Your face is constantly exposed to the environment: sun, pollution, dirt, cold… These factors cannot be avoided and they can certainly affect the way your skin looks and ages. Therefore, it is very important to maintain a good facial skin care regime in order to keep your skin healthy, clear and beautiful looking. When it comes to facial care, using the right skin cleanser products is key. The skin on your face is much more delicate and sensitive that the skin on your body, which is why there exists cleansers specifically designed for your face. You shouldn’t be using your body wash as face wash – even the most gentle body cleansers are too harsh for facial cleansing. Cleansing is the first most important step to achieving healthy skin. Moisturizing is the second. Click here for more information about moisturizer products and skin health.
Washing your face gets rid of dead skin cells, dirt and dust, grime, make-up and bacteria, which all contribute to clogged pores and consequently, flawed looking skin. Cleansing keeps your skin breathing freely, aids circulation and prepares the skin to receive topically applied nutrients and lipids, which are supplied by a good moisturizer.
The first step is determining which skin cleanser products are right for you. This depends a lot on your skin type. You may want to choose an oily skin cleanser, a sensitive skin cleanser, a dry skin cleanser or a gentle facial cleanser. A cleanser for dry skin should contain nourishing herbs and oils. An oily skin cleanser should contain herbs that balance oil production and support clarity. Sensitive skin cleansers should be ultra-gentle, fragrance-free, non-irritating. Generally, I recommend choosing all natural skin care products if you can, but there are also other products out there that are relatively good that are not natural such as skin cleansers produced by Cetaphil, pHisoderm and Spectro Derm. Below are some more specific skin cleanser products I like:
Once you’ve chosen the skin cleanser that’s right for you, there are some things you should know about how to properly cleanse your skin. First of all, you should wash your face twice a day – morning and night, unless the facial cleanser product you are using specifies otherwise. If so, you should at least rinse your face with lukewarm water. Be aware that there is such a thing as over-washing and this can contribute to drying out the skin. Before applying your facial cleanser, wash your hands and rinse your face with tepid water. It’s important not to shock your skin by using extremely cold or hot water. Hot water can result in broken capillaries and cold water shrinks the pores and interferes with proper cleansing. Use a small amount of your skin cleanser and rub in circles all over your face, avoiding your eyes. You can even use a gentle cloth, such as a muslin cloth, to apply your facial cleanser because you get the added bonus of gentle exfoliation at the same time. Rinse off the lather with lukewarm water, paying attention to your hairline, neck and creases of your nose. Pat dry with a towel – do not rub because this can contribute to premature wrinkles. Then apply your moisturizer.
Proper facial care is very important for maintaining healthy, youthful looking skin. Be sure to choose the right skin cleanser product for you, wash your face properly, moisturize daily, exfoliate well 1-2 times per week, apply sunscreen regularly, eat healthy foods and drink lots of water. These guidelines should help you achieve the beautiful skin you deserve.