How do you wash your face? It’s something most of us do every day, so it’s a bit of a shocker that experts say we may have been doing it wrong for all these years.
For starters, (bad news face wipe fans), face wipes are about as good for our skin as they are for the environment – although, we already kind of knew that one. But even for those wedded to their creamy cleanser or micellar water, lots of us are making the same common mistakes that can mean we’re not getting rid of all the grime effectively, or worse, are causing unnecessary damage and stress to our skin.
Below, we share a step-by-step guide to the essential daily routine with tips that everyone needs to know.
1. When and how often should you cleanse
Two important questions to ask yourself before starting: when and how often should I wash my face? Twice a day – once in the morning and once at night – is enough to maintain clean and healthy skin. Usually a preference for oily skin types, if you have sensitive skin, you might prefer cleansing once a day in the evening and choosing a light cleanse with water in the morning to start your day. Cleansing too often can strip your skin of essential oils it needs for barrier protection, so overwashing can do more damage than good.
2. Remove all your makeup
An oil-based cleanser can be your best friend when it comes to melting off your makeup, but if you have oily skin you may want to avoid them and opt for a cream cleanser instead. Avoid cleansers that are heavily perfumed/scented or foaming, especially if you have sensitive skin, as this can cause further irritation.
Double cleansing – first with an oil- or cream-based cleanser, followed by micellar water – is often necessary for those wearing full coverage foundation or long-lasting mascara, but be careful not to agitate the skin too much, especially around the eye area which is more delicate.
Use your hands or a clean, damp cloth to apply the cleanser of choice and gently remove any residual makeup and debris. A Q-tip is a handy tool for cleaning around the lashline. Make sure you never ignore your neck or hairline; leaving out these parts can cause bacteria build-up and a break out of acne.
3. Never use hot water to wash your face
You’ll be forgiven for not knowing this as it’s a common misconception, but washing your face with hot water should be avoided. Never wash your face in the shower! Instead, use lukewarm or cold water to properly cleanse. Hot water, saunas, and steaming the face can dry out your skin and even cause dilation of blood vessels and breakage of the delicate tissue.
4. Always spend 60 seconds cleansing
Most people are not cleansing thoroughly enough to properly remove all makeup and debris. Experts recommend giving this step for at least 60 seconds to allow the cleanser to do its work. It’s a lot longer than you think so set a timer on your phone and give your face (and neck!) a mini facial massage while you’re at it.