Washing your face is one of those things we assume everyone does the same way?until we hear someone does it differently. And then we start to wonder: Hot or cold water? Gentle cleanser or a grainy scrub? Use an expensive electronic face brush that we read about on the Internet?
Turns out we had more questions about face washing than we realized. To get some answers, we went to the experts for a step-by-step guide to getting a clean, clear complexion and eliminate acne..
The Tools
If you wear makeup, take it off with an oil-based makeup remover. Makeup won?t come off with just gentle cleansing of the skin, and if it stays on too long, it can lead to blocked pores and future zits.?As for a cleanser, we know it’s tempting to grab the one covered in marketing promises, but it’s a better idea to go for one labeled “gentle,” “pH-balanced,” and “fragrance-free.”
Need more help navigating the face wash aisle? Read on.
If you have dry skin:
You should use a cream-based cleanser. They provide moisture for the skin thanks to glycerin or shea butters.
If your skin is fairly normal, or you’re just not sure:
A gentle, pH-balanced cleanser will do the job. Or try a cleansing “water,” Oil-based components remove oil, grease, and sebum from our skin, without being harsh or over-stripping.
If you have oily skin:
Foaming cleansers will leave you feeling super clean?although only temporarily. (If you’re naturally oily, a quick cleanse isn’t going to change your skin type.) Somewhat counterintuitively, oil-based cleansers may be a good choice for oily skin (“like dissolves like”), but it?s hard to generalize how well your skin will react. If you have seriously oily skin and don’t want to pass it off as that coconut oil glow, talk to a dermatologist?you may need a professional product to do the job.
The Water Temp
Once you?ve got your ammo, turn the faucet to lukewarm?no steaming temperatures or arctic water necessary. Warm is better than the extremes of either cold or hot to remove oil from our skin.
Plus, while cold water can tighten pores temporarily, it won?t have a lasting effect. Meanwhile, hot water, despite making you feel super clean, can lead to dry and irritated skin.
Most dermatologists recommend washing your face twice a day, and a small 2006 study comparing people who washed their face once, twice, or four times a day found that acne improved at twice a day.While skin condition didn’t get worse at four times a day, it didn’t get much better?and that?s a lot of time to spend at the sink.
The Method
Splash that lukewarm water on your face and use your fingertips in a circular motion to apply the cleanser?enough to work up a good lather in your chosen medium. Pay special attention to the T-zone (nose and forehead territory) and U-zone (the area around and just under your jawline), where people tend to miss.
No washcloth or grainy scrub needed: Gentle is the key word here, and washcloths just aren’t as gentle as our hands.You actually don?t need to scrub your face. If you did a Tough Mudder, that?s a different story?but for day-to-day cleansing, you don’t really need to use a washcloth.
Instead, save it for a gentle pat down to dry off after rinsing off your cleanser. And make sure to hang it in a dry place (a.k.a. not the shower): Any moisture can be a breeding ground for bacteria and germs that can cause breakouts.
Finally, if you’ve heard wonders about the $99-and-up facial brushes, relax. However tempting it is to imagine they’re taking your cleansing routine to a deeper, skin-changing level, that’s probably not the case. Since facial skin is not thick, physical exfoliation isn’t required for penetration. Bottom line: You’ll be fine with or without one.
The Takeaway
Twenty-step regimens are fun if you’re into them, but a simple routine can be just as effective. Gentle is pretty much always better, and although it can be tempting to exfoliate your way to a new tomorrow, chances are a mild touch will get you there faster.
