A facial cleanser should be an integral part of your daily skin care routine. Cleansers help remove dead skin cells, dirt and unwanted debris from your skin. Cleansing our skin helps us avoid pimples caused by the build-up of harmful bacteria or dirt trapped in your pores. But sometimes we can get a little carried away with our skin care routine and actually over-cleanse, damaging our skin’s barrier while stripping away too much moisture. So, how often should you wash your face? And what types of cleaners should you use? Read on to find out.
Benefits of cleaning | Types of facial cleansers | How often should you wash your face? | How to clean properly
Benefits of using a facial cleanser
With today’s heavy makeup wear and exposure to environmental stressors and pollution, it’s essential to take the time to thoroughly cleanse your skin at the end of the day. In addition to removing makeup and impurities, cleansing also helps prepare your skin to better absorb the active ingredients in toners, masks, serums, moisturizers, and oils. Eminence Organic Skin Care’s The range of cleansers allows this routine to suit a variety of skin types. Here are some of the main benefits of facial cleansers:
Remove Build Up
Removing all the dirt, oil and makeup accumulated during the day is essential for healthy looking skin. The skin on your face is constantly exposed to pollution, dirt, bacteria and is also subject to skin cell build-up. We recommend daily cleansing to target all of these factors while keeping your skin clean and fresh. Not washing your face means your skin is subjected to prolonged exposure to a layer of sweat, dirt and grime which you will then layer other products on top of. This traps debris in your pores. If your pores are clogged with oil, bacteria, or dirt, then you’re much more likely to get pimples.
Allowing the Sebum Oil to reach the surface
Sebum is the waxy, oily secretion produced by tiny sebaceous glands under your skin. These glands use hair follicles to let oil reach the surface of the skin, keeping your hair and skin moisturized. Sebum is vital for keeping the skin hydrated and protected from bacteria and fungus. Regular cleaning removes blockages and buildup, allowing sebum to reach the surface, which reduces the chance of breakouts.
Retention of hydration
Cleansing helps manage the skin’s pH levels, keeping the skin hydrated and balanced. Especially if you use a hydrating cleanser, your skin will maintain the right level of hydration to avoid dry skin.
Types of facial cleansers
Powder detergents
The powder cleanser is a unique, dry formula that transforms into a luxurious, creamy lather when activated with water. Finely milled powders — often infused with botanical enzymes and extracts — remove impurities, excess oil and dead skin cells, leaving your skin soft, smooth and radiant. Suitable for all skin types, a powder cleanser offers a customizable experience, allowing you to adjust the consistency and level of exfoliation to suit your skin’s needs.
Gel Cleansers
As the name suggests, gel cleansers tend to have a gel-like consistency, designed to unclog pores while removing excess oil and acne-causing bacteria from the surface of your skin. As a result, gel cleansers are ideal for oily skin types. Gel cleansers would be ideal for those who want to remove excess oil and minimize the appearance of pores while keeping skin free of breakouts.
Cream Cleansers
Cream-based cleansers deeply nourish and hydrate the skin while removing make-up and other impurities. Cream cleansers are ideal for dry skin or sensitive skin types because they rehydrate the skin while also removing unwanted build-up from the day before, such as dirt, sebum or makeup. Cream cleansers are usually thicker in texture and cleanse your skin without stripping it of its natural oils.
Foam cleaners
These lightweight skin care products create a lather when dispensed from a pump package. They remove excess oil as effectively as gel cleansers and are great for combination skin. Avoid foaming cleansers if you have dry skin as the consistency will leave your skin tight and dry.
Cleansing oil
Cleansing oils provide easy removal of all oil-based products, such as makeup and sunscreen, while keeping your skin smooth and silky. Oils are a special type of solvent that is naturally attracted to other oils, which allows oil-based products to dissolve quickly.
Exfoliating cleanser
An exfoliating cleanser can be in the form of a physical or chemical exfoliating cleanser. A chemical exfoliating cleanser simultaneously cleans and gently exfoliates the skin because its composition contains a small percentage of an acid. A natural exfoliating cleanser may contain tiny granules designed to also remove dead skin cells while providing cleansing.
Now that you’ve decided on the best type of cleanser for you, how many times should you really be cleansing and washing your face each day?
How often should you wash your face?
According to Healthline.com“Every person should wash his face morning and night.” If you can only commit to washing once a day, do it before bed so you don’t put your face on the pillow and trap dirt and oil deeper into the skin. Some people with dry skin don’t like to cleanse twice a day as it feels too dry for their skin. If this is the case, reconsider the type of cleanser you use, or you can simply cleanse once before bed.
Excessive cleansing (three or more times a day) or using a harsh cleanser such as a bar of soap can weaken the skin barrier, leading to dry, dull or irritated skin. Cleansing should never lead to irritation, so if your skin starts to feel tight and dry after washing, you may be overdoing it. A healthy, functional skin barrier means skin looks firm and plump. The skin barrier should keep environmental irritants out naturally while keeping all the good stuff inside like natural oils and moisture.
How to clean properly
According to the Academy of Dermatologyhere are the best tips and steps for proper cleaning.
- Apply lukewarm water on your face. Then apply your cleanser, rubbing it in gently with your fingers. Using a cloth, sponge, or anything other than your fingers can cause irritation.
- Avoid scrubbing with anything other than a specially formulated natural exfoliator. This can cause redness and irritation.
- Rinse off the cleanser with lukewarm water and dry with a soft towel.
- Apply moisturizer, especially if you have dry or itchy skin.
- Limit washing to twice a day at most, although if you’ve been sweating a lot, you can also wash your face afterwards.
- Wash your face once in the morning and once at night, as well as after heavy sweating.
- Follow the cleaner’s instructions. The cleaning brand will also provide the best way to use their cleaners.
How many times a day do you clean? Take a look at our range of cleaners to see which type is for you.
