You know that washing your face is a necessary step in your skincare regimen. And with the number of times you’ve done it in your life, the process has probably become second nature.
But it turns out that washing your face is not as easy as you think. In fact, you are most likely making a few mistakes that can be the cause of a long list of skin problems, including dryness, irritation, excess oil, and breakouts.
From using the wrong facial cleanser to skipping a nightly face wash, read on to find out what some of the most common facial cleansing mistakes are, and what you should do instead to correct them.
Index
Choosing the wrong product
This may seem obvious, but it bears repeating: you should use a cleanser that is formulated for your skin type .
The good news is that there are many different types of cleaners, with different textures and ingredients, so there is sure to be one for you.
The right cleanser should completely remove dirt, makeup, and impurities from your skin, but it shouldn’t strip your skin of its natural oils or all of its good things.
Look for one that does its job well, that is, that is neither too soft – that you have to wash twice or scrub vigorously to remove dirt – nor too aggressive – that leaves the skin red or irritated after drying.
Do your face a favor and avoid irritating ingredients like fragrances, dyes, and synthetic preservatives like parabens.
The Sodium Lauryl sulfate ( Sodium lauryl sulfate and its derivatives) is another must avoid -used normally as surfactant to remove debris, but is also an irritant and allergen known-. Always read the ingredient list before buying a product.
Do you need a new cleaner? Here are some of our favorites . And if not, you can always turn to the best micellar waters to do or complete the job.
Apply it incorrectly
Yes, there is a right way and a wrong way to apply a cleanser to your face. It is important to be kind to the skin. Therefore, massage the cleanser gently into the skin, do not rub it aggressively, then rinse it off and continue with the rest of your skincare routine.
Do not wash your hands
This one is pretty gross if you think about it, so pay attention! Before cleaning your face, you should wash your hands to make sure they are completely clean before putting them on your skin.
You touch many things during the day, from door handles to your smartphone, and your hands accumulate bacteria from the various surfaces with which it comes into contact; therefore you need a good wash before they get close to your face.
Washing the skin too many times
In most cases, washing your face once or twice a day is ideal, but doing it more times can irritate the skin, which can surprisingly lead to overproduction of oil .
If you haven’t used makeup during the day, or sunscreen, or have sweated a lot, skip the cleanser at night and try to remove any impurities with micellar water, or simply rinse it off with warm water.
Giving your skin a cosmetic break is healthy from time to time.
Using the wrong water temperature
That hot water helps open the pores and cold water closes them is a complete myth. The truth is that the pores neither open nor close.
And while hot water can create a pleasant and pleasant sensation on the skin, it can remove the natural protective oils from the skin and leave it dry or with an overproduction of sebum.
Time to lower the temperature! Whenever you wash your face use lukewarm water . Warm water is the best option to clean gently and effectively.
Not clarifying well enough
Skimping on rinsing makes it difficult for all the dirt and impurities dissolved in the cleanser to wash off the skin, which can clog pores and dry out the skin. Rinse your skin with plenty of water , even when you don’t have time.
The jaw area, hairline, and nostrils are the areas that are most neglected during rinsing, so pay more attention to them than you should.
Rub you with the towel
Don’t rub yourself! It can be valid to remove excess moisture from your skin, but rubbing with the towel stretches the skin and puts elastin at risk. Instead, use paper tissues and put them on the skin.
Don’t grab the closest hand towel that has been used by other people. That towel has bacteria in it, and it will spread all over your clean, pretty face if you put it on.
Exfoliate excessively
Exfoliation is a beneficial procedure to remove dead cells from the skin’s surface, but moderation is key.
Everyone’s skin is different, so there is no hard and fast rule about how many times a week to exfoliate, so start with grainy scrubs – sugar and fruit acid scrubs are a gentler option – and do it 2 or 3 times a week maximum .
It depends on your skin, so pay attention to how your skin responds so you can determine how often it is appropriate to exfoliate. And remember: be gentle!
Wait to hydrate
To optimize absorption and help seal in moisture from the skin , it is advisable to apply the moisturizer immediately after cleansing, while the skin is still damp – not wet.
Moist skin is more receptive, and helps the actives of serums and creams penetrate to the deepest layers, exerting a greater effect.
Spend a lot of money
Shelling out a small fortune on a product that will wash away in a few minutes may not be a very bright idea.
Instead, if you have to invest in a cosmetic, those are the ones that really stay on your skin and offer long-term benefits, like serums and creams.
Avoid oils
Oil-based cleansers have been avoided in the past because they were considered to cause clogged pores. But research has shown that this is not the case.
All skin types can benefit from an oil cleanse, even oily and blemish-prone skin.
After all, oil dissolves oil , so it can clean pores and remove dirt and bacteria to help balance skin.
Look for oil-based cleaners. I recommend almond, argan, grape seed or sunflower oil.
Simply massage the oil onto your face and remove the remaining residue with a soft damp cloth.
Forgetting to wash your face before bed
Washing your face at night is a hard and fast rule when it comes to caring for your skin, and it must be adhered to even if you don’t wear makeup. During the day, natural oils and sweat accumulate on the skin.
We are exposed to the environment, which means that dirt and pollution accumulate on our outer layer of skin. Not removing all of this grime at the end of the day can cause skin irritation, inflammation, and breakouts .
Kathie Sand always saw the world of beauty as the terrain on which to build her professional career, a goal that was clear to her when she was only 15 years old. Her great concern to expand knowledge led her to settle in Paris where she studied hand in hand with the best beauty professionals and with the most advanced techniques for skin care.
