How to Wash Your Face: The Importance of a Skin Care Routine

If you asked most people, “Do you know how to wash your face?” they’d probably laugh at you. However, millions of people actually don’t have any kind of skin care routine. In fact,many of these people simply splash on some water or use the same bar of soap for their face that they use for their body. Neither approach is actually a good method for washing your face. If you really want to protect yourself, you’ve got to establish a healthy, comprehensive skin care routine.

Why is knowing how to wash your face so important? Your skin acts as a barrier to the elements and protects you from infection. Skin that is moist and healthy provides you with a strong defense against damaging exterior conditions, so it’s in your best interests to care for it well. When you don’t wash with an appropriate cleanser or neglect to moisturize your skin, it becomes susceptible to dryness and cracking. That means itchiness, redness, irritation and better odds for developing an infection. A good skin care routine can prevent or eliminate these problems.

It’s Easier Than You Think…

Finding out how to wash your face doesn’t mean taking on a complicated routine. You’ll probably be surprised at just how simple yet nourishing and effective a skin care routine can be. Aside from establishing a regimen that you stick to, the most important component of your skin care routine is the products you use. Be certain to ask your dermatologist for some recommendations during your next appointment. This can be the best method for discovering skin care products that work for your unique skin.

Find the Right Products For Your Skin Type!

Before choosing products it’s important to understand what kind of skin you have. Facial skin is usually categorized as oily, dry, combination, normal or sensitive. You may have oily skin if your pores are enlarged and your complexion tends to be shiny. Pimples and blackheads are other indicators of oily skin. A person with dry skin battles lines that are more visible and reduced elasticity. Dry skin is prone to roughness, flakiness and red patches. You may fall somewhere in between the two if you have combination skin. This usually means oiliness in the T-zone but dryness elsewhere. Normal skin features a good overall balance and doesn’t typically require any special treatment. However, if you find that your skin frequently reacts to products with itchiness, burning and redness, you may have sensitive skin and will have to be very careful about the products you choose. It may be helpful to discuss your skin type with your dermatologist to get a better idea of which skin care products are right for you.

Regardless of what kind of skin you may have washing your face is the first step in any skin care routine. Using a harsh soap is never a good idea as this leads to dryness and irritation. Similarly, just splashing water on your face really isn’t the right approach because it doesn’t get rid of debris, oil and dirt that may have accumulated on your skin. A gentle cleanser that’s formulated for your skin type is the best bet. This will leave your skin feeling clean and refreshed. Moreover, it adequately prepares your skin to receive any type of correcting or preventing treatments that may be necessary.

Even if you have very oily skin it makes sense to avoid washing your face more than twice per day. Wash it any more than that and you’ll push your sebaceous glands to work overtime which may lead to more oil production or might even dry your skin out to an unhealthy degree.

Toner is Important too!

A toner can also be an important part of your skin care routine. After washing your face use a cotton ball or other soft applicator to swipe a toner over your face and neck. The toner gets rid of any lingering traces of makeup and may also help you achieve softer, smoother skin. Some toners even include ingredients that repair and hydrate skin. This helps reduce redness and irritation. Some formulas also help minimize oil production so you may see less shine after a few days or weeks of use.

It’s Never too Late to Exfoliate!

Exfoliation can also play a role in maintaining healthy skin. While it doesn’t have to happen every time you wash your face, exfoliating two or three times a week is a great method for removing dead skin cells and allowing new skin to take center stage. Mild sun damage, acne and oily skin may all be helped through regular exfoliation because it unplugs clogged pores and gives skin a brighter appearance.

Acne Prone Skin or Other Skin Issues

If your skin is acne prone, you may want to apply an acne treatment next. This treatment may be prescribed by your dermatologist or may be an over-the-counter remedy that contains benzoyl peroxide. Be certain to ask your dermatologist which treatment is right for you on your next visit.

If you’re not dealing with acne but have other skin care concerns, you’ll want to apply the treatment after the toner or after the exfoliation. For instance, people who are dealing with brown spots and other discolorations may want to use their skin lightening treatment at this point. This is also the time to use any anti-aging or anti-wrinkle serums. These are typically applied morning and evening. Antioxidants in these serums protect your skin from the damaging effects of the environment and leave your skin feeling smoother and looking younger.

Moisturize Me!

The final step in a common skin care routine is moisturizing. You may use a different moisturizing product depending upon whether you apply it in the morning or the evening. Daytime moisturizers need to include sunscreen no matter the season. Wrinkles and brown spots are just two of the indicators that your skin has been damaged by the sun. Use a daily moisturizer with sunscreen to stop UV damage in its tracks. At night sunscreen is not as important. You can certainly use the same sunscreen moisturizer that you use during the day, but some people prefer a richer, creamier formula that helps combat the signs of aging while they sleep. If you have acne or sensitivity issues, you may want to consult with a dermatologist about which moisturizers are less likely to cause irritation or other issues.

Something is Better than Nothing

If your skin doesn’t have a lot of issues or if you are in a hurry, your skin care routine can be accomplished in five minutes or less. You only need to cleanse, use toner and then apply the right moisturizer. If you have more time or want to correct a few skin concerns, then adding in an exfoliant and a treatment will only take another minute or so.

It’s rare to immediately find the right products for your skin care routine. In fact, a bit of trial and error is expected and is probably a very good thing. Otherwise you might never discover that one product that can take your skin from good to fantastic. Ask your dermatologist for some skin care product recommendations to get started, and don’t get frustrated if you don’t find the perfect formulations right away. Your skin is worth taking care of so it’s worth taking the time to get your skin care routine down to a science.