Over the last year, most of us have spent a majority of our time thinking about cleansing. And when we’re not thinking about it, we’re doing it. With an army of cleaning and sanitising products at our disposal, we’re cleansing our faces, bodies, surfaces, vegetables–you name it, and we’ve cleaned it! Keeping that in mind, it is important to note that a recent survey by CeraVe, a USA-based skincare brand, found that out of 500 men and women in 11 countries, 55 per cent over- or under-washed their faces. The brand also reported that a whopping 42 per cent used only water to clean their faces.
Washing your face seems like a no-brainer, but most of us are guilty of slacking when we have to do it. Improper cleaning leads to a build-up of dirt and impurities on the surface of the skin which can cause skin conditions like acne, clogged pores, dullness and inflammation. Plus, thanks to the layer of grime on your face, your serums, creams and lotions won’t come in contact with your skin. Even if you aren’t someone who wears make-up regularly, you need to wash your face twice a day to remove any skincare residue that will otherwise sit on your face. Wondering if you’re doing it right? Here’s what you need to keep in mind…
Begin with clean hands
Make sure you begin with freshly washed hands because the last thing you want to do is transfer the dirt to your face.
Try double cleansing
If you wear water-resistant make-up or SPF, double cleanse your face. First use an oil or a balm to break down the formula, and then go in with a face wash to remove all traces of the product.
Give it time
For your cleanser to work, you need to gently massage it into your skin for at least 45-60 seconds. When you’re rinsing your face, use lukewarm water as that activates the cleanser. Hot water tends to strip skin of natural oils, leaving it dry and tight. Cold water, on the other hand, doesn’t do a good job of removing impurities.
Look for the right formula
If your cleanser leaves your face feeling squeaky clean, you may want to switch it up as it’s a sign that your skin has been stripped of its natural oils. If you have acne-prone skin, look for ingredients like salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and tea tree oil on the product label, and for dry skin, ceramides, glycerin and AHAs like lactic and glycolic acid can do wonders.