How to Wash Your Face: The Post-Summer Exfoliation Reset with ZO Skin Health

After a summer of sun, heat, sweat, sunscreen and time outdoors, your skin may be looking a little different than it did in the spring. You may notice rough texture, dullness, clogged pores, excess oil or more visible discoloration.

Fall is a great time to reset your skincare routine—but before adding more products, start with the basics: cleanse correctly and exfoliate appropriately.

Two of our favorite ZO® Skin Health products for this are Exfoliating Polish and Dual Action Scrub. They are both exfoliators, but they work differently and are designed for different skin needs.

First: Are You Washing Your Face Correctly?

Cleansing should remove makeup, sunscreen, oil, sweat and everyday debris without leaving your skin feeling stripped or irritated.

For most people, cleansing twice a day—and after heavy sweating—is enough.

But here is something many people get wrong: you don't need to let your cleanser sit on your face.

Instead, gently massage your cleanser over damp skin for approximately 30–60 seconds, paying extra attention to areas where sunscreen, makeup and oil tend to collect, such as around the nose, hairline and jawline. Then rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water.

Think of cleansing as a gentle massage, not a quick splash and not a mask.

A simple cleansing routine:

Morning:
Cleanse to remove overnight oil and prepare your skin for treatment products, moisturizer and sunscreen.

Evening:
This is the cleanse you really don't want to skip. Remove makeup, sunscreen, sweat, oil and environmental debris before going to bed.

If you wear makeup or heavier sunscreen, you may benefit from a double cleanse at night—first removing makeup and sunscreen, then following with your regular facial cleanser.

And remember: clean does not mean squeaky, tight or dry. Hot water, aggressive scrubbing and over-cleansing can irritate the skin barrier.

Then Comes Exfoliation

Cleansing and exfoliating are not the same thing.

Cleansing removes what is sitting on the skin. Exfoliation helps remove accumulated dead surface cells that can make the complexion look rough, uneven or dull.

That can be especially helpful after summer, when heat, perspiration, oil and layers of water-resistant sunscreen may leave the skin feeling congested.

But more exfoliation is not necessarily better. Overdoing it can lead to redness, sensitivity and irritation. And if your skin is sunburned, peeling or already irritated, give it time to heal before exfoliating.

ZO Exfoliating Polish: For Smoothness + Radiance

ZO® Exfoliating Polish is a physical exfoliator made with ultra-fine magnesium oxide crystals. It helps lift away dead surface skin cells to reveal smoother, brighter-looking skin underneath.

Think of this as your texture and radiance exfoliator.

How to use it:

After cleansing, apply a small amount to clean, damp skin.

Gently massage it over the face and neck using light circular motions for approximately 30–60 seconds, adding water as needed.

Then rinse thoroughly.

Do not leave Exfoliating Polish sitting on the skin. The exfoliation happens while you gently massage the product over the skin. Pressing harder or leaving it on longer does not make it work better.

How often?

For most skin types, ZO recommends 2–3 times per week, although frequency can be adjusted based on skin tolerance and your provider's recommendations.

This is a great option if your post-summer skin is feeling:

• Dull
• Rough
• Uneven in texture
• Less radiant
• Like skincare or makeup isn't going on as smoothly as it normally does

ZO Dual Action Scrub: For Oil + Congestion

ZO® Dual Action Scrub takes exfoliation a step further because it combines physical and chemical exfoliation.

It uses exfoliating particles to remove surface buildup along with lactic acid and salicylic acid to chemically exfoliate and help clear congestion within the pores.

Think of this as your oil, pore and congestion exfoliator.

How to use it:

After cleansing, apply a small amount to damp skin and gently massage it over the face and neck.

Then rinse it off thoroughly.

Dual Action Scrub is also a rinse-off product. You do not need to leave it sitting on the skin for the acids to “work longer.” Follow the product directions and let the combination of gentle massage and active ingredients do the work.

How often?

Frequency with Dual Action Scrub should be based on your skin and the other active products in your regimen.

If you're new to acids or already using retinol, prescription skincare or other exfoliating ingredients, ask your skincare provider how often Dual Action Scrub should be used in your particular routine.

The goal is consistent exfoliation—not irritation.

Which One Should You Use?

The biggest difference is what you're trying to accomplish.

Choose Exfoliating Polish when your primary concerns are dullness, rough texture and dead surface skin buildup.

Choose Dual Action Scrub when your skin tends to be oily, blemish-prone or congested and you need both surface exfoliation and chemical exfoliation within the pores.

You may not need both products every day—or even on the same day. Your ideal exfoliation schedule depends on your skin type, sensitivity and the other active ingredients you're using.

What Exfoliation Can—and Can't—Do for Summer Skin Damage

Exfoliation can make post-summer skin look dramatically fresher by removing dead surface cells and improving the appearance of texture and radiance.

But exfoliation does not erase all sun damage.

If summer has left you with persistent brown spots, redness, uneven pigment or other visible changes, those concerns may require a more targeted skincare regimen or an in-office treatment.

And once you've polished away those dull surface cells, protecting the skin underneath is essential. Daily broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher remains one of the most important steps for preventing additional UV damage.

The Bottom Line

A good post-summer skin reset doesn't have to be complicated.

Cleanse morning and evening. Spend about 30–60 seconds gently working your cleanser over the skin, then rinse thoroughly. Exfoliate consistently—but don't overdo it. Choose the exfoliator that matches your skin, and protect your skin every single day.

Not sure whether ZO Exfoliating Polish, Dual Action Scrub or a combination of products is right for you? Let the team at Cole Facial Clinic help you build a skincare routine based on your skin type, concerns and goals.

Because healthier-looking skin doesn't come from scrubbing harder or leaving products on longer. It comes from using the right products, in the right order, at the right frequency.

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