When it comes to washing our faces, we tend to fall into two camps: the camp of a quick scrub and then hopping into bed, or the 10-step Korean skincare routine we have to plan around the camp for the whole night. Proper cleansing is by no means basic, but it doesn’t necessarily involve seven different types of cleansers and exfoliators. There is a proper way to wash your face to achieve healthy, clean skin, so we’ve outlined specific ways to wash your face.
Read on for the best guide on how to properly cleanse your face.
Wash Your Hands First
Wash your hands before starting any skincare or makeup routine. When you wash your face with unclean hands, you push dirt onto your face without leaving a blank canvas for skincare products to function properly.
Remove All Makeup
Sometimes washing with soap and water alone is not enough. A good makeup remover is key to ensuring that all residue is removed before using the cleanser. We recommend using micellar water makeup remover wipes, such as Bioderma Sensibio H2O Wipes, or directly using micellar water, such as ISDIN Micellar Solution 4-in-1.
Use Warm Water
Using hot water may feel good, but it doesn’t do any good for the skin. Too hot or too cold can damage the skin, especially hot water, it can lead to dehydration, deprive the skin of its natural oils, and it can weaken the skin’s function over time. Warm or lukewarm water is always best. The warm water is warm enough to help loosen dirt and sebum without stripping the skin.
Tip: If you’re prone to redness, try cleaning it with cold water, which helps constrict your blood vessels.
Perform a Double Clean
The benefits of double cleansing are numerous – smoother skin, more thorough cleansing, and better product absorption. Pollution, makeup, and some sunscreens can’t be removed with just one clean. Start by removing any dirt from the surface of your skin with a gentle cleanser or oil, then finish the cleansing with a cleanser that is appropriate for your skin type, such as a powdered cleanser.
However, over-cleansing is one of the most common mistakes people make with their skin. Unless you wear heavy makeup, you don’t need to double cleanse. For people with heavy makeup, especially those that are long-lasting or smudge-proof, it is necessary to first remove makeup with a more targeted cleanser, such as a micellar cleanser, and then rinse with a traditional cleanser to remove any residue.
Avoid Using Detergents That Contain Sulfates
You know to avoid sulfates in your shampoo, but did you know that there may be sulfates lurking in your cleanser? If you see sodium lauryl sulfate, ammonium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate, or ammonium laureth sulfate on the ingredient list, put the cleanser down. Sulfates are surfactants used to remove skin oils, but they are stronger than you need and can eventually dehydrate your skin.
While we all love the Dove Beauty Bar for sensitive skin, don’t use other soaps as traditional soaps can irritate the face and create abrasion. Soap is known to be very alkaline and can destroy the pH level. Some traditional soaps also contain cleansers and fragrances that, while cleansing the skin, can increase the pH of the skin. When this happens, it can disrupt the normal pH balance, causing the skin to become inflamed, dry, red, and even flaking, stripping the skin of its natural oils.
Massage Your Face
You need to give the cleaner time to do its job. Technology is also important. Instead of scrubbing vigorously for 20 seconds, take a minute to gently massage your face in circular motions. This stimulates your lymphatic system, which boosts oxygen and blood circulation. You can also go ahead and use your favorite facial massage tools.
Don’t Forget Your Neck
If you haven’t heard it lately, your neck needs love too. It’s one of the first spots to show signs of aging, mainly because it’s not a top priority in your skincare regimen. But starting with cleansing, every step of your routine should include the neck. When applying creams and moisturizers, don’t skip over the neck. The residue of using the cream on the neck is ineffective.
Pat Dry with a Clean Towel
Since the skin on the face is very delicate, avoid rubbing or applying too much force when drying the skin. Be especially careful and pat dry gently with a clean, soft tole. It does not need to be completely dried when finished. It’s okay to leave a thin layer of moisture on the skin, as the product used next seals it in.
Apply Skincare Products Within One Minute of Cleansing
When your skin starts to feel tight, you’ve waited too long to use the product. Every second the skin is exposed, the dry air absorbs moisture from the skin. To avoid unnecessary dehydration, apply the first layer of skincare within a minute of drying. After cleansing your face with a gentle cleanser and warm water, an exfoliant or acid serum should be applied to dry skin, and products containing hyaluronic acid are best applied to damp skin.
Apply the Products in the Correct Order
After cleansing, the order in which skincare products are applied should be toner or serum, serum, and then moisturizer to lock in all the products and hydrate the skin. If you also use oils, as oils tend to be occlusive, it’s best to use them at the end of your skincare routine. Sunscreen should always be the last step in your morning skincare routine.
Make It a Habit
Here’s the old skin advice: wash your face morning and night. The usual protest against this sage’s guidance is that in the morning, your skin is still in the same clean condition as it was the night before. But that’s not the case. Overnight, your skin cells work hard, which means they secrete toxins and sebum. Wash your face in the morning to remove all waste and ensure that your daytime products work at their best.