The Right Way to Wash the Face
The way you wash your face (and the products you choose) isn’t hard, but you need to be intentional. So why are you washing your face? Once you have your answer, choose the right products and follow a routine that gets the job done.
If Washing to Remove Makeup
Use a waterless cleanser, like Cetaphil, that can be used without water and yet dissolve makeup from the face and eyes.
After using it, the face shall be rinsed with warm water. Then skin is to be moisturized. As the makeup is removed, the oils and waxes are also removed. So it’s time to re-hydrate.
If Washing for Acne
Contrary to conventional wisdom, soap and water won’t help acne. If looking to clear those spots, better to opt for a product with an acne-fighting ingredient, like Benzoyl Peroxide.
First, the face shall be lathered with the wash. It shall be allowed to sit for 5 to10 minutes, then rinsed off with water. (Beware! Benzoyl Peroxide discolors fabric, so a white towel shall be used to pat it dry afterwards!)
If working out or working in the yard, it’s time to get the skin clean after! A mild cleanser shall be used, like Dove soap for sensitive skin.
Strong soaps leave the skin dry and irritated. In fact, most antibacterial soaps are too harsh for the face. So harsh soaps shall be avoided and the choice shall be something that will clean off the grime without leaving the skin too parched.
What Not to Use
The general assumption is that the deeper the clean, the better the result. But for your face, that’s not true. Products marketed as “deep cleansers,” and tools that scrub and rotate, hurt (not help!) the face. They irritate the skin, leaving one with a red face and inflamed acne. It may seem like she’s scrubbing out the impurities, but she’s actually making her skin worse.
4 Basic Steps for Washing Your Face
No matter the reason for washing the face, this simple process is the way to do it:
1. Gently apply the cleanser to your face. Avoid scrubbing and just let the product do the work! (If you’re using an acne cleanser, apply it in the shower so you can easily leave it on for a few minutes.)
2. Rinse your skin using warm water.
3. Pat the skin dry with a soft towel.
4. Apply a moisturizer.
It’s that easy.
What About Using Facial Wipes Instead?
Facial wipes are a convenient alternative to washing the face. There’s no real difference in the ingredients – it just saves you the step of using water. If one finds that this method works, she may go for it!
Washing the face is the most basic step in hygiene, especially if it’s done right. The above steps helps to make the skin clearer, brighter, and healthier.