J.Lo Told Me This Skincare Step Is "Overrated," so I Overhauled My Winter Routine

"I'll tell you a quick story," offers Jennifer Lopez when I ask her about overrated skincare habits. It's not often that the iconic singer and actress gives us a glimpse into her personal beauty POV, so of course I wait for her to proceed with bated breath. To quote the TikTok crowd, I'm absolutely sat.

"In my late 20s, I went to the doctor [because] I broke out around my mouth. I was like, 'I don't know what this is. I keep washing it, and I'm using [a] scrub,'" she then recounts. "He's like, 'Stop scrubbing your face. You're causing irritation.' I was scrubbing and scrubbing and scrubbing, and I was making it worse and worse and worse, thinking I needed to clean my face more." Since then, she's dialed back the bubbles, even advising against a double cleanse (especially if you have sensitive skin).

"I get the need to remove makeup and prevent clogged pores, but it can also be really damaging to your skin," she says regarding a double wash. "It strips your skin of your own natural oils, and it can also damage your skin's protective barrier. You can get super dry and even break out." She speaks the truth! As you scrub away your skin's natural oils, your pores can produce even more sebum in order to compensate for the lack of moisture, which can ultimately lead to breakouts. It often becomes a vicious cycle, one that trips up even the most seasoned beauty fans—including Lopez herself.

That said, you do still need to effectively remove makeup, sunscreen, and overall daily grime. "But if you have a good cleanser, you don't need to wash your face twice," Lopez declares. It's why she created a two-in-one, gel-cream cleanser to reap the benefits of a deep, double cleanse without the potential for too much scrubbing. It contains special glycolipids to clear pores and dissolve makeup without stripping the skin (as opposed to sulfates, which leave behind a squeaky, "tight" feeling).

I will typically use a cleansing balm to remove daily makeup and sunscreen before washing with a water-based confection, but I've recently decided to heed Lopez's advice and forgo the double-cleansing step. After all, my skin can use any extra moisture it can get as we head into the drier fall and winter months. Since our chat, I've noticed the stubborn texture on my cheeks (which I originally thought were clogged pores but am now realizing was a sign of barrier damage) finally clearing up. Double cleansing has felt like second nature since I introduced it to my routine a few years back, but as long as I use a gentle yet effective cleanser—like Lopez's silky number—I can achieve a clean canvas with a single lather. And who doesn't love a streamlined skincare regimen?

Below, discover more beauty gems from my chat with Lopez, including her tips for sculpted, lifted skin and a must-have hack for under-eye puffiness.