Skin Cleansing 101: What Should You Use and Why?
Clear skin is something that everybody wants. Not only because it’s a sign of beauty, but also because for many people, it’s a sign of health. But getting clear skin is no easy task.
Besides a great diet and an active lifestyle, you also need to have a great skincare routine. And depending on the person, there can be a lot of steps to a skincare routine. Luckily, when it comes to skincare, there are a few common elements to each routine and cleansing is one of those elements.
So no matter what your skincare routine looks like in the end, it’s quite likely that it includes skin cleansing. But why do we cleanse our skin? And how do we know if the products we’re using are the right ones for us?
Let’s find out:
Skin Cleansing Benefits
You’d think that cleansing is just a method to clean the skin before applying the rest of your products. While that is the main role of a cleanser, it has other benefits as well, especially when there is such a wide variety of cleansers available on the market.
Depending on the ingredients and type, cleansers have the following benefits:
Remove dirt, impurities, and makeup — having a cleanser is essential, especially if you have the habit of wearing makeup every day. But it’s not just makeup that you want to get rid of. It’s also the dirt particles that hang on to your skin during the day, as well as dead skin cells, excess sebum, and pollutants.
Boost skin hydration — after removing the barrier of impurities, your skin will be able to absorb the moisturizer you apply afterward much easier. In fact, all products that follow a good cleansing routine will be absorbed faster and easier.
Exfoliate the skin — some cleansers have been combined with scrubs in order to exfoliate and cleanse your skin at the same time. These cleansers will have micro particles that facilitate exfoliation. Some other cleansers have been combined with chemical exfoliants, such as salicylic acid and glycolic acid in order to clean the skin better.
Help maintain clear skin — blackheads, whiteheads, and occasionally pimples can appear if the skin is not properly cleaned. Pores and hair follicles can easily get clogged with dirt and sebum, therefore creating blackheads and whiteheads. But a good cleanser can prevent the buildup and make sure your pores stay clean.
Balance skin pH — not only that but cleansing allows the skin to be oxygenated properly, which aids the regeneration process of the skin. With the proper cleansers, your skin will look younger and small imperfections such as wrinkles, acne scarring, or rosacea will become less visible.
When Should You Cleanse Your Skin?
When it comes to cleansing your skin, you should strive for balance. If you don’t cleanse enough times, then the dirt will accumulate in your pores and you will have acne breakouts and other skin issues.
But cleansing your skin too often is also a big nono. Overcleaning can bring forth dryness, irritations, and tight and dull skin, which is not something anybody is looking for.
The common practice though is to cleanse the skin twice — once in the morning and once before bed.
Double cleansing is a common practice that is performed at the end of the day when makeup is removed from the face. This ensures that there are no traces of makeup left on the skin.
What Cleanser Should You Use?
You should always look for cleansers that fit your skin condition. For example, if you have dry skin, then you should choose a more gentle cleanser that will not strip the skin completely of its natural oils.
But if you have oily skin then you can go ahead with a cleanser that cleans the skin more thoroughly.
If you don’t know what cleanser you should use, then you should take a look at the following selection:
Arnica Cleanser — appropriate for all skin types, this cleanser will smoothen and revitalize your skin in no time.
Pumpkin Cleanser — appropriate for dry to normal, combination, and photo-aged skin, this cleanser provides important nutrition for the skin.
Clean and Clear Cleanser — appropriate for oily skin, congested pores, acne, and rosacea, this cleanser regulates sebaceous glands.
If possible, check with your dermatologist or a skin expert before introducing something new to your skincare routine.
Other Cleansing Tips
When it comes to keeping a clean and acne-free face, a great cleanser can do wonders, but it’s not the only thing you can do to ensure that you have great skin.
Here are a few tips that will keep your skin clean:
Wash your hands before your skincare routine
Change your face towel every one to two days
Wash your pillowcase every two to three days
Use lukewarm water when washing your face
Cleanse your face for at least one minute
Don’t forget about your neck
Apply the rest of your products right after your cleanse and dry your face
Cleansing is much more than what we used to know. With the knowledge and array of products that we have today, we can compose the perfect skincare routine that will leave our skin looking fresh, young, and clean.
But sometimes, we need professionals to help us figure out what products we need and how many steps should we have in our skincare routine.
If you want to get in touch with a fantastic team of skincare pros, then you can contact us today and allow us to make an important contribution to your skincare journey.
For a complete skin consultation, make an appointment with one of Beauty Journey’s expert estheticians by schedule online appointment or contact beautyjourney@gmail.com if you need further information.
PERMISSION TO REPRINT: You may use any items from this article in your print, blog, magazine or electronic newsletter. But in order to do so, you must include the following paragraph, including a link to www.thebeautyjourney.com
"Information is courtesy of www.thebeautyjourney.com, a website with skin care tips, products, treatments and advice from skin care expert and licensed esthetician, Kristina Trinh."