Our skin needs a care routine both in the morning and in the evening, and this routine should always start with a skin cleansing procedure. Unfortunately, many women neglect this part or don't do it at all, although over time numerous studies have been carried out that have shown that there are a number of negative effects on the skin, especially when it comes to the complexion, in the absence of a constant daily cleaning ritual.
During a day, our skin is affected by many factors, such as bacteria, microbes, dust, sebum, dead cells, atmospheric pollutants and many others. All this accumulation, in the absence of a ritual for cleansing the skin, favors premature aging of the skin, the appearance of pimples and blackheads, but also changes in the texture of the skin, the latter becoming much rougher and drier (and from here other problems can appear, such as would be irritations, for example).
Although it may seem normal, cleansing the skin should not be done only in the evening, by simply removing the make-up. Even if we remove our make-up, we must also use products for cleaning the skin, so as to ensure that our skin is perfectly clean and that we have removed sebum, sweat, dust and other harmful substances. Also, we should repeat this process including in the morning. Even if during the night we only sleep and do not expose ourselves to the polluting air and dust outside, our skin still collects sweat, sebum and even bacteria (or other pests that have slept in our pillow). For this reason, it is absolutely necessary to clean the face after waking up. In addition, even the make-up will look better on clean and freshly hydrated skin.
However, although cleaning your skin at home, in your own comfort, may seem like an extremely simple and quick process, make sure beforehand that you have purchased the right products for your skin type. You can find many products on the market, but not all of them are good for you. First, you need to identify your skin type (normal, mixed, dry or oily) in order to know which skin cleansing products to use. In this article I have explained in detail how to do a facial cleansing at home like in the book, how you can tell what type of skin you have, what are the most important stages of skin cleansing and many other details that will help you have clean skin , hydrated and beautiful.
1. Skin cleansing - why should there be this step in your daily routine?
First of all, cleaning facilitates the removal of dirt, sebum and other unwanted impurities. During the day, the skin of the face is constantly covered with bacteria, viruses, dirt and dead skin cells. For this reason, skin care helps you to remove all these accumulations from the day and leaves the face fresh and ready for the application of care products .
The sebum produced by our skin is perfectly normal, because it fulfills a very important role, namely: it protects our skin from external aggressions. Therefore, it is considered to be beneficial for the skin. However, by mixing it with dust, bacteria, microbes and other pests, it loses its beneficial properties. Why? Because the pores widen, the follicles are obstructed, and all this leads to an inflammation of the skin and, finally, to the appearance of acne.
Cleansing the skin is also the best way to prepare your skin before applying other care products or even cosmetics. Clogged pores can not only cause imperfections, but also prevent the absorption of skin care products. A daily cleansing helps purify the pores and allows the active ingredients in the moisturizing products and serums you use to penetrate into the deeper layers of the skin.
Finally, a good cleansing of the face allows you to control the pH level of the skin, which helps to maintain adequate hydration, a very important thing especially in the cold season.
2. Skin cleansing products - what should you use?
Cleaning your face at home can take very little time if you have the right products at hand. Below I have prepared a list of must-have products for a clean and hydrated skin. It is not mandatory to integrate them all in your care routine . They are just examples of products that you can use to remove makeup and, implicitly, to clean the skin.
Micellar water is a delicate cleansing liquid that easily removes make-up and dirt from the face. Micellar water has a liquid consistency and contains microscopic soap bubbles (called micelles), which attract makeup and dirt like a magnet. The action of the micelles does nothing but clean the skin. Micellar water is a delicate cleanser. Despite the information, micellar water must be rinsed off the face with tap water or thermal water.
Another product that helps remove makeup is its makeup remover cleansing milk . You just apply it on a cotton pad and start to gently clean your face. This option removes make-up easily and hydrates the skin very well, being especially recommended for people with dry and sensitive skin.
Another efficient cleaning method is represented by cleaning foam . It is easily found on the market and is preferred by the majority because, compared to the cleanser (or cleansing milk) and micellar water, the cleansing foam does not leave any residue on the face, offering a feeling of freshness.
In your daily skin care ritual, you can also integrate the cleansing oil . It is an oil-based cleanser, ideal for people with dry skin. It is the perfect choice for you if you are used to using waterproof makeup, because it manages to dissolve it in a very short time. If you opt for this option, you should know that after removing make-up it is absolutely necessary to wash your face, so as to remove all the remaining cleaning oil.
The cleansing balm is also an effective product for removing make-up from the face and, implicitly, for cleaning. It has a slightly milky consistency, its composition is still oil-based, but it is used in a slightly different way. A cleansing balm should be applied to the face and then massaged for a few minutes. After you have managed to remove all the makeup from your face, don't forget to rinse your face very well with warm water for a complete cleaning. The use of a cleansing balm is often accompanied by a second step, namely cleaning the skin with a classic cleanser or a cleansing foam. Dermatologists say about this process that it is a double cleansing process: the first time you remove the make-up, then you clean the skin deeply. These two stages of skin cleansing leave your skin soft and hydrated. So, don't forget that if you prefer to remove your make-up with a balm, you must equip yourself with an additional product for cleaning your face.
What else can we find in stores selling cleaning and skin care products? Cleaning gel . We can tell from the name of the consistency of this product, which has in its composition purifying and moisturizing ingredients for the skin. You must also rinse your face with warm water after use.
If you want a product with which you can remove your makeup quickly, but which also helps you to control sebum secretion well, then you can opt for a cleansing cream . This product also has moisturizing properties, it does not remove the natural oils produced by the skin, which means that it will not dry out your skin. However, with a rich formula and a creamy texture, there is a risk of it affecting your skin if you do not clean it properly after use. To avoid such unpleasant situations, don't forget to use a complementary facial cleansing product and warm water.
Have you ever tried clay-based cleaning solutions ? These cleaning products have a purifying effect and are very effective especially for sensitive skin prone to acne. In other words, it is an ideal solution for people with oily or mixed skin (in this case, the product should only be used on oily parts). People who have dry or even normal skin can face episodes of increased skin sensitivity, followed by drying of the skin if they use this type of cleanser.
What do you think about powder cleaning solutions ? In contact with water, this type of product can become slightly foamy or creamy. Inform yourself very well before you decide to use a cleaning powder solution. The secret lies in the consistency, that is, in the ratio between the solution and the water. The advantage of these solutions is represented by the fact that they are highly concentrated, so they manage to clean the skin very well and remove even the most difficult make-up.
The last face cleaning product we are talking about is soap . But be careful: we are talking about face soap, not body soap. It is not at all advisable to use body soap to clean your face, because it contains a series of aggressive ingredients that can damage your skin. At the other pole is the face soap, which was created specifically for cleaning the skin, being completely safe and free of adverse effects. In addition, the facial soap contains moisturizing ingredients that nourish the skin and balance the pH level.
3. Cleansing the face according to skin type
Our skin must be cleaned very well twice a day, in the morning and in the evening, regardless of whether we wore make-up or not. In the evening, it is essential to remove any traces of cosmetics or make-up, pollution, dust and dirt that have accumulated on the face during the day.
The morning is recommended for cleaning the skin of excess sebum and sweat during the night, so that the skin can breathe and, implicitly, assimilate the cosmetic products that you will use after the cleansing ritual much better. We have already presented you with all the types of makeup remover products that you can find on the market, and now we will tell you how to choose the right one for your skin type. Choosing a facial cleanser is an important step and should be done in a way that agrees with the nature of your skin.
If you are interested in a product for cleaning dry skin , we recommend you to opt for the cleanser variants that contain moisturizing and emollient ingredients, so that you can remove the makeup while taking care that your skin is protected from dryness and irritation. If you are faced with sensitive skin, you will need a slightly gentler make-up remover, which does not contain surfactants and, in addition, has skin-calming properties. For cleaning mixed or oily skin, it is important to have a product on hand that regulates sebum production, so that you can control any excess. The makeup remover must also free your pores for deep cleaning.
After choosing the right cleanser, the most important thing is not to aggressively rub the skin. It is a myth that you will clean your skin better if you rub hard. On the contrary, you only cause injuries or irritation, giving you a stinging sensation. And things can get worse if you apply other skin care products after assaulting your face. Also, when you reach the step of rinsing the face, try to coordinate your movements, in the up-down direction. After you're done, don't rub your face with the towel, but dab lightly.
I hope I've convinced you to create your own skin cleansing ritual at home if you didn't already have one. As long as you are consistent with skin care, you will definitely not face rapid skin aging, irritation, dryness, acne or other skin problems. You can find more care tips, but also cleaning and care products on our website, skinseen.ro.