Learning how to clean my skin was the most important change I've made in my skincare routine that helped me tremendously in my skin healing journey.
Your skin is your body’s largest organ, so it’s important to take care of it! A good cleansing routine is essential for maintaining clear and healthy skin – both in the morning and in the evening. In fact, most people consider cleansing the most crucial step in any skincare routine – and with good reason!
In case you never paid much attention to cleaning your skin, it’s time to change your mind and perspective and upgrade your skincare routine to the next level.
I've gathered here info to create a complete guide about skin cleansing, including precious information about what is a double cleansing routine, how to properly wash your face, how much cleanser should you use and how to choose the right products for your skin type. Read on!
Contents
- Why washing your face is the most important skincare step in your routine
- How to choose your facial cleanser
- What is a double cleanse and why you need it
- What is a deep cleanse and why you should do it weekly?
- What is oil cleansing?
- Cleansers & Exfoliants – do’s and don’ts
- Morning and evening cleansing – what to do
- Face cleansing tips by skin type
- Frequently Asked Questions about Face Cleansing
Why washing your face is the most important skincare step in your routine
Cleaning your face is the most important step in your skincare routine because it’s the very first one – and it’s also compulsory before everything else. Cleansing (or, even better, double cleansing) your skin will get rid of all sebum, debris and impurities in your pores, preparing your skin for the next steps and products you’re going to apply – cream, serum etc.
Choosing the right cleanser with the right ingredients for your skin type can also help with resolving some skin issues such as dry skin, acne or rosacea.
How to choose your facial cleanser
There are a variety of cleansing products available on the market, so it’s important to choose one that is right for your skin type.
Here are some general rules:
- If you have dry skin, look for a cleansing milk or cream.
- For oily skin, opt for a gel or foam cleanser.
- And if you have sensitive skin, choose a cleansing oil or balm.
What is a double cleanse and why you need it
Double cleansing is a two-step process that involves using an oil-based cleanser followed by a water-based cleanser. This method is effective for removing makeup, dirt, and oil from the skin.
Here’s the simple concept behind it: The first step is removing your make-up using an oil-based cleanser of micellar water. This will dissolve your make-up, leaving your skin cleaner, but still clogged with the leftovers and different external factors that influence your skin such as pollution and free radicals.
This is why the second step is needed, during which you apply a face wash or water-based cleanser that will deeply clean your pores, getting rid of all the residual dirt. Now your skin is completely cleansed and prepped for the next steps of your skincare routine!
Double cleansing may seem like a lot of work, but it’s actually quite a simple job! Just follow these steps, explained below:
- Start with an oil-based cleanser to remove make-up, dirt, and oil from the skin. Pour a little bit of product on a cotton pad and thoroughly remove your make-up, paying close attention to the eyes and eye area, which is usually more sensitive to pressure
- Follow up with a water-based cleanser to remove any remaining impurities.
- Pat the skin dry with a clean towel.
- If you have some zits forming, this is the step when you can apply a microcrystal pimple patch for deep, underground pimples, or a hydrocolloid pimple patch for any whiteheads.
- Apply a moisturizer to hydrate the skin or simply follow with your regular skincare routine.
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What is a deep cleanse and why you should do it weekly?
Although taking proper care of your skin implies a regular skin cleansing routine for morning and night, there are still times when we feel like our skin needs a little helping hand – after all, our skin suffers a lot of stress every day, right? This is when a deep cleanse comes into action.
A deep cleanse is a weekly routine that will remove the impurities in your skin using a multi-step process, as follows:
- Use your regular double cleansing products to remove make-up and impurities.
- Exfoliate with a physical scrub or chemical exfoliant containing AHA and/or BHA, depending on which type is fit for your skin type.
- Apply a clay mask that will absorb any additional toxins and leftover oils from your pores.
- Use a gentle toner to rebalance your skin’s pH.
- Once your skin is dry, apply pimple patches on any blemishes you may have.
- Finish with an intense moisturizer to avoid drying out your skin after this intense process.
A deep cleanse isn’t recommended more often than once per week, even less often in case you feel like your skin doesn’t need it or is already affected by other harsh products.
What is oil cleansing?
Cleansing oils are designed to dissolve makeup, dirt, and oil from the skin. They are often made with natural ingredients such as jojoba oil or argan oil and can be used on all skin types. Cleansing balms, on the other hand, are designed to remove heavy makeup and sunscreen from the skin. They are often made with ingredients such as beeswax or cocoa butter and are best suited for dry or sensitive skin types.
To use a cleansing oil, apply it to dry skin and massage it in using circular motions. Rinse the oil off with warm water and pat your skin dry with a clean towel.
Cleansers & Exfoliants – do’s and don’ts
Cleansers vs exfoliants. Are they the same? Which one should you choose?
Let me explain: Cleansers and exfoliants are two different things.
Cleansers are designed to clean the surface of the skin, while exfoliants help to remove dead skin cells that can build up and cause clogged pores. Exfoliating your skin on a regular basis is important for maintaining clear and healthy skin. There are a variety of exfoliants available on the market, so it’s important to choose one that is right for your skin type. If you have sensitive skin, opt for a gentle exfoliator. For all other skin types, look for an exfoliator with small beads or granules.
To use an exfoliator, wet your face and massage the product into your skin using circular motions. Rinse the exfoliator off with warm water and pat your skin dry with a clean towel. You should exfoliate your skin 1-2 times per week.
Cleansers, on the other hand, must be used daily, during your morning and evening routine as the very first step.
Morning and evening cleansing – what to do
Both morning and evening cleansing routines can be pretty similar, with one main difference: in the evening, you’ll have to do the double cleansing technique in order to remove make-up as well. In the morning, simply use your regular face wash or foaming cleanser to remove any impurities built up overnight.
Face cleansing tips by skin type
As mentioned before, choosing the right cleansing products for you only depends on your skin type and certain skin needs. It all differs if you have sensitive, dry, oily, acne-prone or normal skin and we will explain about each of these cases below:
Face cleansing for sensitive skin
If you have sensitive skin, you must look for gentle cleansers, specifically formulated for sensitive skin. A fragrance-free cleanser will be ideal; also look for hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid or ceramides that won’t strip away the moisture from your skin.
Face cleansing for dry skin
A face cleansing routine for dry skin will be pretty similar to the one above for sensitive skin: make sure you’re using a gentle cleanser that is also formulated with hydrating ingredients that will preserve moisture and hydration into your skin.
Face cleansing for oily skin
In case you have oily skin, your main issue will be shiny, greasy skin and keeping away the overproduction of oil. For this, it is recommended to use a sebum-fighting cleanser or one formulated with salicylic acid. Bonus tip: it’s also said that removing the cleanser is best done with a damp cloth or towel if you have oily skin, as the cloth’s texture will strip away any stubborn sebum patches.
Face cleansing for acne-prone skin
If you have acne-prone skin, look for a cleanser that will maintain the natural pH of your skin. Also look for specific ingredients such as salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide or AHA – all these are acne-fighting exfoliators.
Face cleansing for normal skin
In case you have normal skin, you can look for general cleansers formulated for all skin types. These will preserve the natural balance of your skin, without being too hydrating or too harsh.
Frequently Asked Questions about Face Cleansing
Now that you know everything we just explained in this Face Cleansing 101 guide, let’s answer some FAQs as well in order to clear up any curiosities you might have left:
How much cleanser should you use?
You should use about a pea-sized amount of cleanser when washing your face. Be sure to massage the cleanser into your skin for at least 60 seconds to ensure that all of the dirt and makeup is removed. Rinse the cleanser off with warm water and pat your skin dry with a clean towel.
How does cleansing work?
How does cleaning work? After a full day of being out and about or having a full face of make-up, your skin will become drier and your pores will become clogged with various products, impurities and external factors.
Clogged pores means dull, unhealthy skin. A proper routine of cleansing for face will unclog your pores and remove all impurities and excess oil, leaving your skin squeaky clean and prepared for whatever comes next – a serum, a face cream and more.
How many cleansers should I use?
Wait, how many cleansers should I use? In short, two – for the double cleansing technique, which is most recommended for everyone.
When to use cleansing oil?
You can use a cleansing oil as the first step of your double cleansing routine, to remove the make-up. A cleansing oil is also the go-to recommendation if you have dry skin, as it’s usually made with hydrating ingredients.
Hugs!
Adrienne | Co-founder of OMMA Cosmetics
Photo sources: Unsplash