Hello, my lovely readers!
I hope you guys have been well since last week. We continue on the topic of skincare and we are going in-depth about why we follow certain steps in our skincare routines.
So, today we start with what is most often the first step, cleansing.
What is cleansing?
Cleansing is referred to as the method of removing dirt, sweat, impurities, and excess make-up from your face.
It involves using a cleansing product and water that activates the active ingredients in the cleanser so that it can be effective.
Why cleanse?
As you go on your day-to-day business, especially if you step out of your house, your skin is exposed to sunlight, dust, sweat, and impurities that linger in the air, so by the end of the day, all this stuff has built up on your skin, and your pores are probably screaming to be freed and get some breathing space! This is where cleansing comes in.
When your skin is clean, any additional product that you use works better. This is because clean pores allow those active ingredients to get in there and do their job which leads to overall exceptional skin health.
The products you use in the next steps of your skincare routine work better when your skin is clean.
What are the various types of cleansers?
Cleansing Oil
This is a type of cleanser that is infused with water-soluble oils that gently dissolve a day’s worth of makeup, oil, and grime without irritating your skin or stripping it dry. It is most often used as the first step of an evening skincare routine, to remove all the built-up dirt of the day. This type of cleanser is most often used during double-cleansing and goes before using the foaming cleanser.
I am personally still learning about these cleansing oils, and would love to try them in the future. For now, I just use olive oil or micellar water (more on this later) to remove the make-up off my face if I wear make-up that day.
2. Foaming Cleanser
As the name suggests, this is a cleanser that foams when mixed with water. These cleansers are effective in completely removing excess make-up or dirt build-up on the skin.
They are most suitable for oily or acne-prone skin, as they control and prevent excess sebum production using ingredients such as salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide.
3. Hydrating/Creamy Cleanser
This type of cleansers cleanse and refresh the skin without leaving that feeling of tightness. It is best suited for those who experience dryness. These type of cleansers contain ingredients such as ceramides and hyaluronic acid which assist in hydrating the skin.
What are the various methods of cleansing?
1. Double cleansing – this involves the use of a natural oil like olive oil or almond oil to remove make-up from your face, if you apply make-up, then follow it up with a foaming cleanser.
2. Normal cleansing – this involves just using a cleanser and is most suitable for morning routines, or if you don’t wear make-up.
3. Using a cleansing device - this involves using a device such as an electrical face brush plus a cleanser to clean and exfoliate the skin at the same time. I however do not recommend using extra devices when cleansing, as they can be harsh to the skin, especially for dry or sensitive skin types.
What makes a good cleanser?
A good cleanser is one that completely cleanses your skin, without stripping it of its natural, essential oils. Also, one that’s suitable for your skin type and caters to what your skin needs.
It is best to avoid cleansers like ;
Bar soaps
Those with perfumes or dyes
Harsh foaming cleansers
Daily exfoliating cleansers
These can be super harsh on your skin and cause long-term damage.
One way to check if the cleanser you're using is good for your skin is after using it, your skin doesn't have that 'tight' feeling. That feeling usually signifies excess drying which makes your skin oilier and prone to breakouts.
What is the best cleanser for my skin type?
For oily skin like mine, a foaming cleanser is best, for dry skin, a hydrating or creamy cleanser is best.
How do I cleanse my face?
First, wash your hands.
Using a cleanser suitable for your skin type, wet your face and put a little amount of cleanser in your hands.
Rub your hands together to lather it up and apply it on your face for 45-60 seconds. Take your time, to allow those ingredients to work on your skin.
Don’t forget your hairline, chin, jawline, neck, and upper chest they also need some love.
Rinse off with lukewarm water and pat dry with paper towels or a designated face cloth, just for your face.
Remember to keep it simple and be gentle on your skin, your hands are enough.
For further research, these are the sources I got information for this post from;
thank you so much for reading this post! I hope you’ve learned something, and feel free to reach out if you have questions!
Also check out my Instagram, I have created a reel which shows me cleansing my skin, so you guys can see me doing what I wrote here practically.
Xoxo
B.
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