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Do you want to know the secret to having a bright, healthy, and youthful face? Washing your face daily is a simple way to keep your skin clean, but it’s crucial to wash it correctly so your skin doesn’t become dry or irritated. Whether you have acne-prone, dry, or sensitive skin, it’s important to learn how to wash your face based on your skin type.
Steps to Follow
Wash Your Face Daily
Wet your face with warm water. Tie your hair back and dampen your face with warm water. Avoid using hot or cold water, as it can damage your skin. Warm water cleanses gently and won’t cause irritation. You can either splash water onto your face with your hands or use a dampened towel to wet your skin. Wetting your face before applying facial cleanser helps spread the cleanser evenly and prevents overuse.
Choose a suitable facial cleanser. Use an appropriate amount for your skin type. Gently massage it in circular motions across your face. Dab a little cleanser onto each section, then continue massaging in circles for about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Avoid using hand soap or body soap, as the skin on your face is more sensitive than other parts of your body, and strong soaps may cause dryness or redness. If you're wearing makeup, remove it first, especially around the eyes. Pure coconut oil is a fantastic natural makeup remover.
Diana Yerkes
Skin Care Expert
Skin Care Expert
Expert Tip: If you have oily skin, use a gentle cream cleanser. Avoid gel-based or foaming cleansers. After washing your face, if your skin feels tight like suede, it’s a sign that you’ve stripped away too much natural oil, causing your skin to produce even more oil to compensate for the loss.
Gently exfoliate your skin. Exfoliation is the gentle process of rubbing the skin to remove dirt and dead cells. Exfoliating every few days helps keep your pores clear and your skin looking brighter. Use an exfoliating scrub or washcloth to rub your face in circular motions, focusing on dry or oily areas. Don’t exfoliate too often or too vigorously, as it may irritate your skin. Only exfoliate a few times per week, and skip this step on days when you don’t need it. You can easily make your own exfoliating mixture at home by combining one teaspoon of honey, one teaspoon of granulated sugar, and one teaspoon of water or milk.
Rinse your face thoroughly and gently pat it dry. Use warm water to wash away all the cleanser and exfoliating mixture. Pat your skin dry with a towel—avoid rubbing, as this can lead to wrinkles and irritation.
Apply a small amount of toner to help achieve smoother skin. Using toner is optional, but it can be a great choice if you want to refine your skin texture and minimize pores. Many commercial toners contain alcohol, which can dry out your skin. It's advisable to opt for an alcohol-free toner, especially if your skin tends to become cracked. Natural toners can work just as well as store-bought ones. Try blending equal parts lemon juice and water for an excellent toner. Aloe vera, witch hazel, and rose water are also effective alternatives.
Use a moisturizer. Choose a facial moisturizer and gently apply it across your face. A good moisturizer helps protect your skin from pollutants and keeps it looking fresh and radiant. If you're cleansing your face before bedtime, use a thicker moisturizer to help your skin recover overnight. When going outdoors, choose a sunscreen-infused moisturizer with SPF 15 or higher to shield your skin from harmful UV rays.
Facial Care for Acne-Prone Skin
Wash your face twice a day. A morning and evening wash is ideal for acne-prone skin. Washing in the morning helps remove bacteria that have built up overnight, while washing in the evening cleanses sweat, dirt, and makeup. Washing your face more than twice a day can dry out and irritate your skin. Many people with acne believe that frequent washing improves their skin, but this isn't the case. Over-washing can cause your skin to become damaged and weakened. If you feel your skin needs a break between washes, you can simply splash warm water on your face instead of using soap or other harsh chemicals.
Use a facial cleanser specifically designed for acne-prone skin. Regular cleansers often contain ingredients that can worsen acne. Chemicals, alcohol, and oils can irritate your skin or clog pores, which is what you should avoid while treating acne. Choose a cleanser made especially for acne. Not all acne-prone skin is oily; some individuals with dry skin also struggle with breakouts. Choose a cleanser that suits your skin type and doesn’t leave it overly dry. If your acne is severe, consider using a medicated cleanser with ingredients that target pore-blocking bacteria. Consult a dermatologist for a prescription or look for cleansers containing salicylic acid, sodium sulfacetamide (an antibiotic), or benzoyl peroxide (BP).
Avoid scrubbing your face. Many people with acne believe that vigorous scrubbing will clear clogged pores, but this can actually cause skin damage, irritation, and worsen acne. When dealing with acne, you must wash your face very gently. Exfoliation should also be done softly, without rubbing the skin. Instead of using an abrasive scrub, use a soft towel and gently massage it in circular motions on your skin. Do not use a brush to scrub acne-prone areas.
Steer clear of hot water. Hot water can irritate the skin, causing redness and discomfort, so it's best to wash your face with lukewarm water. Avoid facial steaming techniques that open your pores when treating acne, as the hot steam may exacerbate the problem.
Gently pat your skin dry. When dealing with acne, don't use harsh towels that can rub and irritate your skin. Instead, opt for a soft washcloth to gently pat your face dry after cleansing. Remember to wash the cloth regularly to prevent bacteria buildup, which could transfer to your skin during the drying process.
Use an oil-free moisturizer. If you have acne-prone skin, it might be due to clogged pores. Many people find that oil-free moisturizers work wonders. If you prefer using an oil-based moisturizer, test a small amount on a patch of skin before applying it all over your face. Aloe vera is a soothing, oil-free moisturizer that can calm irritated skin and hydrate it naturally. If your skin tends to be oily, skip the moisturizing step or only apply it to drier areas of your face.
Facial Care for Dry Skin
Wash your face once a day. If your skin is dry, washing it more than once a day will only make it drier. Cleanse your face at night to remove makeup, dirt, and sweat before going to bed. In the morning, just splash your face with warm water or gently wipe it with a damp cloth instead of doing a full cleansing routine. Always apply moisturizer afterward to prevent dryness.
Use a mild soap or oil to wash your face. Dry skin becomes even drier when washed, so it’s important to choose your cleanser carefully. Opt for a face wash specifically formulated for dry skin, or use oils for cleansing. To use oil, wet your face and apply your preferred oil (almond oil, olive oil, jojoba oil, coconut oil, etc.). Gently massage it in circular motions with a cloth and rinse with warm water. If you prefer store-bought cleansers, make sure they are free of sodium lauryl sulfate or sodium laureth sulfate, as these harsh detergents can further dry out your skin.
Exfoliate regularly. If your skin is so dry that it flakes off, you may need to exfoliate more than once or twice a week. Gently exfoliate every other day by rubbing a soft cloth in circular motions over dry areas. The most important thing is to remove dead skin without causing further dryness or irritation. If your skin is extremely dry, you can exfoliate with oil. Dip a soft cotton pad or makeup pad in coconut oil (or any oil of your choice) and rub it in circular motions. This method will both exfoliate and hydrate your skin. Avoid using loofahs, brushes, or any harsh tools on your face, as dry skin is more delicate and prone to scratches and wrinkles.
Rinse with lukewarm or cold water. Hot water will dry your skin further, so always use cool or lukewarm water when washing your face. Over-washing with too much water can also lead to dryness, so limit the amount of water you use by either splashing a few drops on your face or wiping your face with a damp cloth.
Pat your skin dry with a soft towel. Use a soft, absorbent towel to gently pat your skin dry to avoid stretching the skin. Patting helps prevent irritation and flaking.
Use a moisturizing cream. Choose a moisturizer designed for dry skin to keep your skin looking fresh and hydrated. Natural or homemade moisturizers are ideal for dry skin since they don’t contain chemicals that might irritate or dry out your skin. Look for creams that contain shea butter, cocoa butter, or any other oils that help soften the skin. If your skin starts to flake a few hours after washing your face, apply some coconut oil or aloe vera to help soothe the skin.
Warning
- Never go to bed without removing your makeup.
- Don’t reuse a washcloth until it has been washed.
- Don’t over-wash your face. Doing so will strip away your skin’s natural oils, which may cause your skin to produce even more oil.
- If you have sensitive skin, always test a small amount of product on a small patch of skin first. For example, you can apply it on your hand and wait for 10 minutes to see if any redness or itching occurs.
- When washing your face or exfoliating, always massage in circular motions from bottom to top. This will help massage the skin and stimulate blood circulation. Never pull your skin downward.
What You Need
- Gentle facial cleanser or soap
- Soft towel
- Exfoliating scrub or cloth
- Toner
- Moisturizing cream
