Cleansing Skin is the first and most important part of any good skincare routine. I’ve already detailed a post on Double Cleansing HERE, but lets chat again about cleansing skin properly and avoiding common mistakes.
You can spend all the money in the world on expensive serums and active ingredients but unless you are starting your routine with clean skin, you are wasting your money. Make up, pollution, oil and dead skin buildup can cause blocked pores and follicles. This causes dull skin, increased texture and risk of breakouts.
Where Do I Start With Cleansing Skin?
Right at the basics. Soap and water. Except not soap. Before anything else check the temperature of your water. Not to hot, not too cold. Just like Goldilocks. Too hot will cause inflammation and skin irritation, too cold won’t soften skin for effective makeup removal. Then decide on what type of cleanser will best suit your skin. The answer is not face wipes. Throw all baby wipes, face wipes etc in the bin where they belong! Why? They dehydrate your skin and are not effective at removing dirt. Wipes just move that dirt around your face without removing anything at all.
Cream or Gel?
Cleansing skin effectively depends on your skin type. Sensitive, oily or dehydrated skin will require a different cleanser. The correct cleanser for your skin type is the first step in targeting your skin concerns. Know the difference between the different formulas. Cream cleansers are much gentler on skin and usually work for sensitive or dehydrated skin as they contain moisturizing ingredients. Gel cleansers are usually effective at deeper cleaning as they can contain acids to cut through pollution and dirt. They also foam which can be drying on the skin so are usually geared towards oily skin types. Then we have cleansing oils and balms. These work well for all skin types as a first cleanser. If you read my Double Cleansing post all is explained!
Quick Double Cleansing Recap
Double Cleansing is essentially exactly what it suggests. Cleansing your skin twice! First you use an oil based cleanser to break down dirt and makeup then you use a deeper water based cleanser to deep clean your skin. Anything you apply after this has a better chance at performing the way you want it to. The first step helps remove sebum, bacteria and old skin cells. The second cleanse will reach your pores to remove impurities. Your pores will be cleaner and therefor appear smaller, breakouts will improve and your skin will appear brighter, smoother and glowing.
How I Begin Cleansing Skin
My first step is to soak a wet face cloth in warm water and press onto my skin. I then spend a minute massaging a cleansing balm all over my face, eyes and neck in gentle circular motions. Next I will wet my hands and rub the balm untill it emulsifies. I will then gently remove all traces of cleansing balm with my wet face cloth.
Step two is a gel cleanser. I will apply all over face, eyes and neck and remove with my rinsed face cloth. Repeating the wipe/rinse cycle untill all traces of dirt are gone from my face. It might seem time consuming but my evening skincare has become part of my daily self care. Those few moments with a warm cloth pressed against my face is my time to exhale the day away. Don’t rush it. I bet your partner spends more time locked in the bathroom with a newspaper. Take the minutes to massage your face. You have earned them.
Products I Recommend
Bare in mind I have dehydrated skin with fine lines. I do feel I have a few tried and tested options for you no matter what your skin type.
Cleansing Balms and Oils:
Sarah Chapman Ultimate Cleanse has collagen stimulating peptides, skin normalising vitamin A and potent antioxidants. This balm is a joy to use and I have repurchased twice now.
Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm has extracts of orange, jasmine, wild sea fennel, vitamin E and rose oils which leaves my skin beautifully soft. A little goes a very long way so a tub will last you forever!
Farmacy Green Clean is a product I bought while I was in America last year. I loved it and was delighted to find it on Cult Beauty. It has a really gentle formula and papaya extract which can help brighten the skin.
Skin Formulas Oil and Milk Cleanser is suitable for all skin types and emulsifies really well so doesn’t leave residue behind.
Cleansing Gels:
Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel is one of my all time favourite cleansers. If you notice my double cleansing post is from 2018 and this is still in my collection. I happily spend my money on it!
Emma Hardie Moringa Light Cleansing Gel is a product I discovered a few months ago. I’ve just come to the end of my bottle and I have to say it is going on the repurchase list. It is effective and gentle even on my eyes.
Venn Moisture Balance All In One Cleanser is a new addition to my cleansing arsenal. I was sent some of their products to try recently and I love this cleanser. It is free from fragrance, parabens, silicone and sulphates while Green Tea and Centella Asiatica extracts mildly exfoliate and brighten.
Cleansing Foams
Elemis Cica Calm Cleansing Foam is super refreshing on the skin. I love this in the morning or after a long day shift. It is calming and hydrating thanks to cica and green tea seed oil.
Bobbi Brown Makeup Melter and Cleanser is a foaming cleanser that doesn’t leave my skin stripped. It contains Cranberry, Blueberry and Goji Berry Extract and leaves my skin really clean and smooth.
There you have your first step towards a better skin day. Stay around and subscribe for suture skincare posts and make sure you are following me on INSTAGRAM.
Louise x