3 minute read
It’s become common knowledge that you should be washing your face twice a day. Once in the morning and once at night. Whether you are a skincare pro or just getting started, here are 5 common mistakes people make when cleansing their faces.
Water Temperature. Growing up we were taught that hot water opened up your pores, that’s a myth. Your pores don’t open and close depending on the temperature. Warmer water can help loosen up the dirt and grime in your pores which can help get a deeper clean, but pore size is genetically determined and cannot physically change. Unfortunately, hot water dries your skin and can cause you to be more likely to breakout.
Towel Habit. You should have a separate towel for your face and the rest of your body to keep bacteria from spreading from your body to your face. I’m certainly guilty of rubbing my face while drying it until I learned the proper way is to pat dry. Rubbing can cause a loss of elasticity and aids in the formation of dark spots around the eyes.
Not washing your hands before washing your face. You are told all the time not to touch your face unless you have just washed your hands, so why would washing your face be any different. Hands are often touching keyboards, phones, et cetera, and the bacteria and chemicals on these surfaces can lead to skin and eye irritation or infection, especially in people who are prone to eczema.
Face wipes do not cleanse your face. The chemicals in face wipes can be drying and can strip the skin of its natural oils. If used regularly, it can lead to dryness, sensitivity, irritation, and clogged pores. Wipes have come a long way, but they still are not equal to cleansers and water.
Over exfoliating. Over exfoliating has become a common problem. People can do this by mixing physical exfoliators and chemical ones. This can cause breakouts, sensitivity, redness, inflammation, burning, or peeling. You only need to be exfoliating two to three times a week.
Cleansing your face is the first step in any skincare routine, a very important one at that. While there isn’t a one-size-fits-all when it comes to skincare, making sure that you avoid these five mistakes will set you up for a more successful routine. A few simple changes can make the world of difference in your results!
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