We all want a clean face with clear skin, but some of the things you are probably doing during your daily face wash could actually be hurting your skin. Below are the common face washing mistakes to avoid and what you should be doing instead when it comes to your skin care.
Using Products not Meant for Your Skin Type
When it comes to skin care the first thing to determine is your skin type. This is really important because you need to understand what your skin needs in order to take care of it properly. For example, if you have dry skin but you are using a product meant for oily skin, that cleanser is going to dry your face out even more. The same is true the other way around. Products for dry skin do not suppress sebum production like products for oily skin do. Be sure to read the labels of your skin care items and choose the product that are going to suit your specific skin type.
Washing Face with Unclean Hands
Most people start their skin care routine by splashing water on their face and rubbing it all over with their hands. The problem with this is that your hands are covered in bacteria that can make their way into your skin pores. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap before you begin washing your face. This will eliminate the germs and prevent them from spreading onto your face.
Water is Too Hot or Cold
When it comes to your delicate facial skin it is best to use lukewarm water. There is a common belief that washing your face with hot water will help open up your pores and be easier for you to clean them. But on the contrary using hot water will actually leave your face red, blotchy and irritated. It can even do permanent damage to your blood vessels if they burst due to the high temperature. Hot water can also strip your skin of the natural oils damaging the protective outer layer. Cold water also, does not do as good of job when it comes to washing away all the dirt and build up that can accumulate on your skin.
Not Removing Makeup First
Not removing your makeup first is one of the most common face washing mistakes. Use micellar water and a cotton ball to gently wipe the makeup from your face. It is best to spend ten seconds on each eye. Do not rub too hard as the skin around the eye area is very delicate. Also, find the perfect lukewarm water temperature and use your fingertips to rub the facial cleanser on your face. Rub in circular motion going outwards. This will stimulate blood flow keeping your skin fresh and younger.
Excessive Use of Facial Scrub
We all want to have clean skin and therefore assume that it involves scrubbing. When it comes to facial cleansing, scrubbing can do more harm that good. Your skin does a good job of exfoliating dead skin cells on its own. Excessive scrubbing will only leave your skin irritated and inflamed. Another issue with scrubbing is that it removes the protective layer of your skin. Therefore exfoliate 2 to 3 times a week if you have normal or combination skin and only once a week if you have dry skin.
Poor Towel Habits
Make sure the towel you use to wipe your face is clean too. Also keep a separate towel to wipe your face i.e. not to use the towel that is used to clean other parts of the body. Some other important towel habits are changing the facial towel every month and washing it at least once a week.
Not Applying Serum or Moisturizer
Leaving your skin bare after washing is one of the common face washing mistakes. After cleaning and wiping your face dry, it is important to apply a serum or moisturizer immediately. Applying a good moisturizing product after cleaning helps to hold on to the hydration your skin received from the water.