Wash your Face...the Right Way

As we all know, cleansing our faces twice a day is critical to achieving healthy feeling and looking skin. But it’s more than just a little soap and water. There are many important aspects of cleansing are overlooked.

Here are some important things to remember you scrub-up:

Start with Your Hands

This step is often the most overlooked. Thoroughly washing your hands before touching your face will prevent dirt and bacteria from transferring to your face. Simple, right?

Wash Your Face in the Morning and Evening

Before you apply your make-up or shave your face, give your face a nice wash. We may spend most of the night in our beds but oils from hair, bacteria from drool, and and even the germs on our pillowcases can cause flare ups of acne if not taken care of as soon as you wakeup.

You should be just as diligent when preparing for bed. According to Joshua Zeichner, director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, dirt and pollution builds up quick- and that’s on top of the natural oil and sweat your body already accumulates.

Turn Down the Water Temperature

There are many people out there who believe that the optimal temperature for washing our faces is hot because it opens the pores, allowing for the cleanser to give a more thorough wash and the to finish off with cold water to close them up. This simply isn’t true. Washing with hot water will dehydrate the skin, strip your face of natural oils and cause blood vessels to rupture. Too cold of water can cause just as much irritation.

Find a middle-ground. According to Dr. Rocio Rivera, head of scientific communications for L’Oréal Paris, using lukewarm water can help ensure that your facial cleanser can remove enough dirt from the surface of your skin, while balancing your natural skin oils appropriately.

Remove Make-Up Properly

Removing your make-up may feel like a tedious task after a long day, but skipping it is one of the number one causes for breakouts and can also put you at risk for styes, eye infections, dry skin, and even wrinkles caused by collagen breakdown.

The best products to use, according Paula Begoun, author of The Beauty Bible, you should to stick to wipe off and water cleansers for removal. If you are looking for a more natural option, coconut oil will do the trick.

Choose the Right Cleanser

Cleansing your face everyday reduces your risks for breakouts, clogged pores, and allows for skincare products to penetrate the surface. But if you aren’t using the right cleanser for your skin type, you may be doing more harm that good.

People with oily skin should stick to cleansers with have a lower pH level and aren’t too heavy. Sensitive skin types will be happier with gentle products that are fragrance-free and hypoallergenic. For those with a drier complexion, hydration is key so look for cleansers that will give you extra moisture.

Exfoliate…But Don’t Overdue it

Exfoliating your skin removes dead skin cells, helping products work better and giving your face a healthy glow. But don’t overdo it. Washington D.C-based dermatologist Dr. Elizabeth Tanzini says that over-exfoliation “can cause chronic skin irritation and inflammation, which can lead to accelerated aging.

When deciding how to fit it into your skincare routine, Dr. Tanzi suggests two to three times a week is best for normal and combination skin types. If your skin is more sensitive, then limit it to once a week.

Be Gentle

Don’t over-scrub! Dermatologist Dr. Craig Kraffert, says that this harsh treatment of your skin can lead to irritation, increased oil production, and even spots called PIH (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation)”. Not to mention wrinkles. So be gentle and use upward, circular motions when applying product to your face.

Apply Toner

Toner, according to Charlotte Cho, co-founder of Soko Glam and a licensed esthetician, brings your skin back to its natural acidic state, sweeps impurities away and helps you absorb your skincare products. But make sure you’re applying it less than a minute after you’ve cleansed your face because, according to New York-based dermatologist, Arielle Kauvar, molecules penetrate the skin best when wet and doing so gives you the best results.

Moisturize

Moisturizer is the key to healthy, blemish-free skin and shouldn’t be skipped or over looked.

When choosing the right moisturizer to use, according to the University of Tennessee Medical Center, aim for products that have plenty of vitamins and SPF that will help you fight premature lines, protect new skin, and fight skin damage.

Remember to dampen the skin before application. That way the moisturizer will seal in the water, giving you an extra boost of hydration.