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

Double facial cleansing: Who it is suitable for?

Suitable for all Skin types. This core product is very useful for anyone who wears heavy makeup.

 

How to perform double facial cleansing and which oil to use?

Apply the oil-based cleanser to the palm of your dry hand, then use your fingertips to gently massage it into the Skin of your dry face in circular motions for roughly 30 seconds, or until all of your makeup has fully dissolved.

Don’t use just any oil as an oily cleanser, but opt for an oil specially formulated for cleansing: it will contain an emulsifying agent that will let you more easily remove oil and makeup residue, creating a milky microemulsion.

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

Finally, rinse with lukewarm water and pat your Skin dry with a soft towel.

 

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

1. CLEANSE YOUR FACE EVERY EVENING

Cleansing your face before bed is an extremely important step for any beauty routine, and this applies even if you don’t wear makeup.

Throughout the day, dirt and pollution build up on the outermost skin layer. Sebum and makeup (if you wear makeup) are also added to this.

Do not leave this mixture of ingredients on; it can cause Skin irritation and lead to a greater buildup of impurities.

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

2. CLEANSE YOUR FACE EVERY MORNING

You might think that cleansing your Skin before bed is all you need to do.

That’s wrong! You need to cleanse your face in the morning too.

Overnight, our bodies produce sweat and excess sebum, so it is important to wash away this buildup to keep your Skin clean and looking fresh.

3. PAY ATTENTION TO WATER TEMPERATURE

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

For example, water that’s too hot can cause vasodilation and immediate redness.

This is especially problematic for anyone with sensitive or dry Skin, as their Skin is far more vulnerable. Additionally, heat can trigger rosacea flare-ups.

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

4. USE A CLEANSER MATCHED TO YOUR SKIN TYPE: DRY, OILY, OR COMBINATION?

When you’re looking for a facial cleanser, choose one that fits your Skin type.

Anyone with Dry skin should opt for cleansing oils or foaming cleansers that are gentle.

Anyone with Combination skin/oily skin can use a foaming cleanser.

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

Classic soap is made through the saponification reaction, where a base (e.g., caustic soda) reacts with a triglyceride (e.g., vegetable oil). This type of soap has the disadvantage of having a basic pH of 8/10, which is starkly different from the pH of the skin’s acid mantle, which ranges between 4/6. This can be harsh on the skin’s lipid structure and resident skin flora, leading to itching and irritation.

If you prefer to use a bar of soap, choose a Syndet bar. These are ready-to-use synthetic preparations where you can adjust the pH, making them gentler on the skin and hydrolipidic film.

6. DO NOT CLEANSE YOUR FACE TOO OFTEN

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. SPEND THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF TIME

Cleansing your face in a split second does nothing.

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

8. DO NOT RUB OR OVERSOAP

It’s tempting to chase that feeling of clean, purified Skin, and I’m sure you might sometimes make the mistake of scrubbing too hard or over-lathering your cleanser.

Doing this will not make your cleansing more effective; instead, it could be harsh.

9. DO NOT USE A SCRUB CLEANSER EVERY DAY

Let’s make an effort to 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 exfoliating action, use them as a scrub a couple of times a week, not every day.

10. MAKEUP REMOVAL WIPES ONLY IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

Makeup removal wipes are not effective at either thoroughly removing makeup or cleansing your face.

I recommend only using them only in emergency situations, then cleansing your face afterward. Wipes alone are not enough.

If you have a bit of extra time, we recommend taking care of your face with the double facial cleansing.

 

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

A tip you have heard many times (and that you have also read earlier in this article if you paid attention) is that you should never, ever, ever go to sleep without removing your makeup. But why is cleansing before bedWhy is this so important? Simple: over the course of a day, our Skin comes into contact with countless environmental pollutants, germs, and—especially if you live in a city—smog, which all settle on the skin to form a layer of grime. Add to that any makeup you wear: foundation, powder, eyeshadow, and other products enhance your appearance, but they prevent your Skin from breathing. If you don’t take the time to cleanse your face before bed, this layer of makeup and impurities has plenty of time to settle in and clog your Skin’s pores, leading to blackheads, breakouts, and a dull, lifeless complexion.

To avoid all of this, it is really important to cleanse your face every evening before bed (and also in the morning, as we covered above): this way you can ensure you keep your Skin always bright, healthy, and free of impurities.

 

Facial cleansing for men: how does it differ from women’s facial cleansing?

Many people assume cosmetic products work the same way for male and female Skin, but this couldn’t be further from the truth: a man’s facial Skin is up to 20% thicker than a woman’s, making it less sensitive to environmental pollutants, but it is also far oilier, since testosterone and collagen trigger higher sebum production and larger hair follicles. For this reason, male Skin is more prone to buildup of impurities. Additionally, daily shaving often leaves some areas of the face drier than others. For all these reasons, and the unique needs of the face both before and after shaving, men’s facial Skin requires specific cosmetic products for men. This does not mean men’s skincare routines are drastically different from women’s: aside from products specifically made for shaving, the core items are the same, but it is recommended to purchase and use cosmetics formulated specifically for male users, to ensure these physiological differences are accounted for, and your Skin is nourished, hydrated, and kept as healthy as it should be.

 

What skincare products should men use?

In particular, men’s skincare should include:

• a facial cleanser for men, that meets the specific needs of your Skin type;
• a gentle, hydrating shaving cream or shaving foam;
• an alcohol-free aftershave that does not worsen your Skin’s condition after shaving;
• a men’s moisturizer that keeps your Skin in optimal condition, protected, and helps replenish hydration after shaving.