By washing your face excessively or using harsh ingredients, you unintentionally strip away your skin's natural oils and compromise its protective barrier, leading to dryness, irritation, and inflammation – all significant factors in aging skin.
Dried-out skin is far more susceptible to showcasing fine lines, wrinkles, and increased sensitivity to environmental stressors like the sun. Moreover, continuous irritation and inflammation break down the precious proteins of collagen and elastin, which are vital for maintaining youthful and firm skin.
Excessive face washing also disrupts the harmony of your skin's microbiome. These integral beneficial bacteria, thriving on your skin's surface, are crucial in preserving its health and barrier function. Disrupting this delicate balance exposes your skin to potential damage and infection.
Here is a cleansing routine that will keep your skin looking and feeling its best.
1. Make face washing an unbreakable habit before bed. Most skincare experts agree that if you are only going to wash once, you must do so in the evening to remove everything accumulated during the day. It's important to fully remove makeup before you go to bed, according to Joshua Zeichner, MD, the director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. "This can minimize the risk of skin irritation from the makeup itself.”
Be sure to tend to your eye area. Leaving eyeshadow, eyeliner, and mascara on overnight may contribute to eyelid dermatitis, which the Cleveland Clinic notes happens when your eyelid comes in contact with an irritant, causing redness and scaliness.
Cleansing before bedtime also allows your skin to revive during its natural repair mode. When you sleep, your skin cells undergo rapid rejuvenation. You want your skin to be clean to help your skin repair itself. A fresh, cleansed face also helps your skin absorb skincare products.
2. Use a facial cleanser that is gentle and non-irritating. Opt for a fragrance-free, sulfate-free, and alcohol-free cleanser to avoid potential irritations. Steer clear of sudsy cleansing agents as they often indicate sulfates, which strip your skin, leaving your precious barrier compromised and prone to redness.
3. Unleash the magic of exfoliation. Millions of skin cells are shed daily, forming a dull accumulation reminiscent of dust particles on a surface. This layer of dead skin prevents your skin from reflecting light and can give your face a more ashy look. By exfoliating regularly, you pave the way for fresh, rejuvenated skin that radiates vitality. Harsh exfoliants such as beads and abrasive scrubs should be avoided at all costs as they cause more harm than good.
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4. Use Water in the morning or after a workout. For a light cleanse in the morning or after a workout, consider Micellar (pronounced MY-sell-er") Water. It combines purified water, hydrating ingredients such as glycerin, and low concentrations of highly mild surfactants or soaps called micelles. The micelles work like magnets, attracting dirt and oil and lifting them away, while the hydrating elements maintain your skin's moisture balance. This leaves your skin not stripped of natural oils but radiantly clean with zero oily residue.
