How to Gently Cleanse Your Skin
The Sensitivity of Your Skin
Your face takes a beating. Every day you expose one of the most sensitive parts of your skin to dirt, oil, makeup, pollution, heat, sunlight and extreme cold. These elements take a toll on your skin and after years of exposure you will begin to see the repercussions.
Your instinct might be to rub your skin vigorously to remove all of the dirt and grime that builds up within a day, but that is not always the best method. Your skin is sensitive, especially on your face and around your nose. The strategies below can help you properly cleanse your skin each day to unclog pores, dissolve dirt and makeup, and remove oils.
Use a Rotating Motion
Many people wash their face in the morning and at night. You likely wash your face so often that it is a daily habit. Perhaps you wash the same way every time and have followed this ritual for years. Or, perhaps, you are always in a rush and quickly scrub your face just to get a clean slate before you walk out the door.
It’s time to break both of those habits. The most effective face wash should have a rotating element to it. A deep and effective cleanse needs a massage-like action to get oxygen and blood circulating. Try rotating your fingers in a small, circular motion.
Start With the Forehead
You may have never noticed, but when you brush your teeth you likely follow the same pattern. The same goes for washing your face. When cleansing you should start with your forehead, then move to scrubbing your nose, move outward toward your cheeks and end with the sides of your face, chin and neck.
Try Natural Products
Once you determine the type of product you need to best cleanse your skin, don’t be afraid to try different brands. Many beauticians and every day women will recommend slipping natural products into your daily routine to help offset the non-natural and sometimes harmful products in cleansers. Here are a few natural product to try:
- Wash your face with honey – Before attempting, make sure the honey is 100% raw. Apply like a normal face wash and add baking soda for added scrub power.
- Use essential oils for toner – Mix 1 oz. vodka, 2 oz. water, 5 drops tea tree oil and 5 drops grapefruit essential oil to create a homemade, natural toner.
- Use a potato to remove the grease from your face – Cut a potato in half and rub the exposed side over your face. It will dry and help keep your face from gathering and storing oil all day long.
The second best benefit of natural remedies is their low cost. What’s old is new again. When you need a new face care product try turning to the pantry instead of the beauty isle at the store.
Healthy Skin is Washed Every Night
It might not seem like a big deal to neglect to wash your face every night, but leaving the dirty remnants of the day to seep into your pores overnight is a bad habit that will cause additional skin issues. Embrace natural solutions, wash your face in a circular pattern and follow the recommended washing path for the most effective results.
Additional Resources
- 5 Ways to Clean your Face without Soap, by Stephanie Gerber
- Getting Crystal Clear Skin Tips, by Skinglowing.com
- How to Wash your Face Correctly, by Katharine Paljug
- How to Wash your Face Properly, by Annie Tomlin
- 14 Natural Face Cleansing Alternatives, by Tracy Raftl
- How you should Really Wash your Face, by Gina Way at Marieclaire.com
- How to Take Care of your Face Each Day, by Skinsite.com
- 5 Steps to Thoroughly & Soulfully Cleansing your Face, by Bebeautifulnow.net
- Face Washing 101, by Teenvogue.com
- The Oil Cleansing Method, by Theoilcleansingmethod.com
- Men’s Guide to Facial Cleansing, by Wellgroomedfellow
- Facial Cleansing for Rosacea, by Rosacea.org
- At Home Facials Step by Step, by Donna Maria
Videos
- How to Gently Cleanse your Skin, by La Roche-Posay Canada
- How to cleanse your Skin, by Monkeysee.com
- The Right Way to Wash your Face, by POPSUGAR Beauty
- How to Wash your Face, by Howcast
- How to Apply Cleanser, toner & Moisturizer, by eHowbeauty
- Basic Home Skin Care: Cleansing the Face & Neck, by Expertvillage
Education
- Prepare for a Massage therapy or Skin Care Career that you will Love, by Florida College of Natural Health
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, by BLS.gov
- Continuing Education/Skin, by Skininc.com
Books
- Clear Skin Detox Diet, by Lauren Talbot
- How to Wash your face, by Barney Kenet and Patricia Lawler
- No More Dirty Looks, by Siobhan O’Connor and Alexandra Spunt
Apps
- Skin Cleanse, by Adina Grigore, available on iTunes for a fee