If you’re anything like me, you probably come home after a busy day feeling very keen for a face wash.
That grimy feeling is amplified if I’ve been wearing a full face of make-up.
But while face washing is a key skin care step (for your sanity as much as your skin health), the technique and frequency of it may actually be causing some of your skin care problems.
How, you ask? Well, speaking to Huffington Post Style, Miami-based dermatologist Barry Resnik says the worst thing you can do is try to get “squeaky clean skin.”
The fact is, that ‘dirty’ oil on your skin is there for a reason – to soften and protect it.
Which is why you shouldn’t be scrubbing every last bit of it away whenever you wash your face.
“Our skin will replenish the oil, but the ongoing assault of washing will yield only reddened, irritated skin,” Resnik says.
(Not this bad, but you get the idea)
“This will also make it harder for our repair processes to replace collagen and keep us looking good,” he says.
“Tired, irritated skin with lots of lines is not a great end point!”
We couldn’t agree more, Barry!
But how can you make sure you still get an adequate cleanse, without stripping your skin?
Resnik suggests washing your face either at the beginning or end of the day (not both).
He also recommends using a soapless cleanser (particularly if you have sensitive skin).
Finally, I would also suggest trying to alter your idea of what constitutes a ‘clean’ face.
That ever-so-slightly greasy feeling is a good thing, beauties!
Here are some of our favourite soap-free cleansers to get you started:
- DermaVeen Extra Gentle Soap Free Wash
- Nourish Naturals™ Soap Free Wash
- NUXE Lait Demaquillant Confort
- Dermal Therapy™ Gentle Hydrating Wash
- QV Face Gentle Foaming Cleanser
- Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser
Are you guilty of washing your face too aggressively? What’s your go-to gentle cleanser?
