Facial Cleansing 101

With so many skin types and shades it can be hard to know what is best for everyone. Luckily, there are a few basic principles that we can all rely on to customize our skincare routine. Check out these essential tips to see how you can use them to boost your skin health!

Use a gentle cleanser

• Perhaps one of the most important parts of your skincare routine can be your cleanser or facial soap. Many have harsh chemicals that strip the nutrients away from the top layer of skin, depriving it of moisture.
• Look for gentle cleansers that use natural ingredients and contain moisturizers and minerals. 

Use warm water, not hot water

• You might be familiar with the concept that steamy heat can encourage pores to open up, but too much heat can irritate your skin.
•  Consider rinsing off any cleanser with warm water and do not scrub. You can simply use a light pressure while you rub in a circular pattern to stimulate your skin and release toxins.
• This applies to your whole body! Hot showers may feel really nice on occasion but long term they can leave you feeling dry. 
• Pat your skin dry, don’t rub!

If you decide to use a scrub, use it only occasionally. 

• Harsh scrubs and scrubbing action can create cuts in your skin and cause damage or sensitivity.
•  When applying the scrub, consider a finer softer exfoliant for your face and something with larger grains for your body. 
• Exfoliating your skin too often can cause irritation and inflammation.

Apply moisture after cleansing

• No matter how good your cleanser, your skin may benefit from extra moisture after a thorough cleansing.
• Moisturizing after washing your face restores key ingredients to the epidermis, which reduces the body’s need to secrete more of its own oil.
• Consider this step especially if you have oily skin! Often times our bodies get into a cycle of overproducing oil because we skip this step in our routine.
•  If you have flaky skin this may be a step to repeat throughout your day, especially to extra dry areas like the "T-zone".
• Look for natural moisturizers that won't clog pores.

Add some oil!

• Whether you add it to your cleanser, exfoliator, or as a final step…oil can be a powerful ally.
• Consider “dry oils” that absorb quickly into the skin or mimic the skin’s sebum. Argan and jojoba oils are often available in grocery stores, or seek out apricot kernel oil for a nut-free option.

These simple guidelines can provide a great starting point for anyone looking to learn more about their skin and how to support it. Keep your eye on subtle changes in color, moisture level, brightness, and clarity as you dial in your technique to determine what is most effective for you!