I know that you do know how to wash your face. But do you wash your face properly? Now that’s where I come in, To tell you about all the stuff you need to know to understand more about your face products, the proper procedure and as well as the ‘technique’ you should follow.
Key Ingredients
Before moving onto ‘how’ we should first have an idea of why we are using a particular product and what is its specific ingredients.
So, let’s do a quick rundown:
- Salicylic Acid: It dissolves sebum but in excess, it can dry the skin out.
- Glycolic Acid: The acid removes dead skin cells and keeps the face looking toned. It also stimulates collagen production which gives it anti-aging properties.
- Glycerin: Sugar alcohol that acts as a lubricant to hydrate the skin. It’s essential for acne prevention.
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate: Unessential additive that creates foam for soaps and shampoos. It’s criticized as a cause of skin irritation.
- Propylene Glycol: Organic alcohol that keeps moisture in the skin to improve hydration.
These are typical components, But here some other ingredients to watch out for-
- Hyaluronic Acid: Produces anti-aging and healing properties. It’s actually already on your body with 50% of the total body HA content on the skin.
- Willow Bark Extract: Great for reducing inflammation.
- Niacinamide: Vitamin B3 – boosts skin elasticity, absorbs oil, and reduces skin shine as well as acne breakouts.
Now that we know all about the Ingredients. Next to look forward to is the proper technique:
1. Wash Your Hands to Wash your Face Properly
This is an important first step in men’s skincare. Neglecting to wash your hands prior to washing your face would negate the cleaning entirely.
According to various studies, there are around 3200 species of bacteria on our hands and not this amount keeps on building up. Avoid using hands on your face before washing them first.
Your hands should be clean before you wash your face. And To let you know, No, Face wash on itself doesn’t clean your hands.
2. Splash Your Face With Warm Water
Doctors believe that lukewarm water is the most effective at retaining skin hydration. Hot water is liable to deal more damage than it’s worth.
Remember Lukewarm water also opens your pores to take out dirt and oil buildup from your face.
Whereas Coldwater is counterintuitive as well – it seals the pores and makes cleaning less efficient.
3. Use The Right Amount Of Right Wash
The amount of wash you use in this next step should be no bigger than a nickel. Any smaller and it won’t be thorough but any more would simply be a waste of the product. Remember the amount you use to wash your face properly could be a determining factor for your skin health.
When it comes to men’s skincare, it’s also critical that you know what your skin type is and base your purchases on that. Here’s a little reference to put you on the right track:
Normal Skin
- Very few imperfections.
- Low sensitivity.
- Pores are barely visible.
For this skin type, use a cleanser that isn’t too harsh – you were born with great skin and you don’t require intense products.
Combination Skin
- Pores appear larger than normal because they’re naturally more open.
- Lots of blackheads.
- Shiny skin.
Use cleansers that are equal in cleaning and hydrating power.
Dry Skin
- Almost invisible pores.
- Red patches are common.
- Less elasticity in the skin.
- Visible lines on your face.
Stick with products that rely more on hydration – you need it.
Oily Skin
- Large pores.
- Your face looks shiny most of the time.
- You get frequent blackheads and pimples.
Try out products which are suited to penetrate and unclog pores. It’s important to seek out solutions that balance out oil production without leaving your face a dried wasteland.
4. Application Of The Product to Wash Face Properly
We know that to wash your face properly you first have to nail the application of the product. So now that you’ve got a nickel-sized dab of the cleanser, apply it evenly to your forehead, face, as well as going under the chin.
DO NOT SCRUB. Scrubbing only provokes skin irritation. Instead, go in circular motions for about 30-60 seconds.
Once you’ve applied it thoroughly, go ahead and rinse. Use warm water once again to keep those pores open for the next phase. Make sure to remove ALL traces of the cleanser as residue can lead to more excess dryness.
5. Exfoliate And Moisturize
Exfoliation is the process of eradication of dead skin cells that’s why exfoliating creams often have a gritty texture. It’s should be done twice a week. Since it’s a more intense cleansing method, doing it excessively is akin to scrubbing away at porcelain with a stainless steel rake.
Benefits:
- It removes dead skin cells.
- Lessens the chance of ingrown hairs.
- Gives a second cleanse.
- It helps clear your complexion through the removal of spots caused by irregularities in oil production.
- It helps get you a closer shave since there are no dead cells to block the blade.
