Skincare 101: How to Wash Your Face Properly
It may sound a little silly to some, but you’d be surprised how many of us still don’t wash our faces properly. With the market flooded with products, tools, and methods, there is definitely a daily care routine that works for you and your skin. So here we answer some questions about proper facial cleansing.
How to Wash Your Face Properly
Let’s get back to basics and show you the best way to wash your face and hands using a formulated cleanser. This is the easiest way to maintain a daily routine for optimal results and to maintain good clarity for your skin.
How to Wash Your Face Properly:
Wet Your Face with Warm Water
Hot and cold water are too harsh for the skin and are too rough. Warm water gently opens up the pores without causing irritation to the skin. It’s up to you how you moisturize your face, either by splashing it with water or by using a washcloth or towel to wet your skin. Whichever method you choose, wetting your skin first will make it easier for the cleanser to spread and lather on your face, removing all impurities and traces of makeup.
Use the cleanser of your choice
Once you’ve found the right cleanser, apply a 10p-sized amount onto damp skin and apply to your face using your fingertips in circular motions. The advantage of using your fingers is that you can apply the product to any part of your face, from the corner of your nose to your hairline. Don’t be afraid to allow the cleanser to fully penetrate your skin and take your time. Cleansing your skin for 60 seconds has been shown to be the ideal amount of time to thoroughly cleanse your skin, unclog your pores and remove impurities such as bacteria, dirt and debris from your skin.
Avoid using soaps or cleansers that are not suitable for facial skin, as they are often too harsh and can strip your skin of important natural oils and unbalance its pH levels. You also need to consider your skin type when using a cleanser, especially if you have oily skin types, as many foaming cleansers tend to contain a lot of harsh chemicals that can dry out your skin and cause excess sebum production, which can make your skin even oilier.
Rinse and pat dry
Rinse the cleanser off your skin thoroughly with warm water using your hands or a towel, then pat your face dry with a soft towel. Try not to rub your skin as this can cause irritation and signs of aging, such as fine lines and wrinkles.
Next Steps
The next steps depend on your daily habits, so they may vary from person to person. You can follow up with a toner, serum, or moisturizer, but since you’ve made the effort to cleanse your skin properly, you’ll find that these products work better and penetrate deeper into the underlying layers of the skin.
With this, you’ve mastered the basic steps to properly wash your face. This is a great starting point for your skincare routine, which can be expanded and changed over time as you gain more confidence.
What are the best tools to use to wash your face?
Once you’ve mastered how to properly wash your face, you may be interested in taking the next step and improving your skin care routine by looking at cleansing tools. Here are some of the most popular tools currently on the market.
Cleansing pads – These are usually made of silicone and have tiny bristles that allow products to penetrate deeper into the skin than your fingers.
Cleansing brushes – These brushes rotate or vibrate to instantly remove dead skin cells and bacteria. These tools can be very abrasive, so if you have sensitive skin, it’s best to avoid them.
Konjac Cleansing Sponge – This sponge may look like a rock, but it’s actually a root found in Asian countries like Japan and Korea. Its fiber content absorbs dirt and impurities. It’s best not to use it with a scrub, as konjac sponges naturally exfoliate, so they work best with cleansers and face washes.
Flannel or Muslin – There’s no denying that the age-old flannel cloth is still considered a great tool for washing your face. Not only is it gentler, but it also has the added factor of sustainability, as it can be washed and used over and over again. Muslin cloths are slightly different, as they’re slightly rougher, which gives them the added benefit of exfoliating and cleansing the skin at the same time.
These tools are the most effective on the market right now, but considering how fast the beauty industry is evolving and changing every year, there’s another skin-changing product that’s coming soon!
When should you wash your face?
Washing your face twice a day is a point that’s constantly debated. Many believe that daily cleansing is enough to maintain a healthy and fully functional skin barrier, although some believe that cleansing in the morning and at night is most effective. An effective routine.
It’s entirely up to you, but I recommend cleansing your skin at night. Our skin is exposed to many environmental influences every day, such as: B. Pollution, and if you choose to wear makeup, it can also damage your skin if it is not removed properly before bed. Sleeping with makeup on can clog pores, leading to breakouts, spots, and premature skin aging. By properly cleansing your skin at night, followed by a selection of serums and facial oils rich in soothing and rejuvenating ingredients, you will help your skin recover and regenerate skin cells while you sleep.
Those who believe in washing their face in the morning should try to choose a product that will leave the skin looking radiant and full of life. Vitamin C and glycolic acid are powerful ingredients that can give your skin a glow and get you ready for the day ahead.
Can I just wash my face with water?
There is nothing wrong with washing your face with plain water. However, if you want your skin to stay healthy and as flawless as possible, it is best to use a face cleanser that can penetrate deep into the underlying layers of the skin to remove impurities that can cause acne, blackheads, fine lines, and dull skin. Unfortunately, this is something that water simply cannot do. Here are some of the skin care ingredients to look out for in a face cleanser.
Glycolic Acid
Vitamin C
Hyaluronic Acid
Salicylic Acid
Lactic Acid
Here’s a quick introduction to skin care and how to wash your face properly. Sometimes when it comes to skin care, it’s best to go back to the basics of your daily routine and start from there. You’ll be amazed at the results and feel confident in your skin.
DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek.
“Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more.
Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals.
Sunscreen
“We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.”
Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen
An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup.
Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand.
Vitamin C Serum
“A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging.
Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum
The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation.
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum
This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants.
Peptides
Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.”
Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream
This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively.
This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek.
At-Home Peel Pads
Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate.
“The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.”
According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says.
Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad
A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection.
KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads
These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids.
Emollient Night Cream
“In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.”
“Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products.
Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream
One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme
“The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.