Washing Your Face; You’re Probably Doing it Wrong
Although washing your face appears to be an easy task, are you doing it right? A thorough cleanse can make a huge difference in your skincare routine’s effectiveness, but most of us don’t give it the time and the proper care it requires. It takes more than a quick rinse with your favourite face wash to properly clean your skin. Most of them are habits you probably don’t even know you’re doing.
Here’s how to get the most out of your face wash routine, from which cleanser to use to how often to wash your face.
Knowledge is power, so we talked to the expert, our Dermatologist Dr.Samrah Ahmed about the sneaky things we do that could be making our skin suffer..
Not Washing Your Hands
We know we know.. It’s so obvious, yet there are a surprising number of individuals who ignore this crucial step. If you are missing this step you’re basically transferring the bacteria from your hands to your face, and what happens when you have bacteria on your face?
That’s right.. breakouts!
We touch our phones 2000 times a day and so many other things that have bacteria, from doorknobs to keyboards. The first step in a successful skincare process is to make sure you have clean hands (and clean towels ofc).
Using the Wrong Cleanser
Yes, cleansers all get rid of dirt, makeup, and dead skin cells. So, how can any cleanser possibly be wrong for the skin? Shouldn’t you be able to choose any expensive cleanser and put it on your face until you get tired of it? NO, no!
Each person has a unique skin type. Some people have sensitive skin that reacts quickly to redness, while others have an oily T-zone that frequently breaks out. When selecting a cleanser, it’s crucial to consider your skin concerns. Don’t trust your friend’s advice or the cleansers that your favourite skincare blogger can’t get enough of. Rather than depriving your skin of all its natural oils, use a cleanser that keeps your skin’s barrier intact.
Not Removing Makeup
Have you been washing your makeup-covered face? Think twice before doing so! Cleansers are great for eliminating pollutants, dirt, oils, and debris, but they aren’t designed to remove all of your makeup.
As a result, it’s necessary to clean your face PRIOR to cleansing it. Remove any traces of makeup and sunscreen with cleansing butter or micellar water. THEN begin your cleansing process with your face wash.
Not Checking the Water Temperature
Make sure that you’re washing your face at the correct water temperature. You don’t want to use water that is too hot or too cold because that might cause irritation, dryness, and the loss of your skin’s protective layer. To gently cleanse your skin, always use lukewarm water. Remember that hot water can dry out your skin and cause skin problems.
Daily Exfoliating
To say the least, exfoliation is great. It removes dead skin cells, leaving the skin brighter, smoother, and just better. However, there is such a thing as too much exfoliation.
It’s essential to remember that over-exfoliating your skin might cause permanent damage. Over-exfoliation not only strips your skin of its natural oils, but it also damages the skin barrier, which can take years to repair. So, it is best to exfoliate your skin once or twice a week. Avoid severe physical exfoliators that contain sharp walnut or almond slivers.
Poor Hygiene
It’s necessary to keep your face and shower towels separate. What’s more important is to avoid rubbing your face with the towel too hard. Remember, patting rather than rubbing is the key.
Never let anyone else use your towels. It is important to avoid the transmission of germs and bacteria.
Even though touching your face with a towel might dry it quickly and seem more comfortable, it pulls and tugs at the skin’s elastin, damaging the skin barrier.
The most important piece of advice we can give you is to avoid patting your face dry completely. Allow it to air dry instead! We guarantee it will take no longer than 10 seconds.
Washing Your Face Often
Washing your face twice a day is helpful. When you wash your face too much, your skin becomes irritated and produces too much oil. This is because depriving your skin of its natural oils causes it to produce more.
If you’ve spent the entire day at home and your skin hasn’t been exposed to any makeup or perspiration, skip the night cleanser and simply wash your face with water. Many people with sensitive skin wash their faces only once a day. After all, it’s good for your skin to take a break now and then.
Avoid Sulfates
Chemical additives like sulphates, just like severe temperatures, can strip your skin of its protective layer, producing irritation, dryness, and discomfort. These surfactants may create a nice lather and remove excess oil from the skin, but they are far too powerful and can harm and dry your skin over time. If your cleanser’s ingredient list contains sodium lauryl sulphate, ammonium lauryl sulphate, sodium laureth sulphate, or ammonium laureth sulphate, it’s time to switch to a natural option.
Finish off with a Toner
Chemical additives like sulphates, just like severe temperatures, can strip your skin of its protective layer, producing irritation, dryness, and discomfort. These surfactants may create a nice lather and remove excess oil from the skin, but they are far too powerful and can harm and dry your skin over time. If your cleanser’s ingredient list contains sodium lauryl sulphate, ammonium lauryl sulphate, sodium laureth sulphate, or ammonium laureth sulphate, it’s time to switch to a natural option.
The Do’s and Don'ts
| Do’s | Don’ts |
| Do use Face Wash | Don’t use bar of soap |
| Do pat the skin dry | Don’t rub the skin too hard |
| Do use Lukewarm water | Don’t use hot water |
| Do finish with a toner and moisturizer | Don’t skip your skin care routine |
Are you making any of these face-washing mistakes? It’s all right; we’re in the same boat! The great news is that it’s never too late to learn new things, grow, or evolve. Begin by cleaning your face properly starting today, and wait for a noticeable difference!
0 Comments