How to Properly Cleanse Your Face

Cleansing your face is very important in any effective skincare routine. It’s the first step in caring for your skin, helping to remove dirt, oil, makeup, and impurities that accumulate throughout the day.

Proper cleansing not only keeps your skin clean but also prepares it to absorb the benefits of the products you apply afterwards. However, it’s important to do it correctly to avoid irritation or damage. A good cleanser not only removes dirt, toxins, and bacteria from the skin but also protects the skin’s acid mantle thereby protecting the skin’s barrier. Learn how to properly cleanse your face with these skincare basics in this blog post

Cleansing makes you feel good and refreshed. It also enhances beauty so choosing the right cleansers helps the skin. A lot of people tend to love that squeaky tight feeling after cleansing thinking that all impurities are gone. Well, impurities are gone but the skin barrier is also weakened at the same time.

This brings about the question; how do you cleanse your face properly without compromising the skin barrier? Before answering this question, let us know why cleansers are important and the types of cleansers.

Why Proper Face Cleansing Is Important

Cleansing is more than just washing your face; it’s a crucial step that ensures your skin remains healthy and radiant. Here’s why it’s important:

1. Removes Dirt and Impurities: Throughout the day, your skin accumulates dirt, oil, and pollutants that can clog pores and lead to breakouts. Proper cleansing removes these impurities, reducing the risk of acne and other skin issues.
2. Prepares Skin for Skincare Products: Clean skin absorbs serums, moisturizers, and other skincare products more effectively. This means you get the maximum benefit from your skincare routine.
3. Maintains Skin’s pH Balance: Using the right cleanser helps maintain your skin’s natural pH balance, which is essential for keeping the skin barrier intact and preventing irritation.

Types of cleansers

There are two major types of cleansers which are foaming and non-foaming cleansers.

Foaming cleansers contain surfactants in them. Surfactants are what make it soapy and they are excellent at removing excess oil and dirt from the skin. But due to the alkalinity of foaming cleansers, they can cause redness, irritation, itchiness, and damage to the skin barrier. So care must be taken when choosing foaming cleansers.

When choosing a foaming cleanser look for mild surfactants with a low PH. One of the harshest surfactants found in cleansers is Sodium Lauryl Sulfate or SLS while one of the mildest surfactants is Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Cocamido propyl betaine.

Another type of cleanser is non-foaming cleansers, they contain little to no surfactants. They are generally mild on the skin but somewhat less efficient in cleansing compared to foaming cleansers. This is where you will find cleansing oil and cleansing balms to remove makeup and sunscreens.

Choosing a foaming and a non-foaming cleanser is solely based on your preference and your skin type.

Steps to Properly Cleanse Your Face

Start by wetting your face with lukewarm water. Then check whether it is a foaming or a non-foaming cleanser. Foaming cleansers could have either mild or harsh surfactants. Go for mild surfactants for foaming cleansers.

The continuous use of harsh surfactants causes a weakened skin barrier. When the skin barrier is weakened, bacteria and toxins that are present on the skin surface can easily penetrate the skin and cause further damage. You might experience dryness, irritation, highly sensitive skin, or even breakouts after cleansing.

1. Choose the Right Cleanser

Cleansers For Oily and Combination Skin

People with this skin type may choose a foaming cleanser over a non-foaming cleanser. The foaming cleanser should have mild surfactants that will not affect the skin’s acid mantle.

A cleanser that foams moderately leaving the skin fresh and clean but not too tight is preferable.

Cleansers For Dry And Combination Skin

People with this skin type may choose a foaming cleanser specifically designed for dry skin. It is preferable to cleansing milk. Choose a foaming cleanser that lathers slightly and leaves the skin soft. In addition, a cleanser with more emollient keeps the foam from stripping oil from the skin’s surface. Use a hydrating cleanser that adds moisture without stripping natural oils. Look for ingredients like glycerin or hyaluronic acid.

Cleansers For Very Oily Skin

People with this skin type tend to notice oiliness around 10 to 11 o’clock in the morning. The pores are so enlarged that they almost never have dryness. If you have really oily skin, go for cleansers that foam in order to remove the excess oil for clearer skin.

You may notice exfoliants in this type of cleanser, they are there to loosen the skin surface cells for more radiant skin.

Cleansers For Acne Prone Skin

This skin type may develop acne frequently and they need cleansers that can actively kill bacteria causing acne. This type of cleanser is very close to the ones chosen for oily skin except that it contains antimicrobial properties to kill bacteria. You may find Benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid in these cleansers.

Cleansers For Dry And Sensitive Skin

People with sensitive skin have fragile skin that reddens easily because it is thin. Cleansers for this skin type should be really lightweight such as it doesn’t contain common irritants. Choose cleanses with low PH that contain lots of water-based ingredients. This type of cleanser also removes excess make-up from the skin.

2. Wash Your Hands

Before touching your face, always wash your hands thoroughly. This prevents the transfer of dirt and bacteria from your hands to your face, which could cause breakouts.

3. Wet Your Face with Lukewarm Water

Use lukewarm water to wet your face. Avoid using hot water as it can strip your skin of natural oils, leading to dryness and irritation. Lukewarm water helps open pores slightly, making it easier for the cleanser to remove impurities.

4. Apply the Cleanser

Dispense a small amount of cleanser into your hands and gently massage it onto your face in circular motions. Focus on areas that tend to accumulate more oil and dirt, such as the forehead, nose, and chin (also known as the T-zone). Be gentle around the eye area, as the skin here is delicate.

5. Rinse Thoroughly

After massaging the cleanser into your skin for about 30 seconds to a minute, rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water. Make sure no residue is left behind, as leftover cleanser can lead to irritation or clogged pores.

6. Pat Your Face Dry

After rinsing, gently pat your face dry with a clean, soft towel. Avoid rubbing your skin, as this can cause irritation and microtears in the skin barrier.

7. Follow Up with Skincare Products

Immediately after cleansing, follow up with your skincare routine. Apply toner, serum, moisturizer, and sunscreen (if it’s daytime) to lock in moisture and protect your skin. Since your skin is clean and slightly damp, it will absorb these products more effectively.

Additional Tips for Effective Face Cleansing

Cleanse Twice a Day: It’s generally recommended to cleanse your face twice a day—once in the morning and once at night. Morning cleansing removes oil and sweat that accumulates overnight, while evening cleansing removes makeup, dirt, and pollutants from the day.

Double Cleansing for Makeup Users: If you wear makeup, consider double cleansing in the evening. Start with an oil-based cleanser to dissolve makeup and sunscreen, followed by your regular cleanser to remove any remaining impurities.

Avoid Over-Cleansing: Over-cleansing can strip your skin of essential oils, leading to dryness, irritation, and an overproduction of oil as your skin tries to compensate. Stick to twice a day unless you have been sweating excessively or wearing heavy makeup.

Don’t Forget Your Neck: Your neck is often exposed to the same environmental factors as your face, so it’s important to cleanse it as well.

Conclusion

Proper face cleansing is fundamental to maintaining clear, healthy skin. By following these steps and choosing the right products for your skin type, you can ensure your skin stays clean, balanced, and ready to absorb the benefits of your skincare routine. Remember, consistency is key, so make cleansing a regular part of your daily skincare regimen.

If you found this guide helpful, please share it with friends or leave a comment below to let me know how you cleanse your face!