Do You Know How to Wash Your Face?

By Rachel Sharoff

So many of us have gotten into the routine of absent mindedly washing our faces each morning and night, but are we really taking into consideration a few tiny tricks that can make all the difference in a more effective wash? Washing your face seems like a pretty straightforward practice, right? While a quick splash of water and some soap might be all you need, there are some subtle things you may be doing that could be the cause of excessive drying or oily skin or. Yet a few simple tweaks can make your skin healthier.

It’s important to stimulate your lymph system to get much needed oxygen and blood circulating in your face. Also, be sure that you are using the correct cleanser for your skin type and please try to avoid bar soaps at all costs — they can really dry out your skin. The goal of face washing is to unclog pores and to dissolve dirt, makeup and remove excess oils. You may not realize that this is also a great opportunity to slough off dead skin cells by exfoliating.

Lastly, have you considered the route you take? Begin washing your face starting at your forehead and work your way to your nose, then outwards to your cheeks and eventually down to your face and neck. A proper face wash is a really simple way to maintain the health of your skin.

My four step process for correct washing

STEP 1: Begin by washing your hands. (You don’t want all of the grease, grime and germs from your hands on your face, do you?) And, if you have on any eye makeup, remove it before you begin to cleanse.

STEP 2: Wet your face completely with tepid water. Anything too hot will shock the skin and could even burst capillaries, resulting in those sensitive red marks usually found around the nose and cheeks. Next, squeeze a dime-sized amount of cleanser onto your fingertips and rub them together. Use your fingertips to massage the cleanser into your skin (anywhere from 30 seconds to a minute) in small and gentle circular motions.

STEP 3: One of the best ways to ensure that dirt and makeup are removed is by using a muslin cloth when you rinse. In addition, if you gently scrub in small circles, the cloth also acts as a light exfoliant! Also, don’t forget to rinse your hairline, your neck and the nooks on either side of your nose.

STEP 4: Finish by splashing your face two to three times with cool water (not freezing cold—again, you don’t want to shock your face) to close your pores and then pat your skin dry with a clean towel.

Step 5: The last step—don’t forget your eye cream! The under eye area is the thinnest part of your skin, so it’s desperate for moisture. Massage or pat a pea-sized amount of eye cream under your eyes about half an inch under your brow bone. If you’re putting on makeup afterwards, wait a few minutes so the cream can sink in.

MY LIST OF FACE WASHING MISTAKES

Not washing your hands – Before you start with washing and cleaning of your face, thoroughly wash your hands. You do not want bacteria from hands to be transferred onto the delicate facial skin.

Don’t use cold water – It is a big mistake to rinse your face with cold water due to close the pores. Not only will the cold or hot water shock and irritate the skin, but it will also lead to varicose veins on the face.

Be cautious when applying facial cleansers – Never apply facial cleanser without moisturizing your face first. Most of these products are aggressive and should be mitigated by water.

Not rinsing and repeating – If you don’t wash out well cleansing product, it will dry out your skin and clog pores. Rinse face until you completely remove the cleanser. Do not forget to rinse the area close to the scalp, as this leads to skin irritation.

Either over-exfoliating or not exfoliating at all- Using an exfoliator can enhance the texture and tone of your skin. As we get older, our own enzymes that normally exfoliate our skin are no longer as effective so complexions can look rough and dull. I recommend exfoliating at night, since that’s when skin is in “renewal mode,” generating new skin cells. But keep in mind that exfoliating more than twice a week can irritate your skin.

And what about the towel? – Towel you use for your face should always be clean and soft.

Going to bed with makeup on – Never go to bed without first thoroughly cleaning the face of makeup and dirt. Leaving makeup overnight can lead to accumulation of fungi and redness and irritation.

Don’t Spend a Fortune- Save your pricier ingredients, like retinol or antioxidants, for leave-on products instead of washing them down the drain. They’re most effective when they stay concentrated on the skin.

Rachel Sharoff is a licensed aesthetician at Skintology Skin and Laser Center in Manhattan. She provides tips to get this simple cleansing practice down pat. 

Skintology Skin & Laser Center is an all-inclusive destination for all your beauty needs. Whether it’s laser hair removal, Botox injections or a hydrating facial, our trusted staff is dedicated to making your experience comfortable and pleasant. We offer customized treatments that are specifically designed for your skin type. Patient satisfaction is our top priority and we design treatments to produce the best results possible. Experienced Cosmetic Surgeons and Laser Technicians utilize the most advanced FDA approved laser technologies from renowned companies such as Cynosure, Candela, Lumenis, & Deka, to provide the most effective and safe treatments.