
“Pehle wash karoon ya scrub karoon… mujhe lagta hai meri skin bhi soch rahi hoti hai — yeh ladki kab seekhegi?” 😅I’m literally writing this sitting on my bathroom floor with a towel on my head. My hands still smell of face wash and my scrub is sitting open on the counter, staring at me like “pick me already”. If you’ve been in the same spot — confused, tired, wanting good skin but not a ten-step manual — this post is for you.
I used to think it didn’t. “Product toh product hai,” right? Wrong. Using your scrub before washing is like dusting your furniture before moving out the junk. You end up just spreading the mess around. Washing first clears the muck so exfoliation can really do its thing. The difference shows up over time: fewer breakouts, smoother texture, less irritation.
Face wash is my daily detox. In Delhi’s dust, it’s the only thing standing between my pores and a mini apocalypse. A decent cleanser takes off sweat, sebum, pollution and leftover sunscreen so the rest of your skincare isn’t just sitting on top of yesterday’s grime. Without this step, even the fanciest scrub feels like a waste.
Scrubs are like a mini facial at home. They buff off dead cells, give you that “soft cheeks” feel and help products sink in. But they’re also the easiest thing to overdo. Been there, scrubbed that, ended up with red, cranky skin. These days I stick to gentle scrubs (oats or rice powder based) once or twice a week, not every day. My skin has literally thanked me for it.
I’ve tried both. Scrubbing first felt like rubbing dust into my skin — not cute. Washing first, then scrubbing? Game changer. Most derms I’ve spoken to agree. You’re clearing the canvas first, then polishing. It’s cleaner, safer, and you don’t end up with random zits after “exfoliation day.”

I wet my face with lukewarm water, massage my cleanser for a good minute. This alone makes my skin feel alive.
Then I go in with my scrub, light circles, no pressure. Focus on nose and chin, skip cheeks if they’re moody.
Cool water, soft towel. Pat, don’t rub.
Hydration is non-negotiable. Exfoliation without moisture is like chai without sugar — pointless.
Nope. I learned the hard way — it just irritates your skin.
Yes, but only very gentle scrubs and once a week.
If you’re wearing heavy makeup or SPF, yes.
Don’t, unless a derm tells you to. It’s overkill.
That’s it. Next time you’re stuck in your bathroom with a scrub in one hand and face wash in the other, do what I do: wash first, scrub later, and finish with a good moisturizer. Simple. Effective. And your skin won’t hate you for it. 😌✨