This lightweight, water-based serum is dermatologically recommended for it’s superior and targeted ingredient delivery, being beginner-friendly and as an ideal option for anyone with oily and acne prone skin to help effectively fade dullness, dark spots and improve overall radiance from within. 

A Simple Dermatologist-Inspired Routine

Here’s a beginner-friendly yet effective routine to keep you consistent 

Morning Routine 

• Deconstruct Face Wash or Deconstruct Salicylic Acid Face Wash

• Deconstruct Vitamin C Serum

• Moisturizer

• Sunscreen

Evening Routine 

• Face wash suited to skin type

• Moisturizer

• Additional treatment products if needed
  
  
  

Final Thoughts 

Not everyone needs both a cleanser and a face wash. The right approach depends on lifestyle and skin concerns. 

Use face wash alone: In the morning and night, when you don’t wear heavy makeup or SPF formulas and you mostly have indoor grime. 

Use cleanser or both: When your routine is wearing heavy makeup, SPF formulas with water-resistance, and have oily to very oily skin. 

Do not use cleansers if your skin barrier is damaged or compromised. 

A well-chosen face wash often provides sufficient daily cleansing. This is why dermatologists highly recommend Deconstruct’s Face Washes, especially Deconstruct Salicylic Acid Face Wash for oily and acne prone skin. Along with a complete and well-rounded skincare routine, along with a dedicated  Deconstruct Vitamin C Serum can help build a simple and effective skincare routine to promote overall skin health in the long haul. 

FAQs

Is face wash alone enough to remove daily sunscreen? 

Yes, if its a light daily sunscreen. If you’re using heavy formulas, such as mineral SPF with zinc oxide, titanium dioxide or SPF with water-resistant formulas, especially on oily skin, they’re designed to stick to your skin. Using just a face wash here is not enough. You need an oil-based cleanser to help remove the excess, to ensure no microscopic film of SPF is left behind. 

What is the difference between face wash and a cleanser? 

A face wash is water-based and removes sweat dirt and buildup. A cleanser is often oil- or cream-based and dissolves makeup and heavy oils. Many people use both together, especially when wearing heavy makeup daily with heavy SPF and sweat. 

How to clean face when the skin barrier is damaged? 

If you see signs of burning, stinging or redness and hyper-reaction to skincare products, signs are that your skin barrier is compromised. Wash your face with a gentle cream-based and  non-soap based which is non-foaming (National Library of Medicine).