Face Washing 101: How to Wash Your Face Properly

Properly remove makeup with a gentle cleansing oil, pads or clean washcloth. Most makeup is waterproof, where regular facial cleansers won't work- at least not without a lot of excess scrubbing that is not good for your skin .

Sleeping with makeup prevents your skin from functioning properly. Pores need to be able to purge toxins at night while we sleep. A proper makeup remover ensures there is no residue left behind after using a regular facial cleanser so it is an important step.

An easy tip to cleaner skin is to try micellar water, which allows you to gently wash your face to remove makeup, dirt and buildup without having to excessively scrub, making it perfect for sensitive skin.

Micellar water is a skin care product made up of purified water and small cleansing particles called micelles. These molecule clusters act like soap and bind to oil, dirt and buildup to make skin cleansing easier.

Add a quarter sized amount of micellar water to clean hands and gently massage onto your face.

Micellar water can be added to a clean cotton pad and blotted across your face. Avoid scrubbing the skin with the micellar pad.

Use micellar water between face cleanses throughout the day, to refresh, tone and hydrate your skin.

Wash your face with lukewarm water for best results. Cold water impedes the breaking up of buildup, preventing your ability to cleanse your pores. Dirty pores lead to blackheads and blemishes. Cold water prevents some buildup from being removed from your skin, leading to excessive scrubbing.

Dermatologists say, "Wash your face with lukewarm water, not hot, to prevent stripping your skin of its natural oils."

Hot water can not only burn your skin- it can cause adverse reactions and strip essential oils critical to the skin's biome. This can lead to sensitive skin, excessively dry skin, rashes and more.

Choosing the right cleansing face wash for your skin type is a critical step to cleansing your skin. Oily skin might need additional ingredients like tea tree oil , salicylic acid, glycolic acid and other exfoliants. These ingredients not only help remove excess oil, and help reduce sebum production.

Dry skin requires gentle surfactants that won't strip away moisture and oils. Dry skin cleansers tend to have additional moisturizers such as aloe vera , shea butter or coconut oil.

An important tip to choosing a cleanser for your skin type is to avoid harsh chemicals such as sulfates, parabens and formaldehyde forming preservatives. These chemicals are harsh on the skin, strip oil and moisture- leading to irritated skin.

Use the recommended amount of cleanser whenever washing your face. The right amount of cleanser tends to be a dime sized to quarter sized amount in your palm, depending on the potency and viscosity. Just a few drops of cleanser does not wash the skin enough. Too much cleanser can be too much for your skin, prevent proper lathering and waste product. 

Massage gently as you wash your face with a circular motion using your fingers for 20-30 seconds. Avoid massaging too hard or too quickly to prevent microtears, abrasion and harming your facial skin. Massage around the sides of your nose, forehead up to your hairline and under your lips.

Work around your eyes, but avoid getting soap into your eyes. You shouldn't have to squint your eyes too hard to wash around them due to excess pressure. This causes folds in the skin, preventing you from properly washing those areas. The Academy of Dermatology advises, 

"Avoid scrubbing your skin too hard or using harsh products, as this can irritate your skin and lead to more issues. Gentle cleansing is more effective and less damaging."

Remember to cleanse your jaw and neck. Cleansing your face isn't just for your face. Your jawline and neck are exposed to the same dirts, oils, environmental aggressors and buildup. The skin along the jaw and neck are as delicate as the skin on your face, so better to use a face cleanser rather than a body wash. For women, makeup can often go below the jawline. For men, cleansing your jawline and neck helps for a better shave and prevents razor burn.

Rinse your face thoroughly with lukewarm water after washing. Leaving residual soap on your skin can lead to irritation and buildup. Cup your hands to fill with water and then splash across your face, gently massaging and rubbing the clean water across your skin. Don't forget to rinse the edges along your hairline, jaw and neck.

After thoroughly rinsing your face, pat with a clean, dry towel. Use a clean towel to avoid contaminating your freshly washed face with bacteria and oils. Organic, dye-free cotton towels are best. Do not rub or scrub with the towel.

Be gentle when exfoliating to avoid irritating the skin and causing damage. Over exfoliating can cause microtears in the skin, triggering a defensive response and inflammation. Harsh exfoliation can strip the skin of oils and nutrients essential to the skin's biome. When exfoliating, allow the exfoliation particles and ingredients to do the work for you.

Washing your face too often strips the skin of vital oils and nutrients. Excessive washing can lead to dry skin, sensitive skin, dull skin and even dermatitis. Wash your face twice daily, morning and night. If you need to wash your face more, use a gentle cleanser such as micellar water, that also refreshes and hydrates the skin. Excess sweat or people with oily skin may need to wash their face throughout the day. Use a gentle, sulfate-free cleanser . You can use a toner or pads to remove the sweat, oils and buildup.

After cleansing, follow up with skin care products to moisturize and nourish your skin. The best time to use other skin care products is directly after washing your face to allow for better absorption of ingredients and deeper penetration. Thus, getting the most out of your skin care routine. Toners, serums, spot treatments, eye treatments and moisturizers provide various benefits for a beautiful, healthy complexion.

Toners   help balance and moisturize the face skin, so spray or wipe on immediately after cleansing to prepare for serums and moisturizers.

Serums   penetrate deeply and can address wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, dryness or whatever you're trying to fix with your skin. Apply after cleansing and allow to fully absorb before adding eye treatments or moisturizers.

Spot treatments   can be done to clear acne. Spot treatments are ultra concentrated serums, usually with salicylic acid or benzoic acid, to kill acne-causing bacteria. Apply a drop to each individual blemish as opposed to applying across your whole face.

Eye treatments   can be used to address wrinkles, crows feet, eye puffiness and under-eye bags. Eye treatments are thicker moisturizers applied at night around and under the eyes.

Moisturizer   creams can be used to address any skin condition you may be dealing with- from aging, dryness, oiliness, blemishes, hyperpigmentation, etc. Apply a dime to quarter sized amount of your favorite moisturizer to face, jaw and neck.

The ADD recommends, "Moisturizing your skin daily helps maintain its natural barrier, keeping it hydrated and preventing dryness and irritation."

Avoid hidden chemicals, hormone disruptors, toxins and excessive synthetic ingredients in skin care products. Choose organic nutrients such as organic aloe vera , shea butter, cocoa butter,  jojoba oil or honey for beautiful skin.

Check the pH balance of your skin care products to avoid harming the skin. Our skin is 5.5 pH, but some products are either too acidic or too alkaline, which can harm the skin's immune system.

Experiment with your face washing routine to see what's best for your skin and lifestyle. Some people might just want to wash their face and apply a moisturizer. Some women prefer a full regimen, while for others, that is too much for their skin or too expensive. Too many products cause irritation for sensitive skin types. A full skin care regiment is therapeutic for some people who enjoy the full steps to pamper themselves. 

The importance of washing your face is to remove excess oils, buildup, dead skin cells, bacteria and pollutants for optimal health and beauty. Our skin is subjected to more external aggressors than ever before due to industrialization. This can lead to premature aging, excess wrinkles, sensitive skin and dull skin.

Dirt, grime and buildup clogs pores- which can lead to blackheads, blemishes and breakouts. Removing impurities and excess oil allows your skin to function properly and be as bright and beautiful as possible.

Proper face washing allows for deeper absorption and enhanced benefits from other skin care products so you can look and feel your best.

You should wash your face twice daily, preferably morning and night, to maintain optimal skin health and prevent too much buildup, clogged pores and excess oils.

Should you wash your face twice a day? Yes, washing your face twice a day is recommended based on your skin type and preference. You should not wash your face twice a day if it is causing dryness, irritation or discomfort.

Once a day is not enough to remove the excess oils, sweat, buildup and grime for some. If you prefer to wash once a day, wash your face at night to be able to go to bed with clean skin so it can heal and repair itself. This prevents contaminating your pillow with bacteria, viruses, excess oils and pollutants collected on your facial skin from the day.

Washing your face in the morning removes sweat and excess sebum your skin produced throughout the night. Your skin detoxifies toxins from your pores as you sleep, so it's important to remove these toxins and oils. If your pillowcase isn't clean, it can get bacteria and viruses from the cloth. Washing your face in the morning with the right facial cleanser is invigorating and a great way to start the morning.

Washing your face with a proper cleanser has many advantages, including;

removing dirt, oils, sweat, makeup and pollutants that can harm your skin can clog pores.

• Exfoliating helps cleanse pores and remove stubborn buildup.

• Balancing your pH levels is essential for optimal skin health.

• Enhancing absorption of other skin care products used after cleansing increases their effectiveness.

• Hydrating your skin by allowing for higher water retention, keeping your skin soft and plump.

• Avoiding skin conditions such as eczema, dermatitis, rashes and acne by removing bacteria and impurities.

• Enhancing beauty by helping fight off damaging free radicals, reducing wrinkles and maintaining the skin's elasticity.

• Preventing acne and breakouts by killing or removing bacteria.

• Removing dead skin cells that can clog pores and lead to dull skin.

• Stimulating healthy blood circulation for a more youthful glow.

• Removing buildup that prevents your skin cells from detoxifying.

• Soothing the skin with gentle, moisturizing ingredients to avoid irritation.

• Exfoliates pores and removes stubborn buildup.

• Balancing your pH levels is essential for optimal skin health.

• Enhances absorption of other skin care products used after cleansing increases their effectiveness.

• Hydrates your skin by allowing for higher water retention, keeping your skin soft and plump. Your skin needs hydration to maintain elasticity and flexibility to avoid wrinkles.

• Avoid skin conditions such as eczema, dermatitis, rashes and acne by removing bacteria and impurities.

• Enhances beauty by helping fight off damaging free radicals, reducing wrinkles and maintaining the skin's elasticity.

• Prevents acne and breakouts by killing or removing bacteria.

• Removes dead skin cells that can clog pores and lead to dull skin.

• Stimulates healthy blood circulation for a more youthful glow.

• Removes buildup that prevents your skin cells from detoxifying.

• Soothes the skin with gentle, moisturizing ingredients to avoid irritation.

The disadvantages of not washing your face include allowing excess oils to accumulate on your skin, leaving bacteria untreated, dead skin cells building up, excess makeup clogging pores, and pollutants dulling your skin.

These can lead to complications, including;

• Clogged pores which leads to blemishes, blackheads and breakouts.

• Premature aging, fine lines and wrinkles

• Redness, irritation and uneven skin tone

• Sensitive skin, dermatitis, eczema and hyperpigmentation.

• Dull complexion

• Dry skin

• Excessively oily, greasy skin.

Common mistakes when washing your face can lead to inadequate results, unhealthy skin and unbalanced complexion. 7 common mistakes include;

• Using the wrong products such as harsh cleansers, sulfates, fragrances and chemicals. These strip your skin and can damage the delicate balance of healthy skin. Choose gentle, natural cleansers.

• Choosing the wrong cleanser for your skin type. Dry, sensitive skin should avoid harsh ingredients that over exfoliate or cause allergic reactions. Oily, acne prone skin might not get enough benefit from regular cleansers.

• Washing less than you should. Ideally wash twice a day for 20-30 seconds to properly cleanse the skin. If you are prone to acne, excessive sweating, exposed to pollutants it is ideal to wash at least twice a day.

• Washing too frequently can lead to stripping the skin, irritation and skin sensitivities.

• Using too little product. It's important to create a proper lather to help remove dirt and buildup. Too much cleanser can also prevent proper lathering and waste money.

• Washing with the wrong water temperature can prevent best results. Too cold water closes your pores and allows buildup to remain on the skin. Too hot water burns and irritates the skin, triggering a defensive mechanism.

• Cleansing the skin too much prevents natural oils the skin uses to protect itself. You do not want squeaky clean skin.

The best face wash for sensitive skin would contain gentle, non-allergenic ingredients. Avoid harsh chemicals, sulfates and parabens. Look for natural and organic soothing ingredients such as organic aloe vera, shea butter or honey to help moisturize while you wash. These allow your skin to be nourished and moisturized while washing. Choose naturally derived surfactants rather than sulfates. Avoid stronger ingredients like tea tree oil and stronger AHA and BHA exfoliants .

The National Eczema Association warns, “Choose skincare products that are free of dyes, fragrances, and harsh chemicals, as these can exacerbate eczema symptoms. Always test new products on a small area of skin first."

Choose a product made in the USA to avoid hidden chemicals and toxins found in cheap products from overseas.

Understanding your skin type allows you to choose the right skin care products. According to the Academy of Dermatology, there are 5 main skin types based on your genetics, oil production and moisture:

Normal skin (between 20-30% of people) is generally balanced, without any complications.

Dry skin (around 40% of people) lacks proper moisture and requires more hydrating, gentle cleansers with increased hydration in other skin care products.

Oily skin is (30-40% of people) due to excess sebum production. Oily skin can be addressed with stronger cleansers and topical skin care products to regulate sebum production and keep pores clear.

Combination skin (Approximately 40% of people) tends to have normal to dry skin in most areas, with excess oil on your chin or in the T Zone, the area around your nose, between your eyebrows and just above the eyebrows.

Sensitive skin (between 50-60% of women and 30-40% of men), which can be due to genetics, allergies or using too harsh of skin care products that aggravate and dry out the skin.

The Mayo Clinic advises, "Using products that are designed for your specific skin type can help maintain your skin's balance and prevent issues like acne or dryness."

To determine your skin type, follow these steps. First, wash your face with a gentle cleanser and after 30 minutes, see how it reacts. Second, you can inspect your skin in the morning after properly cleansing your skin before bed. Your skin type is determined by the hydration levels and oil production, or lack thereof. You can feel your skin with your fingers to see if it's oily, dry or properly hydrated. Finally, you can use a light tissue to see if any excess oil is picked up.

Visually determine your skin type by seeing if there is shine from excess oils, dry/flaky skin or a balanced matte finish. Some areas of your skin may be dry, while others have excess shine- indicating combination skin.

Knowing your skin type allows you to properly care for and enhance the health and beauty of your skin with a customized routine. Knowing your skin type allows you to choose the proper skin care products, such as cleansers and moisturizers, to get the most benefit from your skin care routine. You'll understand how your skin reacts to different environments, temperatures and climate, allowing you to protect and properly care for your skin.

Not knowing your skin type can lead to damaging your skin, causing breakouts, developing sensitive skin or even harsher conditions like facial eczema. It's easier to prevent than to treat many skin conditions. Knowing your skin type makes for easier skin care routines for optimal skin health.