Step Up Your Skin Cleansing Game
When did you learn how to wash your face? Around age 5 when you learned to brush your teeth by yourself? And how much has changed since then? Like many of the things we do every day, we tend go on autopilot. So here is your chance to pause, refresh your methods and step up your skin cleansing game.
Preparing to Wash
Set aside a small amount of time in the morning and in the evening to cleanse your skin. A small
study recently tested subjects washing their skin one to four times a day. It found that subjects suffering from acne saw skin improvements when washing twice a day, but skin conditions worsened when washing four times a day.
Before touching your face, always make sure to wash your hands. You don’t want to
add more dirt and grime to your skin; you want to remove it. Bring your water to a lukewarm temperature – no burning or freezing temperatures here! Hot water can irritate and dry skin, while cold water doesn’t remove dirt effectively. Lukewarm water will help open up your pores so your cleanser can get in there and get to work.
Choosing A Cleanser
The best cleansers for all skin types are those that are gentle, chemical-free, natural and organic. For dryer skin, use a hydrating cleanser that is formulated to reduce inflammation in sensitive skin. For oilier skin, look for a
foaming cleanser that contains antioxidants to fight free-radical damage and NanoSilver for a natural antibacterial remedy that addresses breakouts.
Washing Your Skin
Start by removing your eye makeup, if you are wearing any. Make sure to use gentle strokes, as the skin around your eye is thinner and more sensitive to damage. Wet your face with the lukewarm water and apply a dime-sized amount of your cleanser to your fingers. Rub your fingertips together and then gently massage the cleanser into your skin for 30 – 60 seconds in a circular motion working out to your hairline. This massage action will get the oxygen and blood flowing to your skin. Pay special attention to your t-zone area (forehead and nose) and u-zone (under the chin). Rinse your face with slightly cooler water than you washed it to close pores.
If you have on a lot of makeup or just don’t feel like your skin is squeaky-clean, repeat the process one more time. Just note that the more you cleanse, the more you strip away your skin’s natural oils, creating a dry, dull skin tone. So be sure not to over-wash you face.
Drying Your Skin
Using a clean, dry towel and pat your face dry. Make sure the washcloth or towel you use is soft and not rough or gritty. Pat dry, don’t wipe. And resist the urge to reuse your washcloth or towel again. Damp towels can be a breeding ground for bacteria that can cause breakouts.
Finishing Touches
Follow your cleansing with a toner to balance pH levels in your skin, a facial serum to combat your specific skin concerns, eye serum to help protect and strengthen that delicate under-eye area and a moisturizer, we recommend a lighter moisturizer for day and an
overnight moisturizer formulated to optimize your sleep cycle during the night.
Proper facial cleansing is the simplest way to care for and improve the health and beauty of your skin, after all, when skin is clean it always looks –and feels - better.
