There’s a new skincare technique doing the rounds on TikTok, and unlike some beauty trends, this one doesn’t require buying another 17-step product. In fact, you probably already have everything you need.

Meet dry cleansing: applying your cleanser to completely dry skin before adding any water.

It sounds simple, because it is. But when you use the right kind of cleanser, changing the order of things can make a surprisingly big difference to how you remove makeup, SPF and daily buildup.

And before you panic: dry cleansing doesn't mean never using water. You still rinse your face afterwards. The idea is simply to let your cleanser do its thing on dry skin first.

Dry Cleansing: The TikTok Trend for Better Makeup Removal & Skin Balance

So, let's start at the beginning...

What exactly is dry cleansing?

Traditional cleansing usually goes something like this: splash your face with water, add cleanser, massage, rinse.

With dry cleansing, you flip the first two steps.

Start with dry hands and dry skin, massage your cleanser directly onto your face, then add water to emulsify and rinse.

The important bit? Not every cleanser is made for this.

Oil-based, balm and cream cleansers are particularly well suited because they can be massaged over dry skin without creating the friction or tight feeling that you might get from a foaming or gel cleanser.

This is also where the science gets interesting.

Oil and water don't mix. So, when you massage an oil-based cleanser over your face, the oils can help dissolve other oil-soluble substances sitting on the skin – including sebum, makeup and many sunscreen ingredients. It's one reason oil cleansing can be such an effective first step for removing the day's buildup.

And there's no need to scrub. The goal is to dissolve, not attack.

Why dry cleansing could be kinder to your skin barrier

Your skin barrier is the clever outer layer responsible for keeping moisture in and unwanted irritants out. Over-cleansing, harsh surfactants and excessive friction can leave it feeling dry, tight and uncomfortable.

Dry cleansing with an oil, balm or cream cleanser can be a gentler approach because you're not immediately introducing water and vigorously working a foaming formula over the skin.

It can also give your cleanser more time to break down makeup, SPF and sebum before you rinse it away.

That doesn't mean dry cleansing is magically more effective than every traditional cleansing method – there isn't strong clinical evidence to say that it is. But using a well-formulated oil or balm on dry skin is a perfectly sensible way to cleanse, particularly when your priority is removing makeup without that stripped-after-cleansing feeling.

How to dry cleanse properly

This isn't one of those skincare trends where more rubbing = better results.

1. Keep everything dry

Start with clean, dry hands and a completely dry face. No pre-splashing.

2. Massage your cleanser in

Take enough product to give your fingers some slip and gently massage it over your face.

Spend a little extra time around the nose, hairline and anywhere you tend to wear more SPF or makeup.

Fun fact: waterproof makeup and many sunscreens are deliberately designed to resist water, which is exactly why an oil-based cleanser can be so useful for breaking them down.

3. Give it a minute

You don't need to leave your cleanser sitting on your face for ten minutes while you make a coffee. But giving an oil or balm a little time to work can help loosen stubborn makeup and buildup.

Think gentle massage, not aggressive scrubbing.

4. Add water

Now wet your hands and continue massaging. Your cleanser should emulsify, often turning milky, before you rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water.

And that's your dry cleanse.

Which cleanser should you use?

Halo Cleansing Oil

This is the obvious match for the dry cleansing method.

Halo Cleansing Oil Elixir has that silky, oil-based texture that makes dry cleansing feel less like washing your face and more like giving it a little facial massage. Work it over dry skin to dissolve makeup, SPF and daily buildup, then add water to emulsify and rinse.

Perfect for an evening cleanse when your skin wants to feel clean, soft and nourished rather than squeaky.

Oatopia Cleansing Cream

Prefer something creamier? Oatopia Cleansing Cream is your go-to.

Its soft, cushiony texture makes it ideal for a gentle dry cleanse, particularly when skin is feeling dry, tight or a little out of balance.

Think of this one as the comforting option: less about getting your skin to feel squeaky clean, more about getting it genuinely clean while keeping things comfortable.

Is dry cleansing suitable for every skin type?

Not necessarily – and this is where TikTok advice needs a little context.

Dry skin: Often a good match, particularly with nourishing oil or cream cleansers. The aim is to remove buildup without stripping away too much of the skin's natural lipids.

Normal or combination skin: Try it when you want a more thorough makeup or SPF removal, especially as part of an evening routine.

Oily or congested skin: Oil cleansing isn't automatically off-limits. In fact, a gentle oil cleanser can be useful for dissolving excess sebum and makeup. Just make sure your cleanser suits your skin and rinse it thoroughly.

Sensitive or reactive skin: Proceed carefully. The technique itself isn't necessarily the problem – friction and the wrong formula can be. Avoid aggressive massage and be wary of cleansers containing strong exfoliating actives. If your skin is particularly sensitive or you have a diagnosed skin condition, stick with the routine that your skin already tolerates well.

Dry cleansing vs double cleansing

Confused? They're not the same thing.

Dry cleansing is about how you apply your first cleanser: onto dry skin before adding water.

Double cleansing is about using two cleansing steps, usually an oil, balm or cream cleanser first, followed by a water-based cleanser.

You can actually do both.

For example:

Dry cleanse with Halo → rinse → follow with a gentle second cleanse.

But you don't necessarily need to double cleanse every night. If your skin feels clean and comfortable after one thorough cleanse, that's often enough. More cleansing isn't automatically better cleansing.

So, should you try it?

If your current cleansing routine leaves you feeling tight, you're struggling to remove stubborn makeup or SPF, or you simply love a good skincare experiment, dry cleansing is worth a try.

Just don't take the TikTok version too literally.

Use an oil, balm or cream. Keep the massage gentle. Don't skip the rinse. And pay attention to how your skin feels afterwards.

Because the best skincare trend is ultimately the one that leaves your skin feeling balanced – not the one that gets the most views.

And if you're ready to give dry cleansing a go, Halo Cleansing Oil Elixir is a very good place to start.

Your face can thank TikTok later.