Step 1: Wash your hands. Otherwise, you’ll just be rubbing dirt and bacteria onto your skin. If you wear eye makeup, use an eye makeup remover to tissue it off before cleansing.

Step 2: Wet your face completely by splashing it with warm or tepid water. Avoid hot water, which strips skin of its natural protective oils, leaving it fragile and dry.

Step 3: Lather a nickel-sized amount of cleanser between your hands, then, using your fingertips, gently massage it into your skin using a circular motion.

Step 4: Start at the forehead, then move down the nose, out to the cheeks, and down. Don’t forget your hairline, eyebrows, and neck.

Step 5: Rinse the cleanser off by repeatedly splashing cool water over your face. Pay attention to the spots that are easily missed, such as the hairline. Spend more time rinsing than cleansing since cleanser residue can irritate your skin.

Step 6: Use a clean, soft towel to gently blot — not rub or pull — your face and neck.