Cleanse & Prep

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  • Gentle Amino Cleanser

    Gentle Amino Cleanser

    Original price was: £24.00.Current price is: £19.00.
    100ml
    AM & PM
    Soothing, Vegan
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Understanding the cleanse and prep step

Cleansing and prep is the foundation your routine is built on: it removes make-up, sunscreen, sweat and excess oil so the products that follow can work on clean skin. Most people do well cleansing at night, with an optional, gentler morning wash — though very dry or sensitive skin may prefer just water in the morning. Toners and essences can then rebalance and add light hydration, while exfoliators (chemical or physical) help lift dull surface cells. The key with prep is restraint: over-cleansing or over-exfoliating can strip and irritate the barrier, so ease actives in gradually and let your skin set the pace.

Category questions

What's the correct order for the cleanse and prep step?

Cleanse first — a double cleanse in the evening if you wear make-up or SPF — then apply any toner or essence, and use an exfoliant only on the days you’ve planned for it. Work from the thinnest, most watery textures upward before moving on to serums and moisturiser.

How often should I cleanse and exfoliate?

Cleansing once or twice daily suits most people; oilier skin often benefits from morning and night, while dry or sensitive skin may only need an evening wash. Exfoliation is far less frequent — typically one to three times a week — as overdoing it can cause redness and irritation.

Do I actually need a toner?

Not essentially. Modern toners aren’t the harsh, astringent formulas of the past; they’re optional steps that can add light hydration or gentle exfoliation before serums. If your skin is comfortable without one, you can leave it out. If you use one, choose it for your skin’s needs rather than out of habit.

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