Are You Making these Face Washing Mistakes?
We’re all aware of the basics in skincare: washing our face morning and night, removing every last trace of makeup before hitting the sheets, and slathering SPF 30 on our skin before leaving the house. But if your skin still looks meh, it’s time to take a closer look at your face washing methods.
Believe it or not, there is a right and wrong way to wash your face. Avoid these common cleansing mistakes for clearer, brighter, dewier skin.
- Using the wrong products
Choosing the right cleanser for your skin type can make a drastic difference to the appearance of your skin. Using the wrong products can cause redness and irritation, not to mention hindering their efficiency. It’s best to determine your skin type and select a cleanser suited to it.
For instance, let’s say you have dry skin. Because your skin seeks moisture, you should be looking for a hydrating, creamy cleanser that won’t dry out your skin. Those with oily or acne-prone skin would be best with a targeted cleanser that detoxifies without stripping the skin of its natural oils.
Truly’s Super Matcha Facial Cleanser is suitable for all skin types. Aloe-based with a blend of rose, green tea, and lavender, it’s soothing, hydrating and effective for clearing out blemishes.
- Skipping the morning cleanse
Maybe you’re diligent about washing your face before you snooze, but not so much in the a.m.? No matter how much motivation it takes, always make time for a.m. facial cleansing – it matters, a lot.
“You're getting rid of the natural oils that have built-up overnight, as well as any residue from products you applied before bed,” explains celebrity esthetician Renée Rouleau.
Cleansing your skin in the morning also gives you a fresh palate for whatever products you use like sunscreen, making them penetrate more effectively and work better.
- Not using a washcloth
Incorporating a washcloth into your skincare routine can create major changes for your skin. While you don’t need to wash your face with a washcloth to maintain clear and healthy skin, using one will provide a deeper cleanse and allow skincare products to work more effectively.
It’s basically a form of exfoliation, sloughing away dead skin cells and removing dirt and grime. It’s also great for removing makeup.
You should know that in order to reap the benefits of a washcloth, you need to choose a soft one that won’t irritate your skin. It’s also important to keep your washcloths clean. In other words, don’t use the same one longer than 2-3 days before throwing it in the laundry. Damp washcloths are breeding grounds for bacteria and can actually worsen acne, so try to use a fresh one whenever possible.
Try Truly’s Pour le Visage Face Towel. It’s gentle on the skin, yet powerful enough to clear away dirt, oil bacteria, and leftover makeup.
- Rinsing with hot water
As nice as it feels to wash in hot water, the results aren’t so nice. See, heat dilates the capillaries and blood vessels in the skin, leaving you with a flushed appearance. It’s especially worse if you have a condition like rosacea. What’s more, hot water depletes your skin’s moisture supply, causing it to produce more oil in a bid to combat dryness.
To prevent this from happening, rinse your face with lukewarm water instead. And finish up with a splash of cold water to close your pores and keep gunk out.
- Over exfoliating
Exfoliating is great for the skin – in small doses. It gets rid of dead skin cells and enables product to work harder. Too frequent exfoliation, however, can cause redness and irritation. And if you use a scrub that contains rough particles, you could create microscopic tears in the skin.
“It takes two weeks for cells to make their way from the base of the skin to the surface, and another week or two to accumulate and make skin start to look dull,” says Joshua Zeichner, M.D.
For optimum results, aim to exfoliate no more than twice a week. That is more than enough to keep dead skin cells away without leaving your skin feeling tight and irritated.
Choose Truly’s delicate, antioxidant-loaded Matcha Scrub to maintain smooth, glowing skin. Thanks to its blend of natural sugar and Dead Sea Salt granules, this facial scrub delivers gentle exfoliation without being too abrasive.
- Applying product incorrectly
Different products need to be applied differently. For example, make sure you apply cleansing lotion on dry skin, then massage it in for a few seconds before rinsing. This gives it a chance to breakdown the oils on your skin, ensuring all grime, dirt and makeup is fully removed.
Gels or foams, on the other hand, should go onto wet skin to prevent them from drying out your complexion. For a face wash formulated to target acne, leave it on the skin for 1-2 minutes before washing it off, to ensure its active ingredients do their job.
- Not following up with a moisturizer
Do you leave your skin bare after washing your face? It’s time to change that habit. Once you’ve cleansed your skin, always remember to apply a serum or moisturizer to lock in moisture and keep your skin hydrated throughout the day.
Water strips the skin of moisture, which is why it’s important to immediately follow up with a hydrating product like face cream or serum to lock in water and prevent dryness.
Finish your skincare routine with several drops of Truly’s Mary Jane Glow Serum. Made with CBD, glycolic acid, and vitamin A, this formula delivers powerful antioxidants and essential hydration for a bright and dewy finish.
- Not staying consistent
Skincare is a lot like exercise. If you want to maintain positive results, you need to stick to a routine. No matter how lazy you feel, always try to muster up the motivation to wash your face before going to bed – and make sure your makeup never goes to sleep with you.
“You should approach skincare as you would gearing up for a marathon. If you aren’t training consistently, you aren’t going to finish,” say Dr. Jeanine Downie, a New York City-based dermatologist. “If you aren’t committed to your skincare routine, you won’t see the results that you want.”
