Face Cleansing Mistakes to Avoid
When it comes to washing your face, are you using the right products and methods? Here are some ways you can improve your face cleansing regimen.
When it comes to washing your skin, you need to make sure you are avoiding mistakes that can ultimately do more harm than good. It may be hard to believe, but improper cleansing can lead to skin being dry, oily, irritated or even breaking out. Are you making these mistakes? Let’s take a look at some common face-washing mistakes you may be making and some simple things that you can do to make a difference in the appearance of your skin.
Dermapen
Not choosing the right cleanser.
The skin on your face is delicate, so you want to avoid products that are too harsh or loaded with irritating detergents and deodorizers. In other words, keep your bar soap for your body only. Look for a facial cleanser that specifically targets your skin type. Oily, dry, sensitive, prone to breakouts, you name it, it’s available to you. The right cleanser will help remove dirt, oil, makeup and impurities from the skin without compromising your skin’s natural barrier. It won’t strip away healthy oils and, as a result, it won’t feel tight, irritated or dried out post-cleansing.
Using cleansers containing irritating ingredients.
It’s really important to read product labels to know not only what is in your cleanser, but also what isn’t. Avoid products with known skin irritants, as well as parabens or sulfates. Sulfates can cause skin to become dry, red and irritated. In fact, many people are allergic to sulfates and don’t even realize it. Look for skin soothing and hydrating ingredients like Aloe Vera. Also, anytime you see antioxidant vitamins included in a product, you know it’s a win for your skin.
Cleansing with water that is too hot or too cold.
When I was a teenager, I always thought that hot water would steam open my pores and freezing cold water would close them up. Guess what? This isn’t true. The best water temperature for your skin is lukewarm. Extremes in temperature can result in unwanted effects on the skin, including capillary damage. Hot water can disrupt your skin’s moisture barrier by stripping away protective oils. When this happens, your skin can become dry, or it can have the reverse effect and kick your oil sebum production into high gear, resulting in oily skin. So use only lukewarm water for the best results.
Rinsing all wrong.
You just can’t be in a big rush when it comes to hygiene! Improper rinsing of the skin can cause more problems than you’ve bargained for. When your cleanser isn’t rinsed away, it can build up on the surface of your skin. We all know that vicious cycle, don’t we? The buildup leads to clogged pores, which leads to breakouts. Your skin may feel dried out, irritated and tight. So be sure to give yourself that extra bit of time to rinse off your cleanser thoroughly for the best results.
Not applying moisturizer.
Serums and moisturizers must be applied immediately after cleansing and toning your skin. Toner helps restore balance to the skin while serums and moisturizers help restore much-needed moisture to keep skin looking and feeling its best. Apply your products while your skin is still damp. If you wait too long and your skin becomes dry, it just makes it a bit more difficult for your moisturizing products to sink into your skin. When this happens, you may notice your skin feels a bit oily or even sticky to the touch.
So now that we know the mistakes, here are few simple tips to improve your daily cleansing results.
- When applying cleanser to your skin, massage in a gentle, circular motion. This will help remove debris from the surface and help stimulate circulation.
- When drying your skin with a towel, pat, don’t rub it dry. You don’t want to pull or tug at the skin, as this can cause damage and you could end up looking red and irritated.
- Only use a clean towel. Never reach for the family hand towel. Germs and bacteria on the skin can wreak havoc with your complexion.
And, my favorite tip of all… yes, I was doing it wrong for years:
- When showering, save facial cleansing for last. By waiting until the end of your shower, you will be sure to remove all traces of shampoo and conditioner that may have been deposited on your skin.
If you are making any of these mistakes, no problem. They are all easily fixable. Here’s to healthy, more youthful looking skin.
