The quick answer:

It depends.

  • Clay, mud, peel‑off, or exfoliating masks? Yes, rinse them off thoroughly.
  • Sheet masks, gel‑cream, overnight/hydrating masks? Just massage in the remaining serum—no cleansing needed unless your skin feels sticky or you have oily skin.

Why it matters:

  • Clay masks harden, trap grime and oil, and need a rinse to avoid clogging pores.
  • Hydrating masks are designed to leave beneficial actives on your skin. Washing them off could undo all that.
  • But leaving residue from rinse‑off masks might mix with dirt and lead to breakouts, so cleanse afterward.
  • Clay/Mud/Peel-off – Wash with lukewarm water (and a gentle cleanser if needed) – Removes residue & deep cleans
  • Sheet/Hydrating – Don’t wash, pat in serum – You want those nutrients to absorb |
  • Overnight/Sleeping – Leave it on; apply moisturiser – Meant to soak in during sleep, no rinsing needed

How to finish your routine

  1. Clay/mud masks → rinse → cleanse → tone → moisturise → (SPF if daytime)
  2. Sheet/hydrating masks → pat in essence → (optional light cleanser if skin feels tight/knotty) → moisturise → SPF
  3. Overnight masks → leave on → next morning cleanse as usual

Pro tip:

Don’t go overboard washing—using harsh cleansers or hot water can strip your skin’s barrier.

To be honest, it’s not a one-size-fits-all. It’s about matching your cleansing step to the mask you used and how your skin feels afterwards. If your skin feels clean and nourished, skip the cleanser. But if there’s congestion, greasiness, or residue, do a gentle follow-up cleanse.

With the right post-mask cleanser in hand, and knowing when to cleanse, you’ll maximise your mask’s benefits without overdoing it. Let me know if you want help layering in serums or picking a moisturiser next. Send us a message.