7 Simple and Straightforward Steps About Washing Your Face
Washing your face has never been easier. You can achieve a thorough cleanse without the stripping sensation.
Washing your face may seem mundane, but it’s a j basic step to start your skincare routine. Improperly washing your face can cause a variety of skincare problems, including clogged pores, acne and dullness, so knowing how to properly cleanse your skin is key to making the most of it. The most basic thing to know about skin cleansing is that less is more and over-washing will not provide additional benefits. On the contrary, it may disturb the protective barrier and make the skin more vulnerable to external damage. While this step may seem simple, there is much to learn about how to wash your face properly to strike the perfect balance between a clean face and one that is unblemished or uncomfortable. Here you will find all the relevant information.
Step 1: Choose the right cleanser
The cleanser you use plays a crucial role in this process. Washing your face with a product that is too rough or coarse may disrupt the epidermal barrier, leaving your skin dry and tight, and therefore prone to acne and irritation. First and foremost, you want your cleanser to be free of alcohol, synthetic fragrances and sulfates. While sulfates may leave a clean feeling, they are likely to strip the skin of essential moisture, which can lead to excess sebum or extreme dryness. The same goes for perfumes and alcohols. That said, avoid products that use the terms sodium lauryl sulfate, ammonium lauryl ether sulfate, sodium lauryl sulfate and ammonium lauryl sulfate on the ingredient list.
Instead, choose a cleanser based on your skin type. For example, if you have oily or acne-prone skin, you should look for a non-comedogenic gel formula designed to balance sebum and unclog pores, such as a salicylic acid cleanser or a charcoal cleanser. However, if you have dry skin, it’s best to use a makeup remover or moisturizing cleanser that contains hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and squalane, while sensitive skin should use a soothing cleanser.
Step 2: Wash your hands
It may go without saying, but you should always wash your hands before cleansing your face. Washing your face with dirty hands will only spread bacteria throughout your complexion.
Step 3: Remove Makeup
Remove makeup before washing your face, using a gentle makeup remover or micellar water and a reusable cotton pad. Reusable makeup removers have a major impact on the environment, so my advice is to stick with them – which I did not too long ago. Once you’ve removed your foundation, highlighter and other makeup, it’s time to wash your face.
Step 4: Use warm water
Before using this product, moisten your face with warm water to prepare your face for the cleanser. It is most important to use warm water rather than hot water, as the latter strips the skin of its natural moisture and may leave the complexion tight and dehydrated.
Step 5: Wash your face with gentle movements
Now it’s time to use a cleanser. You don’t want to be aggressive with your face while cleansing. Apply the cleanser to your face in a circular motion for 30 to 60 seconds, covering all areas, then rinse off with warm water. Do not rub, scrub or wash your face hard.
Step 6: Double Cleanse
Some people prefer to double cleanse for smoother and more thoroughly cleansed skin. While this is not a required step, it is okay to do so, especially in the summer when the potential for sweat, dirt and pollutants to enter the pores is higher. The first step of double cleansing requires an oil-based cleanser, as it does a better job of removing impurities, sebum and dirt. The second step of the double cleanse involves using a water-based cleanser to remove any residue left behind.
Step 7: Pat dry with a towel
Let the towel do this job and absorb the moisture. You only need to pat your face gently, do not rub.
How often should you wash your face?
Generally speaking, you should wash your face twice a day. Once in the morning to remove bacteria that build up on your pillow while you sleep, and once at night to dissolve pollutants and debris that your skin has been exposed to throughout the day. However, if you want to limit washing your face to once a day (which many people do), wash your face at night. During the day, your skin produces more sebum, which mixes with dirt and dead cells and can clog pores and cause acne.
In some cases, you can wash your face more frequently, for example, after excessive sweating, working out or in a sauna. It’s important to clean your face as soon as possible after sweating – the longer sweat (mixed with dead skin and bacteria) stays on your face, the greater the likelihood of clogged pores and congested skin.
If I don’t wear makeup, should I wash my face?
Even if you don’t wear makeup, you should still wash your face. Skin accumulates bacteria, pollutants and dirt throughout the day, which can lead to inflammation, blackheads and acne if not washed off. Takeaway? Always wash your face before dozing off.
Micellar water and cleansers
There are a myriad of products designed to remove dirt and debris, so it’s no surprise that you often have questions about how they work. For example, many people want to know if they can use micellar water instead of cleanser. The answer is yes. Micellar water is a great alternative to cleansers because it does a great job of removing dirt, oil and grease from the surface of the skin. Micellar water is a water-based liquid product that contains tiny suspended oil particles called micelles. These micelles are very effective at dissolving makeup, oil and dirt, and leaving the skin cleaner. When considering the choice of micellar water versus cleanser, micellar water may be better suited for people with reactive skin, especially if it is formulated without surfactants.
How to wash your face without getting water everywhere
You might think of this when you make puddles on your bathroom floor – a problem we all have. One Redditor claims that the mess makes her not want to wash her face unless she’s in the shower, and with so many yes votes, it seems she’s not alone. The solution? Put a hairband around your wrist to keep the water from dripping off.
The takeaway
Cleansing your face day in and day out can be monotonous, but if you know how to do it, it can be a helpful step. Washing your face properly means dissolving dirt, dust and pollutants without depleting your skin of essential moisture. If you feel uncomfortable and tight after washing your face, you know you didn’t wash it well, so you should reconsider how often you wash your face and the type of cleanser you use. Cleansers should always be coordinated with your skin’s needs to make the most of the process. Fortunately, with these steps, you can get a perfect canvas without any dry feeling or sensitivity.