Although you probably wash your face daily, you may not be cleansing properly. As a matter of fact, a recent survey conducted by a skincare company concluded that 80% of Americans make common mistakes when washing their faces. If you thought it was a no-brainer, read on and learn how to effectively cleanse your skin in order to achieve a glowing complexion.
The benefit of proper cleansing removes grime and debris, which can also prevent acne breakouts. In addition, ridding your skin of pollution minimizes the damage from free radicals in the environment that are associated with wrinkles and premature aging. Washing your face helps remove dry and dead skin cells that sit on top of the skin, thereby creating a dull look. When you slough these off, you expose the healthier and more radiant complexion underneath.
Overwashing or too much scrubbing may leave you with a squeaky-clean feeling, but can be quite damaging to your face. The goal is to remove the excess oil, dirt, makeup, and pollution without compromising the integrity of the skin’s barrier.
The following tips will help you achieve beautiful skin.
- Choose the right cleanser. It’s important to choose a product that works best for your complexion. If you have dry or sensitive skin, stick to hydrating and non-foaming products, since they tend to be milder on the skin. Those with oily or acne prone skin may choose a foaming cleanser or one with salicylic acid. There are a wide variety of cleansers available, from milks to oils to water. Each type offers a different experience to match your personal preference. If your face develops redness, flaking, peeling, or itching, you may be overzealous in scrubbing your skin.
- Avoid hot water. When water is too hot, it may dry out your skin and possibly irritate it. Its best to wash your face with lukewarm water to remove your cleanser. Hot water can also lead to facial flushing and may contribute to rosacea. You may use cold water, which can help stimulate blood flow and improve circulation. It can also help regulate sebum production, which can in turn minimize pore size.
- Wash your face once or twice daily. For those with oily and combination skin, it’s best to wash your face twice daily, once in the morning and once in the evening. If your skin is dry and sensitive and you only plan to wash once a day, be sure to do so before bedtime. This insures you remove all the dirt and makeup accumulated during the day, so that you sleep on a clean pillowcase. Also, remember to clean up after a sweaty workout.
- To tone or not to tone. Cleansers are much more effective today than they were in the past. Therefore, toners or fresheners may not always be necessary. If you feel your cleanser is not completing the job on its own, you may add a toner. For those with dry or sensitive skin, you should use a hydrating toner that’s alcohol-free.
- Eye makeup remover. Eyes are generally more sensitive, and should be treated accordingly. It’s best to first remove your eye makeup with a product that liquifies long-lasting liner, mascara, and other eye makeup in order to avoid tugging on the thinner and more delicate skin in this area.
- Don’t rub the wrong way. Your fingertips are the best tools to wash your face. They can gently help the cleansing process without causing irritation to the skin. It’s best to use light delicate strokes. For an extra-deep clean, sonic cleansing can effectively remove dirt from the skin.
- Cleanliness counts. Always be sure to wash your hands thoroughly before touching your face and use a clean towel. Resist the urge to dry your face in the family hand towel on the rack, which can breed bacteria. Gently pat the skin with the towel and avoid rubbing the skin. You can also air-dry your face, especially if you have sensitive, dry, or acne-prone skin.
- Don’t skip moisturizer. Moisturize your face right after cleansing in order to avoid dryness. This step will help lock in the hydration.
- Dual cleansing. If you have dry or acne-prone skin, you may want to incorporate a double cleansing process. This will ensurethat you thoroughly removed all the impurities from the skin without stripping its barrier. You can first use a cleansing oil, then follow up with your regular cleanser. In general, face washing should not take longer than two minutes, because too much scrubbing, rinsing, and zealous cleansing can disrupt healthy oil production, causing irritation and inflammation.
- Exfoliation. This is part of any healthy skincare routine. However, it’s possible to overdo it. Therefore, removing dry and dead skin cells by using a mask or scrub should not be done more than twice a week.
Incorporating a good skincare routine is a great way to maintain beautiful skin. Bear in mind that overwashing can be just as damaging as neglecting your skin. By adhering to the above tips, you can easily achieve a luminous and healthy complexion.
Risselle Naimark is a Professional Freelance Makeup Artist and Skincare Consultant. She carries an extensive line of personalized skincare, cosmetics, and anti-aging products. Risselle is also available for weddings, Bar Mitzvahs, makeup lessons, and all of your beauty needs. She can be reached at 718 263-5517.
