Are you confident you know how to wash your face right? You have been doing it your whole life, after all! However, this daily habit goes beyond just water and a cleanser. Read on to know the mistakes you might be making while washing your face. Dry skin, oily skin or those pesky breakouts – your skin woes could be caused by your faulty face-cleansing routine!
1. Not Using The Right Cleanser
Your cleanser should be of the right pH balance for your face and skin type. If you have oily skin, you should be using a foam or gel-based cleanser; and if you have dry skin, pick a creamier one. If your skin feels dry, tight or dirty after washing, then that’s a clear sign that you need to change your existing cleanser. No matter what, never use a bar of soap on your face, it will just cause dryness and irritation.
POPxo Recommends: Cetaphil Cleansing Lotion is suitable for all skin types and cleanses without being too harsh on your skin. It’s the cleanser that every dermatologist recommends, and for good reason.
2. Using Dirty Hands
Do you wash your hands before washing your face? If you don’t, then you’re just transferring dirt, grime and bacteria from your hands to your face, even if you assumed that they get cleaned during the whole cleansing process. This is one important step that you should not overlook.
3. Not Wiping Away Your Makeup First
It’s completely natural to assume that washing your face will also wipe away all your makeup, but it can actually clog your pores and wreak havoc on your complexion. Always, always take off your makeup before cleansing your face – especially before going to bed – for healthy, happy skin.
4. Rinsing with Too Hot or Too Cold Water
Hot water feels so good during the winter months, but it should be avoided as it washes away all the natural oils that your skin produces to keep it healthy. On the other hand, ice-cold water breaks the capillaries in your skin. It’s best to splash lukewarm water on your face to avoid irritation and flare-ups all year round.
5. Forgetting to Moisturize
We all know that moisturizing is important, but how often do you really do it? Keep your skin soft, supple and young by moisturizing after you wash every single time. It’s best to dot on your moisturizer while your skin is still damp so the active ingredients get absorbed faster and prevent your face from feeling greasy or sticky.
6. Not Sticking to the Twice-Daily Rule
No matter what, where and how, you NEED to wash your face twice a day – once in the morning to wash away all the dirt and germs that collect during the night and once at night to get rid of makeup, oil and grime. Over-washing can disturb the natural pH balance of your skin and cause acne, and not washing enough can lead to redness and bacterial infections. Be safe and keep your skin healthy by sticking to the twice-a-day rule, no matter what.
7. Being in a Rush
It’s important to take your time while cleansing your face and not rush through the process. Gently massage the cleanser instead of scrubbing your skin and be meticulous in rinsing it all off. Make sure not to leave behind any traces of the cleanser, or it could dry out your skin and cause irritation.
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