It’s the one thing we do every day without fail, right? Yet, washing our face is one of the most common skincare hygiene habits that so many people do the wrong way! It’s true, there is a correct way to wash your face to truly lift the dirt, grim, oil, and dead skin cells out of your pores, without drying your skin out.
In this article, we’ll discuss the benefits of washing your face, how to do it the right way, and the best ultra clean products to use to give your face a daily (and thorough) clean.
The Benefits of Washing Your Face
If you’re like most people, washing your face is likely one of the first things you do when you wake up each day. Not only does washing your face help to remove grime and dirt from your pores, but it helps you to keep your pores from getting enlarged, which could lead to acne and breakouts.
When you’re able to keep your face clean, especially by using a gentle cleanser to take away the dead skin cells, then your body is able to bring young, healthier skin cells to the surface. This is what can help to even your skin tone and give you that clear flawless look. Because when your pores are clogged, you may notice that your skin has a general dullness to it, not the vibrant glow of healthy and clean skin.
How Often Should You Wash Your Face?
The benefits you get from washing your face comes from not only how you wash it, but how often you wash it as well. You always want to wash your face with a cleanser, in the morning (more on that below), especially before applying any type of makeup or moisturizer.
During the day, your body naturally produces oils and sweat that will accumulate on your skin. Plus, by being outdoors, you’re also exposed to dirt and pollution in the air which can also end up on your face and in your pores. Yikes! That’s why it’s always best practice to wash your face at the end of the day to remove this dirt and gunk so that it won’t cause skin irritation, redness or inflammation, or worse – breakouts! Also, if you do strenuous activity throughout the day, that leads to excessive sweating, then you’ll want to also wash and moisturize your face shortly after finishing that activity.
The DO’s of Washing Your Face
Are you washing your face the right way? Let’s find out!
It’s important to keep in mind that even though you do want your skin to feel refreshed after washing it, you do not need to scrub vigorously or apply facial cleanser for prolonged periods of time. Leaving cleanser on your skin or using harsh sponges or washcloths to clean your face can cause significant damage to your skin. You want to aim for 20-30 seconds of lathering the cleanser on your face before thoroughly rinsing the dirty away.
Here are the steps you’ll want to follow to properly clean your face, every morning and evening.
Step 1: Use a gentle cleanser that does not contain alcohol or any ingredients not derived from nature. So many cleansers have harsh chemicals in them and can give you a chemical burn, if you’re not careful. That’s why you want to read all skincare labels carefully before applying anything to your face – even if it does say “non-irritating” on the bottle. Gentle Cleanser is a great one to use as it only contains two ingredients that are known not to cause irritation and are safe enough to use even on babies.
Step 2: Wet your face with lukewarm water and use your fingertips to apply a small amount of cleanser to your face. Generally a pea-sized drop of cleanser is more than enough to use. Avoid using a washcloth, a sponge, or anything other than your fingertips when applying the cleanser, as these items can cause skin irritation.
Step 3: Rinse your face with lukewarm water and pat your face dry with a clean towel.
The DON’Ts of Washing Your Face
There are a few things you want to not do when washing your face. We’ve mentioned a few already and will discuss some additional things to avoid.
- Do not use hot water. Be careful of the water temperature! Not only can hot water damage your skin, but it will strip your skin of the moisture it needs, leaving it feeling dry and dehydrated after. If you do this regularly, your skin could start to itch, become flaky, and/or cracked.
- Do not wash your face in the shower. This can be a bit controversial, but many times, the water in the shower is too hot to wash your face. Most people wash their face first when they get in the shower. Not only does this open up your pores, but as you wash your hair, all those impurities and dirt that come out in the shampoo will also run across your face and get clogged in your pores.
- Never use a dirty washcloth or towel on your face. These items should be clean before you place them on your face. Use only your hands to apply cleanser to your face – never a sponge or washcloth, unless they are specially designed for the face. These surfaces can be too abrasive and can damage healthy skin. Plus, once your face is clean, your pores are naturally more open, so using a dirty surface will only serve to introduce bacteria and dirt that can get in your pores and fester. Gross!
- Never use a cleanser with your exofliant at the same time. If you want to exfoliate your skin to get a deeper clean, wash your face first with a cleanser. Then apply the exfoliant after. Remember, you do not need to use an exfoliant everyday – three times a week is what you want to aim for.
- Don’t miss moisturizing. Although this isn’t part of washing your face per se, it is an important part of your after-wash skincare routine. Using SPF Moisturizer in the morning can help to lock in moisture for your skin and give it the added layer of protection you need to fight sun damage. Or a moisturizer with collagen peptides at night for anti-aging benefits.
So, what’s next?
Now that you know the right way to wash your face and the best products to use, the only thing left is to: follow your skincare routine! Your skin is one of the most important organs in the body, so when you’re able to prep, preserve, and protect it from getting damaged, then you’re also elevating your overall health too.
