Skin Cleansing: What It Is (And Why You Need It)
People talk about doing cleanses all the time. Why not try a cleanse — for your face? Skin cleansing has a slew of amazing benefits. We break it down here!
Keyword(s): skin cleansing
Sometimes the last thing you want to do is wash your face at the end of a long day. You might think it's bad enough that you have to take time away from Netflix or a glass of wine by putting on something comfy and planning tomorrow's outfit.
Maybe you have an early morning the next day and you want to give yourself 15 extra minutes of sleep by keeping that makeup base on your face.
You might feel like your skin is looking good lately and skipping one night of washing your face won't do any damage. Or you might feel self-conscious about your skin and not want your partner to see you without the comfort of the makeup you know and love so well.
Regardless of what your reason is, it's essential that you DO NOT skip your nightly skin cleansing. In fact, knowing how to clean your skin is vital in keeping yourself feeling and looking good.
If you are acne-prone, make sure that in addition to following a great skin-cleansing routine, you also use makeup that is right for you. Check out the best foundation to use on your skin type.
And keep reading to find out what a good skin cleanse entails and why you should NEVER skip it.
What's the Build Up?
Think about how often you wash your hands on a daily basis. Our hands come into contact with much more than our faces. But a lot of the same dirt and grime manages to end up on our face.
Products like makeup and moisturizers can build up quickly. Furthermore, there is a never-ending supply of dirt and bacteria that end up on your face throughout the day. Dead skin cells are also something that you want to get rid of so that they don't clog your pores.
That buildup of dirt and product can irritate your skin and cause acne over time. A lot of people use makeup to cover up their blemishes. And for many people, acne is no joke.
But a lot of that acne can be caused by the same makeup that is being used to cover it up. And if you don't give your face a break, the cycle can be never-ending.
When you sleep, your pores are more prone to congestion, making it even more important for those pores to have a chance to breathe.
What is a Skin Cleanse?
It's not just about finding the right product to clean all those dead cells and grime from your face. It's also about your routine. Here are the steps you should consider in order to ensure you're getting the full benefits of cleansing.
1. Your Water Temperature
You don't want the water to be too hot or too cold. And you don't want to switch back and forth because it can be a shock to your skin. Stick with lukewarm water for an optimal wash and rinse.
2. Don't Rush It
Get your water temperature right. Wash your hands first. Maybe light a naturally-scented candle and listen to some tunes of your choice. Turn on your favorite show or bring a glass of wine. Take your time and turn it into an enjoyable routine rather than a chore.
3. Use the Right Cleanser for YOU
This can be the most overwhelming part as there are so many options on the market. But there are some general tips that will help you on your way to finding the perfect cleanser.
Cream cleansers tend to be gentler as they don't foam. So if you have sensitive skin, chances are a cream cleanser is right for you.
Cleaners with alcohol can be drying for the skin. So if your skin is naturally dry rather than oily, stay away from cleansers with alcohol. And if your skin is naturally oily, you'll probably want to opt for a foam or gel cleanser.
Our moisturizing gel-cream cleanser is unique in that it is made to work for both skin types.
Don't be afraid to check out ingredients and find out what they might mean for your skin.
4. Use a Toner
Using a toner at the end of your routine is a great way to solidify what you've just done for your face. A toner will do a number of positive things for your skin such as restoring it's PH balance and shrinking your pores.
It also refreshes and moisturizes your skin.
How to Scrub
You might be asking how to clean your skin the right way. It's simple. Make sure your hands are clean. Make sure you use lukewarm water. And then just scrub!
You can spend extra time scrubbing those problem areas. You can also feel free to do a double-scrub. Washing your face twice in a row can help ensure you've removed any and all dirt and grime.
There is too much face-washing though. Stick to your morning and night routine but try to give your face a rest throughout the day. You don't want to dry out your skin or over-moisturize.
Start Your Skin Cleansing Routine Tonight
The importance of your skin cleansing routine is ever-growing. The benefits of cleansing are endless from not only keeping your skin healthy and happy to preventing aging faster than you'd like.
It's your face. It's the first thing people see almost every second of every day. So it should make sense for us to want to treat it with care.
And if it's aging you're concerned about, check out the benefits of using an anti-aging treatment on your skin.