Good skin hygiene starts with the basics of knowing how to cleanse the skin. Believe it or not many of you are getting this simple step, the very basics, completely wrong. Think about it, when you wash your cloths, is it a quick process? Nope, soap is involved, agitation, and it takes time.
Why do we cleanse?
Just like our clothes we are removing dirt, oil, and other unwanted grime. Throughout our day our face comes into contact with bacteria, pollutants, toxins, dirt, dead skin cells and VIRUSES. When we wash we remove those impurities, without doing this our skin gets a thick layer of grime on it, which makes it difficult for other products to even penetrate the skin. Not to mention, all those dead skin cells, clogged pores, just gross.
It is important to also understand that you do need to wash your skin in the AM too, at night our head is not always on a clean pillowcase, the room is full of dust particles, maybe we sweat, or the oils in your hair may have gotten on your face. When you do not wash, the pores are suffocated; this will disrupt the function of the pores.
What should you wash with?
Picking the right cleansers for your skin concerns is critical. This is where a professional can help you pick the right ingredients for your skin concerns. It is important you stay away from toxins and ingredients that break down the skin, such as Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), this is a known skin irritant and will strip the skin of its natural oils, which you do need, causing dryness. Check your cleanser now for this ingredient!
Skincare Correctives is happy to offer a 20 minute complimentary consultation to purchase the right skincare products.
How to Cleanse your Skin?
Step 1: Rinse your face with lukewarm water as warm water removes the oils off your skin. Cold water won’t remove the oil properly.
Step 2: First set a timer for 60 seconds! Take your cleanser, add water if needed, and massage it gently in a circular motion all over your face, nose, neck and décolletage area. You are gently massaging for 60 seconds to allow the ingredients to work. At Bedtime, you would complete two cleanses, or a double cleanse. The first cleanse is to remove the makeup and grime of the day, the second to clean the skin. Each cleanse follow the 60 second rule.
Step 3: Rinse off the cleanser with warm water and pat your face dry.
Step 4: Apply your serums first and eye creams, gels, then moisturizers. You are applying based on molecular size, the way you layer products is important for product penetration. You always apply SPF last in the AM or when you are leaving the house.
Please don’t wear SPF to Bed; that is a whole other problem!
