5 Most Common Mistakes to Washing Your Face

Are you washing your face the right way?

Your complexion is not the same as everyone else's. That's because your complexion is the result of your unique choices and characteristics including: where you live, what you do during your day, the products you use on your skin, your unique skin problems, and how oily or dry your skin is.

All these factors determine how you, and only you, should wash your face. The most common mistakes I see people making when it comes to their face washing routines are:

1. Picking the wrong cleanser for their skin type

2. Using the wrong water temperature

3. Not washing product, dirt and oil off twice a day

4. Using cleansers with unnecessary allergens and irritants

5. Forgetting to exfoliate

#1 Pick the right cleanser for your skin type.

Is your cleanser too harsh for your skin type? Or, is it not strong enough to remove your natural build-up of skin oil, product residue, or daily dirt and grime? It's important that your cleanser fully cleans your skin, but does not irritate your skin. Some of the best cleansing products I use to build Complete Skin Care routines for my patients.

#2 Use the right water temperature for your complexion.

Just like when you are washing the dishes, cold water is not as effective at removing oil as warmer water. That said, hot water can damage skin over time, may remove too much natural oil if you have dry skin, and is often just too harsh. How is your choice of water temperature working for your skin? Does your skin feel tight and dry after you wash it? If so, you may want to use a cooler water temperature and/or a milder cleanser. Whereas, if your skin still feels grimy and oily after you wash it then you can do the opposite (warmer water and stronger cleanser). I usually recommend starting with tepid to slightly warm water and adjusting from there. If you have rosacea that is prone to flushing, then you may find that cooler water feels better because it helps to constrict your flush-prone facial capillaries.

#3 Wash and rinse your face twice a day.

Clean skin is able to absorb the correcting products you layer on after you wash your face. Be sure to fully cleanse and remove what has built up over the last 12 hours before applying anything else to your skin. You'll notice that I said "rinse" too. Yes, I'm a fan of rinsing skin with water to remove product residue. I'm not a fan of cleansing wipes because they leave a residue of all those cleansing ingredients on your skin. Read the ingredients in your wipes! You'll find fragrance, preservatives, and stuff that I'd prefer you not to use. I have many patients who use and love their wipes so I know I won't convert everyone. I will try though - because I am the one who sees the skin allergies and irritation rashes caused by those ingredients. My bias is to stick with the right cleanser, right water temperature, and a good rinse.

#4 Use cleansers free of unnecessary allergens and irritants.

This is the same idea as avoiding product residue from standard wipes. Cleansers that are loaded with fragrance or ingredients that are too harsh for your complexion are going to cause a rash. An allergic rash happens usually from fragrances or preservatives (even natural fragrances can cause an allergic reaction, such as citrus) . The products I have on my site are hypoallergenic - specifically because I see so many needless problems from the typical allergens.

#5 Exfoliate.

It's instant gratification! Exfoliating your skin gives you a complexion 'pick me up' right away. It's just like when your house looks better after simply dusting the furniture, sweeping the floor, and vacuuming the carpets - only it's easier. Dead cells accumulate, they hold product residue, and they look dull. Exfoliated skin not only looks better, it absorbs product better too.

#AudienceEngagement #Blog