For decades, the idea of squeaky-clean skin has been equated with good hygiene. However, while removing traces of daily debris, dirt and makeup is key to healthy skin, the goal shouldn’t be to eradicate everything. “Cleaner is better is the biggest misconception,” says Erica Halliwell, co-founder of Sans Savon. “We want our dishes and floors to be squeaky clean. We don’t want our skin, hair and scalp to be.”

As the author of Beyond Soap: The Real Truth about What You Are Doing to Your Skin and How to Fix It for a Beautiful, Healthy Glow, Dr. Sandy Skotnicki, dermatologist and assistant professor at the University of Toronto, has been on a mission for over 10 years to address widespread misconceptions about skin cleansing and the impact of modern hygiene practices on the skin barrier.