Sunday, May 26, 2013

Practical Skin Cleansing Tips

Going to a spa on a regular basis is a luxury reserved for those with plenty of disposable income. However, even if you are not living an opulent lifestyle your skin can still look as if you do. Here are some common sense skin care tips that will give you healthy, vibrant skin and help slow the aging process. The first and most important step in skincare is proper cleansing because it sets the stage for all other steps. If you don’t get this one right, then all the money you spend on skin care products are practically wasted.

Tip #1 – Cleanse Your Skin Twice a Day
Sounds pretty straight forward, right? Truth is many people don’t take the time to properly cleanse their skin – and a dirty face ages faster than a clean one. For a clear complexion you should cleanse your face morning and night. If you only feel you have time for a once a day cleansing, then be sure to do it before bedtime. As you sleep the body goes through detoxification and regeneration processes. Your skin is your body’s largest organ – so always go to bed with a fresh clean face.

Tip #2 – Keep Grease at Bay
Washing will only keep your face clean if the surfaces it comes into contact with are clean as well. People with acne and oily complexions should be extremely careful not to cross-contaminate their skin by exposing it to surfaces that have facial oils, old makeup and hair styling products on them such as pillow cases. Change them often. Also hats and pads in sports helmets that touch the face are severe breeders of bacteria, dirt and oils and should be cleaned regularly.  Touching your face also transfers bacteria from your hands right into your pores.  Break that habit!



Tip #3 – Proper Cleansing Techniques
First, be sure to cleanse your face with warm (not hot) water. Wash your hands before you touch your face so you do not transfer any dirt or oil. With your hands wet, apply cleanser to your face and massage in a circular motion with your fingers. Take your time and get into the crevices around your nose, ears and jawline.

Tip #4 – Proper Rinsing Techniques
Use a clean wash cloth every time to prevent bacterial transfer. I recommend the cheap, white, thin ones that come in bundled packs. They work much better than thick, velour cloths. Fill the cloth with warm water and gently wipe the cleanser off your face. Repeat if necessary and pat dry. You now have a clean canvas to apply your skincare products and makeup.

By learning to cleanse your face correctly, not only will you be playing a preventative role in keeping breakouts to a minimum and slowing the aging process, you will also be rewarded with the maximum benefit from your pricy skin care products.

Stay tuned for my next blog post, where I will discuss what cleansers work best.

No comments:

Post a Comment