You’re Cleansing Wrong
We all know that washing our face is a mandatory step in skincare, but very rarely do people realize they aren’t cleansing properly. Cleansing is step 1 to any routine, and vital to maintaining healthy skin. A proper wash removes oil build up and bacteria, as well as the pollution we come in contact with from our day to day environment. It also preps our skin for the products we use for proper penetration and better results.
But how exactly do we cleanse?
It may seem like a stupid question; but no one ever covers this topic, and you would be surprised by the results i’ve seen in people’s skin by simply changing the way they wash their face.
Here are a set of rules to follow:
Wash your hands: Always start with clean hands, even if you just woke up. You are transferring dirt & bacteria to your face without realizing it.
Use lukewarm water: Lukewarm water is best for opening pores gently. Hot water can strip natural oils, and cold water may not dissolve grime effectively. Use steam, and hot or cold water for treatments. If you want to get on the cold plunge train, save it for after cleansing.
Pre Cleanse: Pre cleansing is a separate product you use before cleansing, and is 100% necessary if you have been wearing sunscreen or makeup. This will typically be at night before bed. If you miss this step, there will still be a film of product left on the skin that will clog your pores. My favorite pre-cleansers are micellar waters, but they can be oil or alcohol based.
Double Cleanse: Double cleansing is imperative, and something everyone should do. Think of this as the “rinse & repeat” step you often see on shampoo. You can use the same cleanser twice, but some choose to use different products to get a dose of different ingredients.
Cleanse for 60 seconds: This is by far the MOST important aspect of washing your face. It takes time to effectively break down oils and lift microbes off the skin. Sing “Happy Birthday” 3xs in a row as a timing guide, rinse, then repeat.
Cleanse at least twice a day: Most people only need to cleanse morning & night. The morning to remove the excess production of oil the skin produces at night, and before bed to remove the built up bacteria and toxins of our environment. However, if you do heavy activity like exercise, you want to wash off the additional sweat to prevent bacterial growth and pores from clogging. Depending on your schedule, that may mean washing thrice.
Pat dry with a clean face towel: Ideally, use a fresh washcloth to dry your face each day. I have a whole stack of clean towels I designate for my face, and a mini laundry bin I throw them in when i’m done. The additional weekly laundry is minimal, and you would be surprised by how much bacteria you are planting on your face after washing it if you don’t. This alone can reduce acne by an alarming amount.
Cleansing properly will help you reduce breakouts, reduce clogged pores, and help your skin become healthy & strong. Most people just need to extend how long they wash, cleanse twice in a row, and do this twice a day. Now you are ready to follow up with the rest of your skincare routine!
And Remember, washing your face & having a full skincare routine only takes 2-4 minutes out of your day.
