7 Simple Rules for Washing Your Face

Face washing may seem like a no-brainer and obvious to many, but actually there is a correct way to cleanse in order to get the most out of it. Learn how to maximize your skincare routine for beautiful, glowing skin.

Below are 7 tips that will provide your skin with the most optimal cleansing experience.

1. Choose the right cleanser for your skin type

Choosing the right cleanser for your skin type is half the battle. If you have dry or sensitive skin, stick to hydrating, non-foaming cleansers, such as Green Tea and Lavender Cleansing Milk or Coconut Creamy Hydrating Cleanser. Foaming cleansers may tend to be more drying on your skin. 

If you have oily or acne prone skin, a foaming cleanser may be best for you, such as Mineral Earth Cleansing Gel. We suggest Amaranth Gentle Cleanse are better suited for people with normal and combination skin who need a deeper clean and also helps effectively remove oil from the skin.

There are also many different cleanser formulas for skin types that are somewhere in the middle - from milks to oils, balms to waters, each cleanser gives a different experience to match your skin type.

Whichever cleanser you choose, beware of over washing: if your face develops redness, peeling, or flaking, or feels tighter itchy, you might be over scrubbing your skin.

2. Rinse your face with tepid or cool water

When we wash our face with hot water, it strips our skin of its natural oils very quickly, leaving our skin dry and parched. It jars the blood vessels below, which can cause our skin to become irritated and red blotches may even appear.

According to dermatologists, washing our face with hot water can cause flare-ups of acne in those with very sensitive skin as well as rosacea.

3. Wash face in the morning

Many do not understand the importance of washing the face in the morning since we just washed it before we went to bed (hopefully).

However, it’s important to wash our skin in the morning because while we sleep, our skin is in repair mode and will secrete toxins and sebum which can prevent our morning products from working most effectively.

When we wash our skin in the morning, we’re removing any oil and our heavier nighttime products so that your daytime products (particularly SPF moisturizer) can get into the skin better, since it will have a clean slate.

Also, the nighttime products that are on our skin often times contain ingredients that are suitable for evenings (not day) use, such as acids and retinol. These should be cleansed from the skin in the mornings to avoid any reactions or potential irritation.

4. USE A TONER

Using a toner is not an optional step, though it may seem like one to some. Toners increase the efficacy of serums and the spreadability of moisturizers. Toners bring balance to the pH of the skin.

The acidity of the skin is beneficial for protecting us from harmful bacteria and surface level toxins and fungi. The skin's ideal pH is 5.5.

When aiming for clear skin, toners are the last line of defense against impurities on the skin and in pores. Toners should be included in any skin care routine to complete the cleansing process, ridding the skin of any leftover dirt and particles while tightening the pores.

There is a toner for every skin type featuring a variety of ingredients meant to fight off free radicals, bacteria, excess sebum, and dirt from deep inside the pores.

5. Use makeup remover to remove heavy makeup

It is absolutely essential that we remove every trace of our makeup every night before going to bed. Not taking off makeup may not seem to be a big deal, but research on skin health and function shows otherwise. 

Without going into a lengthy sermon, let me just say this.

The outermost skin layer is where the makeup rests. It is essential to understand the importance of the skins function as we sleep and the importance of getting quality sleep. During the night, skin has the chance to benefit from the increase in blood flow since other systems are not active.

As we sleep, the skin goes into renewal mode. Microcirculation is also increased, which is a way the skin gets rid of waste materials that accumulate during the day. These processes are essential in order for the skin to restore its healthy moisture barrier and rebuild its defensive microflora.

Wearing makeup to sleep interferes with the skin’s renewal process. Makeup also continues to breakdown on the skin, causing more stress on the skin and premature aging. As the moisture barrier is unable to be fully repaired, the incidence of skin sensitivity increases, and aging is accelerated.

6. Moisturize immediately after cleansing

You probably have heard that you should apply your moisturizer while the skin is still wet, as this traps the moisture. However, we suggest to pat the skin mostly dry, so that it is damp/moist, then apply moisturizer.

7. Use a cleansing brush, washcloth or silicone brush

It is important to use something that can grip onto the dirt when washing the face. Using something other than our hands to wash the face allows for an even pressure to be applied all over the face. It also stimulates the skin’s circulation better than the hands.

Our silicone facial scrubber is a great option.

It will leave skin feeling considerably smoother than if we had merely washed using only our hands. With a deeper and more thorough cleaning, the pores won't be as clogged up. And as the contaminants are cleared from deep inside the pores, they will appear smaller in size.

Our delicate skin tells all -- reflecting environmental pollutants, signs of dehydration, illness and improper hygiene. If the eyes are the windows to the soul, then the face is the mirror to overall health. Let's make sure we take good care of our skin and body with proper cleansing.