a lesson in cleansing
You’re probably wondering how something so straightforward deserves its own post but hear me out. It only seems straightforward. This is a step a lot overlook by quickly splashing water on the face or using a makeup wipe and thinking that’s enough.
In truth, cleansing is the foundation in your skincare routine and preps the skin for everything you do afterwards. Taking the time to properly wash your face every night will ensure your products penetrate, prevent clogged pores and ensure you set yourself up for success. Let’s discuss exactly what the looks like (and what it doesn’t):
First, the worst cleansing bad habit of them all—the “I use a makeup wipe.” True, they remove some of your makeup, but they are definitely not removing all of it. Trust me when I say there is still makeup, dirt, sweat and other grime from your day left on your face after you use it and toss it. And even if you aren’t wearing makeup, a cleansing wipe still isn’t fully cleansing your skin. Relying solely on a makeup wipe to cleanse is lending to lot of buildup on the skin. This prevents any products you apply next from fully penetrating into the skin but more so, over time this buildup leads to clogged pores, breakouts and dull skin.
Moving on and also on the list of cleansing no no’s: washing with a super sudsy, foaming cleanser. More times than not, the main ingredients* in these types of cleansers (known as surfactants) are really harsh for the skin. Yes—they’ll give you a ‘squeaky clean’ feeling but in actuality, your skin feels like this because the cleanser stripped your skin of its natural oils. Ladies, fellas, everyone—you need those oils. It’s called sebum and it keeps the skin hydrated and supple. Worst, a drying cleanser like this used long term actually causes your skin to start producing more oil as it tries to compensate for the oil that’s being lost.
Another cleansing no-no involves the overuse of cleansing brushes (like your Clarisonic Mia for example). I am not opposed to cleansing brushes but they should not be used every time you wash your face. The cleansing brush itself is a form of exfoliation and if used daily is way too much exfoliation for the skin. Think: less is more. Stick to using your cleansing brush 2-3x/week for a deep cleanse and that’s it.
Enough about what not to do, let’s talk about what you should do!
+ DOUBLE CLEANSE, or in other words, wash your face twice! Think of the first wash as a cleanse to remove makeup, sweat, pollution, etc. and the second cleanse as a wash which actually ‘cleans’ the skin. Especially if you’re a makeup wearer, a double cleanse is so important as most makeup is not fully removed with just one cleanse. Remember, it all needs to come off so the products you apply next will be fully absorbed into the skin.
+ TO CLEANSE: apply a nickel to quarter size amount of product and massage in rapid, circular motions. Be gentle (you don’t need immense pressure or anything) but be thorough. Get your ears, behind the ears and scrub over the brows (a lot of dead skin builds up in the brows). Bring the cleanser up to your hairline, paying special attention to the sides of your nose and chin (blackhead prone areas). Do that once, then do it all again. There’s your double cleanse.
PRO TIP: I highly encourage you to include your neck and chest in your skincare routine as well. Think of this area as an extension of your face—it’s prone to aging same as your face and in 10 years, I promise you’ll be happy you included this area in your routine.
+ TO REMOVE EYE MAKEUP: try micellar water. I personally love this one as it’s meant for waterproof makeup and removes everything your cleanser didn’t get. Micellar water is great option for cleansing the delicate eye area.
+ SKIP THE MORNING CLEANSE. A double cleanse at night is all you really need assuming you regularly wash your sheets and pillowcase. Just from sleeping, your face isn’t going to be dirty when you wake up. In the morning only, splashing water on your face will suffice or use micellar water as a quick cleanse. I use this one.
+ USE A GENTLE CLEANSER and this includes all skin types. Remember—the purpose of a cleanser is to simply clean the skin so the products you apply next can properly penetrate the skin. A cleanser isn’t going to turn back the clock 10 years (that’s what a serum is for). On the flip side, this also means you don’t need to spend $$ buying some bougie cleanser—you’re literally washing it off and it goes down the drain.
and with that… here are some of my favorite cleansers:
+ DHC Deep Cleansing Oil (love this as a first cleanse in my routine)
+ Dermalogica PreCleanse (also love this as a first cleanse)
+ iS Clinical Cleansing Complex (my ride or die cleanser—it’s great for bremish-prone skin too yet gentle enough for even those with sensitive skin. In other words, it’s great for everyone lol)
+ Garnier Gentle Sulfate-free Cleanser (a drugstore favorite but also one that will always be in my rotation. It’s good, I promise you)
*for reference and if you’re into ingredients, hard pass on the following irritants commonly found cleansers: sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate, ammonium lauryl sulfate and ammonium laureth sulfate. They’re too harsh for the skin.