WHAT'S THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF SKIN CLEANSING FOR YOU, ACCORDING TO YOUR SKIN TYPE?

Hi, babes! Emma here, and today I'd like to finally answer the age-old question: what's the appropriate amount of facial cleansing one should be doing on a daily basis? 

If you're anything like me, I'm inclined to wager that washing your face is as simple and mindless for you as brushing your teeth or applying deodorant. You probably don't give it much consideration, but you undoubtedly do it every day: am I right or am I right?

And look, there is absolutely no shame in that. It is a mundane task at the end of the day, no matter how good your cleanser smells. However, cleaning your face - and how you do it - is an essential aspect of your skincare routine. It does demand a little more focused attention, especially when it comes to when and how you're performing it. Cleansing can essentially build the groundwork for the rest of the skincare routine and typically position you for success.

So: How Often Should You Wash Your Face?

First, let's address the million pound question: Should I wash my face twice daily? According to some professionals, the answer is an unequivocal yes. 

You ought to wash your face twice daily. Cleansing in the morning eliminates any extra oils produced by your skin as well as leftovers from your evening skincare routine. You wash off all the makeup, oil, and debris that have accumulated on your skin throughout the day in the evening, leaving it clean and ready for your evening skincare routine. The only time you can add a third time is if you exercise during the day and need to take off sweat, makeup, or sunscreen.

And here's the thing: Regardless of your particular skin type, everything of the above still holds true. Most specialists say that almost everyone can and should wash their faces twice a day; the only thing that needs to change is the cleanser. In essence, frequency is the same. What you use to clean your skin and what you apply thereafter are far more important. To that end, the following additional details are provided for three different skin types:

Oily/Acne-Prone

According to experts, foamy or gel cleansers, which can most efficiently cut through the dirt and oil on the skin's surface and inside the pores, are preferable for those with these skin types.

For certain skin types, these formulations are typically tolerated well enough to be used twice daily. But if the cleanser has an active component, like salicylic acid, you might only want to use it once daily and use a milder cleanser for your second wash.

Combination

As this skin type is fairly finicky, it could take a little trial and error to find your optimum cleansing regimen. Dermatologists typically advise people with combination skin to alternate between a gel and a cream cleanser because their skin may change seasonally or even day to day. Use the gel cleanser at night (when there is more gunk to remove) and the cream cleanser in the morning to see how your skin responds.

Dry/Sensitive

If your skin is dry, sensitive, or both, the same rule applies (more often than not the two go hand-in-hand). You should use mild, creamy, soap-free cleansers for both morning and evening cleaning. Having said that, you can also use micellar water in place of a conventional cleanser in the morning. While still cleansing the skin and removing oil and impurities, micellar water does so extremely delicately.

A word of caution: Overwashing and Underwashing

Experts warn against over-washing your face as it may remove its natural oils, weaken the skin barrier, and result in dry skin. Moreover, excessive cleansing might actually cause even more sebum production if you have oily skin or are struggling with acne since sebum production is dependent on a supply-and-demand system.

When you remove the skin's natural oils, the body produces more to compensate, creating a vicious cycle. A clue that you've washed too much (or with the wrong product)? Skin that feels 'squeaky' clean or tight.

On the other hand, as most of us are aware, not cleansing enough can result in clogged pores, a dull complexion, and acne. Plus, improperly washed skin won't be able to absorb the skincare's active ingredients, which will instead end up sitting on the skin's surface where you won't benefit from them.

It’s important to find balance and listen to your skin.

So, I hope this clears it all up for you, babes! Will you be taking this advice to heart or continue your routine as you have done so in the past? Let me know in the comments!

Bye for now!

Love, 

Emma 

xoxo