Quick Tips: Washing Your Face
You might think face washing is a no-brainer; but if you want skin that's clear and youthful, as well as clean, you might want to put a little thought into your daily cleansing routine. Gentle, thorough washing can make the difference between a fresh, healthy face and one that's overly dry or prone to breakouts.
Fortunately, you don't have to invest a lot of extra time and money into your daily beauty routine to achieve the cleanliness and glow you're looking for. There are a few practical approaches that will be easy for you to adopt -- and easy on your face. For example, adjusting your water temperature, re-evaluating the type of soap or cleanser you use, and drying less vigorously can all have positive effects on delicate facial skin.
On the following pages, we'll take a closer look at guidelines for getting a fresh-faced appearance without irritating your skin.
5: Re-evaluate Your Soap
Soaps aren't all the same. Any cleanser intended for cleaning the body, such as deodorant soap, is likely to be too harsh for your face. But even when it comes to soap specially formulated for use above the neck, you should select one that's designed for your particular skin type.
4: Create a Bare Canvas
When washing your face, you'll want to be certain you have access to all of its surface. You'll also want to make sure you're not reintroducing dirt and bacteria to your face. So when you're preparing to wash, do two things: get your hair off of your face by pulling it back with a headband or clip, and wash your hands.
3: Stay out of Hot Water
Hot water is often associated with cleanliness. But because your skin is much more delicate than, say, dishes or laundry, you should avoid washing your face with high-temperature water. Warm water is ideal. However, you might also want to use cool water for a final rinse to close your pores.
In addition to not using hot water, there are other ways to increase gentleness in face washing. One method is to forego a washcloth. It's not needed, and it has the potential to irritate your skin. If you do use a washcloth, be sure not to scrub your face; it's damaging to all skin types.
Just as we suggested not scrubbing with a washcloth, we're also going to recommend a light hand when it comes to drying with a towel. The ideal way to do this is to pat your face; don't rub it. Another drying tip is to use a clean towel each time you wash your face. Otherwise, you're transferring dirt and bacteria back to your clean skin.