Your face always is exposed to the elements and, therefore, sees its share of dirt and other contaminants. Your face is also the most visible part of your body and an area about which you may be self-conscious if you suffer from imperfections and blemishes. Facial cleansing is an important part of your skin-care routine, but be careful not to overdo it. Cleanse your face sparingly with gentle ingredients.
Step 1
Determine your skin type in order to cleanse your face effectively without causing irritation. Your can figure out your skin type by assessing how your skin looks and feels during the course of a normal day. Skin that appears greasy and shiny is most likely oily; if your face feels tight and shows signs of flaking, you most likely have dry skin; sensitive skin becomes irritated easily; and you have combination skin if you have oily and dry sections scattered across your face.
Step 2
Wet your face with lukewarm water--water that's too hot can cause burns and dries out your skin. Wash your face in small, circular motions with a gentle, oil- and alcohol-free cleanser. A soft washcloth is fine for most skin types, but if your skin is especially sensitive or if you have an active acne breakout, use your fingers to avoid irritation, suggests KidsHealth from Nemours. Rinse with clear, cool water after cleansing.
Step 3
Avoid over-cleansing your face. Washing too much for your skin type can remove too much of your skin's natural oils, creating excessive dryness in some people, while causing others to produce more oil to replace the lost lubrication. The American Academy of Dermatology explains that people with sensitive or oily skin might need to wash their face only once daily too keep their skin clean and healthy. If you have dry skin, you can wash twice daily with a moisturizing cleanser to introduce moisture to your skin.
Step 4
Cleanse your oily, dry or combination skin by adding exfoliation to your regimen. Use a gentle facial scrub to lift away flaking skin, bacteria and oils that might be clogging your pores. The AAD suggests a once-weekly exfoliation schedule to avoid undue skin irritation. Skip exfoliation if you have sensitive skin; the abrasive nature of the cleanser might cause irritation.
Things You'll Need
- Oil-free cleansers
- Soft washcloth
- Facial scrub
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