Cleansing Mistakes You Might Be Making (And How To Fix Them)

Even as little kids, we were made to learn importance of washing our faces, and as teens and throughout adulthood it becomes something we do by rote as the start of our skincare routines/ As much as we do it, though, cleansing can easily becomes a throw-away step, one that is done without much thought and that is rushed through in order to get to the more heavy-hitting actives or luxurious moisturizing steps that really make doing one's skincare feel like a spa treatment at home. Yet, the importance of cleansing cannot be overstated, and making sure your cleansing ritual is done effectively and with the right products for your skin turns the act of simply washing your face into a spa-like treat all its own and with profound results to show for it, Here's a a list of three common mistakes made during the cleansing process and the ways to remedy them that can make all the difference.

Mistake #1: Not Double Cleansing (And Thoroughly Remove Makeup): Double cleansing has been a much talked-about phenomena for an evening skincare regime over the last handful of years on social media and in beauty journalism, but it is still true that double cleansing seems like an extra and therefore a not always necessary step. However, double cleansing is absolutely essential to making sure your pores are clean of all the hardened or excess oils, bacteria, and environmental debris your skin has encountered during the day as well as all traces of makeup and SPF before even that. A simple once-over is not apt to take care of all of that, especially when we consider the fact that makeup is meant to bind to the skin and often contains silicones and other binding agents that help it last on the skin, making them reluctant to move in the first place. In fact, many dermatologists suggest to further subdivide your evening cleansing routine into a makeup removal and then a double cleanse after that to ensure that, first, the makeup is superficially removed, then that any makeup that has settled further into the pores or may still be hanging around. Then after that, you can begin the work of cleansing your actual skin, knowing that you can have the cleansing agents in your cleanser get down as far into your pores as they can and really having them help clear out the skin and prep it for all other active and reparative products you follow up with.

Mistake #2: Rushing the Process: Whether you' plan to do a one or several cleanses at any given time, it can be easy to just whisk your cleanser around your face haphazardly, splash your face in the sink, and be done. But this is not going to do much but swipe the makeup and dirt around your face and leave your pores begging for more attention. It is better to spend at least 60 seconds per each stage of the cleansing process, be that makeup removal or a single-step morning cleanse. Adhering to this amount of time makes sure that not only your face gets thoroughly cleaned but it also encourages blood flow to be worked up in the skin, driving nutrients deeper into the pores for more of a glow and a faster-healing, more resilient, and more even-toned complexion. Doing these 60 second massages (or for longer when you have the time) also helps to tone and relax the muscles within the face, helping to have a fresher appearance in the short term and stave off wrinkles in the long-term. You can read more, and find a link to one of the many tutorial videos I love, about facial massages in my article here. Also, for even more info on the 60 second rule for cleansing itself and many other cool, easy, and professional skincare tips like it, check out the Instagram feed, Twitter, and YouTube Channel LaBeautyologist. On her platforms, certified esthetician Nayamka Roberts Smith shares all about how to make the most of your skin and skincare with her real world, trained approach. She has quickly become one of my favorite people to follow. You can watch her video regarding the 60 second rule here.

Mistake #3: Using the Wrong Kinds of Oils/Oil Ingredients In Your Cleansers: The use of oils in cleansing products or of oils AS cleansers has been a practice throughout history and one that has gained a lot more prominence in the beauty world over the last decade. Oils such as olive oil, almond oil, grapeseed and others, even from the bottle in your kitchen cabinet, can be excellent at pulling out excess sebum from the face to unclog pores and are also masters at breaking down and dissolving makeup and sunscreens.

However, not all oils that are great for cleansing well will perform as effectively on everyone's skin. What separates oils from one another is their concentration of oleic acid vs the concentration of linoleic acid, and the same is true for the oil produced by our own skin. Genera;;y speaking, those with oilier skin have a greater concentration of oleic acid in their skin whereas those with dry skin have more linoleic acid. To find your best oil cleanser or choose a cleanser that has the best ingredients to keep your skin clean and balanced, you need to look for ingredients that have the OPPOSITE concentration of what your skin naturally has so that the opposing acids will extract and excess oil and plugs will be lifted from your face. Oils that have high concentration of linoleic acid and, therefore, are good for oily skin types include evening primrose oil. black cumin seed oil, maracuja oil, and apricot seed oil. Drier skin types, on the other hand, benefit from oils high in oleic acid, including argan oil, olive oil, and avocado oil. Having a cleanser dominant in oils appropriate for your skin type really helps them to clean deeply and effectively and also in many cases makes the texture more pleasant to use, massage, and rinse off.

Regarding removal of oil cleansers or straight oils used as cleansers, it is true that MOST oil CLEANSERS will emulsify (turn white and milky when mixed with water and can be rinsed of, but straight oils or cleansers not containing an emulsifier will need to be removed with a hot cloth at the end of your cleansing session.

Washing one's face may be a repeated act, but that does not mean it should not be done and with a feeling of fun and indulgence. I hope these tips will help you find new life and make the most of your cleansing routine for life! And for additional guidance on how to choose your perfect cleanser, check out this article here. Happy cleansing!