9 Basic Rules of Face Washing
Start off your skincare routine the right way by properly cleansing your face
Cleansing is the very foundation of any skincare routine. We do it to get rid of all the grime, makeup, dirt, and excess oil that may clog our pores and result in unwanted blemishes. We also need clean skin to allow for better penetration of our skincare products and help keep our skin healthy, youthful, and radiant.
Many of us know how complicated skincare can sometimes be but washing your face tends to be somewhat of a no-brainer. After all, it’s pretty basic, right? Water + soap = squeaky clean face? BUT, there are basic details that can trip you up!
You need to understand how to properly and effectively clean your face to make the most out of your skincare regime. If you fail to do so, the succeeding steps of your routine can have little to no effect. This is why you should take cleansing seriously!
Follow these nine basic rules when it comes to washing your face to ensure that you’re starting off your skincare routine the right way:
Rule #1: Remove your makeup
You need to properly remove your makeup with a makeup remover before washing your face. This step is very important.
A lot of makeup nowadays are smudge proof or waterproof so basic cleansers cannot remove them thoroughly. This is why using a gentle makeup remover is necessary before you wash your face— especially before bedtime.
There’s a variety of makeup removers on the market like makeup wipes, makeup balms, and micellar water. You can also try double cleansing with a natural oil like sunflower, castor, or olive oil. These oils will help melt down all of the makeup on your face. Massage thoroughly and then continue as normal with your cleanser to reveal a clean and fresh face.
Pro tip: Use a q-tip dipped in the makeup remover of your choice to gently clean your sensitive eye area. This will help prevent skin tugging that can lead to unwanted fine lines and wrinkles.
Rule #2: Use lukewarm water
Although most people love the soothing feeling of hot water on their skin, it should be avoided at all cost. It strips your skin of its natural oils and which can result to it being either too oily, too dry, or too irritated.
On the other hand, you shouldn’t also use cold water to cleanse your skin. It won’t effectively remove all of the debris, excess oil, and grime clogging your pores so although you might not see it, you’re still left with dirt on your skin.
Use lukewarm water to cleanse your face effectively. It is sufficient to clean and unclog your pores and is gentle enough to still preserve your skin’s hydrating oils.
To find the right balance, you may want to test the extremes of your water faucet and choose something that feels in between. Your hand should not want to pull away as if it is burned and instead feel comfortable and pleasantly warm.
Rule #3: Choose a gentle cleanser
You probably have tried a soap or face wash in the past that have caused your face to break out. Chances are these cleansers have disrupted the delicate balance of your skin, stripping it dry of its protective oil layer and left it vulnerable to the environment.
This is why you should go for mild cleansers that contain moisturizing as well as nourishing ingredients. We recommend our Vitamin C Facial Cleanser. Enriched with nourishing ingredients like aloe vera, green tea, ginseng, and seaweed, this product not only cleanses but also actively nourishes and repairs skin damage while reducing the signs of skin aging.
Rule #4: Massage for at least 30 seconds
To effectively cleanse your face, you need to take your time. You might be surprised at how meditatively therapeutic methodical washing can be, as you gently massage your cleanser in circular motions around your face.
Rather than scrubbing harshly for a mere 5 seconds, spend at least 30 seconds to a full minute gently massaging your face in circular motions. This will help stimulate your lymphatic system and encourage blood circulation for healthier skin.
Rule #5: Include your neck
Did you know that signs of aging show up on the neck sooner than the face? Mainly just because it’s not a top priority in most people’s skincare regimen. Include your neck in every step of your skincare routine, starting with cleansing.
Read more: 8 Beauty Tips for a Firm and Younger Looking Neck
Your regular soap is too harsh for the thin and delicate skin around your neck which is why you should extend your face cleanser down to your neck.
However, avoid circular motions or top to bottom applications. These motions will encourage the skin to become crepey and sag in the future. Instead, lather your cleanser with a gentle, upward motion. This will help encourage your skin to stay tight and naturally lifted.
Rule #6: Rinse well
Have you ever experienced a break out along the edges of your face? This could be because you’re not rinsing your face well enough.
Your cleanser has the ability to loosen up the sebum in your pores because it has a similar oily or fatty chemical structure. If you don’t properly get rid of all of the lather after cleansing, you could leave an oily film from the soap which can cause for zits to pop up.
Be sure to rinse well always. Take your time to get all of the bubbles until there are no longer any visible or soapy feel left.
Rule #7: Don’t air dry
It’s time to reconsider letting your skin air-dry. Contrary to popular belief, leaving water dripping on your face doesn’t actually hydrate the skin; in fact, once all of the water evaporates, you’re only left with dry skin.
Once you’re done rinsing, very lightly pat your face with a towel. Never rub! Rubbing can irritate and worsen your skin problems. The light dabbing motion is perfect as it also leaves a thin layer of moisture which will be sealed in by your following toner, serum, and moisturizer.
Read more: Your Daily Skin Care Regimen, Step-by-Step
Pro tip: Use a separate towel for your face. If you use the same towels that you use to dry your hair and body, you risk giving yourself a pimple. The towel could still have pore-clogging residue from your other shower products on them and you wouldn’t want to pat those on your face. This is one of the reasons why some people are breaking out regularly.
Rule #8: Apply your skincare right away
To seal in the most moisture, apply your following skincare as soon as possible. The surrounding air pulls moisture from our skin every second that it is left bare.
To avoid skin dryness, it’s best to apply products that will seal in the much-needed hydration within three minutes of cleansing to keep it glowing and supple.
Recalibrate your skin with a toner
Many often miss the important of what comes after cleansing: rebalancing your skin with a toner.
Toners restore your skin’s pH balance after cleansing so it can protect itself from harmful bacteria and pollutants. Always use one after towelling your face to keep your skin protected and moisturized.
Try out the YEOUTH Balancing Facial Toner! It refreshes, tones and hydrates the skin’s surface which greatly helps with dry patches and redness that we encounter after cleansing. It’s also designed to smooth, soften and calm the skin, prepping it for maximum absorption of the following serums and other products in your skincare routine.
Seal hydration with a moisturizer
Cleansing can be a little too harsh on the skin sometimes. Some people may like the “tight” or “matte”feeling after washing their face but this is actually a sign of excessive dryness. If your cleanser is not gentle enough, it can strip off all of the skin’s good oils, ultimately causing skin dryness. Which in turn, makes us vulnerable to our environment and other skin problems such as blemishes, fine lines, and wrinkles.
In addition to toning, make sure you are also regularly using a moisturizer after every cleanse. It is essentially a preventive measure that you can do to keep your skin problems at bay.
Give our L22 Anti-aging Moisturizer a try! It has patented ingredients that deliver youthful lipids back to your skin for rich moisturization that results to a vibrant, dewy look that you'll love. Formulated with natural moisturizing ingredients such as shea butter, jojoba and macadamia seed oil, this advanced moisturizer will surely leave your skin nourished and moisturized.
Rule #9: Cleanse your face every morning and night
Clean your face twice a day: when you wake up in the morning and before sleeping at night.
Our skin naturally secretes oil and toxins during our sleep. You need a thorough wash in the morning to create a fresh base for your makeup and daytime skincare. It’s also important to cleanse at night in order to remove all of the makeup, dirt, and oil that built up on your skin during the day. This way, your pores won’t get clogged and your skin can rest as you sleep.
If you sweat heavily after a workout or a hot day out, you can also freshen up by washing your face. Perspiration, especially when wearing a helmet or a hat, can irritate your skin. The bacteria and germs mixing in with sweat is a recipe for a breakout to happen. Try to wash your face as soon as possible.
However, make sure not to overdo it. Some people have the misconception that the more they cleanse their face, the better. This usually leads to tight, itchy, or irritated skin. So resist the urge to over-cleanse and only stick to two washes, at morning and at night, and only go for a third when really necessary.