Cleansing vs Exfoliating: What’s the Difference Between Exfoliating and Cleansing?

Cleansing vs exfoliating. Two of the most important steps in any skincare routine. Yet, so many people still don’t quite understand which comes first, how often each should be done, or even the role of each technique. This exfoliating vs. cleansing comparison will break it all down.

Cleansing lifts away sweat, sunscreen, makeup, excess oil, and all the other daily buildup that sits on the surface of your skin. Exfoliation goes beneath the surface, though, helping shed dead skin cells that dull your complexion and block pores.

One keeps the skin clean, the other keeps it smooth, bright, and receptive to the rest of your skincare routine. BOTH are essential pieces of the puzzle. They need to be used together - in the right order - for you to really bring out the best in your skin. We’ll share tips below.

Just know your search for cleansing and exfoliating essentials ends here at Naturopathica. From our enzyme peels to our lineup of cleansers, everything is crafted from a balance of ancient botanical wisdom and modern skincare science. Shop now and round out your ritual!

“I’ve been using this for over a year now and love how it brightens my skin. I follow it up with the white tea mask for moisturizing and my skin loves it. Highly recommend.” - Jessica

“This peel is great for acne and congested skin. My clients love it and says it clears there acne up after one use.” - Misty

“I love this product so much! Moisturizes while gently cleaning make up away. I have used it for 3 years and would not use anything else!” - Sandra

Cleansing vs Exfoliating at a Glance

Aspect	Cleansing	Exfoliating
Primary role	Removes surface buildup like dirt, sweat, sunscreen, and makeup.	Removes dead skin cells that sit on the surface and in pores.
How it works	Uses surfactants or oils to lift impurities so they rinse away with water.	Uses enzymes, acids, or fine particles to dissolve or loosen built-up cells.
Main skin benefits	Keeps skin fresh, prevents clogged pores from daily grime, preps skin for treatment.	Improves glow, smooths texture, helps fade discoloration, helps pores look more refined.
Typical frequency	1–2 times per day, depending on skin type and lifestyle.	1–3 times per week for most skin; less often for very sensitive types.
Order in routine	Always first step in your routine (morning and night).	Used after cleansing and before toner, serums, and moisturizers.
Best for	All skin types as a daily hygiene step.	Dull, rough, congested, or uneven skin that needs a brightness or texture boost.
Common formats	Gels, creams, balms, milks, oil cleansers.	Enzyme peels, AHA/BHA toners, resurfacing pads, gentle scrubs.

The Importance of Cleansing

Cleansing is the foundation of any skincare routine. Everything else in your routine depends on it. A film of sunscreen, makeup, sweat, oil, and environmental debris settles on the surface of your skin throughout the day, and cleansing wipes it all clear for a blank slate.

Without proper cleansing pores get congested, active ingredients struggle to sink in, and your skin gradually looks duller and heavier. A proper cleanser effortlessly lifts that gunk away and leaves your skin clear for the rest of your routine.

There are several ways to cleanse depending on what your skin needs. These are the most popular:

• Gel cleansers work well for oily or combination skin because they rinse clean and leave no residue.
• Cream and milk cleansers are gentle on dry or sensitive skin, removing impurities without compromising the delicate moisture barrier.
• Cleansing balms and oils melt down long-wear makeup and mineral sunscreen, a must-have for anyone who uses heavier products during the day.

Dialing in your cleansing ritual means fewer clogged pores, smoother texture, and better absorption from serums and moisturizers. It’s a small step that so many people gloss over, but it influences how effective every product after it can be - including exfoliants!

Why Exfoliating Matters, Too

Exfoliation takes over where cleansing stops. You can have the BEST product and cleansing technique in the world, but you’ll still deal with dead skin cells slowly but surely building up on the surface of your skin and within pores themselves.

This buildup can lead to uneven skin tone, rougher texture, and eventually, breakouts that take over your complexion. Cleansing only gets you so far - exfoliation is more aggressive in removing that buildup so newer, fresher cells can come forward.

There are two main approaches - physical vs chemical exfoliation:

• Chemical exfoliants use ingredients like AHAs (Lactic Acid, Glycolic Acid), BHAs (Salicylic Acid), and fruit enzymes to dissolve the bonds holding dead cells in place. They work evenly across the skin and are great for acne, dark spots, or dullness.
• Physical exfoliants rely on very fine particles, polishing granules, or soft tools to manually lift away surface debris. You get immediate smoothness that you can feel.

We get asked all the time, does exfoliation help with acne? Absolutely! It goes back to removing the build-up that can lead to breakouts in the first place. Think of exfoliation as a preventative approach to keeping your skin looking (and feeling) clear.

The right exfoliant works wonders to fade post-blemish marks, minimize the look of large pores, soften fine lines, and even help your moisturizer work better. Whether you exfoliate once a week or a few times per month, that small bit of renewal makes a noticeable difference over time.

So, what’s the difference between exfoliating and cleansing? Let’s take a closer look at exfoliating vs cleansing side-by-side below to help you understand what each brings to your ritual. 

Exfoliating vs Cleansing: Key Differences to Consider

Exfoliating and cleansing each have a spot in your routine. They’re not interchangeable. Here’s what you need to know about the role of exfoliating vs cleansing. 

Depth of Results

There’s a little overlap between cleansing vs exfoliating in the sense that each removes build-up, but it’s the depth of those results that matters. 

Cleansing clears away surface debris such as oil, sunscreen, makeup, sweat, and pollution. It keeps your skin from feeling coated or congested and creates a clean surface for everything else in your routine.

On the other hand, exfoliation works a bit deeper to remove the older, stubborn layer of dead cells that cleansing can’t touch. This helps smooth rough patches, fade dullness, and keep pores from clogging.

The biggest takeaway from this comparison of cleansing vs exfoliating is this: Cleansing works on the surface; exfoliating works deeper.

Frequency of Use

You’ll cleanse your skin way more often than you’ll exfoliate it. Daily or twice-daily cleansing is normal. Your skin naturally collects buildup throughout the day and even while you sleep, so staying consistent is of the utmost importance.

In contrast, exfoliation needs to be done just 1-3 times a week. Some really sensitive skin types actually benefit from every other week. It needs to be more intentional, as overdoing it can cause irritation or barrier disruption.

Key Ingredients

You’ll see different ingredients when looking at cleansers vs exfoliants. 

Cleansers have hydrating agents like Aloe, glycerin, or oils that help sweep away impurities without stripping the skin. Some include mild surfactants that break down oil and buildup. 

Exfoliants rely on more aggressive ingredients. That means AHAs such as Glycolic or Lactic Acid, BHAs like Salicylic Acid, fruit enzymes like Sweet Cherry, or finely milled polishing agents. These ingredients actively remove dead cells rather than rinse off surface grime.

How it Feels

Even just how cleansing vs exfoliating feel is different enough to take note of. Cleansers feel familiar: smooth, lightweight, and refreshing. A good cleanser rinses clean and leaves your skin balanced instead of tight. 

As you can imagine (or may already know), exfoliation feels more tangible. Chemical exfoliants may tingle briefly as they start working. Physical exfoliants feel a bit rougher on the skin, which is why we prefer the chemical approach. Either way, you know something has changed.

Risks of Overuse

There are risks to overdoing it whether it’s exfoliating vs cleansing you’re worried about. Over-exfoliating can lead to redness, stinging, peeling, breakouts triggered by barrier damage, or a tight, papery texture. Moderation is a lot more important here than with cleansing.

That’s not to say there are no consequences from over-cleansing, though. Your skin might feel stripped or dry, especially if you’re using the wrong formula for your skin type. 

Which Comes First, Cleansing or Exfoliating?

As you can see, it’s not necessarily a matter of choosing between cleansing vs exfoliating. They work in synergy to bring out the best in your skin. It’s just about finding the right rhythm based on your skin’s needs. In general, though, which comes first - cleansing or exfoliating? 

Here’s the ideal sequence:

1. Start with a cleanser: This removes sunscreen, makeup, sweat, and oil so your exfoliant reaches the surface it’s meant to work on.
2. Follow with an exfoliant: AHAs, BHAs, or enzyme peels can lift dead skin cells effortlessly with the debris out of the way
3. Finish with hydration: Exfoliated skin drinks up moisture easily, so applying a cream, oil, or serum afterward helps seal in comfort and prevent dryness.

It’s that easy - just three steps to healthy, happy skin! All that’s left to do now is set yourself up for skincare success with the right products, and that’s where Naturopathica comes in.

Give Your Skin the Care it Deserves at Naturopathica

Naturopathica has spent decades creating formulas rooted in herbalism and modern skin science. Our gentle, effective solutions support long-term skin health. 

Every cleanser and exfoliant is crafted to respect the skin barrier and bring visible, nourishing results. From the different enzyme peel types to a variety of cleansers, we’ve got something for everyone in our catalog. 

But our most popular exfoliant has to be our Pear & Fig Polishing Enzyme Peel. It’s powered by hydrating Fig, smoothing Jojoba Beads, and exfoliating Pear Puree to help revive lackluster skin without irritation and leave your complexion noticeably softer after the first use. 

Pair it with one of our tried-and-true cleansers:

• Aloe Vera Cleanser: A sulfate-free foaming gel made with 50% Aloe Vera, Lavender, and protective botanicals to cleanse evenly without drying. Perfect for daily use.
• Natural Salicylic Acid Cleanser: 2% Salicylic Acid and Colloidal Silver clear clogged pores and soften the look of acne marks. Our choice for breakout-prone skin that needs a deeper clean.
• Manuka Honey Cleanser: A rich cleansing balm with Manuka Honey, Probiotics, and Royal Jelly Peptides. Nourishes while dissolving makeup, but works best with our Facial Cleansing Brush.

Learn more about which is right for you by taking our Skincare Quiz or connecting with our customer care team today for one-on-one support. See what keeps customers coming back for more!

Closing Thoughts on Cleansing vs Exfoliating

Hopefully, this cleansing vs exfoliating comparison has left you totally clear on the role each plays and how you can use these two steps together for the best results. 

Cleansing clears the day off the surface of your skin so it can breathe, while exfoliation reaches the buildup beneath the surface so your skin can fully exhale. Don’t think about it as choosing one or the other; you need both!

We make it easy to build a routine tailored to your skin’s specific needs at Naturopathica. Give your skin what it’s been missing with our curated essentials today!