10 Rules for Proper Facial Cleansing: All the Steps and Ideal Products

Double facial cleansing: who is it suitable for

All skin types. Basically, it is very useful for those who choose heavy makeup.

 

How do you do double cleansing and which oil should you use?

Apply the cleansing oil to the palm of your dry hand and use your fingers to gently massage it onto dry facial skin in circular motions for about 30 seconds, or until you have dissolved all the makeup.

Do not use just any oil as a cleansing oil; instead, choose an oil formulated specifically for cleansing: it will contain an emulsifying ingredient that will make it easier to remove oil and makeup residue by creating a milky microemulsion.

Then wet your face, apply the foaming cleanser, and massage in circular motions.

Finally, rinse with lukewarm water and dry the skin with a soft towel.

 

How to cleanse your face: all the steps of the daily routine

1. CLEANSE YOUR FACE EVERY EVENING

Cleansing your face before going to bed is an essential step in any beauty routine, and it matters even if you do not wear makeup.

During the day, dirt and pollution build up on the outermost layer of the skin. On top of that, sebum and makeup are added if we wear makeup.

Not removing this mix of substances can cause skin irritation and a greater presence of impurities.

For those who wear makeup: I recommend removing makeup first with a makeup remover and then cleansing with a gentle foaming cleanser.

2. AND EVERY MORNING

You might think that cleansing your skin before going to bed is all you need.

Wrong! You also need to cleanse your face in the morning.

During the night we accumulate sweat and sebum, so it is advisable to remove this buildup to get clean skin with a fresher appearance.

3. PAY ATTENTION TO THE WATER TEMPERATURE

Extreme temperatures, whether hot or cold, can cause unpleasant irritation.

For example, very hot water can cause vasodilation with immediate redness.

This is especially a problem for those with sensitive or dry skin, since the skin is more vulnerable. In addition, heat can be a trigger for rosacea.

It goes without saying that you should use lukewarm water to wash your face.

4. USE A CLEANSER SUITABLE FOR YOUR SKIN TYPE: DRY, OILY OR COMBINATION?

When you look for a face cleanser, choose it according to your skin type.

Those with dry skin should opt for cleansing oils or foaming cleansers that are still gentle.

Those with combination/oily skin can use a foaming cleanser.

5. IF YOU WANT TO USE A BAR OF SOAP, CHOOSE A SYNDET

Classic soap is obtained through the saponification reaction, in which a base (e.g. caustic soda) reacts with a triglyceride (e.g. vegetable oil). This type of soap has the disadvantage of having an alkaline pH of 8/10, which is in clear contrast to the pH of the skin barrier, which is between 4/6. This could be aggressive toward the skin’s lipid structure and resident skin flora, leading to itching and irritation.

If you want to use a bar of soap, choose a “Syndet” bar. These are synthetic, ready-to-use products in which the pH can be adjusted, making them less harsh on the skin and the hydrolipidic film.

6. DO NOT OVERDO THE FREQUENCY

It is recommended to wash your face twice a day: once in the morning and once in the evening.

If you exercise, rinse your face after your workout as well.

7. GIVE IT THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF TIME

Cleansing your face in a nanosecond is pointless.

My advice is to wet your face, apply the right amount of cleanser, and massage in circular motions for about 20-30 seconds with your fingertips, then rinse.

8. DO NOT RUB AND DO NOT LATHER TOO MUCH

It is tempting to enjoy the feeling of clean, purified skin, and I imagine that sometimes you might make the mistake of rubbing too much or lathering too much.

Doing so does not make it more effective; on the contrary, it could be harsh.

9. DO NOT USE AN EXFOLIATING CLEANSER EVERY DAY

Let’s respect our skin and treat it gently.

Although there are cleansers formulated with exfoliating beads, I do not recommend using them every day.

If you like their action, use them as a scrub a couple of times a week, but not every day.

10. MAKEUP REMOVER WIPES ONLY IN AN EMERGENCY

Wipes for removing makeup are not effective for either removing makeup thoroughly or cleansing.

I recommend considering them only in emergencies and then still cleansing your face afterward. Wipes alone are not enough.

If you have a little more time, we recommend taking care of your face with double cleansing.

 

Why it is important to cleanse your face and not go to bed without doing it

A tip you will have heard many times (and that you may also have read earlier in the article if you were paying attention) is never, ever, ever to go to sleep without removing your makeup. But why is cleansing before sleep so important? Simple: during the day our skin comes into contact with a large amount of environmental agents, germs and, especially if we live in the city, smog, which settle on the skin and create a layer of impurities. To these we must add makeup if we use it: foundation, powders, eyeshadows and other products make us look more beautiful, but they do not let the skin breathe. If we do not take care to cleanse our face before going to sleep, this layer of makeup and impurities has plenty of time to settle in and clog the skin’s pores, causing blackheads, pimples, and ultimately dulling the complexion.

To avoid all this, it is really important to cleanse your face every evening before going to bed (and also in the morning, as we saw above): this way you can make sure to keep your skin always radiant and healthy, free of impurities.

 

Facial cleansing for men: what is the difference compared with women’s

Many people think that cosmetic products work in the same way regardless of whether the skin is male or female, but nothing could be further from the truth: men’s facial skin is up to 20% thicker than women’s, making it less sensitive to environmental agents, but it is also much oilier because testosterone and collagen cause greater sebum production and more dilated hair follicles. For this reason, male skin tends to suffer more from the buildup of impurities. In addition, due to daily shaving, it generally tends to be drier in some areas. For all these reasons, and also because of the specific nature of the face before and after shaving, men’s facial skin needs specific cosmetic products for men. This does not mean that men need routines that are particularly different from women’s: apart from those specific to shaving, the products are the same, but it is recommended to buy and use cosmetics created specifically for a male audience, so as to ensure that physiological differences are taken into account and the skin is nourished, hydrated, and kept healthy as it should be.

 

Which products should men use in their skincare

In particular, men’s skincare should include:

• a face cleanser for men, that respects the specific characteristics of the skin type;
• a shaving cream or shaving foam that is gentle and moisturizing;
• an alcohol-free aftershave that does not worsen the skin’s condition after shaving;
• a moisturizer for men, which keeps the skin in optimal condition, protected, and also helps restore hydration after shaving.