So you religiously cleanse your skin, but it never feels totally clean or clear? Follow the advice below to ensure you’re getting the most out of your cleanser.
Cleansing your skin is one of the most important things you can do for its overall health and clarity. A variety of different kinds of debris build up on your skin over the course of a day or night and if your skin isn’t clean, well, the rest of your routine is just a waste of time.
However, even the best cleanser won’t get the job done if you aren’t using it correctly. Below, we outline some of the common mistakes people make when cleansing that may be keeping you from getting your best skin ever.
Mistake: You’re not using an oil cleanser.
Your skin gets clogged up with two different types of debris: Oil-based impurities (sunscreen, makeup, and sebum) and water-based impurities (dirt and sweat). Oil – not water – best breaks down the latter impurities (Remember science class? Like dissolves like). If sunscreen or makeup isn’t effectively removed from your skin, it’s a recipe for breakouts. This is why it’s crucial that you use a dedicated cleanser to remove it. The Banila Co Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm Original is a perfect starter oil cleanser.
Mistake: You’re applying oil cleanser on wet or damp skin.
Oil cleansers should be applied onto dry, not wet skin. Massage it into skin to remove impurities and then dampen your fingers with water to emulsify the formula (most oil cleanser formulas contain emulsifiers so they won’t leave an oily residue on your face). When it’s emulsified, it will turn into a milky consistency that is easily rinsed off. If you emulsify the formula with water too soon, you won’t thoroughly remove the oil-based impurities.
Mistake: You’re using a raw or natural oil on your face.
The natural beauty world has hyped up the use of things like coconut oil and olive oil as a stand-in for a proper oil cleanser and these ingredients can work for some, however using a product formulated for cooking and not your skin might not yield the best results. First, they can have preservatives or additives that are not great for your skin, plus, they won’t have emulsifiers in them to ensure they rinse off your face, meaning your skin will be left with a thin film of oil that can clog pores and cause breakouts, not to mention make you feel greasy.
Mistake: You’re not washing your hands before cleansing.
It’s so important to wash your hands right before you cleanse to make sure you aren’t transferring new dirt, bacteria, and the like to your face as you’re trying to remove impurities. Plus, it ensures your hands are clean for the rest of your routine. On a related note, if you use a washcloth when cleansing or a towel to dry your face afterwards, you should also make sure these are clean.
Mistake: You’re not cleansing long enough.
We’ve all been there – rushing through our routine when we’re running late in the morning or can’t wait to get to bed. It’s easy to shorten – or skip altogether! – your cleansing step. Especially if you’re oil cleansing, this is bad news; it often takes a bit of massaging to remove all the makeup, SPF, and other oil-based impurities. We recommend cleansing (with each type of cleanser) for at least 20 seconds before moving on to your next step.
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