If like me you have decided to use lockdown to sport the more natural look and go make-up free then you may be thinking that you can relax your skincare regime and skip the cleansing step but this is not a good idea.
Whether or not you decide to wear make-up, cleansing is one of the most important steps in your skincare routine. Your skin is exposed to a lot throughout the day: dirt, oil, sweat, microbes (bacteria), pollutants and other debris and many of these impurities are not water soluble which means they will not be removed effectively by splashing your face with water alone. This is where cleansers come in, they help to remove these impurities as well as dead skin cells that have naturally shed leaving the skin clean and prepared for the next step in your skincare regime.
You now know you cannot forego cleansing at night but you may be thinking you can skip the morning cleanse right? Well it’s best not to as cleansing in the morning helps to remove dirt and bacteria that may have settled on your skin whilst you were sleeping. You also get to experience that lovely refreshed feeling after a morning cleanse which can help set you up for the day.
What happens if you skip the cleansing step?
Skipping the cleansing step will lead to a build up of impurities creating a barrier for your other skincare products so all the wonderful serums and moisturisers you slather on will be less effective. It may also cause your skin to breakout as well as become irritated and dull.
So you know the importance of cleansing but how do you actually do it?
- Firstly, take your chosen cleanser and apply it to damp skin.
- Gently massage the cleanser into your skin for a couple of minutes using circular motions with your fingertips, concentrate on areas such as the corners of your nose and hairline and don’t forget your neck and décolleté. Make sure you check your cleanser instructions before application as some cleansers cannot be used on the eye area!
- Remove your cleanser either by rinsing or with a damp face cloth/cotton pads and be sure to remove the product thoroughly.
- For a deeper cleanse incorporate a pre-cleanse step. This is a good idea if you wear heavier make-up and involves the use of an oil based pre-cleanser which gets to work to effectively remove make-up and sebum as well as other oil-based debris. This helps prepare your skin for a more thorough cleanse with your water based facial cleanser.
Happy cleansing!
– Katie, beauty therapist at Moreton Place Beauty & Wellbeing