Washing Your Face 101

I know what you're thinking. Washing your face isn't all that difficult. Wet your face, wash it with soap, and rinse. Correct? Well...no. It's more than that. Since face washing is a process we go through with daily and because it's crucial for any beauty routine, you might as well do it right. That makes sense, right?

Here are some things you should seriously consider. And who knows? Take some mental notes and you might learn something new. 

1. Washing your face once or twice a day, as well as after sweating heavily, is recommended, but you shouldn't overdo it because the obsessive cleansing of such a sensitive part of your body can irritate your skin. If you didn't wear makeup, apply sunscreen, or sweat much that day, experts have said that it's good to skip the cleanser. Instead, give your face a break and simply rinse with lukewarm water.
2. On normal days, wet your face with tepid water and use your fingertips to apply the cleanser of your choice. Using a washcloth, mesh sponge, or anything other than your fingertips can irritate your skin.
3. Now let's get one thing straight. I fell into this trap for a few years, but today let me make it clear to you all that. Hot water does NOT open pores and cold water does NOT close them. I repeat: it is a myth. Pores don't have muscles that systematically open and close them; that would be really weird. I love my hot water (I take way too many steaming showers), but in reality, it can actually mess around with your skin's natural protective oils. This could result in over-drying or over production of sebum. Just think of that next time you're tempted to wash your face with hot water.
4. Most people are aware of this, but you should pat your face dry, don't rub. On top of that, don't just grab the nearest towel. I'm guilty of doing this all the time and I'm going to try to stop it. A clean, soft towel should always be dedicated to blotting your face and your face only— not your roommate or family member's hands.
5. My face tends to get dry if I don't moisturize, so you should know that if you want to increase absorption and help seal in moisture, apply moisturizers immediately after cleansing. Your face should still be damp. Waiting until your face is completely dry can result in your skin feeling greasy, so if you can avoid it, why not?
   
6. I can't emphasize how important it is to wash off your makeup before going to bed. I know that sometimes you're so tired you pass out on the couch (trust me, I've been there), but it's worth hauling yourself to the bathroom before you totally give into your sleeping instincts. Know this, sleeping with your makeup on can ruin complexion for weeks because the products are bound to clog pores and prevent sebum from doing its job. And for those of who don't know what sebum is, it's the lubricant in our skin that moisturizes and removes dead skin cells. This doesn't exclude eye makeup— don't think that you can just leave it on and touch it up in the morning because  leaving it on could cause infection or irritation.
7. Here's what you need to know about facial wipes. They're convenient for removing makeup or doing a quick cleanse when you're in a hurry or at the gym, but you shouldn't be using them in place of your regular cleanser. To thoroughly clean your pores, always follow up with a cleanser and/or scrub when you have the chance.

I might dedicate another post to more detailed instructions, but here are the basics for narrowing down your choices of face washes...

Picking a cleanser

• Make sure that whichever one you pick is capable of completely removing dirt, makeup, and grime
• Keep in mind that you don't want it to be so strong that it strips away too much of your skin’s natural oils or healthy cells
• Similar to Goldilocks and her porridge dilemma, find a product that does the job and satisfies your needs. Your face wash shouldn't be too gentle (causing you to wash twice or scrub hard to cleanse thoroughly), or too harsh (making your skin red, irritated, and/or tight after drying). It should be just right. 
• Use a gentle, non-abrasive cleanser that does not contain alcohol
• Look for cleansers with calming ingredients, like green tea, that will soothe sensitive skin. 
• If you have oily, acne-prone skin, use a face wash with salicylic acid.

What face washes have you used and what you have experienced with them? Is the price worth the product? Have you yet to find 'the one'? I'd love to use the new found info for another post.

XXX
- your friend, Estelle