We all think that washing our face is a no-brainer. It’s something we all do every day, so we must be good at it, right?
But a study done by Olay showed that only one out of two women actually wash their face regularly. And while you may be among the half that does, you may not be using the right skincare products and makeup, rinsing well, or treating your skin with as much TLC it requires.
Beautiful skin begins with a clean face. Yet, many women don’t wash their face correctly or properly — then pile on loads of makeup to disguise blemishes or even out their skin tone. No amount of makeup, moisturisers, or anti-aging products will work if you don’t have a clean palette to begin with.
(Although you could start by eating the right foods for your skin — related article: 5 Best Foods for Your Skin]
So here are a few simple skincare tips you absolutely must heed:
1. Choose the Right Cleanser
The first step to attaining clear, radiant skin is selecting the right cleanser. Just water isn’t going to cut it; you need something that will thoroughly remove the grime and excess oils from your skin daily.
Your cleanser should be gentle and non-foaming. Most soaps tend to dry out skin, so the face needs something much gentler and less drying.
The type of cleanser most suited for your skin depends on your skin type:
Dry or sensitive skin: gentle, creamy cleanser
Oily skin: gel wash that can help to dissolve oil, sunscreen, and makeup
Normal skin: foaming lotion cleanser
Sensitive skin: gentle, creamy cleanser without preservatives, fragrances, formaldehyde, or lanolin that may have an adverse effect on your skin.
When picking a cleanser, the gentler the better.
2. Wash It Right
Many women are also guilty of over-washing their face, but that can be just as damaging as not washing enough. They believe that skin should be squeaky clean, but then that would mean that the skin has been stripped of its protective barrier or natural oils. Clean skin is dewy and clear, not tight and dry.
3. Keep Water Lukewarm
After cleansing, rinse thoroughly to remove all traces of the cleanser. Tepid or lukewarm water is ideal for removing your cleanser, as water that is too cold or hot will irritate skin and lead to broken capillaries.
4. Do a Post-Cleansing Rub
Your fingertips do a great job at a gentle but thorough cleansing. They can provide a simple massage while you cleanse, thus stimulating blood circulation and promoting lymphatic drainage.
While over-washing and over-exfoliating can irritate sensitive skin, worsening redness and inflammation, and aggravating breakouts, you can use facial sponges that help to cleanse more thoroughly without the abrasiveness of a washcloth or scrub. A facial sponge is particularly helpful for acne-prone, oily skin, which tends to get clogged.
This article is an excerpt from ZALORA Community. Read the full article here.
This article is brought to you by ZALORA.
