It’s quite simple really, the act of washing your face. An exercise you indulge in easily twice a day, which boils down to a face wash, a homemade body scrub, and a makeup remover at the most.
But, it may come as a surprise that even this everyday solution has more than its fair share of dos and don’ts—ones that can help prevent breakouts, over-drying, and inflammation, too.
Here are five facts that will enlighten and shock you, and get you thinking the next time you wash your face.
1Morning Wash
The most common habit is to wash your face, first thing in the morning. But, using a cleanser strips off the natural oils and severely dehydrates your skin. Just splash some cold water and you’re good to go. Use a face wash when you shower, and follow it up with some thorough moisturizing.
2Technique
First, wash your hands before you wash your face. This will prevent the migration of germs and bacteria. Then, spend 30 seconds lathering up your skin.
Start from the center and move your fingertips in circular outward motions. First the forehead, then the nose, and finally the cheeks, chin, and neck.
Always use your second last finger to clean out the thin skin under the eyes in order to prevent the appearance of fine lines.
3Temperature
This makes a big difference. Wash your face with tepid water; hot water wipes out natural oils from your skin, whereas cold water breaks down the underlying capillaries. Warm water is ideal to prevent dryness, breakouts, and irritation.
4Moisturize
For best results, apply your natural moisturizer immediately after you’ve washed your face. This helps seal the nutrients in your skin while it’s still moist and permeable.
5Going Overboard
Washing your face twice a day with a mild face wash is more than enough. You need it in the morning to stir up blood circulation and invigorate your skin, and at night to clean the germ build-up you’ve accumulated through the day. Over-washing disturbs the skin’s pH levels, which results in acne, while not washing enough will lead to bacterial infections.
