Six Biggest Face-Washing Mistakes

Washing your face seems pretty simple, right? Splash some water on your face, rub in a little cleanser, and rinse. But to get the most out of your daily cleansing routine, it takes a little more care and consideration. It’s not only how you wash your face that makes the difference, but when, how often, and what type of face wash you use.

You might think cleansing your skin before bed is all you need to wake up fresh-faced, but another rinse in the morning is a good idea. Germs from your pillowcase can move to your face as you sleep. But even if you wash your pillowcases often, an A.M. cleanse is best practice.To ace face washing, suds up morning and night. And always wash or use a wipe after a workout to fend off sweat-induced breakouts.

You might think hot water opens pores and cold water closes them. The reality is that pores don’t have muscles to open and close. While hot water may feel good on your skin, it can screw with your skin’s natural, protective oils and lead to over-drying or over production of sebum. Lukewarm water is the best bet to cleanse gently yet effectively.

You probably know the perils of falling asleep with a full face of makeup (i.e. acne and dullness). Another thing to note: Your cleanser shouldn’t double as your makeup remover. “Many makeup brands are smudgeproof or waterproof, so basic cleansers will not remove them thoroughly.” For this reason, it’s important to use a gentle makeup removing wipe, micellar water, or oil-based makeup remover before you wash—especially when removing long-wear makeup.

No matter what kind of skin you have, make sure the ingredients list doesn’t contain fragrance, which can be irritating; parabens (potentially toxic preservatives); or harsh soap (it’s drying). If a cleanser fits that bill, the formula itself [cream, lotion, foaming, etc.] is more a matter of personal preference. Of course, people with dry skin may prefer formulas with added moisturizers, like glycerin or shea butter. The American Academy of Dermatology also recommends avoiding alcohol in cleansers that can be abrasive to skin.

When you moisturize makes a big difference. In fact, experts recommend applying moisturizer right after washing your face. If you wait even a few minutes, the surface cells dehydrate and are actually harder to moisturize. If your daytime moisturizer doesn’t have a SPF, apply a sunscreen on top.

Pat, don’t rub. Rubbing can feel really good, but it tugs and pulls your skin, which puts your elastin at risk. And don’t just grab the nearest hand towel, used or not. Friends don’t let friends spread bacteria—especially all over a nice, clean face. Designate a clean, soft towel to blot your fresh face.

When it comes to getting the most intense clean, a powered cleansing tool such as KUNATO LYOS does a more thorough, uniform job of cleaning off surface dirt than your hands or even a washcloth. A tool tightens pores and increases the cell turnover of your skin. It’ll help reduce acne and even minimize sun damage.

Washing your face doesn’t need to be complicated, but it’s important to know that there’s a right way and a wrong way to cleanse. We want to make sure you’re doing it right so your skin looks its beautiful best!