Cleansing might seem like a basic step in your skincare routine, but regular cleansing is essential to keep your skin looking glowing and healthy and helps your moisturisers and serums penetrate better into your skin. But washing your face every single day in the hopes of achieving skin that looks straight out a skincare commercial is worthless if you’re not really listening to the needs of your skin. Enter: situational cleansing.
This latest skincare trend focuses on switching up your cleanser depending on the needs of your skin. Confused? Don’t be, because we’re going to tell you everything you need to know about situational cleansing and why it’s the key to beautiful, flawless skin…
- So what is situational cleansing, anyway?
- Okay, but what are its benefits?
- Are there any cons?
- So, should I go for it?
So what is situational cleansing, anyway?

If you’re someone whose skin is super sensitive to change, so much so that a slight change in your skincare routine can anger your skin then guess what, situational cleansing is just the thing for you. Your skin has it’s mood — it gets angry, irritated, thirsty, and has different needs at different times, which means a one-size-fit approach is never going to cut it. And that’s why it’s necessary to switch your cleanser based on your skin’s situation.
For example, if you have extremely dry skin, you’re probably using a moisturising cleanser to clean your face. But after a long day out in the sun — when you’re sweating and oily — using the same face wash is not going to give you a squeaky clean face. Instead, what you need is a cleanser that strips the oil and leaves you feeling squeaky clean.
Similarly, if you have an oily skin type, a sudden drop in temperature can leave your skin feeling dry and dehydrated, thus it makes sense to use a gentle cleanser that doesn’t strip the natural oils during this period.
Okay, but what are its benefits?

- Situational cleansing addresses particular skin concerns in a good way and emphasizes skin health and general hygiene by providing targeted action.
- It gives you a chance to tackle your skin’s naturally erratic behaviour effectively.
- It’s a versatile method that people with every skin type can incorporate into their routine.
Are there any cons?

- If you’re someone who’s constantly on the go, having too many cleansers might become slightly cumbersome.
- You may have to put a lot of thought into figuring out your skin needs, which can get really confusing.
- Since it involves using multiple products, it can burn a hole in your pocket.
So, should I go for it?

Yes, you definitely should because even though this method may seem frivolous, it does come with a lot of benefits — the main one being targeted action. Also, if you’re sticking to switching between only two products, you can save up on the cost and and you never know… this could be the answer to most of your skin woes. Worth the try, ladies!
Written by Urvi Dalal on Aug 06, 2020
Writer, avid reader and hardcore beauty enthusiast is the best way to describe Urvi Dalal. With over 5 years of writing experience in the beauty industry, you can trust her to have the latest skin, hair and makeup tidbits on her fingertips. In her time working as a beauty writer, she has had the opportunity to interact and work closely with a string of dermatologists, makeup artists and hairstylists. All that knowledge exchange, coupled with her flair and love for writing make it possible for her to bring you some authentic yet fun beauty content. When Urvi isn’t working, you’d usually catch her curled up with a big, fat book, drinking a cup of tea or practising her makeup skills; there is no in-between!