Face cleansing may seem like a simple daily ritual, however this is the step where many people get wrong. In fact, acne, dryness, patchiness and sensitivities could be a result of not cleansing properly.
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1. Using Harsh Cleansers
This is especially common for oily or acne-prone skin, as well as everyone during summer, since the natural response is to wash away that oily feeling on the face. Yet, by stripping the skin of its natural oil with harsh and drying ingredients, such as a foaming cleanser, not only will the skin struggle to balance its water/oil protective structure, and as a result, produce excess oil that will clog the pores causing congestion and breakouts, the skin's lipid barrier may also be damaged, leading to irritations, inflammations and acne. In fact, when you feel that your face is super clean, you have very likely already damaged the lipid barrier. On top of that, drying out the skin will also lead to fine lines, wrinkles and pre-mature aging.
What To Do: Use a gentle, non-foaming, non-stripping cleanser morning and night, and avoid anything that contains sodium lauryl sulfate or ammonium laureth sulfate.
Product Recommendation
MARIE REYNOLDS LONDON
Goji Mallow Cleanse™ <- Click to shop
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2. Using Scrub Cleansers
By exfoliating properly, dead skin cells are removed from the skin surface, and thus can uncover the healthy layer of skin underneath, leaving the skin looking youthful and dewy. Products will also be able to penetrate deeply into the skin and work better in general. However, physical scrub in cleansers, think ingredients like beads, shells, salt grains and sugar, can easily irritate the skin, as well as cause micro-tears in the skin, leading to acne, dryness, or worse, permanent damages.
What To Do: Use products that contain enzymes, AHAs, BHAs or PHAs instead for exfoliation. Not only can they provide exfoliation benefits, over time, they also stimulate collagen production, reduce wrinkles, firm and smooth the skin and even out skin tone.
Product Recommendation
AGENT NATEUR
acid(wash) Lactic Acid Brightening Cleanser <- Click to shop
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3. Cleansing Only Once At Night
Think about what you put on during the day - serums, moisturisers and sunscreens. Even if you don’t put on makeup, you really should be double cleansing, as the first round would simply be washing off all the products, daily grime and pollution from city air that are sitting on top of the skin.
What To Do: In the morning, use lukewarm water to gently wash off the skincare products from the previous night, pat the skin dry, then use a gentle cleanser to gentle cleanse the skin. At night, once you’ve rinsed your first cleanser away, even if you didn’t put on makeup, go in for a second round so that the ingredients can really reach the skin and cleanse it properly.
Product Recommendation
KLUR
Gentle Matter Daily Moisture Cleanser <- Click to shop
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4. Rubbing Too Vigorously or Too Little
Using the right product is important, but technique matters too. Rubbing and rinsing too quickly does not allow the ingredients to properly cleanse the skin. Whilst, rubbing the skin vigorously morning and night every single day may end up causing wrinkles.
What To Do: Dot 3 dots of cleanser onto your forehead, nose, left cheek, right cheek, and jaw respectively to ensure even distribution of product. Then gently massage for at least 60 seconds in circular motions before rinsing. For cleansers that contain enzymes, leave it on for another 2 or 3 minutes before rinsing to let the ingredients work fully.
Product Recommendation
TWELVE BEAUTY
Purifying Cleansing Beauty Cream <- Click to shop
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5. Using Water Too Hot Or Too Cold
We have said it many times, and we will say it again——hot water does not open pores and cold water cannot close or tighten them either. In fact, not only will hot water cause dehydration, switching from hot to cold water will also put skin into shock, causing sensitivities.
What To Do: Use lukewarm water to cleanse and help loosen dirt and sebum without stripping the skin.
Product Recommendation
EATH LIBRARY
Smooth Operator Purifying Cleansing Gel <- Click to shop
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