Yes, we are about to make a counterintuitive statement. But as it turns out, adding moisture to your skin might actually be having the opposite effect and drying out your skin.
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Not dissimilar to why washing your face in the shower has such a bad name, water can often be overly-harsh and strip the skin of its natural oils.
Enter: the ‘rinse-free’ cleanser. Not to be mistaken with a micellar water, these cleansers are still in their usual cream or oil form, only without the step of actually turning on the tap.
Pharmacist and founder of QED Skincare Shoshana Eisner revealed that when formulating her Deep Hydration Rinse Free Cleanser ($48, QED Skincare), not only did the concept of washing a cleanser off after application seem wasteful, “I couldn’t see the point of filling a product with amazing actives which you then literally rinse down the drain.”
She also reminded us that it’s not just the potent ingredients to look out for, “washing off with water itself can dry out your skin.”
And as the age-old blame game goes, we often believe irritated congestion is the result of excess sebum production. However, just as excess oil can cause our skin to freak out, so too can dehydration.
So how exactly do rinse-free cleansers work?
Rinse-free cleansers don’t work too dissimilarly to regular cleansers. They’re best applied using a cotton pad or microfiber cloth and then you rub the product in just as you would a regular cleanser. The big difference? Don’t rinse it off with water (or anything) when you’re finished.
The result? Instead of that “squeaky clean” AKA tight, oil-stripped feeling you may be used to experiencing, the lingering hydration from the moisturising rinse-free cleanser remains.
How do I know my skin is actually clean?
Now, if you’re thinking dirty residue must be left on the skin then too, it actually isn’t the case. Shoshana assures us that once the skin is clean, “the pad or cloth will wipe clear.”
“Think of it like using a cleansing wipe, EXCEPT, it is good for your skin,” she says. “Your skin will feel soft and clean and nourished.”
So there you have it; cleansing without a drop of water. Now you really have no excuse to go to bed without a clean face.
Here are some other rinse-free cleansers we love: Eau Thermale Avène Extremely Gentle Cleanser Lotion and the La Roche-Posay Toleriane Dermo Cleanser.
Main image credit: @yadavillaret
Have you tried a rinse-free cleanser? If not, are you interested in giving one a go?
That’s really interesting
I always wash my face in the shower…
Mmm. Trying to get my head around a non rinse cleanser. Even if I use a wipe I remove residue with water soaked cotton pad or spray water like Avene and tissue off left over residue.
im confused still after reading
So many of our Mums would have done this years ago. I remember my Mum using the Ponds Cold Cream as it was called. She would apply it and wipe off with a cotton ball and she was good to go.
I’m not sure if this would be exactly right for me right now but I’d be willing to give it a go.
I met a guy once who did that with his skin and he had beautiful skin! He was proud of it too which is why he told me how he looked after his skin.
I’m not sure this would work for all skin types. Oily skin does benefit from a gentle foaming cleanser that’s pH balanced and non-stripping. Otherwise it just never feels clean.
Personally, prefer to rinse cleansers off (and micellar waters that claim they are rinse free). And works for my skin.
Same. Feels weird not to. Plus no issues with that. Except clean skin.
Never heard of Rinse Free Cleansers before always feel cleaner, with a cleanser that you rinse off, then apply the Toner. Something I would need to try first before making a decision, as wether it works just as well as the others that you rinse off with water.
Interesting article
Id try this.
Hmm never heard of rinse free cleansers!
Me too, and so far no issues with my skin.
My Mum passed away aged 77 and she didnt have a single wrinkle. She had amazing skin.
I’ve been washing my face in the shower. What’s the reasoning behind not to? Okay just read the linking article. Its okay to wash face in the shower as long as its not hot or steamy and if so, then a blast of cool/lukewarm water to close the pores.
Not sure about not rinsing off after.
This is amazing .The future generation are lucky as they will look 20 when they are 50 thanks to the cleansers.
Maybe the above only applies to some people.
Definitely trying
I don’t mind rinsing, but cleansing is my least favourite part of my beauty routine.
I also use an exfoliating cleanser several times a week that is an essential step for my skin so I have to rinse .
I’m sure no rinse cleansing will suit some skin types though. I might try a couple of times a week once I get through my stash of current cleansers.
No, I don’t think this is for me. I’ve always rinsed after cleansing. I wouldn’t feel properly clean.
Prefer to rinse a cleanser off.
No can do. I need to wash. I can’t sleep if I haven’t showered and if I’m in the shower, I’m gonna wash my face. If I’m wearing makeup I’ll remove it before I get in the shower, but I always do a second cleanse in the shower.
I feel like there is still a residue. Plus I’m not too fused about having to rinse my face at the end, feels like one of those products that solves a non existent problem lol
Umm – but the pad isn’t going to wipe clear without at least rinsing it & wiping my face again.
No, no – I’m blemish-prone, so I’m not game to try this.
Hmm, I’m not so sure about this, I like rinsing my skin.
Not sure what I just read or buy what it says given that creamy cleansers work well and don’t strip skin. If a cleanser is leaving your skin imbalanced or stripped, you’re clearly using the wrong type of cleanser for your skin type.
The idea that water is drying on skin is, frankly, quite unbelievable.
Interesting. Not sure if I’ll be trying this one…I like to rinse my cleansers off
So many different concepts for clean skin!
My Mum did too Meedee.
Rinse free cleansers isn’t a new concept. Anyway some cream cleansers give you a choice of either using a tissue or cotton pad to remove it or rinse off with water.
I think back then they had less options and most woman used these types of cleansers. If you watch old movies you see it all the time. The woman is sitting at her dresser in the bedroom and removes her cleanser with tissues before bed.
So many cleaner options to choose from nowadays
I interchange between rinse of cleanser/exfoliator and using cotton pads to cleanse with a toner.
I’d try it just to see if it really worked. I always double cleanse and rinse so it would certainly feel odd to use a rinse-free cleanser.
I don’t like the sound of leaving a cleanser on my skin
Hm… not sure about this. I like to rinse a cleanser off, then tone and moisturise.
Interesting, never heard about it.
I must admit this is the first I have heard of rinse-free cleansers and after reading the article I would be happy to try one of these brands. I only use Micellar Water to cleanse so I am sure the rinse-free option would also suit me.
Never heard of it…
Interesting idea, but I’m not sure I’m totally convinced it would work. Am I just pushing makeup deep into my pores?
Never heard of this before…
i always double cleanse at night and i like water too
I have never heard this.
I am not sure about this,but I might give it a try.
It seems one minute I’m doing everything right then the next I’m doing it wrong lol
I agree with other beauties, not something that I would feel clean about.
I feel doubtful too as where does the grime go ?