Photo: Ron Lach
The skin, as you know, is the largest human organ. The health and radiance of the skin largely depend on a daily skincare routine, for instance, on the cleansing procedure. Facial skin, on which makeup is applied much more often, requires particular care. It is important to carefully apply and remove decorative cosmetics and other products you use to cleanse and nourish your skin. In today's article, we are going to learn how to properly clean your face in the morning and evening, and how to choose products for cleansing depending on your skin type.
Why is Cleansing Important?
The key to the success of any facial skincare procedure is proper and high-quality preparation. The cleansing ritual is the first and the most basic step in maintaining and preserving the youth, health, and beauty of the skin. The regularity of this routine procedure ensures the effectiveness of the cosmetic products, which you are going to use during the next skincare steps. Cleansed facial skin will absorb the maximum healing and nourishing components.
We are often reminded about the importance of skin cleansing from early childhood and continuing throughout life, regardless of where the representative of the beautiful half of humanity lives – closer to nature or in a large metropolis.
It is even more difficult for city dwellers to keep their skin clean and well-groomed. As soon as we go outside, street dust, dirt, and other particles of pollution (transport exhausts, industrial emissions) settle on the skin. That is why cosmetologists strongly advise never to neglect regular cleaning, makeup removal, and other additional skincare sessions like SPA.
Photo: Sarah Chai
What Will Happen if We Skip the Cleansing Step?
When fatigue and laziness take over us, the skin immediately reacts and signals dissatisfaction with the deterioration of its health. What is the risk of falling asleep with unremoved makeup on the face? What if we forget to wash off the dust, sweat, sebum, and dead particles of the epidermis from the face? If you neglect cleaning, the first and the most important step in every skincare routine, you might experience the following unpleasant consequences:
• the skin loses its natural healthy glow, dulls, and looks tired and gray;
• wrinkles, creases, flabbiness, and other signs of early wilting appear;
• the tone and elasticity are lost, and the relief of the skin is disturbed;
• the pores on the face become enlarged, and clogged with sebum and impurities;
• pimples and blackheads, black dots, and subcutaneous tissue appear on the face (the results of the activity of pathogenic bacteria);
• the process of daily self-renewal of the skin is disrupted and its breathing is difficult;
• there is a feeling of an unpleasant film on the face;
• oily skin begins to overproduce sebum.
If you do not ignore the daily needs of your skin and eliminate excess sebum, impurities, and the remains of makeup in time, you will immediately see how much better tonics, serums, and face creams are absorbed. The active ingredients of the formulas of care cosmetics penetrate clean skin faster and deeper, triggering the mechanisms of regeneration and renewal, making the skin smooth elastic, radiant, and young.
Photo: Ron Lach
How to Cleanse the Face Skin?
The cycle of home skincare includes 4 main stages: washing (cleansing), toning, application of targeted cosmetics (morning/evening), and makeup removal. Dermatologists and cosmetologists agree that it is necessary to cleanse the skin at least twice a day. It is recommended to use a soapberry cleanser because of its ingredients. Moreover, simple rinsing with water is not a high-quality and proper washing, since it does not wash off sebum and the remnants of night care.
Morning and Evening Skin Care Routine
Every daily skincare routine consists of certain rules we all must follow. Still, the morning and evening cleansing differ in their intensity and depth of impact. The purpose of the morning ritual, whether you plan to go out or not, is to refresh, gently cleanse, wake up, and invigorate the skin. Before applying basic care and makeup, it is necessary to remove (exfoliate) from the surface of the skin the dead particles of the upper layer of the epithelium, which have arisen as a result of the process of cellular regeneration and inhibit the penetration into the deep layers of the beneficial components of cleansers, toning, moisturizing and nourishing.
While our face may look clean in the morning, it isn't. It contains: the so-called house dust; the remaining (not absorbed) small amount of your night cream/serum/oil; sebum and toxins are the results of the active work of cells during the night. They prevent the opening of pores and the penetration of cosmetic products for daily skincare.
High-quality morning washing is the use of specialized products that suit your skin type and age. Cleansing should be done with moderately warm (or room temperature) water. With a tendency to allergic reactions and inflammation, preference should be given to purified filtered water. Hot washing can cause increased sebum secretion, too-cold – spasms in the blood vessels, and cause irritation and redness.
What Skincare Products to Choose?
As for the choice of a cosmetic product, it should be light and on a soft cleansing basis (foams or gels or milk/fluid for washing). Washing with hydrophilic oil or micellar water (foam with micelles) in the morning is not advisable. These cosmetics have a strong cleansing effect and are designed more for makeup removal than the basic removal of ordinary impurities.
About Sunscreen and Its Importance for Healthy Skin
Sunscreen might seem like an optional summer essential, but incorporating it into your daily routine, regardless of the season, is crucial for protecting your skin's health and beauty.
Think of sunscreen as an invisible shield, safeguarding your skin from the sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. UVA rays penetrate deep into the skin, contributing to wrinkles, premature aging, and even skin cancer. UVB rays, on the other hand, are the sunburn culprits, causing redness, irritation, and potential long-term damage.
Daily sunscreen use, even on cloudy days, is key to reaping its benefits. Here are just a few reasons to make it a non-negotiable part of your morning ritual:
Sunburn prevention: The most obvious benefit, sunscreen effectively blocks UV rays, preventing painful sunburns and the associated discomfort and peeling.
Reduced skin cancer risk: Studies have shown that regular sunscreen use significantly reduces the risk of developing skin cancer, including melanoma, the deadliest form.
Premature aging defense: Sun exposure is a major contributor to wrinkles, fine lines, and age spots. Sunscreen helps combat these signs of aging by shielding your skin from collagen breakdown and elastin loss.
Even skin tone protection: Sun exposure can lead to hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone. Sunscreen helps maintain a more even complexion by preventing sun-induced dark spots.
Overall skin health: Sun damage weakens the skin's natural barrier function, making it more prone to irritation and dryness. Sunscreen helps maintain a healthy skin barrier, keeping your skin hydrated and resilient.
Wrapping up...
A thoroughly planned and well-performed cleansing routine will prepare facial skin for the effects of skincare products, allowing them to fully perform their nourishing and healing functions. It will also make your facial skin smooth and subtle, making your makeup foundation look flawless and primer last longer and look more natural on the skin.
Lots of love,
Liz
Liz
