Washing your face is a fundamental step in any skincare routine. Clean skin is the best palette for makeup and is better at absorbing active ingredients from skincare products.
Understanding how to wash your face correctly is the first step in setting up the perfect routine. Follow these 7 steps to wash your face properly and achieve a flawless complexion and glowing skin.
1. Remove Makeup First
It might seem silly to consider removing makeup as a separate step. Isn’t washing your face how you get makeup off? In reality, removing makeup, particularly cosmetics that aren’t water-soluble, lets you clean your skin more effectively. Starting your routine with a makeup remover or rinsing with micellar water ensures you’re not massaging your makeup into your skin along with your cleanser.1
2. Select the Right Cleanser
It’s best to use a gentle cleanser on your skin. The skin of your face is delicate and won’t benefit from alcohol or sulfates. Repeated use of those ingredients can dry your skin. If you need products that help with acne, choose a cleanser that contains mild chemical exfoliants like salicylic acid.2
3. Use Warm (Not Hot) Water
Hot water is drying and can be irritating. Think about how dry and tight your hands feel after washing in hot water. That’s not how you want your face to feel after washing. Use warm water that feels comfortable on your skin.3
4. Wash Gently
You don’t need to use a washcloth or scrubbing tool to wash your face. Dispense cleanser on your hand and apply it to your face. Use your fingers to gently massage the cleanser on your whole face. Once you’re finished, splash more warm water on your skin to rinse the cleanser away completely.4
5. Don’t Forget Your Neck
Your neck and upper chest are part of the so-called “French Face.” Giving the skin below your chin equal care ensures a gorgeous complexion down to the neckline of your favorite outfit.
6. Pat Your Skin Dry
Just like you don’t need to scrub with a washcloth, you don’t need to run your face with a towel after washing. Instead, pat your skin dry so you don’t risk irritating it.5
7. Use Moisturizer
Moisturizing is another essential step in any skincare regimen. Apply a nice emollient lotion while your skin is still damp. The cream can lock in moisture and keep your skin glowing.6 If you’re headed outside, be sure to wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen. UV exposure can speed up the signs of aging and increase your risk of skin cancer.
If you found this article useful, visit My Skincare Routine today for more information on the importance of washing your face, skin health, skincare, beauty tips, and more.
SOURCES:
- Byrdie: “The Right Way to Wash Your Face: 11 Tips for the Perfect Cleanse.”
- HealthLine: “How to Wash Your Face: 12 Steps to Fresh, Clean Skin.”
- American Academy of Dermatology Association: “Face Washing 101.”
- Byrdie: “The Right Way to Wash Your Face: 11 Tips for the Perfect Cleanse.”
- American Academy of Dermatology Association: “Face Washing 101.”
- American Academy of Dermatology Association: “Face Washing 101.”